If you're considering travelling during a gap year, you might want to give some thought to the rich culture and history of Central and South (or Latin) America. Here's our guide...
Travelling in Latin America
Bustling and cosmopolitan metropolises, glistening white sand beaches, rural farmlands and dense rainforests make up the varied and beautiful landscapes of Latin America. What's more, it's relatively cheap and easy to get between all these different types of places to really experience the diversity of the region. That is once you've gotten used to the "chicken buses", the affectionate name for local buses. Just when you think no more people can possibly be squeezed onto the bus, someone will invariably get on with several crates containing live chickens and/or a variety of barnyard animals to make the journey that little more interesting.
There really is something for everyone in Latin America, be it the art galleries of Frieda Kahlo or Diego Riveras in Mexico, hiking the volcanoes of Costa Rica, scuba diving on the island mecas off Honduras, touring the Mayan temples of Guatemala, lazing on the beaches in Belize, smoking cigars in Cuba, cattle ranching in Argentina, skiing in the Chilean Andes, following the Matchu Picchu trail in Peru and enjoying the fiestas of Brazil, one gap year may not be long enough.
Language schools in Latin America
A very popular part of a Latin American itinerary includes some time spent in a language school. After all, what better place to learn Spanish or Portuguese then in Central or South America, and knowing a little of the language can go a long way. Language courses can last from a few days to several months, depending on how many hours per day and how many days per week you wish to study. They can be much cheaper than their European counterparts and are often combined with a family home stay that offers total immersion in both the language and the culture of the area.
Visas for Latin America
Most holiday visas can be obtained upon arrival in the country (at the point of entry) and on average are granted for around three months. There are often official (and unofficial) entry and exit charges between countries but these are only a few US dollars. However, this can vary greatly between countries and it is best to check with the foreign embassy and other travellers, as well as consulting your guide book, with their experiences of border crossings.
Working and volunteering in Latin America
Central and South America are not the places to go to if you are looking to earn and save lots of money on your gap year. The majority of the countries in this region are developing countries and wages tend to be much lower than you would receive in more economically developed nations. Whilst there are few well-paid jobs available to "gappers", there are numerous voluntary or charity-based projects available that can prove both culturally enriching and very rewarding experiences. For example building schools or hospitals, helping teach English in local schools, working in an orphanage or on a conservation project are popular options. There are many organizations that can help you organize your charity or volunteering projects. Get more ideas for your gap year here >
