Are you looking to plan your next adventure? Not sure whether to travel to Asia or Central/South America and wondering which one is better?
We get a lot of enquiries asking ‘I would like to take a gap year should I travel to Asia or Latin America’, and to help, we have put together this guide with a comparison of both destinations and an overall rating for sightseeing, costs, accommodation, activities, safety and more important aspects to consider before booking.
Both Southeast Asia and Latin America are amazing destinations to explore, but both are extremely different.
Sightseeing & Best Places to Go
South America is a huge continent and it does require a lot of time to discover the highlights, some countries alone like Brazil are huge and you could easily spend months exploring.
South America is home to ancient Mayan ruins like the majestic Machu Picchu, this is one of the best places to visit on a gap year in Peru and the world.
Some cities like Rio de Janeiro are simply breathtaking whilst others like Cartagena in Colombia are vibrant and full of pretty and historic colonial architecture.
If you plan a gap year to Central America you won’t be disappointed. This region is often overlooked in favour of South America but there are so many amazing places to visit include beaches, islands, volcanoes and lush jungles teeming with exotic wildlife. A popular option is to plan a gap year to Costa Rica and volunteer, or plan an overland trip travelling up or down the region taking in the highlights along the way.
Asia is diverse with culture, huge modern cities, beaches, islands, temples and much more. This region of the world really is a backpacker Mecca offering great value for money and amazing tourist attractions.
Taking a gap year in Thailand is highly recommended, this is one of the most visited countries in the world and it is easy to see why it is so popular. There are huge modern cities and some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. From Bangkok and other locations in Thailand it is also very easy to travel and see more of Southeast Asia like Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.
Safety
Asia is generally safer than South America, people in Asia are very respectful and the local cultures are very peaceful.
This isn’t to say bad things won’t happen, there is extreme poverty in both continents and things can go wrong anywhere at the wrong place and time, but as a general guide, Asia is safer.
Also although looking at the crime stats for some countries, for example taking a gap year to Mexico can be quite terrifying, most of the crime in these countries is in very local areas which as a tourist you are unlikely to visit.
Some countries are best avoided at the moment in both regions including Myanmar and Venezuela due to political unrest.
Also some countries cautions is also needed for example female travellers need to be very careful after past incidents against tourists.
Value for Money
Both continents offer great value for money if you are arriving from North America, Europe and Oceania, although some countries are definitely cheaper than others.
Brazil and Costa Rica are very expensive by Latin American standards whilst Bolivia and Chile are very cheap.
In Southeast Asia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are generally some of the most expensive countries in the region but in other countries you money can go a really long way.
You can find budget backpackers style hostels in both regions, and affordable ways to get around.
Language
When travelling anywhere that isn’t an English speaking this can be a challenge.
If you are planning a gap year to South America then learning basic Spanish is highly recommend, even if you just learn the very simple phrases like hello, please, and thank you, this will really go a long way. You could download an app, do an online language course or book classes when overseas.
If you are keen to take a gap year to Brazil then learning Portuguese is essential. Not many local people speak English even in the popular tourism locations.
For Asia, there are so many languages spoken in this region and becoming fluent in any will be impossible unless you can dedicate years to study. But you can learn the absolute basics in each country and this will make travelling easier and more fun. Even just hello, how are you, please and thank you can make a big difference.
Activities
Both continents have literally thousands of activities and fun things to do. If you would like to discover the highlights of both regions you might like to search gap year tours, there are hundreds of trips available to book all year round. Some trips last days whilst others last months! There are lots of worthwhile volunteering programs to book where you can help people, wildlife and the environment.
Overall
Asia is a huge continent with beautiful diverse countries, tasty food, unique cultures, religions and tourist attractions.
If you have a love for travel both continents really are somewhere you must visit once in your life. If you are looking to take go backpacking or a gap year, and you don’t speak Spanish, we would learn towards planning a trip to Southeast Asia.
If you are a first time traveller, haven’t got anyone to go with, or are just nervous about travelling in either region, then an organised trip with an international travel operator is recommended.