Are you looking to visit some of the best beaches in the world on your gap year? Consider the Caribbean as your destination. Although usually totally overlooked due to worries about costs, there are lots of trips available where you can explore or do something amazing like helping wildlife.
Popular Trips & Volunteer Programs in the Caribbean
Island Turtle Rescue Nicaragua
• 2 – 8 weeks
• Price from £895
Mayan Discovery
• 15 days, 3 countries
• Price from £1,049
Costa Rica Adventure
• 10 days
• Price from £1,295
Central America Journey
• 32 days, 7 countries
• Price from £1,844
Epic Centra America Tour
• 45 days
• Price from £3,329
Mexico, Belize and Guatemala Highlights
• 10 days, 3 countries
• Price from £2,017
Sea Turtle Conservation in Costa Rica
• 2-12 weeks
• Price from £1,395
Sloth & Wildlife Rescue Sanctuary in Costa Rica
• 2-10 weeks
• Price from £1,395
Eco Tourism Internship in Costa Rica
• 2-3 months
• Price from £2,345
Cuba: Salsa & Snorkelling
• 16 days, Havana to Havana
• Price from £959
Cuba Explorer
• 9 days
• Price from £1,099
Cuba Biking Tour
• 8 days
• Price from £1,079
Top Rated Companies
If you want to travel, go backpacking, volunteer, work, study or book an adventure, these companies can help you plan a gap year to the Caribbean.
Richmond Vale Academy
Richmond Vale Academy is a NGO dedicated to creating a sustainable future through ecological farming, environmental projects and courses in St. Vincent and Grenadines. Become a climate activist in the Caribbean. 6 months study and action programme with start dates in February, August and November.
International TEFL & TESOL Training
Take a TEFL certification course with ITTT and get qualified to teach English in Caribbean. Choose between online and in-class courses and once qualified you can apply for volunteer or paid teaching jobs. Launch your international teaching career and have the adventure of a lifetime.
G Adventures
Founded in 1990, G Adventures is the leading adventure travel company offering a wide selection of affordable small group tours in the Caribbean. Whatever age, interest, ability or budget, G Adventures has a genuine life-changing trip for you.
Gap Years and Backpacking in the Caribbean
You really won’t regret travelling to the Caribbean and there are lots of great things you can do in this region. Popular options include exploring on a tour, going scuba diving or seeking out the best beach. Every island is different and local people throughout the are very friendly.
There are lots of different islands you could plan a trip to including:
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Barbados
• Cuba
• Dominica & Dominican Republic
• Grenada
• Haiti
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Jamaica
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
Caribbean Adventure Tours
Booking a small group tour is one of the safest and best ways to see the real Caribbean. You will get to travel with likeminded people, get taken to the best locations with experienced guides, go off the beaten track and see amazing islands and beaches.
Tours can provide the perfect escape: Caribbean beaches, cities of ancient civilisations, and colonial towns tucked away in the pine forests. Some trip begins in the party town of Playa del Carmen and run parallel to the turquoise coastline. Speed out to the coral cayes in Belize: you can swim with sharks if you dare! Visit the plazas and temples at the Mayan city of Tikal. Then it’s on to the jungle: go caving, horseriding and visit waterfalls. High up in the mountains, visit the charming, colonial town of Antigua and watch the sun set behind Lake Atitlan’s volcanoes. Combine this with pristine islands and laid back lifestyles and you’ve got the trip of a lifetime!
Volunteer in the Caribbean
If you would like to visit the Caribbean and do something rewarding rather than staying in a luxury resort consider helping local causes. Volunteers are needed to help amazing projects like wildlife conservation, the environment and disadvantaged people. Applications are open all year round.
Work in the Caribbean
Living in the Caribbean would be a dream right? Well, there are careers available to foreigners so you can turn this idea into reality. From jobs in the travel and tourism industry to working at hotels or onboard cruise ships, there are lots of options for foreigners.