Guatemala

Gap Year Guatemala

A gap year in Guatemala is an excellent choice for several reasons. For example if you spend your gap year in Guatemala you can spend time relaxing on some of Latin America’s finest beaches. There’s also a huge amount to explore on a gap year in Guatemala away from the coast. Guatemala was once the centre of the ancient Mayan Empire, so it’s full of history and places of interest, and an absolute ‘must do’ on a Guatemala travel gap year is a visit to the Mayan pyramids in the jungles of Tikal. In terms of wildlife viewing a gap year in Guatemala also offers plenty of unique opportunities - Guatemala has 19 different ecosystems ranging from coastal mangrove swamps to cloud forest.

Guatemala is central America at its best. It offers the highest and most active volcanoes, the most impressive of the Mayan ruins and the most devastating earthquakes. Guatemala is plagued with an intense and tumultuous history so prepare for an interesting and educational gap year or career break.

A particularly rewarding Guatemala gap year option is to do some voluntary work overseas. Real Gap has two extremely worthwhile Guatemala volunteer programmes you could get involved with on a gap year – both dedicated to caring for wildlife. Learn a language - if you spend your gap year in Guatemala with Real Gap you also benefit from comprehensive Spanish tuition.

Travel Guatemala
Volunteer in Guatemala
Free Gap Year Brochure


	Guatemala Community Outreach

Be amazed and humbled at the spirit of Guatemala’s poorest communities. You’ll play a vital role in improving their lives by teaching English and other lessons, or by helping with carpentry workshops or building projects.


	Guatemala Experience

Three weeks of volunteering, exploring and taking language and culture lessons make up the perfect introduction to Guatemala. Highlights could include climbing Guatemala’s highest volcano or giving a family the key to their first concrete home.


	Guatemala Spanish Language School

Pick up the phrases that’ll make travelling round South America more enjoyable or equip you for one of our Spanish speaking programmes. You’ll enjoy individual tuition, excellent facilities and activities such as craft sessions and meringue classes.


	Guatemala Sports Development Project

Get involved with setting up sports in schools from the very beginning. The children often have no more than a field and your tasks might include building facilities, arranging training and organising competitions.


	House Building Volunteer Guatemala

A rewarding programme that will see you help build stronger homes for families having to make do with cardboard and dirt floors. Their smiles when you hand them the keys will be more than enough compensation for your efforts.


	Sea Turtle and Caiman Volunteer Guatemala

Get properly involved in conservation work to protect turtles and caimans. Take part in the nightly beach patrols, help release the hatchlings, work on iguana and caiman breeding projects and much more.


	Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Guatemala

Nurse injured and confiscated wildlife back to health. You might care for monkeys, parrots, ocelots, taras or kinkajous, carry out wildlife surveys or get see the animals released. Take a trip to the Mayan ruins, too.


	Your Complete South America Gap Year

Do what most people only dream of! Learn Spanish, take salsa or cooking classes, visit Machu Picchu, explore the Amazon, marvel at Lake Titicaca and take part in wildlife or community projects.