Places to  Visit During a Gap Year in Central America and the Caribbean

Central America is a great location to take a portion of a gap year or spend time for long term family travel.  There are some areas that are not safe but other areas are very safe.  Families can experience different cultures, learn a new language and be immersed in wildlife and ecologically and geaographically diverse areas.  Central America is a wonderful place to enjoy a different pace of life.

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Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a favorite choice for long term family travel, gap year trips, and shorter vacation.  Costa Rica is considered a pretty safe country.  Petty theft can be common in San Jose and some other areas as well as crimes that target rental cars.  As always pay attention to your surroundings and don’t leave valuables in view (or just don’t bring them).

Costa Rica does not tend to have major weather concerns like hurricanes but it can have significant rainstorms that cause road damage.  Driving in Costa Rica can be a little tricky but for shorted trips hiring a driver and using taxis may make more sense.  Healthcare in Costa Rica is considered good with an entire healthcare tourism indutry forming due to costs that are better than the US.

Costa Rica has many places that very friendly for short term and long term tourists.  The Pacific Coast is probably the most popular area.  The Carribean Coast has areas that are also nice to visit but the coastline can have more rip tides.  The middle of the country features rainforests, volcanoes and mountains.  The country has many ecoresorts, camps and other ways to interact with others and learn about the are. 

Costa Rica the Pacific Coast

The Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is a very popular area for long term and family travel.  Smaller and friendly coastal towns are common.  International communities are also scattered throughout the region as well as some larger tourism areas.

When looking for a location to stay for a longer amount of town, try searching for communities and resources that offer more opportunities to get to know other people and learn more about the area.  Eco resorts, surf groups, camps, and international travel groups can be great resources.  There are numerous beach towns and villages on the west coast that are wonderful options for long term travel.

Popular activities include wildlife watching, surfing, exploring shops or just relaxing along the beach.  Many towns and villages are better for shorter stays and some are better to stay long term.   If you’re looking for a longer stay with family then look in to worldschool hubs and facebook groups for places that have a similar community. 

Drake Bay

Drake Bay is a remote village on the west coast of Costa Rica on the Oso Peninsula.   The area is a family friendly destination full of wildlife.  Getting there may be difficulty by car.  Water taxi is likely a better solution.  The area has only a small amount of restaurants and little infrastructure.  No ATM’s so bring cash.  If you’re looking for a remote jungle experience, Drake Bay may be a wonderful choice. 

Tamarindo

Tamarindo has roots as a small fishing town but has developed a tourism industry.  There are a few larger hotels but overall the atmosphere is still low key.  There is a main strip that has several local shops and restaurants. 

Jaco Beach

Jaco Beach is a small city on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica with a strong surfing culture.  There are several learn to surf businesses in the area.  Places to stay include small hotels, bed and breakfast choices and house rentals.  The area is very friendly and safe during the day but still avoid wearing flashy items.  Consider being more cautious after dark.  

Central Costa Rica

Central Costa Rica has plenty to see and experience for a slow traveling family.  The Arenal Volcano area has hiking, lots of wildlife and some amazing hikes.  There are plenty of areas for families to enjoy a longer stay.  The Pursical area is much more quiet and has less options for interactions but is a good option for families that would like to relax in the mountains for a few days (or weeks).  San Jose has a wonderful children’s museum but can have more crime at night.  The nearby city of Sana Ana has a larger international community with modern malls.

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica (East Coast)

When travelling around Central America, most travelers usually want to stop off in Costa Rica at some point. For a first-timer in Costa Rica, it is normal to want to escape the city and find a place where relaxing is the norm and that offers the chance to connect with nature and other unique attractions. It could either be a place where tranquil turquoise waters flow or even outdoor activities such as surfing or local tours are on offer. Puerto Viejo in Limon is a safe place in Costa Rica that provides a healthy balance of relaxing paired with natural adventures. It is home to Costa Rica’s Afro Caribbean community and a place where travelers can expect hot and humid days packed with chilled vibes. Not to mention, various opportunities to get lively during the evening time. Also, whenever one doesn’t feel liking walking, it is possible to rent out a pushbike and check out other parts of this rustic beach town. For those that want to connect deeper with the local culture, find open tours and local adventures that offer meetings with the BriBri tribe, which are the largest indigenous group in Costa Rica. All in all, if surfing, beach hopping and exotic bike rides don’t sound appealing there is always a beautiful beach to fall back on while in Puerto Viejo.

Photo and Article Contribution from Dan @ Layer Culture

Tortuguero, Cost Rica (East Coast)

Tortuguero is a small peninsula on the Carribean side of Costa Rica.  There are no roads here.  Getting there is part of the fun. The area can only be reached by boat or small plane.  Tortuguero has a wonderful national park.  The focus of Toruguero is the turtles but there is a large amount of wildlife including monkeys, macaw’s, alligators, lizards and many more.  The town is small and walk-able and is a different cultural experience.  Tortuguero is best for a short stop (3 days) to add variety to any Costa Rican Vacation.

Fitz5 On the Go’s – Our Trip to Tortuguero Costa Rica

Mexico

Mexico is one of the easiest place to travel from the US.  Flights are short and many of the large resort towns know how to cater to tourist.   Most US travelers look for all inclusive beach vacations with tons of activities.  If you are wanting slower long term travel with a family then the major beach resort areas may not be the best choice.

Many areas of Mexico are not especially safe once you get away from the tourist area.  However many other areas are safe.  Mexico has a high rate of petty and violent crime.  The majority of this crime is due to drug cartels and criminal organizations but tourist have been caught in the crossfire.  Overall the risk of having a problem is very small and you are more likely to be injured by an accident then intentional violence.  Most areas of Mexico still make a great choice for longer term family travel.

Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen in Quintana Roo, Mexico, is known mainly for white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and a friendly atmosphere. It offers numerous attractions for families with children, so you can not get bored even during longer stays.

How to get there and what to do for transportation

The nearest airport is in Cancun. It offers a lot of international connections. Playa del Carmen city center is less than 45 minutes drive from the airport. You can get to Playa directly from the airport by ADO bus, taxi or you can rent a car.
However, for a longer stay, it will be cheaper to rent a car directly at the Playa than at the airport. The city is very well connected by local transport – cheap buses and collective taxis. So you can easily move without a car.

Where to stay?
To save money on lodging, it’s best to rent a house or apartment. Playa has a lot of rental offers. You will find the best options for a long rental on Airbnb and booking. Whole houses with small gardens are for rent. It is worth considering offers in protected estates. A vast number of estates have private security so that you will feel safe. What is more, housing estates often have playgrounds for children, a shared green area, or a swimming pool.

Safety concerns?
A huge number of housing estates have private security. In addition, there are also many police patrols in the city center. The city is considered one of the safest in Mexico. Of course, you should always be careful, especially after dark. Older quarters of the city are poorly lit. Better to avoid such places. In addition, there are often holes in sidewalks and streets, and you can trip over cables.

Things to do for families.
In addition to the public sandy beaches that stretch for miles, Playa has plenty of activities for children. The most interesting are amusement parks. In addition to various sports attractions, adventures (underwater rivers, slides, cenotes, swimming pools), great attention is paid to learning the culture of ancient Maya and Mexico. The best place for activities is Xcaret Eco Park. It includes jungle trails, aquariums, giant turtles, birds, monkeys, a butterfly sanctuary, lagoon, beaches, and natural pools, and more. There is also a lot of cultural shows with amazing costumes and live music. Another great places are 3D Museum of Wonders, Parque Los Fundadores, El Acuario de Playa, Dolphinaris Riviera Maya Park.

Is it easy to meet other families and kids?
It is easy to meet other families with kids. The family is most important to Mexicans, so they have a friendly attitude towards families with children. In addition, families from the USA or Canada often live in Playa for several months a year. The children spend time together in the playgrounds.

How long to stay?
Due to the high level of security, many visitors, attractions, great climate, fabulous food, friendly people, and good internet, Playa is the perfect place for a longer stay.

Difficulties?
The only problem is the language. It is worth knowing at least the basic phrases in Spanish to get in touch with the locals, hosts, or do shopping. In the center of Playa, around famous tourist 5 Avenida, with the most hotels, restaurants, and souvenir shops, you can easily use English. But when you leave the tourist part of the city, the only language is Spanish. But you’ll learn it quickly after just a few days.

Photo and Article thanks to Agnes from The Van Escape

Mexico City

Mexico City might not be the first choice for families visiting central America but you should definitely give it a chance. It’s a beautiful city with lots of things to see and do and the city is actually quite affordable making it one of the top places to see in Mexico. You can easily find a nice house in some of the outskirts of the city or a smaller apartment closer to the city centre. Mexico City has had some safety issues in the past which you need to be aware of before you go. If you stick to popular neighbourhoods and don’t take any unnecessary risk it’s absolutely fine though. The city is modernising quickly and has become safer over the years. Mexico City has a decent selection of activities for families including museums and theme parks. Six Flags Mexico City is a fantastic place to spend a day as is the Acuario Inbursa which is a large aquarium. The Papalote Museo del Nino and the KidZania Museum are also good choices. If you have older children you should visit the local ruins of Teotihuacan which are incredibly impressive and fun for learning more about the local culture. Mexico City has a decent expat community so you won’t have trouble finding other families in the area. You should stay in Mexico City for about a month or so at least, longer if possible.

Article and Photo Contribution from Victoria @ Guide your Travel

Panama

Panama City, Panama

Panama City, Panama, is a city that is in located one of the most biodiverse places in the planet, it is warm year-round(except in the cloud forests of Boquete, in the province of Chiriquí near the Volcán Barú), and has also an Old Town containing beautiful architecture reminiscent of the time when the European Spanish ruled Panama. These three factors amalgamate to produce some of the best activities that any family that travels to Panama will enjoy.

Because it is conveniently located between both North and South America, Panama should not be that expensive to get to from either part of the American continent. There is only one international airport in Panama City, the Tocumen International Airport. Once you get there, I recommend that you use an Uber or that you rent a car.

There are several places where families could stay, but a great place I recommend that families stay in is the Gamboa Rainforest Resort. It is located somewhat far away from the city center, but this is for a good reason. In the Gamboa Rainforest Resort, you’ll be the closest to the best attractions that your kids will remember forever. You’ll be the closest to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, where your kids can watch the biggest amount of hummingbirds they’ll ever see in their lives (seriously, it is unlikely to ever see so many hummingbirds gathered together in one place in your life again), and several other species of exotic birds. In Gamboa, you’ll also be the closest to a tour to Monkey Island, where your family and take a short boat trip right from the Gamboa Resort to the Island where 4 species of exotic monkeys are located. Don’t worry, the monkeys are friendly, really cute, and ready to meet tourists who will feed them bananas. Lastly, you’ll be the closest to the Panama Canal Visitor Center where you can watch the giant ships go by.

It’s hard to save money on lodging in Panama as most accommodation isn’t cheap, and promotional discounts are hard to find. However, you can find some accommodation discounts in OfertaSimple.com, but unfortunately the discounts are random and it is possible you won’t find one for Gamboa during the time of your travel. However, by staying at the Gamboa Resort instead of a hotel in the city center, you’ll save money on the transportation between the locations that are most attractive for your kids, as they are closest to the Gamboa Resort.

Fortunately for foreigners, all of the most interesting attractions in Panama are completely safe for tourists. If you need transportation anywhere in the city, I recommend that you only use Uber, or that you rent a car. If you only use Uber or your own rental car, you will be safe. It is convenient as between the main attractions for families, it shouldn’t be hard to find an Uber, or call one from the Gamboa Rainforest Resort.

Meeting other families with kids should intersect nicely with all of your Panama activities(and also if you go to Boquete, more on that later) if you itinerary includes the following: a visit to the Panama Canal Museum in Casco Viejo, a visit to the BioMuseum (The “Bio” stands for biodiversity) in the Amador Causeway, a visit to the Panama Rainforest Discovery Center, a visit to Monkey Island and a visit to the Panama Canal Miraflores Visitor Center.

As it was mentioned, accommodation in Panama isn’t cheap, so if you are on a budget, maybe you won’t find it convenient to stay more than a month. However, if your budget can afford it, there is definitely a lot more in the country besides the attractions that have been mentioned. A good spot that attracts international visitors is Boquete(in the province of Chiriquí, near Costa Rica). Boquete is 6-8 hours away from the city, it’s safe, good for family travel, you get to avoid the humidity of the city, you can see quetzales (not available in the city), do interesting coffee tours, visit picturesque farms, and this would be the recommended place to go for a longer stay in Panama. There are American immigrants there who even have made that place their permanent home.

Lastly, for some Panama insider tips, be careful with apps like Google Maps and Waze in the country. They are reliable for getting you from known landmarks and hotels to other known landmarks and hotels, but you should definitely not use it for going to “off-the-beaten path” places or less popular places, as it is not reliable for lesser known locations or places in the country; if you use it for these you might end up in another planet.

If you decide to stay 6 months or more longer, for sure, spend most of it Boquete. You can take the plane from the airport Marcos A. Gelabert in Albrook(a 30 minute ride), or go in your own rental car driving 6-8 hours via Google Maps, which can be a nice road trip and tour of the Panama countryside in its own right.

Special Thanks to Joseph from The Culture Portrait for the article and photo

Bouquete, Panama

Boquete, Panama is a small town in the midst of a “cloud forest” – similar to a rain forest but at much higher altitude. It’s a unique place that is home to 19,000 Indigenous Panamanians, migrants from elsewhere in Central America and expats from North America. Compared to Panama City, it offers a much slower pace and easy access to outdoor activities.

There are two options to access Boquete: by ground or by air. Families will want a car to explore the Chiriqui region, so most visitors will either rent a car in Panama City and drive to Boquete or fly to nearby David and drive from there. Those coming from Bocas del Toro can either fly to David or take a shuttle van over the mountainous terrain.

Boquete has a wide range of vacation rentals (thanks to seasonal expats from Canada and the United States) along with hotels, guest houses, hostels and more. Boquete is an extremely safe town, but driving in some of the outlying areas can be challenging due to poor road conditions.

The primary reason families should plan a visit to Boquete during their gap year is for a peaceful escape into the natural world. The area is stunningly beautiful and offers many wonderful opportunities for families from hiking to horseback riding. Those with older kids and teens can try out a zipline through the cloud forest canopy, rafting and even more adventurous pursuits.

While it takes just a few days to see the main tourist attractions in and around Boquete, it’s a great place to set up camp for longer periods of slow travel if you’re remote working or world schooling. Visiting Boquete may be a little challenging for families with no knowledge of Spanish, but one excellent option is to enroll in the local Habla Ya Spanish School to learn more – they offer classes for adults, teens, kids and even for families to learn together.

Article and Photo thanks to The Family Voyage

Belize

San Pedro, Belize

Located on Caye Ambergris, the largest island in Belize, San Pedro is a perfect place for a family trip.

San Pedro is considered a gateway to adventure as it sits near the protected Hol Chan Marine Reserve and has many companies that offer diving and snorkeling tours. 

It’s also only a few hours away from the famous Blue Hole, one of the most popular diving spots in the world, however, you can also do a flyover of Blue Hole from San Pedro with Tropic Air, if you want to get a bird eye view of it. 

Chocolate Museum is another beloved spot in San Pedro where you can try authentic Belizean chocolate made from cocoa beans that grow on the country’s mainland. 

Aside from water adventures, San Pedro has a great restaurant scene and plenty and affordable accommodations. Many hotels in San Pedro that are tucked away from the shoreline have affordable prices, where you can spend between $50 and $70 USD per night. 

The area north of San Pedro that is located past the bridge is particularly popular with families and long-term travelers who prefer a quiet place suitable for working and relaxing. 

To get to San Pedro, you can either take a water taxi from the terminal in Belize City or catch a flight from Belize City Airport, a more expensive but faster option, as flights between San Pedro and Belize City are between 15 and 20 minutes.

Depending on your plans, you should stay in San Pedro between 3-5 days, however, those who want to do a combination of diving, snorkeling and visiting the neighboring Caye Caulker normally stay a bit longer.

The best way to get around San Pedro is by golf cart that can rented in many stores and shops around the island.

Contributions (article and photo) thanks to Daria at the Discovery Nut

Nicaragua

Granada, Nicaragua

Guatemala

Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Guatemala. The city maintains its beautiful Spanish colonial architecture with baroque monuments and a grid street plan. Antigua was the capital of Guatemala for 200 years and walking on its streets feels like stepping into history.

Getting to Antigua is very straightforward. There are many minibuses stationed in front of the airport in Guatemala City, which leave towards Antigua as soon as they fill up. As a family, you can also get a cab or an Uber for around $35. Antigua is located one hour away from Guatemala City. The public transport in Antigua consists of tuk tuks, and this is because the city is small and walkable. Also, the streets are too narrow for big buses.

Antigua is a in general a safe city for families but, as pretty much everywhere in Central America, walking alone after dark is not recommended. Being one of the most popular destinations in Guatemala, Antigua has plenty of accommodation options, from hotel rooms to entire apartments or houses to rent. Antigua is not an expensive city and offers plenty of things to do for families. One of the biggest attractions in town is the Chocolate museum, where children can learn about cocoa and make their own chocolate bars. Another way of learning about Guatemala and its heritage is by taking a cooking class in Antigua. There are quite a few schools that offer families the chance to visit the market with a guide and then learn how to make three to four traditional Guatemala dishes, including pepian and Rellenitos de Platano. The latter will be a favourite among children because they are mashed plantains filled with sweet black beans and served with hot chocolate on top.

Antigua definitely deserves at least a month, so that families with children can get to learn about its culture. It is highly recommended to try and align the trip with one of the festivals that take place in Antigua. This is when the city comes to life and when children can learn so much about the local traditions.

Photo and Article contribution from Joanna at World in my Pocket

Guatemala

Lake Atitlan, Guatemala

Surrounded by hills and no less than 3 volcanoes, lovely Lake Atitlan is arguably the most beautiful body of water in Central America. So, obviously, the scenery and natural attractions are appealing to families of all sizes and ages. What really sets this terrific highland region apart, though, is the continuing importance of the traditional Mayan culture. The vast majority of Lake Atitlan’s population is indigenous and each of the 13 different villages is fascinatingly distinct.

While it is possible to drive to the lake, many of the roads are rough, winding and slow going. The classic Guatemalan chicken buses are no more comfortable but at least they are cheap and frequent. Getting around the lake is done via “lanchas”, the local public boats that run every 20 minutes in long circuits around the lake, stopping off at each village (and many private homes) along the way. There are numerous children’s organizations to be found among the villages, giving families an opportunity to get their children involved in group projects during short stays, and even going to school on longer stays. Hiking, swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding are popular family activities on the lake, although there are precious few shallow areas so it helps if your kids are strong swimmers.

Although there have been occasional robberies reported on some of the hiking trails, overall, Lake Atitlan is one of the safest places in Guatemala. And, while finding high quality wifi can be a challenge, the basic, rustic charm of this ancient lake is one of its most attractive features. If you are looking for someplace beautiful and unique, a place that still sticks closely to its traditional customs and values, then Lake Atitlan makes for an excellent Central American family destination.

Photo and Article thanks to Dean and Laynni at Routinely Nomadic

The Caribbean

The islands of the Caribbean are perhaps one of the most desirable stop for long term family travel, especially those trying to avoid winter blues.  The area is also great for snowbirds for winter stays.  In 2020 several islands increased stay restrictions to allow remote workers to stay longer to help with decreased short stay tourism.

Some places to consider for longer term family travel and gap year travel include: Puerto Rico, Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Barbados, Martinique, Aruba, St. Lucia and many more.  When looking for your best choice for a Caribbean stay be sure to factor in the price of the plane ticket as well as the price of lodging.  Many islands have large all inclusive resorts but smaller condo and apartment rentals are usually available as well.  Boating and sailing are also options.

The Caribbean Islands are under the jurisdiction of many different nationalities.  Several languages are spoken throughout the area. Length of stay requirements are also different on each island.  Most are pretty safe but as with many areas can have crime generally at night in certain areas of the towns.

Hurricanes can cause major trouble in many of these small islands.  Pay close attention to weather concerns, have a plan and consider not traveling do higher risk islands during hurricane season (generally June-September).

Havana, Cuba*

For many people, Cuba is a place that’s high on their bucket list. As it is a safe country, there’s no reason to avoid coming to Cuba with kids and even stay for a little longer than most.

Truth be told, the Caribbean island isn’t the easiest to travel in, let alone if you want to stay for a longer period of time. However, nothing is impossible and it will make for a wonderful experience.

The best place to spend a month or longer is Havana. The capital has many sights, playgrounds and restaurants for you to enjoy as well as cheap apartments to rent and beaches nearby. It also serves as a great base to make weekend trips to other top destinations such as Viñales, Playa Larga, or Varadero.

Getting around the city is easy on foot, but you can also use bicycle taxis or coconut taxis to get to the other side of town. Finding budget lodging is easy on websites such as Airbnb, especially if you are renting for a month or longer. Accommodation that is not state-owned are called a casa particular.

The biggest issue in Havana is getting ahold of essentials. Due to the communist system, it’s almost impossible to find luxury products such as soap or to buy food to cook yourself (there are no shops!). Your casa particular host might be able to find ways around this, but it is wise to count on eating out at least once a day. Finding bread for breakfast or lunch isn’t too difficult though. If you would like to stay in Havana for a longer time, it is wise to bring everything you think you might need from home.

Internet is another factor to be taken into account when travelling to Havana. Up until a couple of years ago, it wasn’t available at all. However, things are moving quickly and it is now possible to have access through Wifi-cards, through a 3G-connection if you buy a local SIM-card and free Wifi is offered at restaurants more and more. However, if you need a stable connection for remote work, Cuba is not the best choice.

Despite the difficulties both tourists and locals are faced with, Havana is a wonderful city that mixes old and new in ways you’ve never seen before.

Thanks to Babs @ mums on flip flops for the article, Photo from Canva

*Cuba is not currently available for tourist travel from the United States.  For more information on legal concerns regarding US citizens and travel to Cuba – click here.

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We’re a family of 5 (Physician Assistant mom, IT project manager dad and 3 kids ages 3,6,10) taking a gap year from normal life to travel.  For blog posts, locations, and more information on how we did it and how you can to click here.