South America
South America includes a wide range of diverse destinations for the dedicated backpacker and gap year traveller. These include Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. The obvious attractions include the amazing natural and manmade sights, the fascinating people and different cultures and the feeling that this is one continent that is still relatively unexplored by your average gap year backpacker. Anyone looking for gap year jobs in South America needs to be aware that these are developing countries, without the means to support incoming workers, so your best bet is to find a volunteering placement or work experience opportunity, then combine that with tours, treks and adventures supplied by the companies below.
South America
Kaya Responsible Travel
Over 250 projects across 26 countries in Asia, Africa & Latin America. Choose to work with wildlife & environmental conservation or community projects. Skilled & unskilled positions from 2 weeks to 6 months.
Find out more Visit their website
Oasis Overland
Adventure overland trips ranging from 2 to 40 weeks in Africa, South America and the Middle East.
Find out more Visit their website
The Leap
Winner Best Gap Year Company (Sunday Times) Volunteering, summer gap, horse and internships in Africa, South America and Asia. All programmes contain our unique mix of projects, locations and challenges.
Find out more Visit their website
Intrax
Volunteering in Belize, Brazil, Ghana, India, Mexico, Peru, Thailand and more. Projects with children, education, health and the environment. Internships and Jobs in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Find out more Visit their website
Wesser Limited
The Ultimate Gap Year – Let Wesser Pay For Your Gap Year!
Find out more Visit their website
Marvel at Angel Falls
It’s the world’s highest waterfall and it’s in in Venezuela. Standing at 979m (321ft), it’s about 15 times the height of Niagara! There are two main ways to access the waterfalls: if you are adventurous, take an expedition and raft upriver to sit near the bottom, otherwise you can take a plane to gain an alternative view - both are unmissable!
Rio Carnival in Brazil is the world’s largest party
Every February, Carnival explodes onto the streets of Rio. Any excuse for getting dressed up and partying till dawn!
Visit Easter Island, the world’s most remote inhabited island
Easter Island falls under Chile’s domain yet it is over 2000 miles away in the South Pacific Ocean. The landscape is dotted with hundreds of the mysterious Moai stone heads, whose history is a fascinating way to discover the culture of the island.
Trek to Machu Picchu, the world’s most spectacular Inca ruins
The famous Inca ruins were only discovered in the 1900s but are now the most visited archaeological site in the world. Machu Picchu is a must-see if you travel to South America
Lake Titicaca
Lake Titicaca is considered a sacred lake that lies on the border between Peru and Bolivia. Titicaca is one of the largest, highest, and deepest lakes in the world. There are 41 islands on the lake which are thought to be sacred too. There is also the labyrinth Chinkana.
