Gap Year in Bolivia

For a vast range of breathtaking scenery, Bolivia is easily one of the most sought after locations for gap-year holidays. There is a whole host of attractions in this thriving country that appeal to many different types of travellers, and it is also a popular location for people who want to take on volunteering in South America.

The capital, La Paz, has a population of 835,000, and is a great place to get accustomed to the local traditions and way of life. However, the rural communities in the mountain villages can also offer a real taste of the Bolivian heritage. The town of Oruro is a popular destination, boasting one of the biggest carnivals in the country.

For stunning landscape, few countries can boast a location as breathtakingly surreal as the Bolivian Salt Flats – a barren white-salt terrain which stretches out over 12,000 square kilometres. Elsewhere, the Sol de Mañana geysers by Uyuni are well worth a visit. More dream-like scenery can be found in the Laguna Colorada, and the aptly-titled Dali desert – otherwise known as the Salar lie – which is situated on the border with Chile. Bolivia is also home to a vast amount of jungle-covered hills and valleys that are extremely popular for hiking and mountain biking.

It is easy to see that a few months could go by very quickly in Bolivia, and people who choose to stay on in the country often take on volunteer work in the rural and less-developed areas. Teachers are especially sought after, due to the lack of educated adults in the country.