Top Destinations to Explore During Your 2025 Gap Year

Gap years are often life-changing experiences full of self-discovery. They allow young people to gain valuable real-life experience and expand their world views.  Back in the early days of higher education, European elites would embark on a “Grand Tour” when they came of age. It was considered a crucial part of a “gentleman’s” education. Gap years became more popular in Europe and around the world as education became more accessible. People in the United States, however, are just starting to embrace the idea. Whether you’re a student dreaming about traveling as soon as the school year wraps up or a parent searching for enriching opportunities abroad for your gap year student, there’s a lot to consider. 

You’ll want your year abroad to be full of fun –– nightlife, culture, outdoor recreation, and the chance to meet other travelers are top priorities. You’ll also want to ensure that the experience is meaningful. Perhaps you’ll learn a new language or skill, volunteer in the local community, explore your spirituality, or gain valuable work experience. Choosing a destination that is generally considered safe is important to most gap year travelers and their parents. 

If you’re considering taking a gap year in 2025 but don’t know exactly where to go, consider heading to some of these incredible destinations around the world. Grab your passport, pack your bags, and get ready for the time of your life during your year abroad.

Australia is the sixth largest country in the world, and it’s full of hidden gem destinations. Even if you spend an entire year there, you’ll never run out of things to explore. There are around 300 languages spoken in Australia, including many Indigenous languages. Most locals also speak English, which means it’s a great choice for gap year travelers who speak English as a primary or secondary language. Australia also offers a Working Holiday Visa that allows 18- to 30-year-olds from eligible countries to live and work in Australia for up to a year.

There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available throughout Australia where you can work closely with Indigenous communities, get up close and personal with wildlife, or help out with environmental conservation projects. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and you’re interested in learning new skills, consider opting for a farmstay, where you can participate in daily life on a working farm and enjoy being surrounded by nature. If you’re more of a city person, consider seeking out an internship in Sydney or Melbourne.

Australia is known for outdoor recreation and adventure, so make sure you carve out some time to travel off the beaten path during your gap year. Explore the rugged landscapes of the Outback, scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef, learn to surf, and hike for miles through stunning mountains. For adventurous gappers looking for an unforgettable time, Australia is an ideal option.

Costa Rica is a tourist hotspot that offers the ultimate laid-back vacation experience. It’s also a wonderful place to visit during your gap year if you’re a fan of natural beauty. The small country in Central America is about the same size as Denmark. Within it, you’ll find towering mountains, lush rainforests, lively cities, waterfalls, volcanoes, and miles upon miles of gorgeous tropical beaches. It’s one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with more than a half a million species of plants and animals. Watch monkeys as they swing from the trees and scarlet macaws soar overhead. Endangered species like jaguars and tapirs are more rare, but if you venture into the primary rainforests protected in Costa Rica’s extensive network of national parks, you just might be lucky enough to see one.

Tourism is a major part of Costa Rica’s economy, and most locals are welcoming to international visitors. There are some fantastic Spanish language schools and immersion programs throughout the country if you’d like to become proficient during your gap year, but many locals also speak some English. Volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica are plentiful. You can work with the local community tutoring English, volunteer with a sustainability initiative, take a permaculture course, or do a work trade at one of the many hostels across the country.

Hostels are a wonderful and affordable place to stay in Costa Rica if you’re looking to meet other travelers and make lifelong friendships. You’ll find plenty of options all over the country, and many have communal kitchens and organized group activities for guests. If you’d like to explore more of Latin America, you can find affordable flights to countries like Guatemala, Panama, and Colombia from the city of San Jose.

Located on the Southern tip of the massive African continent, the nation of South Africa makes an ideal destination for gappers in search of adventure. The vibrant country is sometimes called the “Rainbow Nation” in recognition of the many different cultures who call it home. You’ll find a unique blend of modern Western influences as well as Indigenous traditions and culture. South Africa’s history is tainted by colonialism, inequality, and segregation. While positive steps have been made since apartheid legislation was repealed in the early 1990s, social issues related to discrimination and inequality remain. Choosing to dedicate time towards humanitarian efforts can be a rewarding way to make a difference during your gap year.

If you’re an animal lover, you’ll fall in love with South Africa. The country is home to some of the continent’s most incredible wildlife preserves. During your gap year, you can see Africa’s iconic “Big Five” species, which include lions, leopards, rhinos, elephants, and African Buffalo in their natural habitat. Krueger National Park and Sabi Sands are epic safari destinations. Volunteering with wildlife preservation initiatives is a wonderful option for wildlife enthusiasts.

During your leisure time, explore Africa’s lively cities. Cape Town, which is nicknamed the “Mother City,” is located on the coast and has gorgeous beaches. It’s one of the top surfing destinations in the world, and there’s a great nightlife scene. Long Street is full of hip restaurants, bars, and clubs. Durban, Johannesburg, and Port Elizabeth are a few more cities worth exploring during your time in South Africa.

If you long to feel immersed in natural beauty and travel far away from the hustle and bustle of the modern world, consider planning a trip to Chile for your gap year. The country spans half the length of South America along the Pacific Ocean, and there are a variety of climate zones ranging from Mediterranean to Antarctic. On the Southern tip of the country, you’ll be close to the South Pole. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, it’s one of the easiest places to disembark on a cruise to Antarctica.

Patagonia, a region that covers portions of Chile and Argentina, is a bucket-list travel destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Torres del Paine National Park is a nature lover’s dream. You’ll be able to hike through epic wilderness, take in the splendor of the rugged granite rock formations, explore glaciers, go horseback riding, and go kayaking around icebergs. If you’re interested in ancient history, consider visiting Rapa Nui, which is also known as Easter Island. The island was first settled in 300 A.D. by a group of Polynesian people. For hundreds of years, they thrived on the island without contact with the outside world. The famous moai figurines are located within Rapa Nui National Park.

For an educational experience, consider studying Spanish during your gap year in Chile. You can also gain valuable experience in hospitality or volunteer with humanitarian or conservation efforts. When you’re ready to experience some nightlife and culture, head to the city of Santiago, which is home to almost half of the country’s population. Nestled in the shadows of the Andes Mountains, Santiago has a blend of historic and modern architecture. There are a variety of neighborhoods to explore, each with its own unique flavor and flare.

For our list of gap year destinations, we considered destinations all over the world. We aimed to include destinations that offered a variety of educational opportunities like language immersion and volunteer programs geared towards young adults. We focused on countries that could appeal to a wide variety of travelers and made sure that each place we chose had plenty of opportunities for nightlife, culture, and outdoor recreation. Finally, we reviewed the websites of popular gap year travel companies to ensure that gap year programs were well established.