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Gap Year Programs in Jamaica

Jamaica is a culinary underdog, ready to make your taste buds take off faster than their Olympic phenom Usain Bolt. It is located south of Cuba, and is a melting pot of cultures, beaches, and history, making it an ideal location for gappers looking for serene escape. Immerse yourself in the music, dancing through the night, and walk to watch the sunrise on one of their many beaches. Jamaica gap years have impactful work for everyone, and an activity for the foodie, hiker, beach bum, and shopaholic, in all of us.
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5 Gap Year Programs in Jamaica

Jamaica

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

9.55

794

Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...

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GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

9.68

37

GoEco - Top Rated & Award Winning Volunteer Programs Abroad

GoEco is one of the world’s top volunteer organizations, with award-winning and ethical programs selected by sustainable travel experts. Since 2006, tens of thousands of volunteers have taken part in projects and internships worldwide, focusing on wildlife and marine conservation, education, and medical initiatives. GoEco operates in over 50 countries, providing unique cultural immersive experiences that aim to make a positive impact on the environment and society. The organization also offers internships and academic programs for students. GoEco provides safe and meaningful experiences while promoting sustainable travel and reducing carbon emissions.

Projects Abroad

9.41

296

Global Leader In Meaningful Travel. Trusted By 130,000

At Projects Abroad, we’re passionate about travel with a purpose. Since being founded in 1992, more than 130,000 volunteers have traveled to over 20 destinations around the world. Our programs will make you step out of your comfort zone and engage with your new friends from around the world. These are long-term projects, led by local people and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By taking part in our programs, even for a short time, you will be contributing towards a sustained effort to support the communities that host us! We believe no other provider offers the safety and security to their volunteers and interns that we do. You'll receive 24-hour staff support from our trained staff, alongside a gold standard of safety planning of your trip - so you don't have to worry about a thing. Choose a project you are passionate about from working with children to medical internship, conservation, and wildlife volunteering. We offer projects starting at one week in over 20 stunning destinations across Asia, Africa, Latin America & The Caribbean, South Pacific & Europe. Ready to make a difference? Follow the link to visit our website!

Volunteer World

8.69

16

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find a program that matches your interests and skills through Volunteer World! We are the largest volunteer abroad comparison platform around the globe, enabling you to seek and compare offers from major travel agencies as well as smaller grassroots NGOs and local specialists in more than 80 countries. All these with just one click! Find projects in wildlife, teaching, community development, and several other areas. Simply choose your desired destination and desired travel date, and our search engine will compare the best volunteer abroad programs on your behalf. Whether you wish to gain experience at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa or teach English at a monastery in Nepal, we've got you covered. Volunteer World guarantees a quick and easy application. We will guide you through this process, as well as help plan your next meaningful trip. We provide free access to quality-checked projects and flexible options. And if anything goes wrong, we've got your back with our qualified support team and our refund guarantee.

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A Guide to Gap Year in Jamaica

Popular Locations

So you’ve decided on a gap year in Jamaica, but don’t know which location is best for you? Well you’re in luck because there are multiple options to choose from, that can best fit your needs. From the capital beach town of Kingston to the calm and rural area of Mandeville, Jamaica has the lifestyle to make your gap year the best yet.  

Kingston. As the largest city, gappers not only embrace meaningful travel during their gap year program in Jamaica, but they indulge in sight-seeing too. From visiting the Bob Marley Museum and National Gallery of Jamaica, to hiking the Blue Mountains or walking through Emancipation Park, gappers have a variety of pastimes to enjoy. This includes the freshest food found at Coronation Market, the colorful farmer’s market in Kingston. 

Montego Bay. Nicknamed “MoBay” by the locals, and known for its duty-free shopping, Montego Bay is the second-largest city in Jamaica. A tourist hotspot, MoBay is home to over 110,000 people who share Doctor’s Cave Beach and Walter Fletcher Beach with those who visit. During their gap year in Jamaica, gappers experience a cultural blend of history and entertainment in Montego Bay. For music and shopping, head to the “Hip Strip” full of reggae bars and boutiques. To know about Jamaica’s colonial history, the downtown area honors the African-Jamaican figure Samuel Sharpe, who helped lead Jamaican slaves to freedom. 

Ocho Rios. Translated to “Eight Rivers” in English, Ocho Rios is a former fishing village on the northern coast of Jamaica. The tropical climate turns gappers into mermaids with the number of water activities available, such as snorkeling, diving, and swimming with dolphins. Gap years in Jamaica aren’t complete without a visit to Ocho Rios’ beautiful Dunn’s River Falls, the calming Irie Blue Hole, or dune buggy rides at Yaaman Adventure Park. Gappers can even reach new heights, zip-lining through the rainforest at Mystic Mountain!

Mandeville, Negril, and Rural Areas. To have a gap year experience outside the big cities, check out the smaller areas of Jamaica. Mandeville, a suburban and residential area, is away from the coast and offers gappers an easygoing year of travel. Mrs. Stephenson’s Garden showcases a bit of nature, and The Jamaican Standard Products Company is the place to indulge in the famous Jamaican coffee. Even though Montego Bay has a relaxed beach vibe, Negril is known for their “Seven Mile Beach” of white sand and turquoise waters. Negril is more of a resort town, and an idyllic getaway for gappers who want tranquility during their gap year in Jamaica.

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Latest Program Reviews

Turtle conservation project in Costa Rica

April 30, 2018by: Drew Copping - CanadaProgram: Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!
10

Costa Rica's Turtle Conservation Project was one thing I will never forget! Such an eye opening and amazing experience. The IHQV program is an amazing way to explore the world in a feasible way. Not only is it affordable but I would have never experienced anything like it! IHQV Brings so much more, more ham any guided tour, more than a resort, and more than anything you could experience on your own. They have demonstrated such strong dedication to make sure every part of the trip is a great learning exprenice while keeping it fun. One of my most memeroble moments would be seeing the indangered leather back turtle lay her eggs. Because the leather back is in such danger it is critical that her eggs are gathered and re-nested in the hatchery where they can be taken care of and monitered to keep them safe from predators. I was lucky enough to be able to personally collect her eggs and dig a new nest to place each egg carfully. It was truley an amazing experience. I wish I could go back to see them hatch! Not only was this such an amazing experience, but every single person I met on this trip through the program m, I will dearly miss. IHQV brings everyone with similar ambitions together and from all over the world. I loved to meet people from the UK, Australia and Italy. Never could I go anywhere and meet such amazing people in one single place. I would recommend this program a million times. Leaving was hard, I'll miss my friends I have made and most importantly all the work that was done everyday to help such a wonderful project!

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