Volunteer Central AmericaOverview The seven countries of Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Belize, Honduras, Panama) attract many foreign volunteers with their temperate climates, rich cultural history and broad diversity over a small land mass (roughly ¼ the size of Mexico). While for decades many countries of Central America were plagued with political turmoil and civil war, strides have been made in recent years to bring peace to the region, making it a much safer destination for tourists and expatriates. However, before making the decision to commit to a length of stay in a foreign country, it is very important to research the most recent travel warnings and visa requirements, which often change. Population & Diversity While the majority of people living in Central America are of mixed European and Indian decent, the northern countries still boast large native Maya populations. Climate The diversity of Central America also extends to climate; while all are situated in the Tropics, changes in altitude (up to 4000 meters above sea level) cause the region to be divided in three temperature zones: The Cold Zone (2000m+) with temperatures from 10-12ºC(50º-54ºF) at night and 23º-26ºC(74º-79ºF) during the day; The Temperate Zone (1000-2000m) with temperatures from 15-21ºC(59º-70ºF) at night and 23º-26ºC(74º-79ºF) during the day; and The Lowlands (sea level to 1000m) with temperatures from 21º-23ºC(70º-74ºF) at night and 29º-32ºC(84º-90ºF) during the day. Like much of the tropics, the Winter, Spring, Summer and Fall that we experience in North America are not present, but rather various amounts of rain distinguishing seasons. The rainy season (invierno) runs from late April to early November while the dry season (verano) runs from late November to early April. While these are general guidelines, there is major variation between coasts (the Pacific Coast receives much less rainfall than the Carribean). It is also important to note that hurricane season begins midway through the rainy season, and some parts of the region become hazardous as a result of flooding.
|
