My Family and I Want to Volunteer in a Safe Latin American Country. Any Tips?

Ask Rolf: Vagabonding traveler Rolf Potts answers your questions about travel

09.18.07 | 11:33 AM ET

Rolf Potts

Dear Rolf,

My family and I want to travel abroad, but my overriding concern is the safety of my wife and kids. I’m a former pro baseball player and my wife is a teacher. Our two kids are 6 and 8. We want to teach/volunteer in Central/South America. It seems everyone is going to Costa Rica. I’ve heard very good things about Panama. I really like the Pacific Coast. We dream of finding a safe and welcoming area for all of us. Any recommendations?

—George

Dear George,

I highly recommend travel and expat living with your family. It’ll be a great experience for your kids.

As for where to go, there are plenty of options. I wouldn’t worry about politics. People the world over seem to like Americans on a one-on-one basis, geopolitics aside. And traditional cultures tend to be even more welcoming when you have kids in tow. Just be friendly and curious (while taking the normal commonsense precautions) and you should be fine.

In Central America, Costa Rica is indeed popular, but I might recommend Panama or Nicaragua. Both countries are mad for baseball, and a lot of Americans live there (yet not too many, as it feels sometimes in Costa Rica). With your wife’s teaching qualifications and your pro baseball background, I’m sure you can find a great spot.

What I might recommend, before you make specific plans, is to take a couple weeks off and visit Central America just for fun. Go to Panama, Costa Rica and Nicaragua by car or bus. Talk to people living and working there, and basically have a good time. After those two or so weeks, you’ll have a much better sense for what you want to do, and where you want to do it!

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