Where is the best place to travel?

Where is the best place to travel in Central America/ Africa for an older teenager?

• I want to travel so badly and I've already made up my mind to either go to somewhere in south Africa or to a country in Central/upper south America. I want to go somewhere really warm and very cultured, I would also like doing some charity work.. I've gotten tons of student exchange travel magazines but I just don't really know where to go. Also where would be the least crime ridden, I want to feel at least fairly safe while I'm there (and yes I know everywhere has crime and violence, I'm just looking for the lesser places :)) Haha thanks for reading this and only nice and polite comments please, especially from people with experience traveling to these places. Oh and any tips or suggestions on good priced student traveling agencies would be great too! Thanks!!

• Answer:

  I'm an older teenager and some of my family is South African and after a recent trip there I can safely say although crime is better than it was its still rife (I would not travel there alone). However you may struggle to find charity work in countries without crime as the crime ridden countries are often the ones that need the help most. I wouldn't rule out South Africa which has beautiful landscapes and a rich vibrant culture, but if I didn't have family there, speak two of the main languages I wouldn't choose to go, especially alone. May I suggest Hati there are many Charities out there still helping to rebuild the nation. There is crime there like with places following any natural disaster, but there is a mutual goal in Hati which is just inspiring and infectious. Then if you have had enough charitable work and want to have a hard earned holiday you can always cross the boarder into Saint-Domingue which has some well established and well priced resorts. I have found that Kayak is the best travel site often beating the student sites on price, but if you have a student card look at who it gets you discounts with as they many have some good discounts. I hope this helped.