Accommodation and Food
What about hotel check-in and check-out times?
The usual check-in time for the majority of hotels is 2pm with a check-out time of 11am. If you’d like an early check-in or late check-out, just let the local tour operator know and they’ll do their best to arrange it.What about the hostels, B&Bs and hotels?
The local tour operators try to work with small, family-run, eco-friendly hostels, B&Bs and boutique hotels wherever possible. Depending on the level of comfort you choose, they will book a hostel (private rooms), B&B or a hotel (2 to 5 stars) for your stay. You will see the hotel selection before booking.What is the accommodation like within the local communities?
You will have your own room, privacy and all basic facilities. Depending on the community, you may be required to share a bathroom. All communities fulfil the minimum comfort and safety requirements, such as hot water and access to a telephone. However, access to the internet and mobile reception can be limited.What will we eat?
When you live within the local communities, you will eat their traditional, local foods. Breakfast is always included, be it in a hostel or hotel, or within the local communities. If you are vegetarian or have any special dietary requirements, just let the local tour operator know, so they are able to prepare special meals for you wherever possible. However, please be aware that this may be limited in some cases.General
Do the local tour operators speak English?
Yes, all the local tour operators on this platform speak English, and all the activities will be guided in English as well, unless you request them in another language (subject to availability of guides).How successful have previous tours been?
If you would like to know what past travellers thought about the tours, please visit our testimonials page. You can also read the Happy Travellers category of our blog.What about travelling with children?
The majority of tours are suitable for children - please refer to each individual tour and look for the family-friendly tag. When sending a travel enquiry, make sure you thick family-friendly box. As these are bespoke tours, they can be created so everything is family friendly.What are the three levels of comfort?
Adventure: Includes accommodation in hostels (always in a private room) and B&Bs, and sometimes in hammocks, rustic cabins or tents. Internal transport is overland rather than by plane wherever possible.Medium: Includes accommodation in B&Bs or 2-star family-run hotels (always in a private room).
Relaxed: Includes accommodation in 3 to 4 star hotels. For longer journeys internal transport is by plane rather than overland wherever possible.
All levels of comfort include a contribution to the visited social and environmental projects.
What if we have a complaint?
If you have a complaint whilst on holiday, please bring it to the attention of the local partner immediately and they will do their best to rectify it. After the tour, you can send us a complain and we will carry on an investigation.What should we bring?
Travel insurance, passport, binoculars, alarm clock, walking shoes, water bottle, daypack, sun protection, insect repellent, sun glasses and hat, swimwear, flip-flops, torch with extra batteries, travel towel.Cold destinations: Wind and waterproof jacket, warm clothes to layer, warm socks, fleece, hat, gloves, scarf.
Hot destinations: Comfortable light cotton shirts with long and short sleeves, comfortable trousers made of cotton or a light synthetic material (bring at least two sets of light clothes which can be washed and dried easily), shorts, rain coat, plastic zip-lock bags, plastic bags for your luggage in case of rain.
Who will we travel with?
All the tours are private and you won’t travel within a group of people you do not know. On some excursions you will join small groups of other travellers for the duration of the excursion only. You will also travel with an English-speaking guide during certain sections of some tours. Please check the individual tour descriptions for full details.All the local tour operators can create tailor-made tours for groups, in particular when there is a special purpose (research, bird-watching, jungle expeditions, etc).
Health and Safety
Do I need any vaccines?
For each tour, you can see the vaccines you need (if any) before you travel. Additional information can be found on the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) travel advice website (specific links provided in each tour page) and within the Details tab of each tour. Additionally, the local tour operators will inform you of any vaccines requirements / recommendations.What about our personal belongings?
During your Latin America tour, valuables should be kept to a minimum and be packed in your hand luggage. Unfortunately, theft is a fact all over the world, so please be sure to obtain full travel insurance and if anything is lost or stolen during your trip obtain written confirmation from a local representative or the police in order to help with your insurance claim upon your return home.What if I have pre-existing medical conditions?
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions, please make sure you let the local tour operator know when booking or making an enquiry. They will work with to create a tour that suits your requirements.What to do in case of emergency?
Before travelling, you will receive a local phone number that you can call at any time to get assistance in English. Additionally, each local community has a telephone to make a call in the event of an emergency. The local teams will be looking after you throughout the whole journey.Will everything be clean and safe?
Yes, our local partners check that every provider (guides, transport, hostel, hotel, etc.) and every local community we work with fulfil standards of safety and hygiene. However, please bear in mind that you are travelling in Latin America and facilities and general conditions will naturally differ to those found in Europe and the USA.How to Book
How to check availability for the date we want to travel?
When you send a travel enquiry, a trusted local partner will get back to you. They will create an itinerary proposal and when you book, confirm the availability for all the hotels and activities. In case of availability issues, they will suggest alternatives.How to send an enquiry?
If you know where you want to go, visit the relevant destination page and simply fill the enquiry form. If you are interested in one of the tours, you will find the enquiry form when clicking on the 'Enquire Now' tab, visible on each individual tour. After filling and sending the form, one of our local trusted partners will get in touch with you, and start creating your ideal travel itinerary.If you don't know where to go, you can send us a general enquiry, by using the form on the 'Enquire Now' page (the link is on the top right of the website). We will then get back to you with advice and recommendations.
What happens after we book or enquire?
After sending the enquiry, a trusted local partner, based on the destination you want to visit, will get back to you. They will create a personalised itinerary proposal with quote for you.After you book, they will confirm all the services for you (accommodation, activities, transfers, etc.).
Before travelling, they will send you a detailed travel itinerary with all the information you'll need, and be available for any pre-departure questions or queries you may have.
During the tour, they will be available 24/7 to assist you (in English) with everything you need.