How was your Explore Tour Leader?

I was so pleased when Lou introduced herself at the airport as I had read such excellent reports about her and that she had been runner-up tour leader. She was absolutely brilliant in every way. Organised, punctual, informative, sorted the many border crossings, speaks fluent Spanish and seems to know everyone as she has been doing these holidays for years and still seems to love doing them. She always had an easy solution for any problem. She knows all the best places to change money and the best places to eat, arranging several group dinners during the holiday. Lou is an absolute asset to Explore and I will be voting for her in this year's Tour Leader of the year.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take new dollars in low denominations, WiFi in all hotels, soaps and shampoos in all but 1 hotel and mobile phones don't always work to the UK depending on providers and which of the countries you are in. Take binoculars for bird watching as Lou stops the coach when she sees different birds.

Do you have anything else to add?

Even though it covers a large area we had free time most days with only two long days of driving always with stops every couple of hours for food and toilets. All the hotels in the hotter countries had air con and/or fans.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Good but needed prompting to provide background information at times.

Do you have anything else to add?

Having been on several Explore tours before, I was surprised that very few meals or excursions were included. At times it felt like the inclusive elements only consisted of bus transport and a bed. In particular the decision to exclude breakfast from most days seems questionable and certainly not justifiable based on the desire to give the customer personal choice.  

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Byron Ortega was an excellent tour leader.  He was very informative about the history of the various countries.  Handed out good maps of the various towns and gave a good list of restaurant referrals.  Group had varied interests so it was difficult for him to try to set things up for everyone.  My roommate and I just went off on our own and did what interested us on the free days on the tour. I got the impression that many on the tour thought that the itinerary would be much more rigid and organized.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Be prepared to bring more cash than you would think you need.  ATMs and credit cards are not accept everywhere and the cost of eating in Central America is not that cheap since hardly any meals are included in price of tour.  A couple of LONG rides esp. the days from Panajacal to Chichicastenango to Copan, Suchitoto to Leon, and San Juan del Sur to Costa Rica.  This was not clearly noted up in the itinerary.

Do you have anything else to add?

I enjoyed the trip a lot more than I thought I would because I was willing to doing things and book locals tours on my own.  It is a fairly fast paced tour but one can just sit around and do nothing if one wants to.  Disappointed in the hotel Calle Real in Copan as one had to navigate a very steep cobbled street to get to the Central Plaza and to the site itself.  If one was not in good physical condition or is elderly, I can see it being very difficult for them.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Friendly and helpful, but not as proactive as guides we have been used to on other tours. Limited information provided on long coach journeys and nothing pre-arranged for Xmas day meal. Some coaches were of an inadequate size, requiring our luggage to be unloaded and put on a jeep - most unsatisfactory as on these holidays we do not normally let luggage out of our sight.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Be prepared for some long tiring journeys.  

Do you have anything else to add?

Other Explore holidays we have done became an experience and adventure. This holiday lacked that feeling.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Lou is a wonderful tour leader, best we've ever had.  Interestingly Informative about the countries, their people and traditions; quietly efficient at the numerous, and sometimes difficult, border crossings; endlessly patient, and a really nice person as well!  I see that she was a runner-up in the last round of the Tour Leader Awards - the winner must be beyond wonderful to better her.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Be prepared for a couple of long days on the bus, and the humidity; bear in mind the additional sales tax and service charge on cafe/bar restaurant bills.  The street vendors were never pushy - say no and they just move on.  Try the zip wiring.  It was fab!  The boat trips were great - even if you're not particularly into birds, it's cool(er), peaceful time.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Fantastic one of the best. I have been to 94+ destinations in the world and in my opinion Lou rates as one of the best. Chatted to all the group, was informative without being in your face. introduced us to many local foods and places I probably wouldn't have gone on my own. Great stories and interesting tales, and dealt with all the crap at the borders, money changing etc efficiently and firmly. Made the tour come alive and put the milage in (quiet literally).  Great Girl and worth every penny. (Exacto!)

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Buy the local mosi repellant, better that the deet stuff we have in the uk. The food was great!!!! No tummy trouble, but be sensible.... usual stuff, peel the fruit and all that and just remember to drink loads of water (bottled)..... I mean loads of water. Pack an umbrella and a waterproof suitcase or bag.  Pack spare sunglass's. Pack light and take some long sleeve stuff too. Don't take soap shampoo, its all there. Learn some basic spanish and you will get a lot more out of the holiday, as most locals don't speak english. Go with an open mind and you'll have fun!

Do you have anything else to add?

"Include more breakfasts please, it makes it very expensive. Central America is not as cheap is you might think.

Maybe less markets and churches!! Got a bit 'Cathedraled' out at some points.

Possibly either Grenada or Leon, for me they where too similar? Particularly after Antigua, which incidentally reminded me of Trinidad in Cuba.....

More 2 night stays, it really helps to get organised, charge batteries etc."

What was the highlight or most memorable moment of your tour?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi justo leo, mattis eget molestie vitae, euismod eget nulla. Vivamus congue nisi quis turpis bibendum interdum porttitor mi malesuada.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi justo leo, mattis eget molestie vitae, euismod eget nulla. Vivamus congue nisi quis turpis bibendum interdum porttitor mi malesuada.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi justo leo, mattis eget molestie vitae, euismod eget nulla. Vivamus congue nisi quis turpis bibendum interdum porttitor mi malesuada.

Do you have anything else to add?

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Morbi justo leo, mattis eget molestie vitae, euismod eget nulla. Vivamus congue nisi quis turpis bibendum interdum porttitor mi malesuada.

A great trip to discover the highlights, of these delightful countries. Starting in Antigua {Guatemala }Discover the delights of this lovely old town. Next we went to Copan, all you expect from this lovely ancient sight, plus more. Chicicastentenango market is like nothing you have ever seen before.. El Salvador next, and what a delight it was. Don't want to say to much, just let it all unfold. Nicaragua, also a fantastic place, so much to see and do. A very varied country, with every thing from volcanos, forests, citys and beach. Last stop Costa Rica, more National Parks, more birds and animals then you can count, all in all makes a great trip. And if you are lucky enough to get lou as your tour leader, she is great.

Variety.  Excellent tour leader.  Zip wire and white water rafting (CAQ -28th July 2011)

This was my first Explore holiday and I was unsure what to expect.  I had always wanted to visit Nicaragua but had a few pre-conceptions of anywhere else on the tour or what to expect from an Explore holiday.  Sitting at home having just returned it will be take a while to sort through in my mind all the amazing things that we saw.  Although there is a lot of travelling, 5 countries in 16 days, the amount that you see and experience was way beyond my expectations.  Tour highlights?  El Salvador:  a beautiful country with such friendly people. Nicaragua: watching the sun set at Juan del Sur beach, hearing the howler monkeys whilst camping (in some style) in Costa Rica, seeing Mayan temples in Honduras - I could go on.  A wide range of people and ages and an absolutely fabulous tour leader in Lou, whose enthusiasm for the people and countries shone through. An amazing experience - I want to go back. (CAQ -28th July 2011)

This was a brilliant tour of five countries in Central America. I have lots of highlights, but they include white water rafting in Costa Rica, zip-wiring in Nicaragua, the wildlife of the countries, Granada was really fun and El Salvador was a fantastic experience. Our tour leader was great and really brought the countries to life! (CAQ - August 2011)