"I have to give Explorica two starts…"

I have to give Explorica two starts because I see a Huge change since my last trip before the pandemic. I been with this company for about 10 years. I was told that the old Operation team is not the same. Th staff who is doing everything is World Stride. This people didn’t acknowledge the years I been with them. Planning process perfect because I have the same tour consult. The problems comes when everything is done internally.
1. TD: was canceled a week before leaving even though we told them we didn’t want this tour guide because he has done it before. He still was assigned to us. We got some that it was his second tour. Which it’s ok but do not give it someone that has been with Explorica for 10 years. He did not know anything about the countries we visit. No preparation in advance.
2. We did not visit many places. Everything was because no time. I have done this trip many times which I know now what we can do and what we can’t. He believed what the bus driver would tell him.
3. Food: horrible. I was very surprise. We had never had issues complaining about the food. Many of our food was serve on disposable plates and the portions had very small amount.
4. I don’t have any issues with hotels because we always do upgrades. So, excellent.
5. TD: no interaction with the students. This very sad because the students fa were not able to connect with him.
6. We always have cooking classes and Flamenco classes as well. The pasta making class I was not very happy but I thought, the cooking class in Madrid will make it up. Well, they didn’t give us the same place. No organization at all. Nothing compare to the other place that we always had.
7. Overall, I think Explorica have to give the TDs a good training. He didn’t know how communicate with us. His communications was all by text and we had to inform the group about everything. Basically we ran the tour.
I can continue adding but just think that Explorica have to change and go back to the old service. Otherwise, teachers will begin to move on with other companies. I felt that I was with EF when we ate. I think this was worst. I think EF do have excellent TD. I very dissatisfied this year.

"Our tour guide was the best ever !! Organized, helpful, informative, very willing to be flexible whenever possible .. just top notch on everything!"

Our tour guide, Adam Self was amazing! Thank you for the many flexible additions and switches we made 😊
We had very full, packed days

"Everything was so fantastic"

Everything was so fantastic! Our tour guide and bus driver were amazing. Very personable and knowledgeable. The food was great, the activities and excursions were very memorable. We loved interacting with the Costa Rican people. I would definitely recommend.

"NYC Arts tour"

The Broadway musicals, Broadway workshop, and museums were all exceptionally good. The timing of getting everywhere and finding lunch was somewhat of a challenge. The tour guide needs to know the number of adult and student tickets for the MET ahead of time.

"Spain/Morocco 2023"

Hotels, meals, local tour guides, and tour director were all excellent for a tour of this type. The local sites and attractions we visited were appropriate for travelling students.
The students had a lot of fun and their eyes were opened to different ways of living in other places.
A great experience - Explorica was wonderful to work with.

"We were able to visit many places in Paris and in the Loire Valley"

We were able to visit many places in Paris and outside this beautiful city. We enjoyed the company of our tour director and the trip was great overall.

"Puerto Rico- April 2023"

Puerto Rico- April 2023
Hotel- gorgeous and clean. Great food.
Location is not ideal, security guard first night didn’t come on until 11:30 and then woke us up later just to tell us everything is ok. I went to check on kids around midnight one night and she was not on either floor! In the past when we have had a hired security guard they sat in a chair on the floor to make sure students didn’t leave.
All students on different floors than the adults was bad planning and at this hotel you need a room key to each floor to get to that floor. Therefore adults weren’t able to just go check on kids without a room key to their room. Not safe, hard to get to my kids when they needed me.

Day 1- arrived, went to hotel, went to dinner… all was great!
Day 2- up early, great breakfast, walking tour was ok. Woman was very soft spoken so most could not hear her and disengaged early because of that. Other tours have a mic and head set that local guides can wear for the day so that people can hear. That would have been much better. Zip lining was loved by all that got to go. There was a weight limit that was not communicated to us. People paid who shouldn’t have because they couldn’t go. Not cool!
Day 3- el Yunque and Luquillo beach were all great! Kayaking was underwhelming. We had to split our group which was not ok. The opposite groups had to sit around for 2 hours waiting in a sewer stinky area. Ruben did bring our group down to town so kids could get some food. That was much appreciated! Kayaking also had a weight limit that was not communicated prior to the excursion. Not cool! The workers was speaking terribly about the weight of one of our passengers in Spanish but she spoke Spanish and knew what they were saying. She ended up leaving. Very unprofessional!! I have done the swimming excursion for bio bay twice in the past near Ponce and then This kayaking one and I have to say, the swimming in bio bay excursion was much better. Having to hide under a tarp to even see the light was odd and unnerving. I would not recommend this excursion again.
Day 4- we didn’t start day until 10:30 am and then that was just to drive 1.5 hours back to where we were last night. It would have made so much more sense to have stayed out that way overnight and saved hours of driving yesterday and today. We could have them done a morning excursion or some shopping. Again because of the bad location of the hotel we weren’t able to use that late start to be independent and shop or explore. The day did not have enough in it as I had said I was concerned with before we even booked this trip. However, the island excursion was a blast. The kids had a great time. The only concern I had was that some of the crew of the boat, including the Captain were smoking marijuana and drinking. After the island excursion we drove back 1.5 hours to get ready very quickly for our farewell dinner at Ruben’s Cafe.
I highly recommend Ruben’s cafe as they were friendly and kind and the food was great!
Day 5- The trip home went by easily and without any concerns.
Overall, the trip has potential but it was the worse guided group trip I have taken students on. It was poorly planned, inadequately proportioned, clearly out to just check off the boxes of the itinerary instead of making sure it was being done the best way to make the trip run smoothly.
Ruben was amazing and worked through the poorly organized hurdles and communications like a champ!

"Our tour guide and bus driver went above and beyond"

Our tour guide and bus driver went above and beyond to make our visit an absolutely amazing journey!
Their energy and enthusiasm fed our group with positive vibes! They were eager to teach us about their culture and country and we were ready to immerse in it.
All went smoothly in planning this trip and during the trip. This is the second time i have travelled with this company, and neither time did the Tour Diary work for those wishing to follow our adventures. I wish this could be rectified. All else was great.

"Everything went smoothly and according…"

Everything went smoothly and according to the plan

"Amazing volunteer activity"

Our group had an amazing volunteer experience with Green Communities through Explorica! Everything was well-planned, and our tour leader kept us informed and in the loop with all activities, eating information, etc.