When you add up all their listed tours and events, you end up with 41 tours and events (since many of the individually listed activities are combined on a single day tour).  Out of the 41 tours and events, 11 are stand-alone meals.  That leaves 30 tours and events to see the countryside and experience the local culture.  Well that's the same amount of tours/events we offer.  On our webpage, out of 40 that are listed, there are 33 separate day trips/events (some of which have more than one activity included).  Out of the 33 day trips - 3 have meals included with them.  So tour for tour, both trips give the same number of tours/events. 

But why does one tour cost $1700 more than the other?  

Well on the other tour each person gets a jacket and a pin (about a $30 value) and they do pay for your Mexico tourist visa ($22 value).  There are a few expensive events that the other company pays for.  One of those is a 2-day stay at the 'all-inclusive' Montelimar beach resort in Nicaragua (does not include cost of the $150/night rooms).  Well, if you don't pay for the room, what's left?  Meals and beach activities?  Well you can only eat/drink so much and wouldn't you rather spend those days exploring the countryside, taking a volcano tour or visiting some small villages instead of rubbing elbows with other foreign tourists on vacation at the beach? 

Another event that we don't include is the $400 p/person Arenal volcano 2-day trip in Costa Rica.  The reason for this trip is to see a live volcano at night.  Typically, in January/February, the volcano is often covered in clouds and cannot be seen very well at night.  So you get a long bus ride, a nice meal and a $180 hotel room, but is it really worth the extra money you have paid?

The 'world famous' Costa Rica Aerial Tram is another very expensive tour which we used to offer until many of our clients commented that the long bus ride from camp and what you see does not justify the $80 per person cost. 

In Panama the Chagres River tour is offered.  This is a very good side tour as well as the Panama Canal transit.  We offer both of these trips to our tour members while in Panama.  The approximate cost of both trips purchased is $200 p/person.

Compare the discounts we offer; (up to $200 off the regular price of our tour) compared to $50.  Our 'frequent-traveler' discount (Karavan Kredits) are also greater on this trip at $300 versus $200 with the other company. 

It all boils down to what each customer is looking for.  We have been in this business long enough to know the best tours and events for those of you who want to see the 'real' Central America and not the tourist traps.  When you add up all the different activities the competition pays for, their price is fair.  But do your homework.  Make sure you really want to take part in these activities because $1700 is quite a bit of money that could be spent on other things during your upcoming Central America Caravan.