Adventuretours, celebrating 40 years 1980-2020!

Traveling to Latin America in your RV will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience and we want to make sure you have all the information you need.

Q: Why Should I take an RV tour or expedition?
A: This is the most popular question we are asked by potential tourmembers. The answer is not safety as many believe. While there is safety in numbers, this shouldn’t be your only reason for taking an RV tour or expedition. The main reason is to see things you would otherwise miss traveling alone.

NO WORRIES, our staff takes care of all the planning, reservations and border paperwork. We know the roads and scout our trips in advance. The camaraderie of your fellow tour-members is another reason to travel with a tour. Friendships made during a trip last long after the group returns home!

Q: What is (and is not) included in my fee?
A: The services of your tourleader, who is experienced and knows his way around. All camp fees. All trips include vehicle inspection, drivers meetings, border assistance, camping fees, information packet, emergency location en-route, and pre-trip routing. You must pay for your vehicle expenses like fuel, insurance, etc. Personal expenses like shopping and groceries are not included. Any OPTIONAL tour not listed in your literature, is not included.

Q: What about safety and terrorism?
A: As far as bandits, we have not seen any in over 30 years of south-of-the-border traveling. Thieves are world-wide, if you leave the invitation, there is a chance you’ll find them. We believe there is less chance of this on tour than by yourself in the US. Terrorism has reached within the USA and no where is completely safe. Central America has been off the front page of newspapers for years, we see no indication of problems arising anywhere on our tour.

When a problem arises, we have alternate plans that can be implemented at any time. Most cases of “tourists” having problems, can be explained by analyzing the situation they were in. Many times, common sense was not used and the invitation for trouble was left out. We have very strict security rules that are followed. We hire security guards where needed and stay in secure places we have used in the past. We also give our itinerary to local authorities so we can be contacted in the event of an emergency.

Q: Do I need a passport?
A: Passports are required. New US passports are valid for 10 years and are a valuable piece of identification. Some countries require visas. We assist in obtaining these permits, before departure.

Q: Should we bring our C.B.’s?
A: We use 2M VHF Radios

Q: What about road conditions?
A: On our tours, we use the best highways available in the areas we travel. In Latin America, some of the roads are 6-lane freeways, others are little more than country roads. The size of our group and pre-trip planning allows us to travel slow when roads are rough. Toll roads are used where needed, we have carefully planned our tours on routes which do not always require the use of a toll road, because the free road is either just as good or more scenic.

If the toll road is much better than the free road, we take it. Keep in mind, toll roads usually bypass all the interesting small towns and things your here to see, so if you want to travel solely on toll roads, missing all the things in between, seeing only the main towns and cities, then travel with another tour company.

Q: What about vehicle Insurance?
A: You are free to purchase your insurance where you choose. Unlike some companies, we are not in the insurance business. We have companies who are familiar with our low loss ratio and offer competitive rates to our tourmembers. Some US insurance companies offer comprehensive coverage in Mexico, all you would need to do is purchase a Mexico Liability Policy.  Some insurance is purchased at the borders.

Q: What about BAD FUEL?
A: Fuel is plentiful and of excellent quality in Mexico and Central America. At present, Mexico prices are close to par with the US. Central America is about 30% more than the US. Unleaded is available through-out the tour route in Mexico and Central America. In South America, unleaded is available in most areas. Extra capacity tanks should be installed for this trip.

Q: How about hook-ups?
A: There are some, but expect none.

Q: Do we travel bumper to bumper?
A: NO, we travel apart (except in special circumstances) at a distance which is safe for others to pass. You may stop where you wish, after advising a staff member.

Q: Can we drink the water?
A: SURE! There are several ways to ensure that the water you drink is pure. We have not used bottled water for years now and have yet to get sick. Water Purifiers, chlorine or iodine treatments will provide safe water during your trip.

Q: Are there any special health requirements?
A: No, there are no requirements for the countries we visit. We do, however, advise that your tetanus shot be current in case of injury in the countryside. Inoculations for safety is a personal decision.

Q: What about biting insects?
A: Believe it or not, biting bugs (sand fleas, mosquitoes, etc.), are very rare in most of the places we visit. In some of the beach areas you will find a few mosquitoes at dusk, but that’s it. Even in the Central and South American rain forests, the mosquitoes are at the lowest levels when we visit, because it is the dry season. During other times of the year, (rainy season) there are some bugs!

Q: What about pets?
A: Pets are allowed on most tours.  Some expeditions have strict quarantine regulations.

Q: How much money should I bring?
A: This is a personal decision, people don’t have the same spending habits. During our trips we have our tourmembers complete a series of questionnaires so we can track these variables from year to year. Based on these questionnaires the average amount spent on tour is US$60 per day.

Q: What about the Language?
A: Some Spanish would come in handy, but it is not a requirement. Your guides speak Spanish and can help with translating. Many people in Latin America speak English because it is a required subject in school. That’s another reason to travel with a caravan tour (at least the first time) into Mexico or Central America. You will learn how to get around and communicate with the local people. We meet many of our previous customers while on tour in Mexico, who are now traveling on their own.

Q: Can family contact us in an emergency?
A: All they have to do is call our office, toll free and the message will be delivered to our group wherever they are. No need for your loved-ones to communicate in a foreign language, with a foreign country, we take care of it for you. For example, one time a tourmember had a family emergency at home and our office contacted us, literally “on the road.” By calling the embassy, who in turn called the local police, they tracked the group down to a short stretch of mountain road in Guatemala. The police caught up with the group and delivered the message to our tourleader while the tour was moving along. How’s that for communication!

Q: Does the Tourleader stay with us?
A: Unlike other tour companies, our tourleader stays with the group. The reason others leave one hour before everyone else is to scout the routing before the group gets there. They would not have to do this if they scouted it in advance like we do. We spend a lot of time and effort to scout each trip before departure, so your staff doesn’t have to during the tour!

Q: Can I break from the group & travel on my own?
A: Yes! Unlike some regimented groups, we encourage you to explore on your own. We understand that individuals want to see different things. We encourage individual exploration and will suggest points of interest for you to see along the way. There are things you may be interested in, that are not going to interest the rest of the group. You may be interested in churches, or waterfalls, or bird-watching, and we will personally point out these things for you.

Q: Who takes care of the border permits?
A: We do! For countries that need visas, we send your passport ahead of time to the consulates. In Central America and even at some Mexico borders, the paperwork and process, can be bewildering, especially if you don’t speak the language! When we arrive at a foreign border, our staff takes care of all formalities and you just relax and wait for us to complete the work!

Q: How’s the weather?
A: We plan our tours to coincide with the best possible weather patterns in the countries we visit. Weather is one of the most important factors in determining our tour dates. For example, many people think, heading south in August is not right, but on our Trek of the Americas Expedition, the seasons are reversed in South America, so August is really the end of winter (not the end of Summer) and the best time to visit this area. Our Mexico and Central America tours are scheduled during our winter months (January to March) and the weather is usually very mild, with little or no rain.

Q: Do you have break stops?
A: There is usually a 20-30 minute break after every 2 hours of travel. If you need to stop sooner, stop in a safe wide spot off the roadway. Lunch break is usually around midday and we are normally in camp by mid-afternoon. Our average travel distance is 150 miles which varies slightly according to road conditions, and unexpected events.

Q: What preparations must I make before our tour?
A: Each trip has different requirements due to length of trip, countries visited, etc. We will provide you with a pre-trip checklist that outlines what you need to do before leaving home. Last minute items to buy. Vehicle supplies that are hard to find, equipment for your vehicle and so on.

Q: What about cancellations?
A: If you have to cancel anytime before 60 days prior to departure, we will refund your deposit (minus a processing fee). If you are forced to cancel at any time after the tour has started, all fees paid will be forfeited.  Because of this we strongly suggest purchasing an optional Tour Cancellation policy. These policies will protect you in the event you have to cancel your tour. With this type of insurance, all monies paid for the tour will be refunded (minus the cost of the policy) if you are forced to cancel.

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Keep in mind!
Travel in Latin America is different from traveling at home. In order to travel in Latin America you must be flexible. Plans can and often do change frequently. You have to be able to expect the unexpected.

Camping areas close, road conditions change, life moves on and you must be mentally prepared to accept these inconsistencies as a part of the travel experience. Travel plans and arrangements are not as easily made or carried out in Latin America as they are in the US and Canada. Sometimes reservations are not always honored. If you can accept this, you will enjoy yourself!

You will be visiting this region as a foreigner, to see the differences of the culture and daily life found in these countries. Since R.V.’s are somewhat of an oddity, you will usually be the center of attraction when pulling into a small town. Some of the best (and most memorable) exchanges happen when the local people, curiously come out to see the “turistas.”