PIPERPAT

We recently returned from OAT's Route of the Maya trip and would like to recommend this trip highly to anyone with an interest in Mayan culture and ruins and also in life in Central America. The trip spends a brief amount of time in El Salvador, Honduras, and Belize, with the main focus being in Guatemala. This trip far exceeded our expectations. It was great fun to tromp through the jungles to find the ruins rising above the canopy. The vast scope of these areas was a big surprise. We visited villages of indigenous peoples and learned about their unique culture. We visited a local elementary school and had lunch with a local family. We saw beautiful scenery everywhere we went. This is a wonderful and interesting place to visit. On top of that, we are frequent OAT travelers, and once again OAT provided us with unique accommodations, many learning experiences and an excellent guide. If anyone has questions, feel free to email me at [email protected].

geribrum

Thanks for your thumbs up of your Mayan trip with OAT--it's quite near the top of my list, maybe in the fall. I, too, am a frequent OAT traveler, the most recent being to Tunisia last October. Can't beat the small group size, by far the biggest advantage of their trips.

PIPERPAT

How did you like the Tunisia trip? I think it looks very interesting, but a friend of my husband was not so enthusiastic. He said the accommodations were wonderful but the trip was less interesting than many he's taken.

MOMofONE

Hi Pat & geri
I just booked the OAT Affordable Costa Rica for December (encouraged by waived single supplement) so glad to hear of happy repeat customers. The Maya trip looks fascinating!

I prefer to arrange all of my own travels but last summer I enjoyed a very bare bones bus trip around western USA with my daughter.
I look forward to the educational focus and what seems to be a steady stream of activities visiting beautiful locations.

Quick question:
Can you tell me more about the school visits and home meal?
I typically cherish opportunities to meet locals in out-of-the-way places but, the descriptions and pics all make the OAT encounters seem rather contrived.


I can't see how I would prefer this interaction over an extra activity around the Arenal Volcano area since our time there is limited.
I will also be 6 days in the Osa Peninsula pre-bus trip hanging with the Ticos

I would be thrilled if my fellow bus mates enjoyed themselves but certainly don't want to appear rude by choosing not to attend.
Ever have someone sit out on this during your OAT trips?
Any insight appreciated

PIPERPAT

Hi Momofone, We have taken 8 OAT trips and have always enjoyed the school and home visits. You will visit an elementary school, where the children will put on some sort of performance for you, usually the local dances with costumes, and will proudly show you around their school. Then you will be divided into small groups and go to various homes near the school for lunch. You are on your own without you tour guide during the lunch. Even when we couldn't communicate with our hosts very much, we've always felt that this was a very worthwhile experience. The people have always been very friendly and we enjoyed seeing their homes and spending time with them. Many people feel that this is one of the highlights of the trip. I have also taken the trip to Costa Rica. I think you will enjoy it. If I can answer any other questions, feel free to email me. I can also send you a link on Snapfish to look at my photos from that trip.

MOMofONE

thanks for your perspective Pat

yes, I have heard "Many people feel that this is one of the highlights of the trip"
I guess after years of organizing these kinds of events with children for Girl Scouts, Sunday School, Youth group, and preschool, I can surely understand how people would enjoy it but just dont see how it would enchance my visit to focus on the natural beauty and wildlife of Costa Rica.

I hope no one is insulted by that when I opt out.
I just prefer to observe the locals on an unrehearsed day-to-day level, and interact on more spontaneous encounters.

I sent you an email ~ thanks for offering to share pics!
happy travels ~ T

PIPERPAT

I don't see why anyone would be insulted. I would imagine you can just stay at the lodge that day. I think you might be staying at Chachagua the day of the school visit, and it's very beautiful there. I think there are some hikes in the area.

Vttraveler

Piperpat--It sounds like a very interesting trip. Since you are interested in Mayan history/culture I thought I would point out that NOva is airing a segment called Cracking the Maya Code this week.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/mayacode/

geribrum

To Piperpat: Guess I never answered your question about Tunisia. It was a very interesting trip, definitely a different part of Africa to be explored. It's a very small country so most of it can be seen.

Seems as if there are more 'Roman' ruins there than in Italy, much of it in much better shape and as there were few American tourists, we pretty much had the places to ourselves. The Tunisian people were very friendly and helpful.

Think I covered most of the above in my trip report, and it's now been six months so some memories are not quite at the top of the brain.

Anyway, I'd recommend it.