Caravan Tours???
 

Caravan Tours is offering fairly inexpensive tours to Costa Rica. We are looking at a tour by this group for August. It is 10 days and seems reasonable. I am wondering if anyone knows anything about this company? This is our first trip to Costa Rica and we would like a nice easy way to get an overview of the country without spending a lot. Nice, but not luxurious lodging would be the minimum acceptable.

We are going with Caravan tours in March. I have never heard of them before, and I don't know anyone who went with them. I checked out their website, talked to them over the phone, and everything seems nice. I tried to post the same question on this WEBsite, but no one responded. We have exactly the same goals as you - first trip to Costa Rica, would like a nice overview, and acceptable lodging without spending a lot. I checked some of their hotels, and they use the same hotels as other nicer tours as Globus, so I am hoping it is going to be good. I'll let you know when I return on March,15.
Helen

Hi,

I have been wondering the same thing. Not alot of information about this on the board. I think most people here go on there own. Please post a report when you get back.The information will be very helpful and I would love to hear about your trip.

We have friends traveling on a Caravan Tour starting tomorrow. I would be happy to post their thoughts upon their return.

Since we are traveling at the same time as our friends, I looked at the itineray for this Caravan Tour, as it does look good and is a really great price, we declined going with them.

First we had already been to some of the places, and wanted to explore new territory.

My other concerns would be - How much time you are spending on a bus. The two Barcelo properties they use are large hotels, we like small. Due to the large number of diverse individuals - I would have to wonder if it would be a more seditary vacation and not action packed (seems they are doing a lot of floating). And the tour stays in Jaco 2 nights with only a day trip to Manuel Antonio - which is a bummer.

With all that said - if it were our first trip, the tour covers many of the highlights. And the value is very good.

Each of you are correct in your assumption - most of us tend to do a more customized trip. Utilizing our own personal research and possibly the help of a tour operator. However our first trip was a package deal.

For our trip starting TOMORROW!!!!
we are using Pat Hewitt - Costa Rica Travel Exchange - lovecostarica.com.
We have also used Travel Net at CentralAmerica.com

Hope this helps. GO AND ENJOY!
Donna

I agree with Donna -- it really depends on whether you want a fully-escorted tour versus having a travel agent make your arrangements. The second option gives you more flexibility and independence, but there is something to be said for having everything planned - especially when it's your first trip and the price is so reasonable. I initially looked at tour packages for my first trip. Ultimately we ended up just getting on a plane and hopping on a bus! (We did have first and last hotel reservations though - we're not completely crazy.) Whichever way you choose to go, you will have a fabulous time.

Donna - I hope you have a wonderful trip and I look forward to reading about it when you return.

Terri

Thanks for the replies, I am looking forward to the information about the trip. Please keep us posted.

Our friends are home from their Caravan Tour.
Their ages are early to late 50's. The wife reported that she loved the freedom of not having to plan the side trips. They both stated that the average age of the group was older, however quite entertaining and fun to spend time with. They were very pleased with all their accomadations, food, daytrips, etc. They had a very informative guide. And felt they got more than their monies worth and would take another Caravan Tour.
We did catch up with them in Tortuguero - their lodge, food, tour was quite similiar to ours.

I will be posting a trip report - just need to get caught up!

Donna

dfarmer,

Thanks for the information. Looking forward to your trip report.

Again, Thanks

Dfarmer, Thank you very much for posting this information! This posting made me feel so much better! We are going to same trip with Caravan on March, 5. Can't wait for a trip report!

Thanks so much for the follow up info. We are aboutthe same age as your friends. I just needed a little reassurance before booking. We are looking forward to more information.

I too want to hear more about Caravan. I'm interested in their Colonial Mexico trip for this fall. Even though I previously owned a travel agency, I have never heard of them but they do sound reasonable given all that they provide. Any more reports anyone??