We get a great many requests to arrange tours and activities from people who have already booked a week at the beach. Responding to these has been a challenge because the amount of work involved to learn enough about the guests to give them personalized advice is more than we can charge them for if all [...]

The first time I saw the words in the title of this post was on a whitewater  rafting company shuttle bus probably in 1970.They were on a big sign above the windshield where all the passengers could not help but see it.At the time I imagine I thought it was funny.  Forty years later I [...]

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In my first post on December 14, 2010 I wrote: “…assuming enough people get involved to make it worth continuing with this blog, I will chose 6 of the participants to come to Costa Rica as my guests.  We’ll continue the conversation in person.  I’ll pay all expenses including economy airfare…” Click here to read  the entire [...]

Now that Patty has made it to Costa Rica, how will she like rafting? Here we are, listening to the white water rafting “safety talk.” I am dry-mouthed and lightheaded, and not because of jet lag. I hate rivers. When Michael S. Kaye, Costa Rica Expeditions president and veteran white water rafting guide, told us [...]

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In late March Wendy Perrin, Conde Nast Traveler’s Director of Consumer News and Digital Community, published her A-to-Z Guide to Traveling with Kids, and asked her readers to do the same, offering a prize for the best one. Since then she has been published her favorites. Now Wendy has announced the winner along with a compendium of [...]

Hi, I think it is a great idea and am happy to share my own travel insights. I also own a bed an breakfast in Seward Alaska and am a wildlife biologist here so am happy to share information about wildlife viewing and travel in this part of Alaska to those who are interested.

I think this is a great way for people who enjoy the CRE experience to share a variety of travel recommendations. I feel so overwhelmed by electronic communication, however, that I am not sure how active I can be. I always tell friends who ask about my adventures in Costa Rica and recommend CRE for a quality, no-hassle trip. Diane

East Africa is one of my favorite places and I am sure you will love it too. There are lots of groups that organize excellent tours (we worked with Mark Nolting, owner of the Africa Adventure Company, on a custom family tour and he did an amazing job). Lodging ranges from basic to over the top luxury depending on taste and budget. There are two things I would strongly recommend. First, if it is at all possible in your budget spend at least a couple of nights in a mobile tented camp. You get the feel of the classic British safari experience sharing a glass of wine around your own campfire (rustic luxury, with hot showers and all) and being out there on your own away from everyone else is amazing. Second, if you are in the region, I cannot recommend highly enough going to see the mountain gorillas- I rank it in the top 2 or 3 things I have ever done. It is expensive but worth every penny.

What great ideas from everyone about traveling with children! My daughter, Natalie, is now grown, but her travel experiences with us as a child have shaped her view of the world. Travel is now a passion with her, as it with me. I agree with the comments of others regarding the benefits; her experiences made her more flexible, open-minded and compassionate in general. One more idea to add to the growing list: When Natalie was little, I always looked for opportunities to duplicate customs of local families in the country we were visiting. For example, in France we attended an evening concert followed by a post-concert supper in a local bistro. The waiters loved the fact that an American family, dressed in something other than jeans, was making an effort to fit in. They plied Natalie with so much free cake I thought she'd explode! While the shift to late-night meals so popular in parts of Europe can put kids off their normal routine, I think it's well worth it; however, we always scheduled nap or rest time during the afternoon to avoid crankiness later on.

I just wanted to expand on Judy's suggestion below about involving your children in the pre-trip planning. When my twin sons were 10, we went to London for a week. I told each of them beforehand that they were responsible for an entire day -- what we were going to see, how we would get there (walking, Tube), where we would eat. They studied the guide books beforehand, subway and street maps when we got there, and we had a great time on "their days." I saw things I would never have chosen (London Dungeon and an exhibit of Dali paintings) but the boys had a great time being in charge. I felt they were more willing to see things my husband and I were interested in because we went along with their wishes. My sons are now 21 and in college; to the dismay of some of my friends, they are more than willing to travel with us and we still have a great time on our family vacations, which they help plan!

Agree with Alice...my "kids" are teens now and are fabulous travelers because they have been doing it for years! (and by travel, I mean experience the place as is, not eat pasta and play game boy by a pool) It has made them better people- more respectful of other cultures, and socioeconomic circumstances, more appreciative of nature and the environment, more independent learners and able to entertain themselves in almost any situation. You will not be sorry, Alice! That said, they still have their cranky moments and meltdowns like the rest of us;-) Some things that worked for our family: Food: We set a policy for the kids to try new things but without judgment from us, just matter of factly try it- if they don't like it, go to the old standbys. My kids still shock everyone by ordering ceviche when we find it on a menu because they loved it in CR when they tried it! Entertainment: I agree with Michael, everyone likes something to do on a 10-16 hour flight, but put down the electronics and definitely put away the phone (you too, mom and dad!) both to enjoy the destination and each other! An entertainment surprise box worked wonders when they were little (books, snacks, little toys and markers) As of 8-10 they pack their own bags and I might buy a few new books or games "just for the trip." Guiding: I agree with Michael, that a good guide can make all the difference. On one of Michael’s trips, the guide was helping us spot a well camouflaged animal, and I was getting fed up with trying to help my 10 y o spot it but the guide was the picture of patience...working with her calmly till she spotted it with her binoculars, and she was so happy, both to see it and to be important enough for someone to take the time with her. One word of caution on guiding for kids- we have been on trips where the guides or children’s counselors spend more time babysitting and setting up "homelike" distractions (i.e. games, TV??!!!) that the kids don't get to enjoy the destination. I would ask this question of your tour operator and seek answers from other travelers on various message boards too. We took our girls on a cruise in Alaska and the program was advertised as a National Park Ranger led program to earn the Jr Ranger badge and see glaciers calve in Glacier Bay. After I picked up (my very disappointed) girls they told me the ranger never came, the other kids got bored “waiting” for the glacier to calve and the whole group was herded into an interior room to play Nintendo (this was pre cell phone- so they couldn't call us to save them) My girls missed the calving glaciers and now I am very fussy about doing any "family" trips with out asking very pointed questions about the itinerary. School: So many people debate this, but I traveled as a kid with my family, occasionally missing school. I remember every trip, but not much of what I learned in school! I don't believe schools are bad; just that what we have to teach our children on the road will stay with them far longer!! Happy Travels!

In my experience, international travel has always brought out the very best in my kids. Sure, at home I have days where I can't imagine even taking them around the corner to the local park, but put them in another country and watch them rise to the occasion. Since we have traveled to some pretty far-flung destinations with our three children, starting as early as two years old, I wanted to add a few thoughts: 1) If you can, involve the kids in pre-trip planning. Get them to help you look through websites, picture books, and field guides to learn what you are about to see. Check out fiction books from the library that deal with your destination-- whether it be Anne Of Green Gables and Prince Edward Island, or a picture book about the Okavango Delta like Honey, Honey, Lion!, books can set the scene for what you are about to see. In the non-fiction shelves of the Children's section of your local library, there will be a state-by-state, country-by-country set of books about destinations. See if you can get them to put in opinions about what they want to see. Sometimes they have strong negative feelings, too-- my 8 year old staunchly refused to go anywhere near a volcano on our trip with Costa Rica Expeditions. We're saving that for our next visit. 2) Never underestimate the value of postcards and local guides. Upon arrival in the airport, while you are waiting for bags, one parent can pop into a newsstand and buy a few postcards of places you are likely to see. You can use these as a sort of treasure hunt when motivation seems to drag along. In Costa Rica, you can buy wonderful waterproof field guides for the rainforest in the airport, and the kids can use them all over the country. This also works at the entrance to a museum-- stop by the gift store and buy postcards of things within, and then embark on a treasure hunt to find everything. 3) Have them record the experience however they can. Everyone should have a journal. Travel art kits can be wonderful for long bus rides-- think watercolor pencils and a brush with a water-fillable base to draw that scarlet macaw or statue. Bring along a small scrapbook and a glue stick and tiny pair of blunt scissors and let them glue brochures and maps right into their journals. Encourage some time each day for reflection, drawing, and writing about what you saw and what made you laugh. 4) I have a bag of tricks... actually a set of opaque drawstring bags, each with its own trick-- a card game, some dice for yahtzee, new crayons, finger puppets, the above mentioned art supplies, a favorite snack. I keep these hidden in my day pack. I try to label these with some incomprehensible code so the kids don't know what's in them. At low points or that excruciating 15 minutes after you order in a restaurant before you are served, grab a bag and voila! a new activity that they didn't know was there. 5) Technology: I agree with Michael that unplugging is good once you get to your destination, with one possible exception. Audiobooks and quiet music on an ipod can buy a kid some space from an irritating sibling in a hotel room or bus ride. Mine have to ask to plug in to their headphones, but sometimes if gives them a little regrouping time and reduces pre-dinner whining. 6) Language: every child should know "Hello", "Thank You", and "Please" in the language of your host country. It is amazing what doors those words can open. Encourage your kids to ask questions on buses and subways, in gardens and on tours. If you are lucky enough to have a wonderful guide like CRE provides, get your kids to come up with three questions for the next day. Four years later, my three can all give you the names of the tour guides who introduced them to the magic of the rainforest. 7) Money: For some reason, our kids lose teeth in every country we visit. It's great fun to have the tooth fairy bring new coins. Older children should try to manage currency and purchasing in the host country as well-- from making change to calculating tips, they can learn a lot from being involved. Our 11 year old learned the art of barter in Zimbabwe and has never been the same. 8) Play. This is important for everyone in our family. We need to remember to schedule some time to just play. My kids have made friends in playgrounds all over the world with kids who don't speak a word of their language, and had a great time. Our trip to London (when our oldest was four) involved a visit to two playgrounds a day, often with a picnic. A swim in the pool can accomplish the same thing. Again, four years after a great guided trip with Costa Rica Expeditions, my kids are torn between wanting to return to places they have been, and wanting to explore new territory. We can't wait to return!

I've had a few tipping adventures over the years. Something that I noticed earlier this year down in Argentina was the mistake I was making when leaving a perceived tip on a credit card receipt. Being used to the US method of entering the tip amount after the card has been run and the receipt returned, I would take the slip of paper the waiter gave me and would enter an amount in the "No." space at the bottom below the price of the meal. Of course, what they really want in the "No." space is some sort of identification number, presumably a passport or phone. Once the card has been run they don't go back and add the tip later. It was only halfway through the trip that I realized I should have been asking them to add the tip before running the card, or just leaving cash as a tip afterward. D'oh! So, if you're into tipping, it probably makes sense to get a sense of the system (if not the etiquette) beforehand, whether it comes to credit card receipts or staff tips boxes.

Hi Michael, First off, I am very impressed that you took the time to write such a comprehensive list of suggestions to someone who didn't even book his trip with you! Very kind of you. However, to address your discussion point for this week: I have always found it helpful to do the following before leaving on a trip: 1. Communicate my interests clearly with the tour operator. Unless it is a group tour with no customization possible, they will usually tweak the itinerary to focus on my specific interests. 2. Read as much as possible before the trip- factual information, history, and even fiction that might bring the destination alive in my imagination. 3. Research special events or, as is often the case with eco-adventure travel, check to see if there are special sanctuaries or research facilities in the area that can be visited. Now that we all have the internet, it's fairly easy to do that. 4. Take advantage of the knowledge of friends or acquaintances that have a connection with the destination (Like "Jim" did with you!). There's no better way to get off the beaten path than hooking up with a local. Once I'm on the trip, I continue to look for opportunities to enhance my experience by: 1. Attempting to establish a friendly relationship with local guides, hotel staff and locals that I encounter. A couple I met in Milan led me to a memorable musical concert in a small church that I would never have discovered otherwise. While horseback riding in the Galapagos, I became friendly with our guide who invited me and my travel companion to his home for tea. 2. If I'm traveling with a group, I always try to find time to separate myself from the herd at some point and explore on my own. This often provides opportunities for interaction and a greater understanding of the destination. 3. I always keep a journal. This forces me to put into words exactly what it is I am seeing, feeling and doing each day. Not only does this increase my appreciation (or disappointment) of what I am experiencing during the trip but I have found it to be helpful once I return home. I have written both complaint letters and "orchid" letters of praise upon my return and my journal has enabled me to remember the details. For example, upon my return from a Costa Rica Expeditions trip I was able to commend the staff member who had driven a great distance to retrieve the binoculars I carelessly left behind after our whitewater rafting day. He raced to the airport and handed them to my husband just minutes before we had to go through security and board our flight. Thanks to my journal I had his name and the dates handy.

Michael, this is fabulous. I am a frequent solo traveler, and knowledgeable advice and tips is a traveler's best friend. I love sharing my experiences with others, and I count on information I receive in return. This is a great opportunity for that exchange. Thanks!

Feliz Ano a todos! Happy New Year! We have been to Costa Rica twice. The 1st time, I found a great villa to rent on the Net,in Manuel Antonio.We went for 3 weeks, took the local bus,had a great time.We rented a car for only 3days,to drive down the coast a bit. So we (I!)did all the arranging ourselves & this was great. We decided to return, but wanted to see more ,whilst still staying near the beach. I had seen a article on Nosara in the Toronto Globe & Mail; it looked good. So I found a lovely little house in Guiones Beach,for 2 weeks. It was when I started trying to fit in San Jose, Monteverde, Arenal,etc, around this that I got really bogged down & frustrated & called on Costa Rica Expeditions to arrange our visits to those places. This was a wise & brilliant decision! Marco Hernandez organized this for us, & we were very pleased with everything. So...here's my opinion: I can find a place to rent & live for a few weeks using the Net.It's quite fun. But it was invaluable to have travelling to other places within quite a tight schedule ,arranged for me. It became a real headache trying to fit the excursions round the rental.

I've definitely had a few unexpected turns for the worst. Sometimes, like your shower escapade, the experience turns into something you can laugh at years later. One of the more memorable moments for me occurred during my first "independent" trip as a college student, traveling to Europe for a few weeks. We were visiting many popular tourist destinations, including Italy's Cinque Terre. For whatever reason, we chose not to make reservations before the trip, which was a big mistake in August. When we arrived at the first of the five towns late one afternoon, we discovered that the entire town was booked (including any family floors we could potentially sleep on). So we hiked to the next town... which was also booked solid. As was the next. Ultimately we ended up sharing a picnic table on the cliffside trail halfway between towns, which was perched high above a very noisy nude beach. It certainly wasn't the most comfortable night, but thinking back on it always makes me chuckle. From my experience, letdowns due to unreasonably high expectations are a bit different from the random snafus and disappointments that can occur during travel. Failing to make a reservation in the Cinque Terre in high tourist season was a simple mistake we paid for. Traveling to a remote research station in the Amazon that biologists and wildlife experts had told me was "far better than Costa Rica for wildlife" and coming away crushed by a disappointing four days in which we saw a single lizard (and almost nothing else) is something different. My expectations for trips are usually derived from a combination of my own experiences and those of others. I go to Yellowstone every year, so it's easy to judge what makes for a good/fun/successful trip to the park nowadays, since I have a solid collection of past experiences to reference. But when I'm researching a new destination and read about the wonders one can possibly experience there, I naturally get excited. As I register more and more opinions telling me the same thing (e.g., "better than Costa Rica!"), my expectations are bolstered, leading to even greater potential for a letdown. So how do we manage expectations? Well, it's pretty hard to not want to research a place and learn about what's there. Without that research we wouldn't get excited enough about the place to even go there, right? So maybe it comes down in part to what your goals are and what's at stake. As a photographer, my travel fun is occasionally tempered by the fact that I have to come away from the experience with some tangible: photos, sometimes of certain subjects, and not just the memories we usually take away from a trip. But if you travel with less specific goals and a more open mind geared toward exploration and a bit of spontaneity, you're probably more likely to be able to "roll with the punches" and come away with some fun memories even from those occasional unplanned events.

That's brilliant, Jon! Of course now that you have shared your secret, you may live to regret it; should the same scenario occur in the future you will run to the ticket counter only to find a line of CRE bloggers there ahead of you. :)

I arrived in Frankfurt a few years back to find that the pilots of Lufthansa, operator of my onward flight, had gone on strike. Their management was telling people to queue for a voucher that they could then redeem with another airline for travel. Naturally, the queues to collect the vouchers stretched most of the way across the airport and was moving at a snail's pace because they had to create vouchers for each family/traveller, answer questions, check identification, etc., etc.. My moment of inspiration was to realise that Lufthansa would be so happy to have me out of their hair that they probably wouldn't object if I did things in the reverse order. So I skipped the line and got a confirmed reservation that would take me to my final destination when I could get the voucher. But, oh dear, my flight is leaving in 60 minutes, rather less time than it would take me to clear the queue! So the other airline sent an agent with me, we found an Lufthansa person doing nothing useful, explained the situation, and got sent straight to Lufthansa's airport 'back office'. So I had the voucher and ticket all sorted in less than 20 minutes. For all I know, people are *still* waiting for their vouchers. For me the moral was: calmly present the company/person causing the problem with a solution (especially when they are already dealing with other irate customers) and watch as they miraculously find a way to send you on your way.