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This sounds like a good idea. We loved our CRE trips and even converted a friend who is a world traveler and always avoided "group tours" like the plague. He came to Costa Rica with us and we traveled with your fabulous company...he was floored by the experience. One of my interests is combining travel with language learning. We've done it in Costa Rica, Panama and Mexico. I'd like to get to some other Latin/South American countries as well. It might make a useful blog discussion!

hello just received your email, however seeing as it is just a day before the christmas holiday season I would be happy to engage more in the New Year. blogging is not new to me, yet i rarely find the time to engage perhaps the topics have not been that interesting to me. however traveling is something that is very high on my list of priorities and I would welcome the time to engage in such a discussion I have no marketing experience, and I dont work in the travel industry in fact I rarely stay in 'lodges' of anysort, unless I think that it will enhance my experience in the country that I am in I brought my 70 year old mother to your resort, a few years back and it was one of most memorable experiences in the 2 months that we spent in Costa Rica, prior to that we were circumnavigating the country by public bus and staying in rooms along the way. I flew her down to meet me in Costa Rica, a break from the 16 months that I had spent traveling from Mexico to Punta Arenas in Chile, solo and only by land and sea. It was overall a great experience, one that I had always wanted to do but did not get the chance till my mid 30's. Look forward to engaging more if you feel the input of someone who usually travels independently would enhance the debate. HAPPY HOLIDAYS for those who are celebrating at this time of year.

@Meena: I like to call what you experienced 'Intuitive Service'. This is what sets service providers—for travel and in general—apart. Picking up on opportunities to make a difference with details that really matter to a specific guest. I've seen many of these examples throughout Mexico and am always impressed. And it's usually in the most unexpected place and time... I always think to myself 'that person's mother brought them up right!'. Forget the fancy hospitality schools, it's just about paying attention, acting on a situation when it arises or better yet anticipating needs when possible ;) Great post Michael!

Michael, I'm so glad you mentioned reciprocity as I agree that the exchange between the local student and guest teacher must be rewarding for both. As a tour operator trying to offer your guests a meaningful experience, one of the goals should be for the guest/volunteer to come away from the experience feeling enriched by the encounter. Judie's comment expresses how moving that exchange can be. One remembers those special moments much more clearly than the details of archeological ruins, museums, etc. In my own experience, my life was changed by the kindnesses expressed to me on a daily basis by a Mexican family with whom I lived for a semester while studying Spanish. I corresponded with the mother of the family for several years after returning to the States and then eventually married her son (who was away at veterinary school most of the time I was living with the family). The mutual respect and interest in one another's culture and beliefs opened the door to possibilities which would have seemed unthinkable before the experience. We have been happily married for 31 years.

Kathie, We only arrange and operate trips in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. We have good friends who we can recommend in Guatemala, Belize, Mexico and many other countries around the world. Before you begin to put in the work to plan an itinerary, you should decide on the destination. Please let me know if you would like me to help you do that.