Turtle Trek in Tortuguero

The health and wellbeing of everyone who travels with Contiki has been, and always will be, our top priority. That’s why we’ve rigorously evaluated our experiences, training and protocols to make sure we not only meet our travellers wellbeing expectations, but exceed them in every single way. We sought guidance from the World Health Organisation and government agencies, and, as members of the World Travel and Tourism Council, we’ve been involved in defining global protocols. Due to our diligent work during this time, we’ve been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp - meaning we’re a business which has adopted global, standardised health and hygiene protocols. You can find details about how we’re prioritising your wellbeing when you travel with us here.

Definitely not! All of our trips are designed to suit all ability levels. Whether you’re surfing in Morocco, hiking in Austria, or biking in Croatia the experiences will be designed for you to go at your own pace and for there to be a mix of abilities in each group. You will need a basic ability to swim to participate in any water sports and be able to ride a bike for anything bike related. If you’re a pro and want to push yourself, you’ll be able to do that too.

All of our Hosts are local experts, hand-picked to lead your trips. They come from all different walks of life, and unlike our Contiki Trained Trip Managers who host trips all around the world, our Detour Hosts are experts in their field and focus on their specific style of trip. That means on Safari in Kruger National Park your Host is a Full Time Safari Guide and you’ll learn to hunt and cook truffles from Matteo, who was born and raised to be a Truffle Hunter and Chef. Usually, your Host is in charge of the whole trip from start to finish – like Andre and Lee in Morocco, who not only own and run the hostel, but also are qualified surf teachers and host your dining experiences. Detours are a truly immersive experience, where you will spend time with locals from start to finish.

Detour Trips are mostly designed to be smaller group sizes, averaging about 8 – 15 people per trip. Our groups are smaller so you have more one on one time with your hosts, access to experiences that are made for more intimate groups and allows us to use different forms of transport – you won’t see any of our big, shiny Contiki Coaches on Detour. Instead, we use minivan, boat, bike and even hike between destinations! There are a couple of exceptions where we operate in larger groups on coaches, check the specific trip page to see the group size of your trip.

International flights to/from the destination your trip starts and ends in are not included in the cost of the trip, and must be purchased separately. You can book these independently if you want to shop around for the best quote, or through your travel agent.

Any flights you take during your Contiki are included in the cost of your trip. On certain Latin America trips we use planes to get you from A to B as quickly as possible, and all of this is included.

Depending on your nationality, you may require visas to enter certain countries on your
trip. You are fully responsible for obtaining all necessary visas that are required prior to the departure of your trip. Contiki is not legally permitted to knowingly allow anybody who does not have a valid visa to join a trip. Visa and other entry & exit conditions (such as currency, arrival/ departure taxes, customs and quarantine regulations) do change regularly.
Your passport must have at least six months’ validity remaining when you arrive. Local immigration authorities may deny entry and deport people who do not meet this requirement, even if they only intend to stay for a short period. Important to consider:

• Visas can take up to six weeks and a fee is normally charged.
• Failure to obtain all necessary visas could cause you to miss part of your trip and will result in
you incurring considerable expense and inconvenience.
• It is better for you to apply for all visas before you leave home.
• It is very important that the entry and exit dates are correct on the visa.

On our Latin America trips, you can bring one bag or suitcase of 73cm x 50cm x 25cm (29” x 20” x 10”), with a max. weight of 20kg (44lbs). As with our other regions, luggage is restricted to only one reasonably sized backpack/suitcase plus one carry-on bag, and luggage policies are strictly enforced on our trips. Due to the large number of flights on Contiki Latin America trips, your luggage needs to meet the size and weight restrictions imposed by airlines. These limits are imposed by the airlines, not by Contiki. Check out www.lan.com for more.

On some of our trips, it is necessary to use an overnight bag on the occasional nights when it’s not possible to unload your bags from the coach (like our Peru Jungle Lodge & at Machu Picchu). It’s a good idea to bring an overnight bag, or hand luggage that’s big enough to double up as an overnighter when needed.

People are at the heart of everything we do, and our team is what makes our trips the best. Our worldwide On-Road Team, locally based staff & network of Local Guides are all extensively trained & widely travelled, & are the best in the business. But we know it’s not just about training, it’s about passion & our team have it in their blood. 
Our team in Latin America are all genuine Latin locals, and they can’t wait to show you their backyard. Your Trip Manager is like your walking, talking guidebook – just for you. They plan your itinerary every day, organise your food and accomodation and book your Free Time Add ons, and because they know everything about where you’re going, you will too. Local Guides provide specialist knowledge when you need it and will always help you avoid the tourist traps.

There are loads of great things to spend your money on while you’re in Latin America – from a day trip to a beautiful coastal town, to a special dinner or an outfit that you just can’t resist... So how much money should you bring?

Remember your trip already includes plenty of things such as breakfast every day, many meals, lots of sightseeing, guided tours & activities & much more


Before you travel, it’s a good idea to read up on and get an idea of the Free Time Add-Ons you think you’ll want to do on trip, as these will form part of your overall budget. We’d advise doing some research on your chosen destinations beforehand, looking at things like:
 
- Cost of a local lunch
 
- Cost of a local dinner
 
- Cost of a local taxi
 
- Cost of entry to a sightseeing spot

Contiki’s Latin America accommodation is almost all hotels on a twin-share basis. You will stay in centrally located 3-star hotels & resorts that have been chosen for their particular character, charm, location & style. They’re all very comfortable & have some great amenities, like WiFi and en-suite bathrooms.

We believe that travelling sustainably and consciously, matters. Contiki Cares is our commitment to protecting the communities we visit, the wildlife we interact with, and the planet we all share. Our founding partner, the TreadRight Foundation was established 10 years ago as a not-for-profit organisation focused on promoting sustainable tourism within The Travel Corporation's family of brands. From our Me To We volunteering trip in Ecuador to the shark saver initiative in the Galapagos, our projects in Latin America are all about giving something back. Find out more at https://www.contiki.com/uk/en/about/contiki-cares.