GAP Adventures.... South America

bringitdown

Anyone ever tried GAP adventures? They have some trips to South and Central America and I'd love to here opinions from past customers before booking.

Also anyone recommend other "tour" operators for the 25-35 age group for South and Central America? Would like to go for a 2 week or so jaunt practise my Spanish and not have to overly plan it. Anyone who has gone to Peru, Mexico, Cuba or Costa Rica I'd love to here from ye.

Cheers/TIA.
Si/bid

Lambsbread

Sorry to drag up an old thread, but i have exactly the same question. Anyone ever use GAP adventures? Planning a three week trip to south america this year , thinking either Ecuador or Peru. Any info greatly appreciated!!

Absolut

I haven't used Gap travel before, but I have used Tucan travel - a very similar company. I went on the Quetzale Highway tour, starting in Antigua, Guatemala, going through southern Guatemala, Belize and the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico, finishing up in Cancun.

It was an unbelievable trip - about two weeks long, although I spent a few days beforehand travelling around Guatemala on my own and a few days at the end in Isle Mujeres, off the coast of Cancun. Along the way we stopped off at some great places, like Antigua, Rio Dulce, Tikal, Caye Caulker (probably my favourite place in the world - I went diving the Blue Hole, definetly recommend it if you're into diving - one of the most interesting sights I've ever been to, complete with Dolphin watching and a picnic on a private deserted island), Playa del Carmed, Cancun and then Isla Mujeres.

The trip was amazing, the tour guides are pretty handy to have if, like me, you don't speak any spanish. It works out a lot more expensive then if you were to do it solo (the hotels over there are dirt cheap, and the tour uses shuttle busses and chicken busses, which you can book pretty cheaply at any tourist agency over there, of which there are loads). But, if you've got a very limited time and no spanish, then I'd recommend a guided tour.

I don't have any personal experience with Gap adventures, but I did meet a few people along the way who travelled with them, all with good reports. It seems like Tucan tours have wider age ranges, from 18 to 60s, whereas Gap is more aimed at 18 to 30 age range.

If you have any more questions, I'd be happy to help.

jackbhoy

Hi Guys,

I went on GAP trip last summer (Brazil/Argentina/Uruguay/Paraguay).

I had previously travelled in Asia with their partner company Intrepid and had an amazing time and a really cool and knowledgeable guide.

However, although the places we visited on this trip were amazing the tour guide was complete and utter crap! She had been doing trips for 5 years but her organisation skills were appalling, she had little or no apparent knowledge or interest in the places we visited, she brought us to really expensive bars/restaurants where she ate/drank for free for bringing us in!
I could go on and on but I think you get the picture.
I know she may not be representative of the rest of the other tour leaders but she turned me off organised travel for life, which is why we are returning to S America this summer as "Independent" travelers.

You may travel with them and have a totally different experience and I know from my trip with Intrepid that organised tours can be brilliant but my experience of GAP was entirely negative!

Enjoy the trip anyway, whoever you travel with!!