Custom day-by-day itinerary
Your trip in a single living document, updated through booking, with maps, contacts, and confirmation numbers in one place.
How it works
Three steps. One trip designed entirely around you.
Real planners, not chatbots. Every detail handled, from the discovery call to a 24/7 line on the ground. Here's exactly how it comes together.
- 4.8 ★ Trustpilot
- 3,000+ trips designed
- 24/7 in-trip support
How does it work?
The Explore Way.
Three steps. From the first conversation to the day you fly home, here's how every trip we design comes together.
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Connect with a travel designer
Share the what, where, when, and who. We'll match you with the planner who knows your destination best. No chatbot, no call center.
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Get a custom day-by-day itinerary
Built from scratch, not a catalog. Hotels named, drivers and guides priced, refined with you until it feels exactly right.
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Travel with full support
Pre-arrival packet seven days out, a real planner on WhatsApp 24/7 during the trip, and a recap call when you're home.
What you get
Everything that lands in your inbox, and on your trip.
Six things every traveler we work with gets.
Hand-picked hotels
Only properties we've personally tested, or that we trust through a vetted in-country partner. No catalog dropdowns.
Private guides & drivers
Vetted in-country teams who know the roads, the seasons, and the right pace. Never a fifteen-stranger bus.
Restaurants & activities, booked
The hard-to-get tables, the cooking class, the boat at sunrise: confirmed before you land and on the daily plan.
24/7 in-country support
A real planner on WhatsApp, in your time zone, the whole trip. Your custom itinerary also lives in our easy-to-use travel app, so every detail is always within reach.
Pre-arrival & post-trip packets
Packing notes, restaurant picks, what's confirmed when: all sent beforehand. A recap and follow-up call comes afterwards.
International flights aren't included, but we'll point you to the best routes and timing.
When something shifts, we move first
Direct line to your planner. Always.
No chatbot. No call center. No ticket queue. One thread, the same planner who built the trip, in your time zone, the whole way through.
We're the people solving things so you stay on vacation mode.
The best part of what we do? Hearing how it all comes together.
★★★★★
First time using a travel planner — and not the last
The most awesome anniversary trip!! Thanks to Melanie, Kathleen, and team, our adventures were amazing — sunset sailing, ATV riding, a rainforest night hike, and more. The highlight was the boutique hotel recommendations — we loved Amor! Service and food quality were outstanding. First time we used a travel planner and it won't be the last. I loved how easy it was to tell them what we wanted, our budget, and timeframe — everything was seamless. Thank you for all the priceless memories!
★★★★★
Our honeymoon to Costa Rica was absolutely unforgettable
The ETA team was amazing. Our honeymoon to Costa Rica was absolutely unforgettable. The wonderful people who drove us to all of our destinations were amazing, and we felt extremely safe the entire time. Our itinerary was clear and easy to follow and filled with everything we wanted to do. Everywhere we stayed was beautiful, with amazing service. Thank you for keeping in touch before, during, and after our trip — we will absolutely book with this team again!
★★★★★
They planned the perfect trip to Mexico — all within budget
ETA is simply amazing! Melanie and Kathleen planned our trip to Mexico and it was perfect. We started inland near Mexico City, stayed in Tepoztlán with mountain views, then headed to Cozumel and the Presidente InterContinental — words cannot describe how beautiful it is. I have food allergies, and Melanie made sure every place could accommodate them. They listen to every request and set you up in stunning places, all within budget. 1000% recommended!
★★★★★
Tiger sharks, hammerheads, and so much more
ETA makes my travel experiences unforgettable — every single one is one for the books, from the stress-free planning to the best destinations and accommodations. My first experience was so amazing I had to come back for more, and they deliver every time. I love having a trusting, friendly agency that checks in every step of the way. Cocos Island delivered tiger sharks, Galápagos sharks, black-tip sharks, hammerheads, massive schools of jacks, dolphins, and so much more.
★★★★★
Best travel planners — peace of mind, start to finish
The Explore the Americas team deserves an award for best travel planners. We highly recommend them for planning your trip anywhere in Latin America. They provided expert advice tailored to our interests, saved us time and money, created a personalized itinerary, handled the logistics, and offered peace of mind with support before and during our trip. We absolutely love ETA and cannot wait to plan our next trip with them.
★★★★★
They went above and beyond for our whole family
I can't recommend Explore the Americas enough! Mel went above and beyond to make our vacation memorable. She kept our whole family in mind with her planning, and her hard work exceeded our expectations. Thank you for all y'all do at Explore the Americas!
★★★★★
A better rate than I could find on my own
Great experience working with ETA. I was overwhelmed before planning my trip because I was traveling with five people, so coordinating travel, accommodations, car rental, and activities for a group was challenging. After my call with them I felt much more confident, and they were super helpful with booking my car — they got me a rate better than what I would have found on my own!
★★★★★
A life-changing adventure I couldn't have planned myself
Kathleen was incredibly helpful and offered insider information as we worked together to plan my trip. Even though it was a short one, she made sure I could do everything on my itinerary. Booking through ETA gave me a unique experience of Costa Rica I could never have achieved on my own or through any old travel company. While I was still there I found myself planning my next diving trip because I fell so in love with the experience. I would 100% recommend ETA if you are looking for a life-changing adventure!
★★★★★
Every place they picked for us was perfect
The ETA team was fantastic in planning our trip to Costa Rica! Every place they picked for us was perfect, and the in-trip support was fast whenever we needed to make changes on the fly. Cannot recommend them enough — if you want to be a passenger princess on your next trip to Central America, Explore the Americas is the only choice you need to make. They take care of the rest!
★★★★★
They set up a perfect trip in under a week
I went to Cozumel on a last-minute whim and I was blown away. It almost seemed too good to be true — they set up a whole trip in less than a week, and everything was exactly how the itinerary was laid out. They do the research and give you exactly what you want, within your budget. I described my vibe and what I was looking for and they more than delivered.
★★★★★
I still think about it every day
We used ETA for our Costa Rica vacation and it was amazing — I still think about it every day. Katie and Melanie were super approachable and flexible, and even helped us find a unique Monteverde volunteer opportunity. We can't wait to use ETA again to plan another trip.
★★★★★
Every single detail exceeded our expectations
Oh my — ETA arranged our family's trip to Costa Rica and it was flawless! We had a greeter at the airport, transportation between our four lodges, and excursions tailored to mobility challenges. I cannot say enough about how every single detail exceeded our expectations. Don't hesitate to trust your trip to this team — we will, most definitely, again! Thank you Melanie & Kathleen!
★★★★★
A trip of a lifetime — ¡Pura Vida!
Want to go to Costa Rica and don't know where to start? Trust Explore the Americas to plan and execute an awesome trip for you! Katie put together a trip that hit all the marks and more — she addressed all our concerns before and throughout, made sure every accommodation was in order, and handled any issue that came up while keeping our whole group on track. This was a trip of a lifetime. Thank you, Katie! ¡Pura Vida!
How far in advance should I start planning?
We recommend 6–9 months in advance for high season (December–April), and 2–3 months for shoulder seasons. That said, we've planned incredible trips on shorter timelines; it just depends on availability. The earlier we start, the more options we have.
What's included when we plan a trip with you?
Hotels, in-country transportation, drivers, private guides, activity bookings, restaurant reservations, your daily itinerary, and 24/7 in-trip support. International flights are not included, but we'll point you to the best routes.
How is this different or better than booking by myself or online?
Tour operators sell you a fixed schedule with 15 strangers on a bus. We design a private trip just for your party, with every day chosen for you. No bus, no strangers, no fixed dates. All the extras for the same or sometimes better price.
What if I have to cancel?
We hope you don't have to, but if plans change, we'll always help you understand your options. In general, cancellations made further in advance have a smaller penalty, while closer-in cancellations are more restrictive, especially during peak travel periods. As a guideline, regular-season cancellations made 35+ days before arrival typically carry around a 10% penalty, while closer-in cancellations may be non-refundable. Peak-season timelines are more strict with a similar structure. Every trip is a bit different depending on the hotels and experiences involved, but we'll walk you through everything clearly before you book and have it written clearly on your itinerary so there are no surprises. Adding insurance is always an option.
Let's talk
Tell us about your trip!
We'll get to know what you're thinking and talk through what's possible, from budget to timing to the little details that make a trip feel just right.
- Prefer email? info@exploretheamericastravel.com
- Or call 1-800-226-4772