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What does Tours Gone Wild offer that other companies don't?
Tours Gone Wild is the ONLY company that offers personalized VIP party tours to such destinations as Brazil , Colombia , Uruguay , Spain and Argentina as well as access to each city's local hotspots. We provide you a local guide who physically “shows you around” Rio de Janeiro, Punta del Este, Cartagena, Ibiza and Buenos Aires – VIP style!
Tours Gone Wild provides you with a local guide who picks you up each night of your stay at your hotel, and takes you to the hottest spots that particular night. The guide stays with you all night and makes sure your stay is enjoyable, safe and hassle-free. Additionally you do not worry about waiting in line, having problems with your bill, etc.
What does the Package include?
All packages include: Round Trip Airfare, 5 to 7 Night Hotel Accommodation, Airport/Hotel Transportation, 1/2 Day City Tours , and our exclusive VIP Party Service in each designated city.
What kind of clubs and parties do you take people to?
Tours Gone Wild prides itself in taking all of our clients to clubs and parties where only LOCALS frequent – not tourist traps.
These clubs range from huge clubs to special events, concerts, street parties, as well as upscale lounges and bars and other things that may be happening during your stay which you would otherwise probably not be aware of.
What does the VIP service include? Is it just a VIP Card?
The VIP Party Service is not a “VIP Card”. It is much much more. It includes
- Nightly local private VIP Host
- Cover charges
- Transportation to the clubs.
- Front of line privileges.
- VIP area access and tables (where applicable)
- Optional Bottle Service
Can I find the hotspots myself?
It's difficult. The overwhelming majority of parties and clubs that we take you to are almost exclusively frequented by local Brazilians/Colombians/Argentines, etc. They are typically not very accessible to tourists and non-Portuguese (in Brazil )/ non-Spanish (in Argentina/Uruguay/Colombia) speakers and are located away from typical tourist areas. Additionally, many of these clubs have a strict door policy and won't let just “anyone” in.
Another important thing to mention is that the nightlife in Rio and Buenos Aires changes drastically from one week to the next. (for example, one week a club or bar can suddenly switch its theme on a particular night of the week to “gay” or “over 40 night” etc.) Many clients travel with us because we are always “on top” of where to go……and get you in without any problems, VIP!
Can I purchase the VIP Service by Itself?
Not typically. We do not regularly break our packages apart, although there may be rare exceptions/circumstances where we can do so, subject to approval by management. Additionally, clients find that booking the entire package in a bundle is a much better value anyway.
Is Alcohol included in the party service?
Depends on the package and venue but generally not. It can be purchased as “bottle service” for an additional fee.
Alcohol IS included on special evenings such as New Year's Eve (all destinations), during Carnival in Salvador, some nights out in Buenos Aires and Cartagena, as well as nightly Ibiza, Spain.
Do I have to travel on a set departure date?
Depends on the destination. We can customize a trip to Rio, Buenos Aires year round but other destinations are only available on specific dates or are considered “special event” trips. Examples of these are New Years in Rio de Janeiro , Punta Del Este , Uruguay , El Reinado (Colombian National Beauty Pageant) or Semana Santa in Cartagena , Colombia and our Summer Ibiza trips.
What do I need to do to book a trip?
In order to book a trip you need to submit a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 or 50% of your total package price person (whichever is greater) unless other arrangements have been made in writing with a staff member. What do I do when I am ready to book?
When you are ready to book, please call our office at 305 861-0778 or at 1-877-456-WILD to confirm availability and final pricing for your package. Once your reservation is confirmed, you can purchase your trip online through our secure shopping cart or via wire transfer/cashier's check.
Do I have to purchase my trip online?
No. You may also pay via fax by signing and dating our Credit Card Authorization Form along with a copy of your credit card and a photo ID, or pay via cashier's check, wire or money order (no personal checks are accepted.)
When is the balance of my trip due?
The balance of your trip is due 50 days before departure. Please note that this does not apply to Carnival, New Year's packages or other “special event” packages. Please contact a TGW staff member for details about these packages.
Are deposits Refundable?
No. It is important to note that all deposits are non-refundable. The reason for this is because your deposit typically covers the air portion of your vacation. Once airline tickets are issued by the airlines, they come with many restrictions/penalties, and are non refundable.
What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Airline tickets are Nonrefundable and Non-Transferable.
Once airline tickets have been issued, which is normally within 24 hours of payment of deposit , they are 100% non-refundable . If a client wishes to cancel his/her ticket (up to 72 hours before departure time) the airline may give him/her a ticket good for one year on the same itinerary up to the face value of the ticket including taxes minus any cancellation fees.
Land Portion (not applicable to Carnival , New Year's Packages or Ibiza Packages):
• If your cancellation is made more than 60 days prior to departure, TGW will refund your non-air portion less $350 and any penalties charged to us by our suppliers.
• If your cancellation is made between 31 and 59 days prior to departure, TGW will refund your non-air portion less $450 and any penalties charged to us by our suppliers.
• If your cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to departure there will be No refund for the non-air portion of your vacation.
Land Portion ( IBIZA PACKAGES)
• If your cancellation is made more than 60 days prior to departure, TGW will refund your non-air portion less $900 and any penalties charged to us by our suppliers.
• If your cancellation is made between 31 and 59 days prior to departure, TGW will refund your non-air portion less $1200 and any penalties charged to us by our suppliers.
• If your cancellation is made less than 30
What are your terms and conditions?
See Tours Gone Wild Terms and Conditions.
What documents do I need for travel?
All United States , Canadian and Australians citizens require a passport AND a VISA to travel to Brazil . Currently a visa is NOT required for travel for these nationalities to Spain , Uruguay , Colombia nor Argentina . Please contact your local consulate for details as requirements change frequently. Additionally please note that your passport must not expire within 6 months of the date that you enter your destination country or you will have to renew it before traveling.
Can I travel to Ibiza or South America with a Birth Certificate?
NO. Due to post 9/11 security regulations it is now required for all American citizens (as well as other nationalities) to travel with a valid passport to travel to any foreign country.
How do I get a Passport?
It is pretty easy. Please follow this link http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html and it will give you the precise steps in applying for your passport. If you have problems obtaining your passport, please contact us and we will lead you in the right direction
How do I get a Visa for Brazil ?
This is also an easy process. You must apply with the Brazilian Consulate nearest to your place of residence. Our Visa Processing page has a listing of all consulate.. Click on the link from your jurisdiction and follow the Consulate's instructions. If you have any problems, feel free to contact us.
What is a Brazilian visa?
A Brazilian visa is simply a stamp on one of the “visa” pages of your passport from the Brazilian government saying that you have permission to enter the country.
How much does a Brazilian Visa cost? The Brazilian Consulate charges Americans US$130 ($140 if you do not apply in person or have a someone else apply for you.) This is done because the US charges Brazilians the same fee to enter the United States . Please note that fees change frequently are are different for different nationalities.
Does Tours Gone Wild Offer Visa Processing?
We do not offer Visa Processing.
Is there anything else I need to have or apply for besides a valid Passport and Visa?
If you have visited Peru , Bolivia , Colombia , Ecuador , French Guyana, Venezuela , Angola , Benin , Burkina Faso , Cameroon , Congo , Gabon , Gambia , Ghana , Guine , Liberia , Nigeria , Sierra Leone , or Sudan 90 days before entering Brazil , you must have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.
How long does it take for the Brazilian Consulate to process my Visa?
If you turned in your application without any mistakes and followed each of the Consulate's instructions, you should be able to pick up your Visa in 2 – 5 business days or less. The exact turnaround time varies from consulate to consulate. Please check with the Consulate in your jurisdiction for exact details. Additionally, if you are planning on travel to Brazil for Carnival or New Year's please allow extra processing time due to increased volume of applications. Also PLEASE, do not leave this to the last minute and remember that if you do not have a visa stamp you may not even board your flight to Brazil !!!
When should I apply for my Brazilian VISA?
We recommend applying for your VISA once you have made final payment on your trip. (about 60 days prior to departure). Please note that you should not obtain your more than 90 days before departure as you must enter the country within 90 days of the issuance of the visa.
Do I have to pay for my trip to apply for my Brazilian VISA?
Yes. This is because part of the visa application requires a copy of your ticketed flight itinerary and hotel information, you must pay for your trip in order to have these documents for the application.
Do I need a visa for Brazil if I am a non-US citizen?
It depends. Basically if the country of your citizenship currently requires Brazilians to obtain a visa to travel to your country then you DO need a visa to enter Brazil, if not then you do not need one. (Americans, Australians and Canadians DO require a visa to travel to Brazil ).
What countries do not require a Visa to travel to Brazil ?
As of early 2008 the following countries do not require a visa to travel to Brazil . (Please note that Visa requirements change very frequently so please contact your local Brazilian consulate or embassy for up to date information)
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, , Morocco, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.
What happens if for some reason I do not have a Valid Passport or Visa at time of departure?
You are responsible for obtaining the appropriate travel documents before your departure. We recommend to start the process as soon as you purchase the ticket and we will assist you in any way. There will be no refunds issued and fees for changing (Terms and Conditions) your trip will be charged.
Is it safe to travel to Brazil or Colombia ?
Yes but you must use common sense. Like any other developing country, Brazil and Colombia have their share of problems. Unfortunately, Colombia and Brazil have had more than their fair share of negative publicity regarding safety and many stories you hear are based on what happens in parts of town that you should not be in to begin with!
Although there have been incidents in the past concerning tourists (mostly pick pocketing), most of these have occurred in situations where people were not following common sense (much like the types of crimes that occur in the United States or your home country.) Examples include: walking alone in an unlit street in the middle of the night, wandering into unknown or bad neighborhoods, etc. TGW will give all travelers a briefing on safety and other issues before departure, and will be available in Brazil/Colombia 24 hours a day 7 days a week for any questions or concerns. If you have additional concerns, please call our office or contact us . Also, check our Tours Gone Wild Do's and Don'ts in Rio de Janeiro.
Will there be staff available at my destination?
Yes! TGW will have 24 hour on-site staff to help you with anything you may need while on your vacation. That is a huge reason why many travelers, many who have already been to Brazil , Colombia , Uruguay or Argentina a few times, still travel with us – for peace of mind.
Do you recommend purchasing the travel insurance? Absolutely. We highly recommend purchasing the travel insurance for two reasons. First of all, your local health plan at home may not cover you if you are abroad and fall ill or have a major accident!! Second, travel insurance can offer you other benefits such as trip cancellation insurance (highly recommended for New Year's trips or Carnival trips to Brazil which are non-refundable) as well as provide a stipend for lost baggage/missed connections. The large majority of our clients purchase the insurance because of these benefits.
Click here to Find Out More About Travel Insurance.
What kind of currency do they use in Brazil ?
Brazil 's national currency is the Real. They come in denominations of R$1, $R2, R$5, R$10, R$50 and R$100. One Real is approximately worth 1.7 U.S. Dollars or 2.6 Euros. Or in other words, for every one dollar you exchange, you can get R$1.6 to $1.8 or 2.6 Euros. (note: Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, but this is the general exchange rate prevailing around 5/2008)
What kind of currency do they use in Argentina/Colombia/Uruguay?
The Argentine currency is the Argentinean peso. The Colombian and Uruguayan currencies are also the Colombian and Uruguayan pesos respectively. Below are sample exchange rates (5/2008)
1 USD/1 EURO = 3 /5 Argentine Pesos
1 USD/1 EURO = 20/30 Uruguyan Pesos
1 USD/1 EURO = 1750 /2700 Colombian Pesos
Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes. Credit cards are accepted at the majority of clubs, restaurants, shops, and hotels at all of our destinations. The preferred credit card in South America is usually VISA.
Are dollars accepted in South America or Ibiza ?
Generally not, although some stores and restaurants may accept them at a very BAD exchange rate. You are better off paying with a credit card or with the local currency.
Where can I withdraw/Exchange money?
You can access cash at almost any ATM displaying your bank's networks symbols (VISA, CIRRUS, etc.) . Money can be exchanged at most hotel front desks. (although the exchange rate is typically better at ATM's).
What are prices like in Brazil ? How much money should I take?
Prices in Brazil are very reasonable as the US dollar enjoys a nearly 2.2 to 1 exchange rate. Costs in Brazil are much lower than the are in Europe, the United States , Mexico and the Caribbean . See our Tours Gone Wild Price Guide for more details.
What are prices like in Argentina ? How much money should I take?
Prices in Argentina are very inexpensive especially for food and local products (such as leather goods, souvenirs, etc). As far as nightlife, it is always recommended to buy a bottle (which run anywhere between 60 - 100 US $ at a club.
What language(s) are spoken in Brazil ?
Brazil 's national language is Portuguese (not Spanish!). It is very similar to Spanish and you will find that if you have taken some Spanish classes or are fluent, you can get by very well. If you don't know Spanish, don't worry!
What language(s) are spoken in Cartagena/Ibiza/Buenos Aires/Punta del Este?
Spanish is the national language of Uruguay , Colombia , Argentina and of course, Spain !
How widely spoken is English in these destinations?
English is pretty widely spoken in all of our destinations except for Brazil .
If Brazil , English is not widely spoken as it is in other countries that are used to American tourists, although most hotel employees and tourist locations do have English speakers on staff. The absence of English being spoken “everywhere” is not a bad thing, however, as Brazilians are very friendly people and truly like English-speaking tourists and you CAN get by! It is a good idea to learn a few phrases of Brazilian Portuguese before your trip – it will be uselful and greatly appreciated by the Brazilian people. See our Portuguese Survival Guide .
Is it easy to meet locals of the opposite sex?
Yes! Meeting people of the opposite sex is quite easy. The key is to know a little bit of Spanish/Portuguese, have a positive attitude and just have fun. It's like going anywhere else in the world.
What should I pack for my trip to Brazil ?
When packing for your trip, please keep in mind that Brazil has a tropical climate and is usually pretty hot (especially from December through March.) Do not forget to pack light clothes, sunscreen, a bathing suit as well as a nice pair of shoes and nice shirts to go out. For a detailed list of what to pack check out our Rio Gone Wild! Packing List.
What should I pack for my trip to Argentina/Punta Del Este?
Before packing for your trip, you must acquaint yourself with the Argentine seasons. Spring starts in September, summer in December, fall in March and winter in June. It does get very cold in Buenos Aires , so make sure to bring winter clothes in the fall, winter, and early spring. The summer is hot so bring casual summer clothing. Also don't forget to dress to impress at the clubs.
What should I pack for my trip to Colombia or Ibiza ?
When packing for your trip please follow the guidelines above for Brazil (very similar).
What's the dress code like at clubs?
As you know, Tours Gone Wild! will take you to the hottest nightclubs. These clubs range from semi-casual to upscale. We recommend dressing just like you would when you are going out to a nice club in a big American city like Miami , New York , or Dallas. This generally means no tennis shoes, shorts, tank tops or hats at clubs. See our Clubs and Parties section and our Tours Gone Wild Packing list for more details. |
