Student FAQ’s

Your cell phone will work in Puerto Rico (no roaming or long distance) except for a few companies such as verizon. Contact your provider to confirm if any roaming charges apply.

Yes, life jackets are available on both our Parguera boat excursion and on our catamaran adventure day. All travelers must wear a life jacket to swim in the bioluminescent bay at night in La Parguera.

Yes, all snorkeling gear is provided (mask, snorkel, and fins) on our Fajardo catamaran tours.

In addition to signing Vamonos’ terms during sign-up, each traveler must read and sign a waiver for the following excursions:
Zipline adventure
Snorkeling adventure
Your group page has links to the appropriate forms. Please have all travelers sign them. Feel free to bring the forms with you and hand them to your Tour Director. You may also send them to us via email or mail as well.

You can see our list of donation suggestions on our donations page. Visit our service-learning page for more information.

If you are a U.S. citizen, you do NOT need a passport to Puerto Rico since it is a commonwealth of the U.S. Travelers 18 and over need to bring an official state issued photo ID or driver’s license. Travelers under 18 may bring any photo ID.

Puerto Rico has the same water standards as the U.S. We do provide filtered water for all students while we are on the tour.

Students will live and breathe Puerto Rican culture on a daily basis. They will speak Spanish with the Vámonos’ friends and staff and eat only authentic Puerto Rican or Spanish cuisine, among many other activities, as stated in the tour highlights.

Students can expect to room with two to four other students. Each room has two double beds, so students may have to share beds. Where possible, we will request three beds per room and/or a cot. Our teacher chaperones will carefully review rooming assignments before the trip. Hotel rooms are located so that they are concentrated and easily monitored by chaperones. Bedtime is enforced, and students and parents are informed of consequences before leaving on the trip. Hotel security may keep a close eye on our rooms for extra security and supervision. We rarely have problems enforcing bedtime since our days start early and are very active. Students are usually exhausted and tend to look forward to getting some sleep at the end of the day.

Check with your cell phone carrier to find out what your options and cost are.

You do need a passport to travel to Costa Rica. You must apply for your passport by the time the first deposit is due to ensure you have received it by the time we ticket your group. You should also bring 2 copies of your passport and store them in a separate location from your passport.

Tipping  is recommended. Tipping in U.S. dollars is acceptable. The following amounts are suggested:

Guide – $3 per person per day
Tour Manager – $3 per person per day

Water quality in cities and large towns is good, but that may not be true of rural areas. We recommend bottled water to be on the safe side. You should be ok to use the water for brushing your teeth.

Outlets in Costa Rica are the same 110v outlets as in the U.S. However, they do not have grounding plugs. If any of your devices require a 3 prong outlet you will need to get an inexpensive adapter like this one.

There are many places that will accept a credit card, but your bank may assess high fees for using it. We recommend you check with your bank. Not all places accept credit cards so cash may be a better idea. We don’t recommend traveler’s checks as they can be difficult to cash.

There are ATM machines readily available in cities and large towns. They can dispense money in U.S. or Costa Rican currency for a reasonable exchange fee.

If you do opt to take a credit or debit card, you may want to inform your bank before you go. Using your card in Costa Rica without informing your bank could trigger a fraud alert on your card.

Yes, a lot of places will accept U.S. currency, but will give you change in local currency. Only dollars in good condition with no rips will be accepted. Large bills over $20 are not accepted.

There are no required vaccinations or medications, but we recommend you check the CDC website and check with your doctor to see what he/she recommends.

Costa Rica is in the Central Standard Time (CST) zone. They do not participate in day light savings time.

Costa Rica has good medical care and modern hospital facilities. Drug stores are also required to have a certified pharmacist on duty. Drug stores are well stocked with over the counter medicines, but they won’t be brands you recognize. If you have a preferred brand of OTC medicine you may want to bring it with you.

Martinique has an average year round temperature of 79 degrees.

Martinique uses the Euro. Money can be exchanged at locations throughout the island.

Outlets in Martinique are 220 volts. U.S. residents will need an adapter to use electronics and appliances.

U.S. residents do not need a visa, but do need a passport. Passport expiration date must not be within 90 days of trip departure. There are no arrival or departure taxes. Be sure to bring 2 additional photocopies of your passport and keep them in a location separate from your passport.

You must apply for your passport by the time the first deposit is due to ensure you have received it by the time we ticket your group.

Yes life jackets will be available on both the ferry and the boat tour.

Typical donations range from school materials to buying local paint and ground work materials.

Water is safe to drink and use for brushing teeth, however we recommend bottled water. Cold filtered water will be provided on tour. Travelers will need to bring a reusable water bottle.

Travelers stay in 3-4 star hotels and where applicable, home stays. There are 2 adults per room and 3-4 students per room (2 full size beds per room).

Credit cards such as Mastercard and Visa are generally accepted, but American Express and Discover are not accepted in most places. Make sure you notify your bank before you travel.

You will need to exchange your U.S. currency for Euros. This can be done at banks, exchange offices, and some hotels, but you will get a better exchange rate if you use a bank or exchange office.

We recommend $10-14 per person per day split between your driver, tour director, tour manager, and assistant guide.

Medical care is very good. There are 20+ hospitals and clinics on the island with modern  European facilities.

Most hotels have free WIFI access available for guest use.

Given the terrain, conditions, itinerary, and places we visit, Martinique is not very accessible for travelers in wheelchairs.

Check with your cell phone carrier to find out what your options and cost are.

There are no required vaccinations or medications, but we recommend you check the CDC website and check with your doctor to see what he/she recommends.

There is a tree in Martinique called “Mancenilliers.” it’s located on some beaches of the island and it’s sap is toxic, it is recommended not to touch, or break the leaves and branches. Do not pick up the fruits. it is recognizable because it is surrounded by a strip of red paint around the trunk of the tree.

You should ask permission before taking pictures of the people in Martinique, especially the vendors at the farmers’ market. Also do not touch the produce without permission. Once you ask, they will be more than happy to take pictures with you or let you sample the fruit.

If you are traveling to Quebec as a U.S. citizen, then you only need a passport and ID.  If you are not a U.S. citizen, then you will need to contact your embassy as you may need an additional visa to enter Canada and your embassy would be able to help you secure one.

If you are traveling to Québec by bus, you will need to pass through border patrol. Please remove hats and sunglasses and turn off all electronic devices. Answer all questions respectfully and honestly. No Jokes!

Many phones will work in Québec, but roaming charges and fees may apply. Contact your cell phone provider prior to departure to find out about pricing, text, and internet plans and pricing.

Water quality is on par with the U.S. and is safe to drink.

Canada uses the same voltage and outlets that we do in the U.S. so your devices will work. No adapters or converters are needed.

U.S. credit and debit cards do work in Canada, but there may be some unexpected charges. We recommend you check with your bank prior to departure.

Some towns near the border will accept U.S. dollars. You will also be given the opportunity to exchange your money for Canadian dollars. Please be aware that Canada no longer has a 1 cent coin. amounts are now rounded to the nearest 5 cents.

Unlike the U.S., Canada doesn’t have paper bills For $1. they use coins. The nickname for the one dollar coin is Loonie because it has always had a loon (duck-like bird) on it. The $2 coin is nicknamed the Toonie because it is equal to 2 Loonies.

If you have any Loonies or Toonies at the end of your trip that you don’t want to keep as a souvenir, be sure to exchange them before you leave as the U.S. banks will only exchange paper bills.

Québec is in the eastern standard time zone. They also practice daylight standard time.

Anything bought must be declared. Travelers should find out what is restricted or prohibited make sure you know what the restrictions and prohibitions are before buying souvenirs.

Not likely. Contact your cell phone provider for options while in Panama. Whats App will allow you to text other Whats App users for free when connected to Wifi. Consider this app to help you stay connected.

You will need a valid passport that’s effective for at least 6 months past your trip. Citizens from the United Kingdom, Canada, United States, and European Union countries do not need a visa to visit.

Water quality in Panama City and other urban areas is high and the water is drinkable, but we recommend erring on the side of caution and sticking with bottled water.

Yes; no adapters or power converters are needed to use your electrical devices. However, you may need a 3 prong adapter as some outlets aren’t able to accommodate 3 prong plugs.

Yes; some urban area places will take credit cards, but cash is still the most common method of payment.

No! Panama has adopted the U.S. dollar as their currency. They have their own coins called Balboas and do not accept U.S. coins. Do not bring any bills larger than twenties as larger bills may not be accepted.

Please check with the CDC to see what they recommend for travel to Panama. We also encourage you to visit your family doctor to discuss the recommendations.

Panama is in the eastern standard time zone (EST), but does not observe daylight savings time.

Panama City has some good public and private hospitals and clinics. However, outside the capital, medical care facilities are limited. Private hospitals require payment up front and can be expensive.

Yes for the most part; most hotels offer free internet access. Check with the hotel upon check in. Many restaurants and other places offer free hotspots as well for public use.

Travel insurance is optional, but recommended. Travel insurance doesn’t just cover cancellation and trip interruption, it also covers medical emergencies after your personal medical insurance. Peru is a developing country and anything can happen; it’s best to be prepared.

If you are a resident of the U.S., you only need a passport. No visa is required. Residents of all other countries please contact your local Peruvian embassy or consulate for travel requirements. Visas are not covered in the tour price. Upon entry to Peru you will be given a 90-day tourist card. Please keep it safe. You will need to turn it in to immigration when you leave. We recommend you make copies of all of your travel documents and keep them in a safe place to help facilitate replacement should they get lost.

Peru has no immunization requirements to enter. We recommend you check with the CDC for recommendations and discuss your trip with your health care provider prior to departure.

Medical care is not as up to date as it is here in the U.S. Your guide will help you find the best medical care possible should you require it. We also recommend that all groups travel with a well-stocked first aid kit.

Yes! Cusco has an elevation of 11,151 ft. Take it easy until you adjust. You may experience headache, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, insomnia, and/ or loss of appetite. This is all normal. Avoid caffeine and alcohol; drink plenty of water, it will help. Also, try to eat light on the first day.

Even when the best precautions are taken, there is always a small chance. Some recommend Pepto Bismol along with antibiotics if symptoms don’t resolve in a day or two. Please discuss treatment with your healthcare provider prior to departure.

No. We recommend you use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Also avoid ice in your drinks.

We recommend avoiding raw foods. Stick to cooked dishes. Fruit you peel yourself is usually ok. Be careful with food from street vendors.

Large suitcases are not permitted on the train. You can only take 2 carry-on sized bags. If you have a large suitcase it will be stored for you at your lodge in Sacred Valley and picked up on the way back to Cusco. Bring only what you will need for the days you are in Machu Picchu.

You will experience mud, loose gravel, and cobblestone streets. Bring closed toe, sturdy broken-in footwear.

Yes! It is strictly prohibited to take any pictures of the president’s convoy, military convoys and installations, policemen, prisons, airports, border posts, government buildings, or anyone in uniform. Also do not take pictures of people without their permission. Some people in rural areas may ask you to pay to take their picture.

Most outlets in Peru are the same as those found in the U.S. However, you may need a voltage converter as Peru runs on 220 volts which is higher than the U.S.

While a few places will take U.S. money in the city, most other places require payment in Sols. Bring small bills, 10s & 20s to exchange for Sols. Money can be exchanged in Cusco and at the airport. Some ATM cards can be used at banks in Lima and Cusco. Confirm with your bank that your card will work prior to departure.

Credit cards are accepted by many places in the city. However, we recommend also bringing cash. Make sure you notify your bank of your intent to use your card in Peru before your trip. Be sure to call your credit card company prior to departure to let them know you will be using your card on your trip.

We make every effort to keep our groups safe and together. We never compromise a group’s safety. We do not take our travelers to dangerous places and we take every precaution possible. However, you may encounter pick pockets, especially in the city. We recommend you bring and use a money belt or neck purse that can be worn under your clothes. Keep your money, cards, passport, and any other important travel documents in it. Do not leave valuables in your luggage or hotel room. Pack a list of everything you packed in case anything is lost or stolen. You will need this information later if you need to fill out a police report or make an insurance claim.

We recommend about $200 to cover bottled water, snacks, uncovered meals, tips, and souvenirs.

Tipping is always optional, but we recommend the following: Tour guide $5-7 per person per day, Assistant Guide (when applicable) $2-4 per person per day, Driver $3-5 per person per day, Tour Manager $3 per person per day.

Peru is in the Eastern Time Zone, but does not participate in daylight savings time.

Yes, but make sure any souvenirs you purchase do not contain parts made of ivory, fur, coral, tortoise shell, shark, reptile skin, feathers, or plants. Buying these things or trying to bring them back into the U.S. may be illegal.

We strongly discourage giving money, especially to begging adults and children. If you would like to make a monetary donation to help the local people, ask us for help in arranging o make a donation to a local organization. If you wish to donate school supplies, your guide can help you with that once you are in Peru.

Travel insurance is optional, but recommended. Travel insurance doesn’t just cover cancellation and trip interruption, it also covers medical emergencies after your personal insurance. You are going to a developing country and anything could happen. It’s best to be prepared.

If you are a resident of the U.S., you only need a passport. No visa is required.

For non-US residents – Residents of all other countries please contact your local Ecuadorian embassy or consulate for travel requirements. Visas are not covered in the tour price. Upon entry to Ecuador, you will be given a 90-day tourist card. Please keep it safe. You will need to turn it in to immigration when you leave. We recommend you make copies of all of your travel documents and keep them in a safe place to help facilitate replacement should they get lost.

As far as we know, Ecuador has no immunization requirements to enter. We recommend you check with the CDC for recommendations and discuss your trip with your health care provider prior to departure.

Medical care is different than it is in the U.S. Your guide will help you find the best medical care possible should you require it. We recommend that all groups travel with a well-stocked first aid kit.

Yes! Quito has an elevation of 9,350 ft. Take it easy until you adjust. You may experience headache, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, insomnia, and/ or loss of appetite.  This is all normal. Avoid caffeine and alcohol and drink plenty of water. It will help. Also, try to eat light on the first day.

Even when the best precautions are taken, there is always a small chance. Consult your healthcare provider prior to departure and come prepared with medicine just in case you experience digestive distress.

We recommend you use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. Also avoid ice in your drinks unless you are in a main hotel or restaurant.

We recommend avoiding raw foods. Stick to cooked dishes. Fruit you peel yourself is usually ok. Be careful with food from street vendors.

You will experience mud, loose gravel, and cobblestone streets. Bring closed toe, sturdy broken-in footwear.

Yes! It is strictly prohibited to take any pictures of the president’s convoy, military convoys and installations, policemen, prisons, airports, border posts, government buildings, or anyone in uniform. Also do not take pictures of people without their permission. Some people in rural areas may ask you to pay to take their picture.

Yes. Most outlets in Ecuador are the same as those found in the U.S., and Ecuador runs on the same voltage too. No converters or adapters needed.

Yes. Ecuador uses the U.S. dollar. Bring small bills as change can be scarce. Bring newer and intact bills. Bills with even the smallest rip or tear may not be accepted. There are ATMs in Quito and the Galapagos, but sometimes the ones in Galapagos don’t work. Confirm with your bank that your card will work prior to departure.

Credit cards are accepted by many places in the city, however we recommend also bringing cash, especially while in the Galapagos as the machines don’t always work. Make sure you notify your bank of your intent to use your card in Ecuador before your trip. Be sure to call your credit card company prior to departure to let them know you will be using your card on your trip.

We make every effort to keep our groups safe and together. We never compromise a group’s safety. We do not take our travelers to dangerous places and we take every precaution possible. However, you may encounter pick pockets, especially in the city. We recommend you bring and use a money belt or neck purse that can be worn under your clothes. Keep your money, cards, passport, and any other important travel documents in it. Do not leave valuables in your luggage or hotel room. Pack a list of everything you packed in case anything is lost or stolen. You will need this information later if you need to fill out a police report or make an insurance claim.

We recommend about $250 to cover bottled water, snacks, uncovered meals, tips, and souvenirs.

Tipping is always optional, but we recommend the following:

Tour guide $5-7 per person per day
Assistant Guide (when applicable) $2-4 per person per day
Driver $3-5 per person per day
Tour Manager $3 per person per day.

Ecuador is in the eastern time zone and the Galapagos is in the central time zone, but neither participates in daylight savings time.

Yes, but make sure purchased souvenirs do not contain parts made of ivory, fur, coral, tortoise shell, shark, reptile skin, feathers, or plants. Buying these things or trying to bring them back into the U.S. may be illegal.

We strongly discourage giving money, especially to begging adults and children. If you would like to make a monetary donation to help local people, ask us for help in arranging o make a donation to a local organization. If you wish to donate school supplies, your guide can help you with that once you are in Ecuador.

U.S.cell phones work in Argentina, however, check with your cell phone carrier to find out what your options and cost are.

You do need a passport to travel to Argentina. It must be valid for at least 6 months past your return flight. You must apply for your passport by the time the first deposit is due to ensure you have received it by the time we ticket your group. You should also bring 2 copies of your passport and store them in a separate location from your passport.

Tipping is recommended. Tipping in U.S. dollars is acceptable. The following amounts are suggested:

Guide – $3 per person per day
Tour Manager – $3 per person per day
Bus Driver – $1.50 per person per day

We recommend bottled water for drinking.

Argentina has 220 volt outlets and uses type C and type I plugs. You will need to bring a voltage converter and a plug adapter.

You can use your credit card in Argentina, but be aware that you may be asked to show identification. For students this means showing a passport. Some places may not accept a credit card. You may also find that some places will give you a discount if you use cash.

Yes, most places will accept U.S. currency, but they will give you back change in Argentinian pesos. If you exchange currency, don’t exchange it on the street as you may get counterfeit bills. Legitimate Argentinian pesos all have a watermark and a metallic thread. Be sure to check your change as tourists are often targeted for passing counterfeit money.

There are no required vaccinations or medications, but we recommend you check the CDC website and check with your doctor to see what he/she recommends.

Argentina is UTC-3 and does not practice day light savings time. They are one hour ahead of us from March to October and 2 hours ahead of us during daylight savings time.

Most hotels offer wifi as well as many other places.