Mexico Unplugged

61 Reviews

Excellent

63%

Good

25%

Average

13%

Rather Poor

0%

Bad

0%

• DF

  Danny
  Written on March 30, 2018

  4.0 - Good

  This is a tour for active travellers able to endure considerable walking and long travel days. While Intrepid’s physical rating is 2 out of 5, our group generally felt it was at least a 3. Be prepared for lots of stairs at the pyramids at high elevation under a blazing sun. The hotels for this trip were all well chosen and conveniently located, and I liked them all, especially at Puebla. I was pleased that Intrepid has now hired a private van instead of using the overnight public bus where thefts were common, in combination with an additional night in Merida. However, this van had no temperature control, with air-conditioning that was either on at full blast or off, so passengers were alternatively either too cold or hot. There was a wide range of eating establishments, from markets with basic but authentic Mexican food and beggars pestering patrons for money, to higher end restaurants that, more often than not, provided mediocre food for the money. The group generally disliked the food at the taco restaurant where we dined in Mexico City on the first night. Our tour leader Ana was very personable and likeable. The group generally felt we would have benefitted if she were better organized and communicated better. There was ongoing frustration when she was out with those on the optional tours, and those who did not go along were left hanging until they returned as to when and where we would be getting together for dinner in the evening, or when we would be leaving the next morning. Often, we discovered this important info by word-of-mouth from others in the group. Details on the optional tours were insufficient and often consisted of a verbal sentence or two, leaving travellers with little info to decide whether to commit. Based on past experience with other tours, we anticipated receiving a handout from Intrepid outlining what was involved with each of the optional tours. During the city orientation tours, Ana often showed little regard for whether the whole group was following her, or whether everyone was close-by to hear what she had to say. She also routinely underestimated the length of the walking tours and amount of walking required. She did show compassion for those who became ill, and was unhesitant in taking those to visit the doctor who needed it, which in our group was unfortunately almost half of us. While I enjoyed the tour itinerary and was fortunate to have a compatible roommate, based on this experience I would now be somewhat less likely to join another group tour, whether it be with Intrepid or another tour company.

  

  Intrepid Travel commented on this review

  Hi Danny, Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. Feedback like this from our passengers is essential towards improving everything that we do. We’re disappointed to read that you are discouraged from taking another group tour – we hope that you will give us another chance soon to show you how amazing the group experience can be! We would like the opportunity to more fully understand your experience. Please feel free to contact our Customer Relations team who will be happy to further address your concerns: customerrelations@intrepidtravel.com. Kind regards, Intrepid

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• 

  Rebecca
  Written on January 16, 2018

  4.0 - Good

  Fantastic tour, good introduction to Mexico and great and very informative tour leader, would recommend.

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• 

  Davide
  Written on November 30, 2017

  4.0 - Good

  Great tour with each stop unique in it’s own way! Valentina the tour guide was brilliant and did her very best to endure everyone had an awesome time. Highly recommend this tour!

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• CB

  Cherry
  Written on November 12, 2017

  4.5 - Excellent

  Great trip generally. Good itinerary and especially interesting being in Mexico during Day of the Dead. Basix style allowed freedom to do what we wanted but guide happy to organise/suggest excursions and give personal tips; best of both worlds. For travellers who don't need nannying but like the support and logistical stress reduction of a tour. Not 100% smooth but any issues resolved swiftly. Accommodation a high standard (despite Basix name) in nice central locations. Two overnight buses not really fun but ok and efficient use of time in a big country and greener than flying.

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• JL

  Jingze
  Written on November 7, 2017

  3.0 - Average

  The tour was generally well organized. The itinerary was effective, as it provides many opportunities to see all around Mexico, while giving travelers freedom to pursue what we would like to do. Our guide, Valentina, was amazing at attending everyone's needs and introducing us to local culture and potential activities to do. However, some hotel and transportation selections are quite disappointing. I understand that the tour is not exactly an luxury trip, but the hotel in Playa del Carmen did not have wifi in rooms and there was a huge construction going on, which was super noisy even on Saturday. Several other hotels, including the ones in Mexico city, Oaxaca and San Cristobal were also below expectations, in terms of inadequate speed of wifi and shower facilities. The hotel is Palenque is quite nice though. Some accidents did occur in my trip, however, as two of my fellow travel mates got their passports and wallets stolen on the bus from Palenque to Merida, which is apparently notorious for potential thefts.

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• DC

  Diana
  Written on June 21, 2017

  2.5 - Average

  Great destination and great way to see the country and to understand and get to know the culture. The country is amazing and has so much to offer to all types of turists.Full of history,interesting culture, amazing natural beauty and great places to relax and have fun. Our guide was Ernesto and I think we can consider ourselves lucky to have had him. He speaks with passion and knowledge about his country and he always answered any questions that we might have had.Of course he was more than helpful in all our problems and we could count on him always.He always presented us as many as possible, considering the location, activities that could fit everybody's interests. The transport was good as long as it was with the public transportation.The moment it was just for the group and it was insured by Intrepid...well....different story.Intrepid should definetly invest more in this matter, because as we saw in private activities there are buses better than what Intrepid offered and also because do to the roads the travel is very but very hard to handle and if you don't have a proper sit and leg space, it becomes a nightmare.If you wish to contradict me than I strongly suggest to take a 6 hours drive in the back of the mini bus / van on top of the wheel in the same position you sat in at the beggining, for you will not be able to move one inch, with an air conditioning at 10 cm in your forhead and on a road that has HUGE speed bumps and ridicously curves and then we can talk about it :) And thinking of the considerabile amount of money paid for the tour, which basicly included only transport and hotel rooms , I strongly believe better services should be provided. If someone sticks only to the tour and to what Intrepid offers well you won't see anything else but hotel and town, while at 10 mins from you there is an amazing archeological site or canyon. Tours are meant to help you discover the country and culture not just to transport you from one place to the other. The hotels were ok, nothing special. The people are always ready to help and that is very nice, but the hotels are just ok. After the experience and after seeing the prices in hotels, for public transportation and entrance fees, I believe that Intrepid can and should offer more. Such as : better transportation, breakfast(a basic was round 70pesos which is 3 euros) and/or welcome/goodbye dinner and/or entraces to different sites. Bottom line is great country , great guide, great people however services need to be improved.

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• BL

  barry
  Written on January 16, 2017

  4.5 - Excellent

  The tour (13 of us toured) was well-organized, chocked full of interesting place an individual would never find on his/her own. Culturally enlightening. Plus lots of fun things (swimming in underground cave), without hordes of tourists around you. Our tour guide was Ornesto. He was organized, knowledgeable, and sensitive to everyone's one's needs and interests. Moreover, he seemed to enjoy (thoroughly) interacting personally with everyone in the group, and helped to form us into a real, vibrant community. We had a lot of laughs together. His communication and social skills are simply superb (very gifted). We had 5 teachers in the group, an elementary principal, an elementary teacher, a pre-college music professor, a performing music (and former teacher), nurse, CEO secretary, independent business woman, and some working people. I myself am a university professor. Our ages ranged from 29 to 70. Really interesting people who meshed together.

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• DG

  Denis
  Written on December 19, 2016

  4.5 - Excellent

  Leaders Name:Juan Carlos Martinez Tour name: Mexico unplugged Tour was absolutely amazing, Tour leader was very helpfull and knowledgable

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• EV

  Elvis
  Written on October 4, 2016

  5.0 - Excellent

  Mexico Unplugged: I really love the design of this trip. This trip includes many of the best places Mexico has to offer. Not only did we visit traditional tourist spots we also had the opportunity to see the natural wonders as well as the amazing Chichen Itza. The tour leader Carlos was fantastic! we were very fortunate to have Carlos, who was simply the best! He is very knowledgeable and shared with us his enthusiasm and love of his land.

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• 

  Tony
  Written on June 6, 2016

  4.5 - Excellent

  This trip was amazing. For me, a once-in-a-lifetime experience with ruins, waterfalls, and jungle. I strongly recommend it if you're good at the hot outdoors. Many hotels had no air conditioner but they did have fans. Near the end, a few had air conditioners. I'm a suit and tie guy and this was unlike anything I had ever done at 50. I had to get out of my comfort zone and roll with the way things happened. I was fit enough for it but was still challenged all along the way. Challenged in a good way. The sites are amazing. My group was fun. The tour leader, Juan Carlos Martinez, was amazing. If interested in ancient ruins of Mexico, DO THIS! I strongly recommend it. Great job, Intrepid!

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