Exoticca

Sharon Grover

Not sure who is writing these good reviews. Just returned from a 16 day tour and it was a vacation from hell. The sentiment was echoed by most of the 38 people on the bus. First, on booking we advised that we were only interested in tours with 20 or less people. They assured us that they maxed all tours at 25 and they were usually less than that. So we booked. There were 38 people on that bus. The tour guide could not control that many people so many days we missed highlights. It took 3 hours for someone to show up for us when we arrived and when we finally got to the hotel they did not even have our name. When we were leaving one country to fly to the next one no one ever showed up to pick us up. We eventually called a cab at our own expense and just made the airport on time for the flight. Again on arrival at destination 2 there was no one to greet us and we waited a hour. Thanks go to another tour company who went out of their way to find us a driver. We elected to upgrade to the luxury package and were thrilled with the hotels that were presented in the brochure. Sadly brochure and reality were 2 different worlds. In some cases they were not even the hotels in our itinerary. The rooms were always the worst rooms available on bottom floors overlooking alleys. When we asked to move we were told they had nothing else available even though the hotels were nearly empty. We had rooms that were dirty and smelly. (I have pictures if interested). We were also disappointed that a new guide (expecting a tip) was brought on the bus at every stop. The lunches (on you own) were always at pre arranged places which always had the same options. So on your own means you pay at the place they pick. We were also surprised at the number of places that we needed to pay over and above for entrance fees and excursions that were not mentioned in the itinerary. The only reason they rate 1 star is because they were A1 at deception and pocketing our money.

Gena Boot

We are paid in full for 4 customers to travel with Exoticca to Greece. We bought the premium/supreme package, booked tours, upgraded our flights and have tried for the past 6 weeks to have changes made to our hotel accommodations that appear less than acceptable to us (prior to our trip). We have been put on hold, hung up on, told there are no managers to speak to, told we will receive an email (nope,nothing) and given a full runaround by staff. I am so far very disappointed in the service and response we have received to date!! Looking forward to a response??!!!!

Christine Meyer

Ultimate South American Odyssey. 28 days. 26 nights. Sales team very good and booking easy. Problems: 1. I tried to add an optional tour after payment in August. I have a case number after speaking with two people in August. No answer to date. We leave in 28 days. 2. Our flight from Guayaquil, Ecuador to Lima, Peru a 2h 10m flight to the next country. Oh no, Exoticca is flying me at 12:29 to Panama City, PTY, off continental South America, to Central America, then returning to Lima, South America at 22:37 a 10 1/2 hour flight! Not, 2h10m. A whole day of travelling unnecessarily we could spend instead at our destination. My travel companions have been separated from me a single woman. They are flying Guayaquil 3:35 am to Bogata 5:25am (almost the time it takes to fly to Lima). Leaving Bogotá 2:25 pm arriving Lima 5:35pm. They leave in the middle of the night and don’t arrive in Lima until 14 hours later! We’ve asked why? I was told by Angelo it was promotional pricing. I asked for a case number to resolve this he said no but he could tell management my grievance. I can book a 2 h 10m flight myself for between $170-$256. And I don’t get Exoticca’s discount. I may book. I am not happy and I don’t even leave until October 26! I was so looking forward to my first Exoticca tour.

Shirin Edarechi

While our initial conversations with the sales staff was pleasant, but unfortunately, after purchasing the trip ( Canada to Morocco) the customer service became very unhelpful or better say uncooperative. The return flight that was scheduled for us was horribly wrong and after multiple request they did not do anything, deciding to completely ignore our emails. In addition, please before booking it is crucial for you to do your homework. Hotels in the Charm category in this trip is way below the standards. The tour group was too big 35 people in our coach, this makes it very hard to get to enjoy the scenery as you basically feel like a herd of sheep being forced to see everything fast and quick and go to the next location. The company either needs to make their trips longer or make their itinerary smaller.