Whether you are an experienced world traveler or the ink is barely dry on your passport, there are a few things that are well worth remembering when planning, and taking, your next international flight.

Plan ahead
Airlines have reduced the frequency of many domestic flights, making many of the remaining flights fill up faster. This capacity-crunch, combined with the fact that availability of “cheap seats” is already limited on any given flight, means waiting too long to book could result in less desirable flight connections, while bringing on a classic case of fare “sticker shock” from missing out on the lower-tiered fares. As always, being flexible about travel dates and departure cities can sometimes yield surprisingly good savings. Booking online is fine, but don’t be afraid to check with a travel agent for creative ideas and hidden deals.

Are Your Papers in Order?
Having a passport is (hopefully) an obvious first step to traveling abroad, but it’s important ascertain if there any additional entry and/or documentation requirements for your destination(s). Is your passport valid for several months beyond the foreseen end of your trip? Stopping in Costa Rica on the way back from South America? You’ll need proof of Yellow fever vaccination. Flying to Argentina? Chile? An entry tax of over $100 may be collected, in cash, upon arrival. Heading to Brazil? US citizens must obtain a visa, in advance, and it could take weeks. For details, US citizens can start here: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html or or otherwise review the information on each destination’s consulate website.

Get Seat Assignments
Not only will this give a better chance of sitting where and possibly with whom you prefer, it can also reduce the chances of getting “bumped” when the airline has overbooked the flight. Some airlines or flights restrict the ability to assign seats at time of purchase. Check with your agent, or the airline, to verify that you have seats, whenever possible.

Checking Bags?
While most major carriers still do not charge for the first checked bag for passengers traveling on international itineraries, many do charge for the second bag. Weight and dimension limits apply, depending on the airline and the specific route. Avoid having to pay unexpected baggage fees or otherwise be faced with re-distributing or even (yes, we’ve seen it) ditching personal items at the check in counter, by consulting with your travel agent, or the airline’s website for details.

Get Travel Insurance
Why? Refundable tickets are practically a thing of the past. Most likely, your medical insurance doesn’t cover you when you are outside of your home country. Unexpected trip delays, cancellations, and medical issues can equate to a baffling amount of expenses and logistical hassles. These days, travel suppliers are less willing to bend rules or waive fees for canceling part or all of a prepaid trip. Travel insurance can protect you from absorbing the cost of many kinds of travel-related surprises, from lost baggage to . Most policies automatically cover emergency medical care, medical evacuation and a list of extra services related to handling the unexpected.

Confirm, then Reconfirm
Don’t be the last one to know if the flight you booked 5 months or even 5 days ago is suddenly leaving an hour earlier than originally scheduled. Although airlines and travel agents make an effort to notify passengers of major changes, it’s ultimately up to the passenger to verify the flight details, and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check in. Confirm flights by viewing the itinerary online at the airline’s website, on another website provided by your agent, or by simply contacting the airline by phone.

Ready for more tips? For more details, including tips for a diverse set of circumstances and situations, check out some of the links below. Last but not least, don’t forget to leave home without even amounts of scruples, and excitement.

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/tips_1232.html

http://www.exitotravel.com/resources/helpful_links.htm

For domestic flights (including the Galapagos), the departure tax is included in the ticket price - no additional payments are needed at the airport.

During the closure, most carriers will reroute flights to Ezeiza airport.   Passengers traveling on Aerolineas Argentinas flights that usually depart from Aeroparque should check in at Ezeiza terminal A, counters 104 through 113.  All travelers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to their flight.

Select “fall sale” fares have completely eliminated fuel surcharges.
Save an average of $300 per ticket by booking right now. Sales end soon.

SAMPLE ROUND TRIP FARES, TOTAL COST, INCLUDING ALL TAXES

At these rates, spending a week abroad could cost less than a holiday weekend flight in the US!  Subject to change. Restrictions apply. Availability is limited.

Groups of 10+:  Call : 800 655 4054, or complete a Group Request Form
1-9 passengers: Book Online or call 800 655 4053

For travelers, particularly groups, added flight service equates to better itinerary choices, and more lower-fare seats available to more destinations

Featured Changes For Latin America:

• Delta adds service to Tegucigalpa, Honduras
• TAM Brazilian Airlines adds direct service from Orlando to Sao Paolo
• TACA adds connection service to Paraguay
• Delta adds direct service from New York to Buenos Aires
• American and Delta add new flights to Brazil, to such popular destinations as Salvador, Manaus, and Fortaleza.

American Airlines is offering double Aadvantage miles on flights to Salvador de Bahia, or Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Date and registration restrictions apply. Book an applicable flight with Exito and find out how to earn double miles when flying round-trip between Nov 4th 2008 and Feb 15th 2009.  PLUS, ask an Exito Group Specialist about how to save over $50 off of the lowest, published fare for groups of 10+ traveling to these Brazil destinations, and more.

The amount of the fee varies by citizenship.  As the US charges Argentinian citizens $130 for a visa, a similar fee will apply for US citizens entering Argentina.  Citizens of Australia, Canada, the UK, or other nations will pay slightly different amounts.

The fee will be payable upon arrival.   At this point, there are no details regarding what forms of payment will be accepted.

Once paid, the fee will be valid for 10 years or the lifetime of the passport (whichever comes first).  This means that travelers who leave to visit another country, then return a month later,  will not have to pay the fee a second time.

The program and fee structure is similar that that used by Chile.  Chile also charges a reciprocity fee, of about $100 for US citizens, based on the fees the US charges Chileans for entry to the US.

In their constant quest to reduce costs, most airlines have severely restricted luggage allowances for trips to Latin America. Most airlines now only allow one piece of luggage to be checked for free. That piece must weigh no more than 50 pounds, and must be no larger than 62 linear inches in size (if you add up the length, the width, and the height the total is the size in linear inches)

The silver lining is that this brings US baggage allowances more in line with the baggage allowances for flights within South America. For years, the standard allowance there has been 20 kilograms, which is approximately 44 pounds. So if, for example, you are flying from the US to Lima on American Airlines, then continuing to Cuzco on Lan Peru, you can check one bag up to 50 pounds for your American flight, and one bag up to 44 pounds for the Lima-Cuzco flight. With the new, lower allowances from the US, passengers are less likely to suddenly be hit with excess baggage fees for their flights within Latin America.

There are still a few carriers that do allow 2 checked bags - if baggage is important, be sure to check an airline’s baggage restrictions before you purchase a ticket. Your Exito travel agent will be happy to advise you on current baggage restrictions.

Off the north coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, one of nature’s most extraordinary encounters can be found – the whalesharks of Holbox Island. A visit to see these, the largest fish species in the world, can be an awe-inspiring part of a trip to the Yucatan.

The whale shark is a slow-moving, filter feeding shark. It can grow to extraordinary size – up to 40 feet in length and weighing up to 15 tons. They are believed to live up to 100 years. Every summer, these gentle giants congregate in the warm waters near Isla Holbox. While scuba diving is forbidden to protect the sharks, the experience of swimming and snorkeling with the sharks is both humbling and rewarding.
Boats to see the whale sharks depart approximately every hour in the morning, starting around 7am, from the main pier in Isla Holbox. The ride out to the sharks’ feeding area can take anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours, depending on where they are feeding that day. While sunscreen is a must, make sure it’s biodegradable and harmless to the fish – the Mexican government takes preserving these unique creatures quite seriously. On the ride out, the guide will go over the other regulations , such as no touching the sharks, only two snorklers in the water at a time, etc.

Once your boat arrives in a feeding area, get ready with your mask and fins- when a shark comes within range, your guide will have 2 swimmers jump in for the swim of a lifetime. You cannot get closer than 6 feet to these protected fish, but 6 feet is plenty close - as big as they look from the boat, they look even bigger in the water! They are, however, completely harmless, as they are filter-feeders that live on plankton.

Boats generally spend an hour or so at the shark feeding ground. After seeing the sharks, your guide may look for other marine life to observe. Manta rays are often found in this area, as are dolphins.

Manta rays are another giant of nature. The largest of all rays, they have been known to reach 25 feet across and weigh up to 5,000 pounds. Another filter feeder, they can be found lazily swooping through the warm waters, enjoying a meal of plankton. With their huge kite-like shape, they appear to fly through the water.

By the time your boat returns to Holbox Island, you will have memories to last a lifetime.

Getting there: Most dive shops in the Yucatan can arrange the trip for you. If you are coming from Cancun or anywhere along the Mayan Riviera, your trip will include van transportation to Chiquila (the closest point on the mainland to Holbox), boat transportation to the whale sharks, water and juice to drink, snacks on the boat, all equipment, and lunch at Holbox on the return. It’s an all-day trip - if you leave your hotel at 6am, you will probably be back around 4pm. Cost as of summer 2008 was around $200 per person.

Alternatively, you can do the trip on your own. From Cancun, take the local bus to Chiquila, and the ferry across to Holbox. As this is an approximately 3.5-hour trip, you would want to plan on spending the night on the island. There are a variety of hotels available, in various price ranges. The trip from Holbox to the whale sharks was about $90 per person as of summer 2008.

More direct flights from the US to Brazil is especially good news for groups

Cities in Northeastern Brazil are best known as the gateways to beautiful beaches, treasured World Heritage sites, and the lush expanse of the Amazon rainforest. Delta and American Airlines are adding direct service from their respective hubs in Atlanta and Miami to these diverse destinations, making them easier to reach, and harder to resist.

Previously, flying from North America to Northern Brazil involved at least 2 airlines and multiple plane changes. Most routings required flying to a southern city like Rio or Sao Paolo before changing to a local airline going north. Itineraries involving two airlines can obviously add travel time and inconvenience to anyone’s trip. For groups of 10 or more people, working with two airlines to make one trip requires double the number of bookings, deposits and payments, while doubling the potential pitfalls.

Direct flight options will now make arranging a group as simple as booking a flight across the nearest border.

Benefits for groups traveling on a single-airline:

• Fare: One fare from home to your destination, guaranteed in advance
• Routing: One connection, even no connection when traveling via Hubs in Atlanta or Miami
• Deposit: One deposit per person cuts the initial outlay in half
• Reservation: One booking keeps schedules and reservations synchronized
• Ticket: One ticket minimizes service fees and effort related changes or cancellation
• Baggage: One international ticket minimizes baggage fees, as well as avoids confusion if a bag is lost
• Service: One airline, one network means simpler solutions to unexpected delays or cancellations

Whether it’s for recreation or research, now is the time to make plans for your group to travel to Brazil.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR GROUP AIRFARE QUOTE:

1-800-655-4054

or CLICK HERE to submit your request online

Belo Horizonte (BHZ)

Salvador da Bahia (SSA) or

Recife (REC)

Fly between November 2, 2008 and February 15, 2009

Advance registration is required. Contact an Exito Travel agent for details and flight reservations.

Phone:  800 655 4053                        Email: info@exitotravel.com

Besides giving families a chance to spend more time together and stay connected, a well-planned journey can offer other “wordly” benefits that a shorter trip may only give a small taste of. Consider how speaking Spanish or Portuguese several levels higher than before, and gaining an inkling of what it is like to truly live, and even work, in a different culture can boost confidence and competence when encountering future challenges.

An important part of planning, and yes, justifying, and extended trip abroad is staying aware of the needs and interests of each family member, ensuring there are enough fun activities that are also truly educational, and/or resume-building. Enrichment could start with something as basic as a child mastering the local metro system, or be as thrilling as learning about environmental sustainability while hiking through a remote Andean community, in the valley of a majestic volcano. The last book report may begin to pale in comparison.

It doesn’t hurt that daily living expenses in Latin America can often be lower than what a family might spend by staying at home. Those who may choose to avoid traveling to Europe, Hawaii or the Caribbean islands due to unfavorable exchange rates and higher travel costs, may still have the option go to Latin America, where the diversity and quality of cultural and outdoor activities continue to offer incredible value.

With some inspiration and preparation, what might start as a short trip to a popular beach town in Costa Rica could lead to a plan to skip bunking in a hotel, and instead settle in for a few weeks to live with a host family and take Spanish immersion courses. With a bit more time, it might be easier than expected to continue on to explore some of Ecuador or Peru, balancing time for sightseeing as well as making a contribution to a local volunteer project.

Where to start?  Learn a few things from those who have already done it. Check out how one family chose to take their plans for quality time on the road  in a book called “BYOC: South America! A Family Sabbatical Handbook” - where BYOC stands for “Bring Your Own Children”. Information is available online at:  http://www.rumskytravelworks.com.  There are also a myriad of websites that offer tips and directories of resources related to traveling abroad as a family. Try starting with Transitions Abroad or idealist.com.

While airfares are rising in several markets, there are still some great discount deals that are perfect for an extended getaway. For example: Round-trip travel from from New York to Ecuador, with stopovers in both Costa Rica and Peru for under $650 including tax, per person. There are hundreds of similar combinations available, traveling from various US cities into Central and South America.

These special airfare deals are only available through a specialist like Exito Travel. A Latin America Travel Specialist at Exito has years of experience in digging out discounted fares in order to create an itinerary that matches both the vision, and the budget of the trip. For details on how to afford a family trip of a lifetime, contact Exito by phone at 800 655 4053 , or fill in an extended stay, or  multi-stop flight request form online.