Tours by Locals group of guides

[TayanaLorna]

What are your experiences using small private Tours by Locals excursions?  Did itinerary meet your expectations?  Don't know if we are allowed, but if so, please name guide used/city.  Particularly interested in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.  Thanks

[Mary229]

I find "Tours by Locals" a bit expensive.  If you like walking tours "tips for trips" is a good outfit with a social agenda.  You can read reviews of touring companies for your cruise on TripAdvisor.  Be aware that Tripadvisor now owns Viator but they have reviews of many local firms.

[scubacruiserx2]

22 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

What are your experiences using small private Tours by Locals excursions?  Did itinerary meet your expectations?  Don't know if we are allowed, but if so, please name guide used/city.  Particularly interested in Chile, Argentina and Uruguay.  Thanks

 

They cost a little more but they showed up and did a good job . We had 3 no shows , 2 for taxis and a wine tour no show all left us scrambling at the airport .  We used and liked Elisabet in BA , Claudio in Puerto Montt and Viviana in El Calafate ( to Torres del Paine in Chile ) .

[TayanaLorna]

1 minute ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

They cost a little more but they showed up and did a good job . We had 3 no shows , 2 for taxis and a wine tour no show all left us scrambling at the airport .  We used and liked Elisabet in BA , Claudio in Puerto Montt and Viviana in El Calafate ( to Torres del Paine in Chile ) .

Thank you.

[scubacruiserx2]

Just now, TayanaLorna said:

Thank you.

 

You're welcome . If you are planning to go to the Baltic , Iceland or Norway in the future we have 7 more guides that we liked . You can read that Travelogue here :

 

 

 

The puffins and Shetland ponies are as cute as penguins !

[iluvbkk]

I have used them in the Caribbean, which was not good, but I've used them extensively in Europe and can highly recommend them.  As to this itinerary, I am a newcomer and cannot offer any specific except to say I have 3 tours booked with them. One in Ushuaia, one in Puerto Madryn and one in Montevideo.

[scubacruiserx2]

We did have a couple of good tour in Puerto Madryn and the Falkland Islands that we could recommend if you would like .

[iluvbkk]

We did have a couple of good tour in Puerto Madryn and the Falkland Islands that we could recommend if you would like .

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RCCL Rhapsody-Hawaiian Islands

MSC Melody - Southern Caribbean

NCL - Baltic, S. America, Caribbean 3 times

Celebrity Constellation - Transatlantic and Europe

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Photographic reviews

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2372103 Eclipsing Northern Europe by cruise : Basic black , and Baltic blues

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2094420 Cruising the Caribbean on the Caribbean Princess

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1923693 Norway and Northern Europe

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687 Moscow

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1775172 St. Petersburg

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1958814 South America

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2213388 Total Eclipse: East bound Transatlantic and a visit to Russia

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2320153Cruising the Caribbean on the Re al Princess : A pictorial review

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2422532 Staying and playing in Cozumel

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2644763 Caribbean Princess photo review 2018 : The suite and sour

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2497409 Eurodam to Alaska : We came , we saw , we photographed .

I'd like to know what you booked in Puerto Madryn and the Falklands.  I am always open to suggestions.

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

Sentir Patagonia with Max to Punto Tombo and Kurt with Estancia in the Falkland Islands .

[FredZiffle]

Aren't Tours By Locals just an expeditor or middle-man?  I've always found their prices to be higher than just booking directly with a reputable local tour guide.

[Kate-AHF]

5 minutes ago, FredZiffle said:

Aren't Tours By Locals just an expeditor or middle-man?  I've always found their prices to be higher than just booking directly with a reputable local tour guide.

 

Yes - but it could be tough to ID those local guides without Tours by Locals.... which is why those guides sign on with TBL.  To get found.

[TayanaLorna]

Tours by Locals is an organization with standards that a guide must meet.  It provides a platform on which each guide can develop their own website, has standard booking and cancellation procedures, and gives a secure payment method so each guide need not set up his/her own credit card acceptance.  There is a Frequently Asked Questions section.  All their rules, procedures, guarantees are clearly outlined.  You can find out a lot about a guide before choosing guide/tour.  One can communicate with the guide via email before booking and after as much as you need to.  Each guide sets their own fee and it covers them, any vehicle they must procure, a driver if so indicated as well as box lunches, entrance fees etc.  What is and is not included is clearly outlined.  And MOST important is the guide with whom you communicate is the guide you get.  I posted this same question on another site and have received very positive feedback.  

[Chiksi]

On 9/22/2019 at 2:31 PM, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

They cost a little more but they showed up and did a good job . We had 3 no shows , 2 for taxis and a wine tour no show all left us scrambling at the airport .  We used and liked Elisabet in BA , Claudio in Puerto Montt and Viviana in El Calafate ( to Torres del Paine in Chile ) .

Which tour company didn't show at the airport for the wine tour? Just to make sure we don't book them.

[scubacruiserx2]

8 hours ago, Chiksi said:

Which tour company didn't show at the airport for the wine tour? Just to make sure we don't book them.

 

It was Personal Tours Chile and the guide's name is Luis Charlin .

[Chiksi]

On 10/7/2019 at 6:42 AM, scubacruiserx2 said:

 

It was Personal Tours Chile and the guide's name is Luis Charlin .

Thank you!

[kinipela35]

Also used Elisabet in BA and she was fabulous. She has her own website where you can book directly with her. We booked through TBL, but if I can find the business card she gave me, I'll share it. 

[Ginger Pepper Mom]

If you can find contact information for Elisabet in BA please post. Thanks!

[scubacruiserx2]

On 10/16/2019 at 1:35 AM, Chiksi said:

Thank you!

 

You're welcome .

[scubacruiserx2]

9 hours ago, Ginger Pepper Mom said:

If you can find contact information for Elisabet in BA please post. Thanks!

 

We've looked for her card but unable to locate it . If we find it we'll post it . If not , go through TBL and see if she has an open date for you plan to visit .

[Ginger Pepper Mom]

Thanks and will definitely check on TBL

[scubacruiserx2]

On 10/6/2019 at 11:01 PM, Chiksi said:

Which tour company didn't show at the airport for the wine tour? Just to make sure we don't book them.

 

My DW and I discussed this this morning . We got a good recommendation for Luis so we booked  When we got to the arrivals area in Santiago we looked for our names on the cards held by guides and drivers , both inside and out for about 30 minutes . As we approached the Taxi kiosk , a guy wearing  what we thought was an official uniform with a photo ID hanging from around his neck asked us if we needed help . We explained what was going on and he offered to call Luis for us . After making a call and speaking in Spanish someone , a person saying that he was Luis said that we were not suppose to meet until 2 pm . The man said he could help us with a taxi and of course once they get you away from the airport and threaten to leave you , they have a certain amount of control . In hindsight we should have asked him to let us dial Luis's number and let us speak to Luis in English before he spoke to someone in Spanish who said that he was Luis . We emailed Luis and he insisted that he was there . Maybe he was , but holding a card with our name on it would help both of us to make the connection and prevent Taxi scams like this from happening .

Edited October 17, 2019 by scubacruiserx2

[scubacruiserx2]

10 minutes ago, Ginger Pepper Mom said:

Thanks and will definitely check on TBL

 

DW just found the card  so try this first , iconicbuenoaries . com

[Ginger Pepper Mom]

Wow! Thanks!

[scubacruiserx2]

1 minute ago, Ginger Pepper Mom said:

Wow! Thanks!

 

You're welcome . Tell her that Pat and Joe said hello . We do need to write her a proper review on TBL but we're about 10 guides behind , mostly very good .

[Ginger Pepper Mom]

Will definitely let her know and many thanks for all your help. We have used TBL in many places and enjoyed excellent guides!