We at Tours Gone Wild, realize that many of you might have questions about your trip. Below are some frequently asked questions. If you do not see your question in the links below, contact us. We are always here to help!

What Tours Gone Wild offers
About our VIP Party Service
When are tours available?
How to book a trip.
Refunds/Cancellations/Deposits
Passport and Visa
Safety and security
Money matters
Other

What does Tours Gone Wild offer that other companies don't?
Tours Gone Wild is the ONLY company that offers personalized service on the ground in Brazil and Argentina as well as access to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires's best local hotspots. We provide you a local guide who physically “shows you around” Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires – VIP style!

Tours Gone Wild provides you with a local guide who picks you up each night of your stay at your hotel, and takes you to the hottest spots that particular night. The guide stays with you all night and makes sure your stay is enjoyable, safe and hassle-free.

What does the Package include?
All packages include: Round Trip Airfare, 5 to 7 Night Hotel Accommodations, Airport/Hotel Transportation, 1/2 Day City Tour, VIP Party Service

What kind of clubs and parties do clients go to?
Tours Gone Wild prides itself in taking all of our clients to clubs and parties where only LOCALS frequent. These clubs range from huge clubs to special events, concerts, street parties, as well as upscale lounges and bars and other things that may be happening during your stay which you would otherwise probably not be aware of.

Can I find the hotspots myself?
It's difficult. The overwhelming majority of parties and clubs that we take you to are exclusively frequented by local Brazilians or Argentines. They are typically not very accessible to tourists and non-Portuguese (in Brazil)/ non-Spanish (in Argentina) speakers and are located away from typical tourist areas.
Another important thing to mention is that the nightlife in Rio and Buenos Aires changes drastically from one week to the next. (for example, one week a club or bar can suddenly switch its theme on a particular night of the week to “gay” or “over 40 night”) Many clients travel with us because we are always “on top” of where to go……and get you in without any problems, VIP!

Can I purchase the VIP Service by Itself?
No. We do not regularily break our packages apart although there may be rare exceptions/circumstances where we can do so, based on approval by management. Clients find that booking the entire package is a much better value anyway.

Is Alcohol included in the party service?
Generally not. The party service only includes the cover charges, guide, VIP status, and front of line privileges. Most clubs in Brazil and Argentina do not have any way of offering “open bar” and that is why we cannot offer that to our clients. There are exceptions during special events such as New Year's and Carnival where many drinks ARE included.

Do I have to travel on a set departure date?
No. Although there are regularly scheduled tours throughout the year, we can customize your package to your specifications (dates, number of people, departure city, level and class of hotel, etc.)

What do I need to do to book a trip?
In order to book a trip you need to submit a non-refundable deposit of $1,000 or 50% of your total package price person (whichever is greater) unless other arrangements have been made in writing with a staff member.

What do I do when I am ready to book?
When you are ready to book, please call our office at 305 861-0778 or at 1-877-456-WILD to confirm availability and final pricing for your package. Once your reservation is confirmed, you can proceed to “Book Online” on our site and register, enter your billing and trip details, and proceed to “Check Out” and pay for your deposit or full trip amount.

Do I have to purchase my trip online?
No. You may also pay via fax by signing and dating our Credit Card Authorization Form along with a copy of your credit card and a photo ID, or pay via cashier's check or money order (no personal checks are accepted.

When is the balance of my trip due?
The balance of your trip is due 50 days before departure. Please note that this does not apply to Carnival or New Year's packages. Please contact a TGW staff member for details about these packages.

Are deposits Refundable?
No. It is important to note that all deposits are non-refundable. The reason for this is because your deposit typically covers the air portion of your vacation. Once airline tickets are issued by the airlines, they come with many restrictions/penalties, and are non refundable.

What is your refund/cancellation policy?
Air Portion (Not valid for Carnival or New Year's Packages)
Once airline tickets have been issued, which is normally within 72 hours of payment of deposit, they are 100% non-refundable.If you cancel your trip (up to 7 days prior to departure), you may receive a credit valid for one year on the airline that issued your ticket valid for the same destination and itinerary with TGW minus a $150 to $200 airline-imposed fee. When you re-book your new vacation in the future, you are responsible for any fare differences. If you cancel less than 7 days prior to departure you will not receive a credit from the airline, or refund from TGW for the value of the ticket.
Non-Air Portion: (not applicable to Carnival and New Year's Packages):
- If your cancellation is made more than 60 days prior to departure, TGW will refund your non-air portion less $300 and any penalties charged to us by our suppliers.
- If your cancellation is made between 31 and 59 days prior to departure, TGW will refund your non-air portion less $400 and any penalties charged to us by our suppliers.
- If your cancellation is made less than 30 days prior to departure there will be NO refund for the non-air portion of your vacation.

What are your terms and conditions?
terms and conditions.

What documents do I need to travel to Brazil?
All United States citizens require a passport AND a VISA to travel to Brazil . Canadian and Australian citizens also need a visa to enter the country. Please note that your passport must not expire within 6 months of the date that you enter Brazil or you will have to renew it before traveling.

What documents do I need to travel to Argentina?
All United States citizens are required to have a valid US Passport.

Can I travel to Brazil or Argentina with a Photo ID or Birth Certificate?
NO. You must have a valid passport to travel to Brazil or Argentina.

How do I get a Passport?
It is pretty easy. Please follow this link http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html and it will give you the precise steps in applying for your passport. If you have problems obtaining your passport, please contact us and we will lead you in the right direction

How do I get a Visa for Brazil?
This is also an easy process. You must apply with the Brazilian Consulate nearest to your place of residence. Our Visa Processing page has a listing of all consulates, just hover over the links and a box listing the Consulate’s jurisdiction will appear. Click on the link from your jurisdiction and follow the Consulate’s instructions. If you have any problems, feel free to contact us or fill out the questionnaire on the Visa Processing page and a travel specialist will contact you immediately.

What is a visa?
A visa is simply a stamp on one of the pages of your passport from the Brazilian government saying that you have permission to enter the country.

How much does a Brazilian Visa cost? The Brazilian Consulate charges Americans US$100 ($110 if you do not apply in person or have a someone else apply for you.) This is done because the US charges Brazilians the same fee to enter the United States .

Does Tours Gone Wild Offer Visa Processing?
Only on Special Requests. Tours Gone Wild offers visa processing for those travelers who reside in the following states: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC, or TN. If you reside in any of the above states and want us to process your Visa please follow the instruction in the Visa Processing Fees page.

Is there anything else I need to have or apply for besides a valid Passport and Visa?
If you have visited Peru, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guyana, Venezuela, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guine, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, or Sudan 90 days before entering Brazil, you must have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate.

How long does it take for the Brazilian Consulate to process my Visa?
If you turned in your application without any mistakes and followed each of the Consulate’s instructions, you should be able to pick up your Visa in 2 – 3 days. Please check with the Consulate in your jurisdiction, due to understaffing or increased traffic, it may take a bit longer to process your Visa. Also PLEASE, do not leave this to the last minute.

When should I apply for my Brazilian VISA?
We recommend applying for your VISA once you have made final payment on your trip. (about 60 days prior to departure). Please note that you should not obtain your more than 90 days before departure as you must enter the country within 90 days of the issuance of the visa.

Do I have to pay for my trip in full to apply for my Brazilian VISA?
Yes. Because part of the visa application requires a copy of your itinerary and hotel information, you must pay your trip in full in order to have these documents for the application.

Do I need a visa for Brazil if I am a non-US citizen?
It depends. Basically if the country of your citizenship currently requires Brazilians to obtain a visa to travel to your country then you DO need a visa to enter Brazil, if not then you do not need one. (Americans, Australians and Canadians DO require a visa to travel to Brazil ).

What countries do not require a Visa to travel to Brazil?
As of January, 2005, the following countries do not require a visa to travel to Brazil . (Please note that Visa requirements change very frequently so please contact your local Brazilian consulate or embassy to be on the safe side.)
Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, Ecuador, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Monaco, Namibia, Netherlands, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Surinam, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.

What happens if for some reason I do not have a Valid Passport or Visa at time of departure?
You are responsible for obtaining the appropriate travel documents before your departure. We recommend to start the process as soon as you purchase the ticket and we will assist you in any way. There will be no refunds issued and fees for changing (Terms and Conditions) your trip will be charged.

Is it safe to travel to Brazil?
Yes. Like any other developing country, Brazil has its share of problems. Unfortunately, Brazil has had its share of negative publicity regarding safety issues in the past. Although there have been incidents in the past concerning tourists (mostly pick pocketing), most of these have occurred in situations where people were not following common sense (much like the types of crimes that occur in the United States.) Examples include: walking alone in an unlit street in the middle of the night, wandering into unknown or bad neighborhoods, etc. TGW will give all travelers a briefing on safety and other issues before departure, and will be available in Brazil 24 hours a day 7 days a week for any questions or concerns. If you have additional concerns, please call our office or contact us . Also, check our Tours Gone Wild Do's and Don'ts in Rio de Janeiro.

Is it safe to travel to Buenos Aires, Argentina?
Buenos Aires is a very safe city and local police keep it that way by actively patrolling all tourist areas. Although Buenos Aires is safe, it is recommended not to walk on parks at night, or less crowded streets and avenues, do not exhibit valuable objects when you are walking along the street, avoid to show that you are carrying foreign money. Bringing money in your front pockets is always a good advice, wherever you travel to.

Will there be staff available in Brazil and Argentina?
Yes! TGW will have 24 hour on-site staff to help you with anything you may need while on your vacation. That is a huge reason why many travelers, many who have already been to Brazil or Argentina a few times, still travel with us – for peace of mind.

Do you recommend purchasing the insurance? Absolutely. Because the majority of American health care plans will not cover you in the event of an illness or accident, we strongly recommend purchasing our travel insurance. Additionally, travel insurance can offer you other benefits such as trip cancellation insurance, and lost baggage/missed connection benefits. The large majority of our clients purchase insurance because of these benefits and the fact that it is very inexpensive. To find out more about our insurance policies click here.

What kind of currency do they use in Brazil?
Brazil's national currency is the Real. They come in denominations of R$1, $R2, R$5, R$10, R$50 and R$100. One Real is approximately worth US$..21, or in other words, for every one dollar you exchange, you can get R$2.10 - R$2.50. (note: Exchange rates are constantly fluctuating, but this is the general exchange rate prevailing around 02/2006)

What kind of currency do they use in Argentina?
The Argentine currency is the Argentinean peso. The Argentinean peso is printed in bills of 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100; and in coins of 1, 5, 10, 25, 50 cents and 1 peso. The exchange rate is 3 pesos for every US Dollar, so American money goes a long way in Argentina.

Are credit cards widely accepted?
Yes. Credit cards are accepted at the majority of clubs, restaurants, shops, and hotels. The preferred credit card in Brazil is VISA.

Are dollars accepted in Brazil and Argentina?
Generally not, although some stores and restaurants may accept them at a very BAD exchange rate. You are better off paying with a credit card or with the local currency.

Where can I withdraw/Exchange money?
You can access cash at almost any ATM displaying your bank's networks symbols (VISA, CIRRUS, etc.) . Money can be exchanged at most hotel front desks. (although the exchange rate is typically better at ATM's).

What are prices like in Brazil ? How much money should I take?
Prices in Brazil are very reasonable as the US dollar enjoys a nearly 2.2 to 1 exchange rate. Costs in Brazil are much lower than the are in Europe, the United States , Mexico and the Caribbean . See our Tours Gone Wild Price Guide for more details.

What are prices like in Argentina? How much money should I take?
Prices in Argentina are very inexpensive especially for food and local products (such as leather goods, souvenirs, etc). As far as nightlife, it is always recommended to buy a bottle (which run anywhere between 60 - 100 US$ at a club.

What language(s) are spoken in Brazil?
Brazil's national language is Portuguese (not Spanish!). It is very similar to Spanish and you will find that if you have taken some Spanish classes or are fluent, you can get by very well. If you don't know Spanish, don't worry!

What language(s) are spoken in Argentina?
Spanish is Argentina's national language.

How widely spoken is English?
English is not as widely spoken in Brazil as it is in other countries that are used to American tourists, although most hotel employees and tourist locations do have English speakers on staff.The absence of English being spoken “everywhere” is not a bad thing, however, as Brazilians are very friendly people and truly like English-speaking tourists and you CAN get by! It is a good idea to learn a few phrases of Brazilian Portuguese before your trip – it will be uselful and greatly appreciated by the Brazilian people. See our Portuguese Survival Guide.
In Argentina, English is more spoken than Brazil.

Is it easy to meet Brazilians of the opposite sex?
Yes! Meeting people of the opposite sex is quite easy. Check out the Tours Gone Wild Guide to Hooking up in Brazil.

Is it easy to meet Argentines of the opposite sex?
Yes, it is easy to meet people of the opposite sex in Argentina.

What should I pack for my trip to Brazil?
When packing for your trip, please keep in mind that Brazil has a tropical climate and is usually pretty hot (especially from December through March.) Do not forget to pack light clothes, sunscreen, a bathing suit as well as a nice pair of shoes and nice shirts to go out. For a detailed list of what to pack check out our Rio Gone Wild! Packing List.

What should I pack for my trip to Argentina?
Before packing for your trip, you must acquaint yourself with the Argentine seasons. Spring starts in September, summer in December, fall in March and winter in June. It does get very cold in Buenos Aires, so make sure to bring winter clothes in the fall, winter, and early spring. The summer is hot so bring casual summer clothing. Also don't forget to dress to impress at the clubs.

What's the dress code like at clubs?
As you know, Tours Gone Wild! will take you to the hottest nightclubs. These clubs range from semi-casual to upscale. We recommend dressing just like you would when you are going out to a nice club in a big American city like Miami , New York , or Dallas. This generally means no tennis shoes, shorts, tank tops or hats at clubs. See our Clubs and Parties section and our Tours Gone Wild Packing list for more details.