Frequently Asked Questions
Why Choose EWE Tours?
Safety. Safety is always our biggest priority. Our trip leaders and host families have years of experience in keeping our students healthy and safe, and are trained and well-versed in our emergency protocols.
Experience. We have 20+ years experience leading travelers on volunteering, internships and cultural tours to more than a dozen countries in Africa, Asia & Central America. Our staff, program partners and host families know how to keep our participants safe and healthy.
Great Programs. Our programs provide students with the opportunity to the learn about and contribute to communities and cultures abroad in safe, meaningful ways. The tours focus on service, academics, and sports, often combining all three. Our host countries span four continents, each offering diverse experiences.
Passion. Leading people on cultural immersion tours abroad is our passion! We love helping students, teachers, and families make life-changing trips and meet new friends abroad.
Emergencies
We are on-site 24/7 during the entire trip. Parents have the mobile numbers of our trip leaders before the trip starts. Parents can call us 24/7 for any urgent concerns. For emergency situations such as illnesses, injuries or natural disasters, our protocol is to immediately get your child to safety and/or medical treatment then call their parents. There are hospitals and clinics in all of our program areas and excursion locations.
What are the accommodations like?
Students stay at either homestays or 3-star and above hotels. Rooms are 2-3 students of the same gender per room. Shared bathrooms with hot water. Host families are known personally to us and are all experienced in hosting international travelers.
What are meals like?
Meals are mostly traditional local meals, with occasional fast food visits. Meals feature rice, beans, chicken, fish, beef, tortillas, bread, and tropical produce like corn, millet, plantains, cassava and more. Vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free diets can be accommodated.
Is the water safe to drink?
Tap water is only safe to drink in Costa Rica. For all other host countries, we provide filtered / bottled water daily.
Will my cell phone work?
Most U.S. cell phones work abroad. You may want to add an international data roaming data plan to avoid surprise fees. Cell phone coverage is generally good in urban areas but spotty in rural villages. The app “WhatsApp” is one of the cheapest & most popular ways to stay in touch via text and calls.
Is WIFI available?
WIFI is available at all of the hotels and host families for your phone, tablet or laptop. We encourage students to (mostly) disconnect from technology in order to fully immerse themselves and get the most out of the trip. However we understand that you might want to call / text occasionally.
How to choose a tour?
Our tours vary greatly in terms of geography, culture and focus. Consider which of our tours reflects your vision, interests, and goals.
- Do you want to travel with your volleyball or soccer team?
- Or join your political science classmates on a trip to Ghana to meet the country’s leaders?
- Are you interested in a unique world culture like India’s?
- What about the cuisine, friendly people, and history of Vietnam, an emerging destination for world travelers?
- How far from home are you comfortable being? Vietnam is on the other side of the world, while Central America is only a 3-hour flight from Miami.
- Flight costs might be a factor too: round-trip flights can vary from $250 to Costa Rica to $1,300 to Ghana.
What’s included in the program fee?
- Professional, bilingual guides on call 24-hours
- Accommodations at homestays / 3-star hotels
- All meals: breakfast, lunch & dinner
- Private ground transportation
- Domestic Flights (India, Vietnam only)
- All Program Activities
- All Excursions
- Community Service
- Academic Credit
- Trip Director from the US
- Travel & Medical Insurance
- EWE Tours t-shirt & bag
Not included: flights, visas, vaccinations
What are the age requirements?
For trips led by teachers and coaches, the minimum age for students is 14. For family trips, children must be age 10+. For individuals traveling solo you must be 18+. There is no age limit for any tour.
What are the entry requirements?
You must have a valid passport with 6+ months validity to join one of our tours abroad (see the US Department of State). For visa and vaccination requirements, see our entry requirements web page for each country. EWE Tours does NOT require any vaccinations including for COVID, unless required by the host country. (We will explain the visa process after you book your tour)
When can I travel?
Our tours are available year-round but run primarily from June-August. You can choose the dates of your tour. You can also travel over winter and spring breaks. Just contact us with your desired dates.
How do I sign-up?
We use the secure website “We Travel” to process bookings & payments. When you are ready to sign-up for the trip, we will send you a customized link for We Travel. You will create a free account at We Travel which will have your total invoice and all your payments.
Do I need a passport?
You must have a passport with 6+ months validity. See the US State Department for how to apply for a new passport. Allow 6-8 weeks for them to process your application and send you your passport.
Do I need a visa?
You need a visa for Ghana, India, and Vietnam. Costa Rica and Guatemala do not require a visa. The visa application process differs for each country. After you signup for your trip, we will explain the visa process.
Do I need vaccinations?
Ghana is the only host country that requires any vaccinations (for Yellow Fever). We do not recommend or require any specific vaccinations. We recommend that you consult a travel medicine doctor at least two months before your departure to discuss and allow sufficient time for any potential immunizations.
Do I need insurance?
Yes. As part of your program fee, we provide participants with a travel & medical insurance policy that covers illnesses and injuries abroad up to $50K (including emergency evacuation flights). The policy is issued by Atlas Travel Insurance under their parent company Tokio Marine HCC. If you prefer to use your own policy, we require that you send us proof of insurance.
What paperwork do I need for EWE Tours?
- Online Sign-Up Form
- Passport ID page
- Visa (if applicable)
- Flights
- Insurance Policy
- Participant Contract
- Medical / Dietary Questionnaire
- Parental Consent Letter (for < 18 travelers)
Government Registry
We recommend that you register your trip with the US State Department’s Smart Traveler program. This can help expedite in-country assistance with lost passports and medical emergencies.
How much money should I bring?
We recommend that you bring $100 USD in cash, plus a debit card and a credit card. You won’t need to spend a lot of money because your program fee covers most expenses. If you want to buy food or souvenirs, cards are widely accepted. However you may have to pay in cash in local currency for Ubers and taxis, stores in rural areas, and urban corner stores. The best way to get local currency is via at ATM machines.
Staying In Touch
Upon your group’s arrival at the airport in the host country, we will send parents and school admin(s) an email and text saying you arrived safely and we have met you. We will also post daily updates on social media for you to follow the tour.
Have more questions?
Please get in touch so that we can help you choose or customize the ideal trip. Call or text us at 267-764-4215 or email tours@ewetours.com.