Website: http://www.adventuresinparadise.vu
Overall, I had an average experience with this tour company. There are a few pointers they can really use. One such annoyance was the requirement to confirm all of the tours a day prior to the tour booking. If you didn’t confirm, then you didn’t know when they would pick you up or if the tour was on at all. A couple of my tours were canceled, and I found out because I contacted them. Luckily, Le Meridien had a guest relations service who would gladly do it for you, but it takes a while for them to do it so be patient!
Sometimes, Adventures in Paradise do not deliver what is promised. Of course, I wasn’t too bothered (somehow I had developed a soft spot for Vanuatians), except when they sent public buses to pick us up for our return airport trip. We were promised an air conditioned coach (just like on arrival) but instead were sent a “burnt out” van with no air conditioning. I thought that was real scrappy. The tour conductors were really lovely, and provided real in depth information. Often you learn so much just by talking to them about general stuff.
Worth it or not?
Villa Environs Tour: Not worth it
Port Vila Discovery Tour: Worth it
Cascade waterfalls: Worth it (great tour guide)
Village adventure tour: Worth it (I won’t ruin the surprise)
Glass bottom boat cruise: Worth it (snorkeling bit is the best!)
Semi-submarine cruise: Not worth it
Sea kayaking: Not worth it (a bit boring)
Meet and Greet: Not worth it (totally useless)
Inside tips
* Book tours directly at their town office. It is so much cheaper than Blue Holidays, or the hotel.
* Plan ahead, and confirm each tour. They will not contact you to confirm.
* Drop them an email before you leave, detailing your tours.
* Check their website, because they have an extended range of tours.
Suggestions
* Guys, if a tour is canceled, it is your responsibility to inform the patrons. Not the other way around.
* Try and give what you have been paid for. Giving us a public bus for an airport return was real bad.
* Almost all of your tour buses arrived late to my hotel. I do not know about other hotels, but time management is important.
* Have an online booking facility on your website, and provide discounts for group bookings or multiple tour bookings.
Rating - 6/10 (average)
Most of the tours in Blue Holidays were from Adventures in Paradise, so I really didn’t have a choice. Would I go with them again? Yes, probably but I sure will book my tours directly through them. They lost points due to their “relaxing” nature, which meant delays all round.
If you have a review about another tour company that you used, then drop us a line.
