Plotpackers Avis 776

Had the most incredible time with Renata in Brasil. She was so knowledgeable and reliable throughout the entire experience. It was awesome seeing her love for Brasil shine through throughout our trip! Will definitely do another trip like this.

I could not have imagined Costa Rica without our amazing tour guide, Olman! He took care of us in more ways than I could count. He brought an incredible depth of knowledge, about the places we visited, the culture, the history & more. The itinerary it was decent, but I still very much enjoyed my time in Costa Rica.

Brazil Plotpackers trip was amazing with Renata! She is very knowledgeable, kind, and caring.
Couldnt have asked for a better first experience!

I’ve recently finished 2 weeks in Thailand with plotpackers, it was a wonderful trip and I enjoyed having my itinerary planned for me, and I definitely found some hidden gems I wouldn’t have come across on my own. My guide, Pear, was incredible and helped to make the trip, she was very knowledgeable at Thai culture and always available on WhatsApp if we had any questions. Transport was also smooth which made everything run easier.

However, there are a few things I think could have been improved. In previous plotpacker trips I have been on, it has only been our plotpacker group in the hostel room, in the Thailand trip this was not the case. While I appreciate we were a very small group, I would have preferred to only have been in a hostel room with people in my group, number one being for safety reasons, but also I was disturbed by drunk travellers during the night when the group had an early start and action packed day the next day meaning I was falling asleep during the day at times. Also I felt bad waking up other travellers early when our group all had to get ready to leave early. Also, while I enjoyed the hostels in koh samui and Bangkok, I did not like the hostels in koh pangan and khao sok, the bathrooms were dirty and also the key code to our room was not changed between guests, which lead to another safety concern, and one hostel did not have a working microwave. I believe there is a reason plotpackers does not tell you which hostel you will be staying in until a month before your trip.

Another issue I had was that we were expected to pay extra money for tipping our activity providers and also for entry to two additional national parks which were already part of our set itinerary. Although this was outlined in the itinerary already, I would have appreciated it if it was just included in the sum price of the trip, and I think this would make it easier for the guide also as she would not have to work out change for people.

Finally, in the floating bungalow’s you are expected to share a bed with another member of your group, while on my occasion I had no issue with this I found it frustrating that this information was not shared until after I paid the deposit on the trip, and think it would probably be better to not do this as not everyone would be comfortable with this, especially if you have to sleep next to someone of the opposite sex.

Overall my experience in Thailand was incredible and I have had an amazing time with plotpackers, but I do feel there are some improvements to be made.

Brasil was so amazing and I’m so grateful Daniela was our guide! She did an amazing job at sharing the important history of Brasil along with being so much fun, teaching us dance moves and making sure everyone was okay and having a good time. I love you Dani 🫶

Dani was the best tour guide there is. She did an amazing job at balancing the fun of Brazil and teaching us the history and important things. She made sure everything ran smoothly and created an amazing experience that I will never forget.

Brasil was so amazing! Although it had some rocky points, Julio our tour guide was fantastic and made it so much better! He was always there for us with recommendations and just to hear you out! He is so amazing and caring and will make any trip 100/10 better!

Júlio was genuinely the best tour guide and the most kindness person I have ever met. His good energy and good vibes made the holiday really special and one I will never forget! He truly is someone you will remember for life and ten times more than just a tour guide, he became all of our best friend and helped us out whenever we needed. 100% recommend to anyone wanting the holiday of a lifetime! Thank you Júlio!

Brazil was beautiful and had the best time with such a great itinerary!! Loved it because I didn’t have to worry about planning everything myself (but still had free time to do what I wanted). Julio, our guide, was wonderful! He always had great energy, included everyone, put ideas and recommendations in our group chat and had the best advice! He truly cared about making our experience great. I wish all guides were like him!!

I will say, it wasn’t the best time to go because it rained so much! Didn’t get much days in the sun or beach unfortunately. The hostels were also not the best. Now I didn’t expect anything luxurious, however a couple of them had mold growing on the walls, water would get everywhere in restroom when showering but no drying matts, etc. I would just say that the hostels chosen should be looked into a bit more for the health safety of everyone! Also, I think it’s important to know that most meals you will have to purchase and plan yourselves on your own time. Only meal included at hostels was breakfast, which was usually a buffet of eggs, breads & fruits.

My trip to Brazil with Plotpackers was amazing! I was really happy with the itinerary, the activities included, and how well all the road and boat transport was organised. Everything was planned and booked for us, so we didn’t have to worry about tickets or waiting in long lines.

Our tour guide, Julio, truly made the trip unforgettable. From the very beginning until the end, he was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and made everyone feel included. No matter what questions we had, whether it was about nightlife, dinner recommendations, safety, or even small health and wellbeing concerns, he was always there and happy to help. His positive energy made the whole experience so enjoyable. I would definitely recommend booking a trip with Julio as your guide if you get the chance!

Just had the most amazing experience traveling to Brazil on a group trip hosted by Samantha Casolaro. I can’t even begin to describe how incredible the trip was planned out and how safe I felt as a female solo traveler. The entire trip Sam made sure that we were having fun and experiencing all that Brazil has to offer. The trip was filled with both pre-planned activities and free time. Sam was an awesome host and really had the best interest of the group the entire trip. She was easy to talk to and just an overall sweet person. She always checked in on us and created a safe space. Our guide Julio was amazing as well and really looked out for us girls. He was funny and overall made sure that we were getting what we wanted out of the trip. I would definitely book another trip with Sam through PlotPackers in the future!!! So much fun!!

The 10 day trip to Brazil is very well organized.
We visited Rio, Isla Grande and Paraty. All three places offer something differently and unique. The best time I had was in Isla Grande, due to the beautiful nature and beaches surrounding it.
Our tour guide, Julio Labrana, did an amazing job during these 10 days taking care of everything and always being up to date with transport, recommendations for restaurants and always being available to us when we needed his support regarding different topics.

TEAM - Julioooooooo 🫶🏼
As the days went on, I began to understand what truly makes him special. A trip is shaped by the places you visit, but even more by the person guiding you through it and Julio makes all the difference. He puts his whole heart into what he does. You can feel that he truly cares, not in a superficial way, but in a deep and constant presence.
What stood out to me the most were the small moments. Even when he was eating, he would stop immediately if someone needed help. He would leave his own meal without hesitation, just to be there for someone, to make sure they were okay. That kind of attention and selflessness is rare. He looks after you in ways that go far beyond his role. He makes sure you have eaten, that you feel comfortable, that you are safe. If you are not feeling well, he is there without question, even bringing medicine and checking in again later. It is these quiet, thoughtful actions that create something truly meaningful. He is also someone who carries himself with a sense of care and order. Always neat, always attentive, even down to his perfectly clean glasses. It reflects how he approaches everything in life with clarity and intention. This review honestly feels too small to fully describe him. The trip itself was amazing, but it became truly exceptional because of Julio. He is an incredibly kind, warm, and humorous person. I have never seen him in a bad mood, always positive, always present. Even after a demanding hike, he stayed strong and continued with us without hesitation, despite how exhausting it must have been. I truly wish him a future as clear and bright as his glasses, and maybe some new knees after that hike ❤️
I am grateful that I had the chance to meet him. From now on, I do not want to rely on coincidence anymore. I would genuinely love to travel with him again. An outstanding person who turns a good trip into something unforgettable. And honestly, the gooooorls absolutely adore you. 🫀

I had such an amazing experience on this Brazil group trip, and a huge part of that was thanks to our group trip leader: Julio Labrana.

From the moment we arrived, he was incredibly kind, welcoming, and full of positive energy. He made everything so fun and effortless, and truly elevated the entire trip. You can tell he genuinely cares about everyone having the best experience possible.

At one point I got sick during the trip, and he went completely out of his way to help me get some food, medication, and other necessities. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done without him. That level of care meant so much.

He constantly made sure everyone felt included, comfortable, and taken care of. He went above and beyond by organizing extra activities through his connections, which made the trip even more special and memorable for all of us. He made sure we got the best touristic but also genuine local experiences.

On top of that, he was so patient and flexible with everyone, whether it came to planning activities or just managing a whole group of people.

That being said, I was disappointed with Plotpackers’ hostel selection. At times it was very uncomfortable, especially due to how dirty and moldy some of the hostels were. The last 2 hostels out of the 4 were lovely, but they were also the hostels we spent the least time in. I think this is something that definitely needs improvement.

Overall though, the trip was still so much fun and full of unforgettable memories. 💛

My Plotpackers trip to Brazil was amazing, and I genuinely had such a great experience. I loved the itinerary and felt like we spent the right amount of time in each place. There was also enough free time that I still got to do things I personally wanted to!!

The biggest highlight was definitely our tour guide, Julio. He truly made the experience unforgettable. He was so helpful, knowledgeable, kind, funny, and positive the entire trip. He really helped ease any anxieties about being in a different country, and even when things did not go as planned, he always made us feel supported and prioritized our safety. I have nothing but good things to say about him and this trip overall. ❤️

If you’re planning a trip to Brazil, do yourself a favor and book a tour with Julio. Hands down one of the best travel experiences I’ve ever had.
Julio isn’t just a guide—he’s the kind of person who makes you feel like you’re exploring the country with an old friend. His knowledge of the history, culture, and hidden gems is incredible, but what really sets him apart is his energy and passion. Every stop felt meaningful, every story had depth, and he somehow knew exactly how to avoid crowds and find the most authentic spots.
From breathtaking views to local food you’d never discover on your own, Julio made sure every moment was unforgettable. He was professional, organized, and always went the extra mile to make everyone feel comfortable and included.
If you get the chance to tour Brazil with Julio, take it—you won’t regret it. Absolutely outstanding experience.

Absolutely the trip of a lifetime! I travelled to Brazil on the girls group trip hosted by Samantha casolaro, we got to sightsee around Rio, travel on a boat to Ilha grande, see beautiful waterfalls near paraty and make some wonderful memories. The trip wouldn’t of been the same without our amazing tour guide Julio Labrana, for real such a knowledgeable, and kind man who truly cared for us and made sure we were always having fun and safe.

Julio & Samantha make such an incredible team together. They both always made me feel so safe and taken care of like anything I needed, making sure I was okay during this whole trip. Brazil wouldn’t have been the same experience if it wasn’t for Julio and his amazing personality he truly made every moment every day so fun & special. He made me feel so important & loved it felt like I was at home rather than in a foreign country with someone I had just met. I wish he could be my tour guide every where I went around the world. Can’t wait to be back!

Having the opportunity to go to Brazil for the first time with my group was an amazing experience! Julio was an excellent tour guide I couldn’t have asked for a better tour guide! He was kind, helpful, available, outgoing, and super patient with the group! Samantha was also great! She did a good job at keeping the trip organized and she made sure to let us know she’s available if we needed anything. Brazil was a beautiful country. Julio and Samantha played a big role in making the trip amazing!

I submitted a review while I was on this trip. I still stand by that review as I feel like we definitely did not do enough activities (that weren’t free - the beach and hikes) or get enough included in the price for this trip. However, I would like to recommend the tour guide, Olman. He did an amazing job and although everyone from the group had to book extra tours (at their own expense), he helped give us ideas, make reservations and set up transportation. The entire trip he was vibrant and made sure we were having fun and had anything we needed. Although I feel like the trip is way overpriced, the tour guide is definitely someone you’d want to have. Give him a raise!