The Holbrook Explorer
Traveler Resources
Video: Underwater Life in the Galápagos Islands
Dive underneath the blue Galápagos waters to experience a world of marine life. Get up close and personal with a sea lion as it flips and turns or watch a marine iguana nibble on something to eat.
How to Pack for the Galapagos Islands
For the first time visitor, packing for a destination like the Galapagos Islands can seem intimidating. Each traveler has unique needs and preferences, but here's our recommended packing list to get you started. Clothing: Swimsuit(s) T-shirts Pants (cotton, lightweight) Shorts (loose,...
3 Great Reasons to Plan Group Travel Early
Over the years we've noticed that group travel programs booked at least one year in advance are usually more successful than the ones that are booked closer to the date of departure. Planning your next program at least one year in advance can offer many benefits for you and your group. 1. It's more...
Kuna Culture: Traditional Dress
Panama is home to seven indigenous cultures, the most recognizable of them being the Kuna people, who mainly live in the San Blas Archipelago within Kuna Yala. A Kuna is quite easy to spot thanks to the vibrant colors that are incorporated into their traditional dress. The main articles of a Kuna...
Video: Costa Rica Wildlife
Discover the diverse wildlife that the Costa Rican neotropical rainforest has to offer. With the guidance of world-traveling photographer Todd Gustafson, learn about the different birds, mammals, reptiles and more that can be found in the heart of this Central American country.
Endemic Wildlife of the Galapagos Islands
Few places around the world can boast the vast amounts of rare animals found in the Galapagos Islands. Because the islands are located at the confluence of multiple ocean currents, the climate is cooler than one would expect and provides an ideal environment for the native animals. The islands are...
Conservation in the Galápagos with IGTOA
Tourism has been a major driving force behind conservation and scientific research in the Galápagos, but it has also had negative impacts resulting in unfavorable changes. Invasive species, population growth, and illegal fishing are just a few of the many other threats to the islands. The...
5 Tips for Dealing with Long Flights
Some of the world's most fascinating places are, unfortunately, more than just a hop, skip, and a jump away. But while the idea of being suspended in an aluminum tube for countless hours can be daunting, the long flight should not deter you from visiting spectacular sites. In order to make the best...
The impact of community service abroad
Many of our student travel programs include service learning projects in local communities, and we love to hear how these experiences impact our travelers. However, after students from Texas Lutheran University returned from their trip to Ecuador we were lucky enough to receive this wonderful...
Seven Things to Brag About After Visiting the Galápagos Islands
Once you've been to the Galápagos Islands, you'll be able to brag to your friends, neighbors, and family about the amazing things you experienced. 1. You can better appreciate Darwin. Once you've traveled through the Galápagos, you've traveled in the footsteps of Charles Darwin. In fact, after his...
Arriving in the Majestic Copán, Honduras
We finally arrived at Copán, with its brightly colored buildings and its narrow cobblestone streets, just as beautiful and majestic as I remember it being 31 years ago. We were greeted by the staff of the hotel Marina Copán with smiles that warm the heart and eyes that said, “Welcome to my home.”...
Travel Tip: Pay Attention to Details
Sometimes traveling can be such an exciting experience that it's easy to forget to notice the little things. Education Outreach Director Michelle Korczynski spotted these unexpected details during a recent trip to Cuba: [caption id="attachment_2911" align="aligncenter" width="550"] 1959: Michelle's...