Explorica US (explorica.com) has a 3.8 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 100 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Travel & Vacation and its reputation is mixed. 66% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 17% are 1 star; The business has replied to 96% of negative reviews. Last updated 2026-08-10.
I recently organized and traveled on a student trip to New York City through Explorica, and unfortunately, my experience was extremely disappointing. I would give 0 stars if available.
From the beginning, there were significant issues with planning and communication. Explorica was unable to run our selected itinerary on our chosen dates because they could not find another group to match with us. Instead of honoring what was originally agreed upon, we were told to either change our travel dates (which did not work for our school schedule) or switch to a shorter, very different itinerary.
As planning continued, additional problems arose. Our group was paired with another group that did not opt into one of our optional experiences—a second Broadway show—resulting in that experience being canceled for our students. This was especially frustrating after it had already been presented and planned as part of our trip.
Rooming arrangements were also mishandled. Explorica initially planned to room my students with students from other schools, which is inappropriate and raises supervision concerns. When I pushed back, I was told we could pay extra for “exclusive rooming.” After agreeing to cover the cost, I was then told our group was too small to qualify. Only after insisting did they allow it—yet they incorrectly charged the additional cost to my students instead of honoring what had been discussed.
One of the most concerning issues occurred just before departure: our flights had been changed without Explorica’s knowledge. When I checked in, I discovered entirely different travel times and routes. Even the Explorica representative I worked with believed we were still on the original itinerary. This lack of awareness is unacceptable when coordinating student travel across the country.
While on the trip, our tour director, JD, was outstanding and did everything possible to make up for lost time due to travel changes. He was a bright spot in an otherwise frustrating experience.
However, other aspects of the trip fell well below expectations:
Food quality was consistently poor, with limited portions and lackluster meals.
One dinner included an “entertainer” who pressured students for tips, which felt inappropriate given that these were minors.
Dietary needs were not properly accommodated—one student requiring gluten-free options was given minimal guidance and unsafe recommendations.
Our hotel was located over an hour from the city, significantly cutting into our time for activities.
Due to flight changes and logistical issues, our “5-day” trip effectively became a rushed 3-day experience in New York City. We lost valuable time that students and families had paid for.
Finally, while Explorica may appear more affordable upfront, pricing increased throughout the process, ultimately making the trip significantly more expensive than comparable companies. In my experience, they did not deliver on key promises and communication was consistently poor.
I would not recommend Explorica for student travel. Based on my experience, I would strongly encourage others to consider alternatives such as EF Explore America, which offers clearer communication, better planning, and more reliable service.
TL;DR - Poor planning, poor communication, and broken promises.
Couldn’t honor our original itinerary or dates
Canceled planned experiences (extra Broadway show)
Tried to room students with strangers from other schools
Mishandled “exclusive rooming” and incorrectly charged students
Didn’t even know our flights had changed before departure
Hotel was over an hour from NYC, cutting into trip time
Food was low quality, insufficient, and didn’t accommodate dietary needs
Trip was shortened from 5 days to essentially 3 usable days
Only positive: our tour director was excellent and did his best to salvage the experience.
Overall: Started cheaper, but ended up more expensive with significantly worse service. Would not recommend. Consider EF Explore America instead.
Reply from Explorica US2026-04-09
Dear Jonathan,
Thank you for taking the time to share such detailed feedback. We are genuinely sorry to hear about the challenges you experienced before and during your New York City trip, and we understand how frustrating and disappointing this situation must have been for you, your students, and their families.
We regret that the planning process, itinerary adjustments, and communication did not meet the expectations set at the outset. Your concerns regarding itinerary changes, canceled experiences, rooming arrangements, flight information, hotel location, meals, and dietary accommodations are serious and not reflective of the experience we aim to provide. Coordinating safe, well‑communicated, and well‑executed student travel is a responsibility we take very seriously, and it’s clear that we fell short in several areas during your program.
We do appreciate you highlighting the efforts of your tour director, JD. We are glad to hear that his professionalism and dedication helped support your group on site, even amid the disruptions you encountered.
Your feedback has been shared with our leadership and operations teams for further review, as situations like the ones you described help us identify areas where improvements are needed. While we understand that this experience has impacted your confidence in traveling with us again, we would still welcome the opportunity to review your program in detail and ensure your concerns are fully documented and addressed.
If you are open to further discussion, please contact us at [email protected] with your booking information so we can follow up directly.
Thank you again for your honest feedback.
Best Regards,
The WolrdStrides Team.
J
Jimmy Marez · 1 review · Experienced 2026-03-30 ·
★★★★★
Our recent trip to Washington D.C and New York
Our recent trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City with Explorica was an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, everything was well-organized, engaging, and perfect for our students.
A huge shoutout to our incredible tour guide, Jen from Alaska, who truly made the trip special. She was knowledgeable, energetic, and so patient with our group—always making sure everyone was informed, safe, and having a great time. Her enthusiasm brought each destination to life, whether we were exploring historic landmarks in D.C. or experiencing the excitement of New York City.
Our students from Mountain View Middle School in Rio Rancho, New Mexico gained so much from this journey—learning, bonding, and creating memories that will last a lifetime.
Thank you, Explorica, for such a well-planned and meaningful trip. We highly recommend this experience to any school looking to combine education and adventure!
Reply from Explorica US2026-04-09
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're glad to know that our Tour Director made your experience memorable. We will pass on your compliments to them.
Best regards,
The Worldstrides Team
C
Cara Christianson · 1 review · Experienced 2026-03-21 ·
★★★★★
Okay experience, but could be better
I recently did the Athens/Florence/Rome trip spring 2026. This was my first trip overseas and I will definitely go back but not with Explorica. We were not able to make any upgrades for flights, we only got one day in Florence and lost 24 hours on a boat ride from Greece to Italy. The hotels were decent but the food was mediocre at best. We did get to see a lot of sites, our tour guide was great and our drivers were awesome. There is a better, cheaper way to experience the beauty of Italy.
Reply from Explorica US2026-04-09
Hi Cara,
Thank you for sharing your honest feedback about your Athens/Florence/Rome trip. We’re sorry to hear that parts of the experience did not meet your expectations, especially regarding travel logistics, upgrade limitations, and time spent between destinations.
While we’re glad you enjoyed the sites, tour guide, and drivers, we understand your concerns about pacing, transportation time, and value. Your feedback is helpful and has been shared internally as we continuously evaluate our itineraries and offerings.
We appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective and would be happy to look into your experience further. Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] with your booking details.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
Our trip to Puerto Rico was wonderful! Our guide Alberto was very helpful, accommodating and knowledgeable. He took the needs of each group into consideration and went the extra step to come into the airport at drop off to make sure we knew where to go. Thank you for a memorable experience our scouts will always remember!
Reply from Explorica US2026-04-04
Dear Amy,
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and motivates us to continue delivering exceptional service.
Best regards,
The Worldstrides Team
UPDATE AFTER COMPANY RESPONSE:
The company responded, but it was a generic, copy-and-paste apology that did not address any of the specific issues mentioned.
There was no accountability, no explanation, and no effort to make things right.
Everything outlined in my original review still stands.
If I could rate this lower than 1 star, I would.
This trip has been extremely disappointing from start to finish, especially considering what families paid for it.
We missed multiple major stops that were supposed to be included, including the Supreme Court tour, proper time at the Vietnam War Memorial, and other planned locations that other groups were able to experience. When we did visit some sites, there was little to no explanation or guidance provided.
The tour guide has been largely disengaged. There have been multiple instances where she disappeared, failed to explain key locations, or relied on others for basic information. Students and parents were often left confused or sitting around waiting with no direction.
The most concerning issue has been the bus driver. He has repeatedly missed turns, taken us miles out of the way, driven on roads clearly marked for no buses, hit curbs, and had multiple close calls with other vehicles. At one point, he even ran over part of a brick wall at a hotel. This goes beyond inconvenience. It’s a safety concern.
To make matters worse, when concerns were raised, we were told there isn’t much that can be done at this point in the trip. That response alone says everything.
Between the missed experiences, poor organization, lack of communication, and safety concerns, this trip has not delivered what was promised. I would strongly reconsider before booking with this company.
Reply from Explorica US2026-04-09
Dear Traveler,
I hope this email finds you well. I want to extend our sincerest apologies for the delay in our response. We truly appreciate your patience during this time.
Thank you for sharing your comments regarding the inconveniences you faced during your previous trip. We appreciate your feedback and the time you took to provide it.
We sincerely apologize if the service provided did not meet your expectations. Our goal is to offer all our travelers the highest quality service, and we regret that we fell short in your case. Please be assured that we will carefully consider your comments to make the necessary improvements.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any further assistance.
Best regards,
The Worldstrides Team
Our tour guide Alex White was AWESOME!
This was my first time on a trip with our school and I didn't really know what to expect. Explorica has it dialed in. All the things. Even our great bus driver! It was tailored to our group (7th graders) and even when many of us got sick, Explorica knew what to do and helped us figure that out.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Corrie,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're glad to know that our course leaders-tour directors and bus driver made your experience memorable. We will pass on your compliments to them.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
Guide - Jean Luc, is absolutely incredible. He was knowledgeable and attentive to the kids, and was especially consciencious of allergies. He was also flexible and willing to work with the groups needs, and is everything one can ask for in a guide!
Rooms - Rooms and amenities were better this trip compared to the last (Loire trip) one we had. The only issue we ran into was in the Ibis Style in Paris where a large group of Spanish students were being incredibly disruptive and interfering with our sleep. We have spoken with hotel staff (and Jean Luc), so we hope that that this can be addressed with that hotel and that specific group of kids to prevent future disturbances.
Sites - All the sites were incredible, and since we have customized the trip to include for more free time, the students found the pace much more suitable for exploration and we felt less rushed than previously.
Food - Possibly the biggest let down on this trip. Most students did not enjoy the pre-planned foods at the restaurants/hotels, notably due to the American palate being used to more seasoned foods. We also think that since the hotels are catering to Americans, they made some assumptions on how we like our foods (very very very dry well-cooked meats, unseasoned, little to no vegetable or fruit, carb/potato heavy). In the future, we might opt-out of pre-planned foods (or reduce them) so that students may find something more to their palate. One restaurant in Paris was also incredibly hard to work with, and our kids/staff with severe allergies were essentially kicked out to have dinner elsewhere. This was unacceptable, but luckily, Jean Luc handled the situation with grace and provided an alternate dinner.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Customer,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. Your comments are essential to our continuous improvement, and we truly value your honesty and feedback.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
K
Kevin · 1 review · Verified · Experienced 2026-03-16 ·
★★★★★
Excellent Tour Director
Our Tour Director was excellent on this trip. He made us all feel comfortable and he was in total control the entire trip. He worked hard to make sure that everything went smoothly for us.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Kevin,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're glad to know that our course leaders-tour directors made your experience memorable. We will pass on your compliments to them.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
Rome to Sicily was a wonderful experience. Explorica has always provided a good tour for a good price. I wouldn't want to travel with students with any other company.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear David,
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and motivates us to continue delivering exceptional service.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
Explorica delivered an unforgettable trip—an experience that opened our eyes to everything the world has to offer
My recent experience with Explorica was exceptional from beginning to end. The planning process, led by Meaghan (Tour Consultant), was organized, responsive, and highly supportive. Once the tour began, Adam (Tour Director) ensured that every aspect of the trip ran smoothly. Their combined professionalism and commitment to customer care were evident throughout, and they contributed significantly to the overall success of the experience.
If there is one area that warrants improvement, it would be the location of the hotels. While I recognize that choosing not to upgrade accommodations can result in less central placements, being situated at least an hour from major city centres proved challenging. The lack of nearby activities for students made some evenings feel particularly long. I would strongly recommend that Explorica consider securing hotels closer to key destinations or, at a minimum, ensuring that there are accessible amenities or activities in the surrounding area.
Additionally, although I understand the complexities of providing meals that satisfy a wide range of preferences while minimizing waste, I believe dinner offerings should consistently include a balance of vegetables, protein, and carbohydrates. Ensuring these basic food groups are present would greatly enhance the dining experience for students and staff alike.
Despite these suggestions, I remain confident that Explorica is the premier company in the student travel industry. Their dedication to creating meaningful, memorable experiences for students is unmatched. I have no intention of exploring alternative providers, and I commend the entire Explorica team for delivering a trip that my students and I will remember for years to come.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Customer,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We value your perspective and are grateful for the opportunity to learn from your experience.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
S
Steve · 1 review · Verified · Experienced 2026-03-13 ·
★★★★★
There was great value for the money
There was great value for the money. Meals need to be better coordinated between restaurants so it isn't reputative. More time should be spent at interesting sites with the option for free time for those that don't want an in depth experience.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Customer,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. Your comments are essential to our continuous improvement, and we truly value your honesty and feedback.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
Enjoyed traveling again with Explorica; so helpful throughout the booking process, answering all questions, arranging every need. My only suggestion is not have the hotel so far from the city center. Thank you again for everything.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Susan,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. Your comments are essential to our continuous improvement, and we truly value your honesty and feedback.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
T
Thomas burkhardt customer · 2 reviews · Experienced 2026-03-13 ·
★★★★★
A small portion of Costa Rica done in style
First, I am very pleased with our tour guide, Carlos, and the bus driver David. They were some of the best Stewart’s of Costa Rica. Any group could’ve asked for. We had a little airplane troubles, but those were solved. We traveled in a group of 14 mostly students the hotels that were provided or nice. We had two issues with two of the hotels, but those were handled through our guide Carlos the Carlos gave us the best experience you could ask for he was super knowledgeable in all plant life and surrounding environments. It did feel a little costly, but Money well spent the tour where we went on was a little exhausting but worth every moment especially when you get to spend it with a group of children that are awesome and well behaved the adults that were caring for those students and themselves and once again the Guide and the driver, the best and I couldn’t ask for better
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Thomas,
We are delighted to hear that you enjoyed the learning opportunity our program offers. Your positive feedback is invaluable to us and encourages us to keep improving.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
The whole planning process was so easy and stress free. Sarah, Majo and tour guide Alberto were all so amazing! Our experience was so positive and would DEFINITELY reccomend ! Already wanting to plan another trip 😊
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Vanessa,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're glad to know that our course leaders-tour directors and bus drivers made your experience memorable. We will pass on your compliments to them.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
My daughter had a blast, but the Europe tour. Her teacher is very helpful. They are a small group, but they have experience everything and was amazed with places. Explorerica gave an extra tour since they are a small group.. definitely will go again next year.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Rofel,
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and motivates us to continue delivering exceptional service.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
M
Macey Smith · 1 review · Experienced 2026-03-20 ·
★★★★★
Great Tour Options ; Not Reliable for Emergencies
Great tour options and itinerary.
When our flight home was cancelled due to the weather in Iceland, Explorica gave very little support. We had to reach out to them multiple times to try to get answers and support. They did not assist with organizing an emergency hotel for us. They did not ensure we would all be on the same flight home the next day. Our tour guide (not employed by Explorica) organized everything for us.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Macey,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. Your comments are essential to our continuous improvement, and we truly value your honesty and feedback.
We understand that your recent experience with WorldStrides fell short of your expectations, and for that, we sincerely apologize. Our team is committed to addressing the issue and ensuring it does not happen again. Here are the steps we are taking:
1. Investigation: We are thoroughly reviewing the issue you raised to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
2. Training and Improvement: We are implementing additional staff training to enhance the quality of our service.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
F
Fior del Carmen Acevedo · 2 reviews · Verified · Experienced 2026-03-23 ·
★★★★★
The trip was good
The trip was good. However, it didn't provide enough time to see Madrid. Toledo was definitely a big rush. No time for photos, etc. We didn't get to see anything in Malaga. The last hotel was not good.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Fior.
We’re sorry to hear about your experience. Your feedback helps us improve, and we’re committed to making things right.
Best Regards,
The WorldStrides Team.
T
Tammy Angus · 1 review · Experienced 2026-03-23 ·
★★★★★
Days of delays, tickets botched, cancelled excursions
Days of delays, rushed itineraries, canceled excursions, poor hotel quality, While it could have been a life-changing experience, the “well-organized trips“ were cancelled last minute. I can also complain of “long days, subpar food, and rigid policies” because they just send you to a third party insurance claim form. Your loss may or may not be refunded. Be sure to travel with DAYS of extra medication and carry on clothing because the tickets weren’t all booked as the group so the airline didn’t pull all the luggage for the delay. The claim ticket was surrendered but no luggage or claim ticket returned. Two days departure AND return delay. Poor decisions. The group leader was emailing and on the phone trying to get support for hours. They offered a $30 credit on the $4000 trip. Still waiting to get home, missing two days of classes, work and paying for a farm sitter too.
One star for what “could have been a nice trip.”
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-31
Dear Tammy,
Thank you for taking the time to share your review. We’re truly sorry that your WorldStrides program did not meet your expectations. Your feedback is invaluable to us, and we deeply appreciate your honesty.
We understand how disappointing it can be when things don't go as planned. Your experience matters to us, and we’re taking action to improve it.
If there's anything else you'd like to share, don’t hesitate to let us know. We’re here to listen and learn from our mistakes.
Thank you for choosing WorldStrides. We hope to provide a much better experience on your next journey.
Best regards,
The WorldStrides Team,
Our guide, Christine, was amazing! She went out of her way to make sure everything we needed was taken care of. We had emergencies and sickness on our trip and Christina was always there with a solution.
The vendors used at times were a little unreliable (one restaurant wasn't ready for us, and one hotel didn't accommodate giving us breakfast as early as we needed it) and I wish there was a bit clearer communication of accessibility to bathrooms, to bring euros for places that didn't accept cards, and details like that. I didn't like that we flew into Milan just to get on a bus and drive 4 hours with no time to actually see and visit Milan. The other places we went were beautiful though.
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-24
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're glad to know that our Tour Directors made your experience memorable. We will pass on your compliments to them.
Best regards,
The Worldstrides Team
M
Mary · 4 reviews · Verified · Experienced 2026-03-23 ·
★★★★★
Great experience!
Clean hotels, variety of food, amazing tour guide and interesting destinations!
Reply from Explorica US2026-03-24
Dear Customer,
Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had a great experience with our services. Your feedback is greatly appreciated and motivates us to continue delivering exceptional service.
Best regards,
The Worldstrides Team
