On a trip where transfers are included have you ever asked if you could make a stop?

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I am curious if anyone who has had transfers included as part of their LL package has ever asked the driver to make a quick stop at a store, etc., and if you have, were you charged?

I sent an email to Aqua Wellness, one of the places we are going to in a few weeks, transfers from the airport in Managua are included as part of the package, I asked them if there was a market in the little town of El Gigante near the resort or if there was a market we could stop at on the way to the resort from the airport and the only answer I got back was "stops at the market cost $20/hr." This place wins my award for vague answers to emails that always include something costing X dollars. I really can not wait to get to this place since my expectations are now so low - if it turns out to be great than it will make my trip!

Not worried about Jicaro since all communications and all reviews I have read are excellent - so glad Jicaro is the end portion of the trip!

[omegaet]

We made two stops on our transfer during the recent trip from BZE to western Belize....no one asked for additional money, but we tipped our driver for his time.

Our posture is simple, should an issue arise: much easier to ask for forgiveness ex post facto than seek permission in advance!

[LL_Travelfan]

Good advice - act now and ask later. You can always apologize and say sorry...

[bonniejoy03]

We ALWAYS ask to stop. We have had many drivers want to show us around! Our driver on the way to Charming Lodge in Bariloche, Argentina (provided by the lodge but we had to pay transfers) showed us the town and his favorite watering spot-La Cruz! We LOVED the guy! D-this was a strange reply. MAYBE they protected themselves if the clients wanted to do a huge sightseeing trip, etc. (even though you just requested to visit a store.) Learn a few words in Spanish and just ask the driver directly. (Donde esta la tienda-bebidos? )

[kyshel]

We sometimes ask domestic airport to hotel shuttle driver if he can stop (if we know exactly what and where for 5 minutes) if we are the only pax in the van. Sometimes they will drop one of us and walk to meet back at hotel.
We asked our safari lodge prior about ATM stop, they said it was no problem. When the driver picked us up, he didn't know about it, but was obliging. (he even got see his GF at the little shopping center) I think I'd try the ATM thing--bet they don't charge for that stop!
I like the post stop apology, too.

[betsyv]

When we went to El Silencio in Costa Rica, we made a stop while traveling from the airport to the resort. We enjoy a cocktail in the hot tub and we knew that we had our own private hot tub there. Also my husband is a beer drinker and we didn't want to have to pay mini bar prices. So once we got in the car, I asked the driver if he would mind making a stop to buy some beer and mixers. He didn't mind at all and actually helped us with selection, speaking the language and paying in the local currency. We tipped him afterwards and he seemed to be pleased.

I have asked drivers in many of my travels to make stops and it has not been a problem. I have not coordinated it with the resort or hotel, just the driver. I can only think of one time that the driver said no, or at least that is what I think he was saying..... He didn't speak english.

[jsattapr2]

Ah yes, the power of the 'palm grease' seems to work any any language.

[[email protected]]

I have no problem tipping the driver to make a quick stop on the way from the airport to the hotel - my problem is when the transfer is included in the price of the LL package and I ask the hotel if there is a market near the resort and this was all I asked in my email and instead of either saying yes or no or the driver can make a quick stop on the way from the airport, the answer I get is just "it costs 20 hour to stop at a market" which actually did not answer my question, I did not even ask if we could stop on the way from the airport - which even if I did, the transfer is included so they should not reply with the $20/hr. c**p. I fully intend to tip the driver although if all the folks at this place have this type of attitude, maybe no one will get a tip.
I have been kind of grumpy lately so sorry in advance ;-)

[omegaet]

denise....I'll bet you have a fabulous time at both resorts in Nicaragua. My guess is you will find your driver more than pleased to make a stop or two for you and you probably won't need to pay the resort additional money. I'm sure your driver will appreciate a gratuity, if you are so inclined.

Have fun.

[[email protected]]

We always end up having a good time when we are away even when the hotel leaves a bit to be desired, however, we usually spend alot of time away from the hotel but this time we are sort of going to be stuck at the resort or in the immediate walkable area since we do not have a rental car available - Aqua charges the most I have ever encountered for sightseeing trips so doubtful we will be doing any of these.
JIcaro is only a 15 minute boat ride from Granada so not worried about out stay at Jicaro at all - we can spend lots of time in Granada!
This will be our 1st time spending more than a day or 2 in Nica so we are looking forward to it.