When we travel to new countries we almost always arrange private tours to visit local spots instead of taking group tours. Sounds expensive, but it's not. In fact, it's frequently less expensive and always better suited to our needs.
Most group tours charge per person. However, it's usually quite easy to visit the same (or better places) with your own private guide and driver. Since private tours are usually priced by the hour, families of four or more can frequently spend less going private than they would paying per person.
For example, we are currently planning a trip to Costa Rica. Our hotel is happy to arrange for us to go on a group tour of Palo Verde National Park for $105 per person. (It's a 2 hour+ drive each way). That's $420 for a family of four. On the other hand, I asked what they would charge to get us a driver and private tour guide for the day to take us to the same spot. The charge is $260 for the day plus $40 per person. For our family of four, that adds up to the same $420 for a private tour.
Private tours hold a lot of advantages for families.
1. You can schedule your adventures in small increments-- maybe 3 hours one day and 4 the next instead of a blistering 7 hour day that is a surefire way to get the kids crabby.
2. Your kids can get explanations at their level and at their pace instead of tagging along on an adult-oriented excursion.
3. You can visit the off-the-beaten track places whenever you want and skip the touristy spots. One of our favorite things to do is to stop at a grocery store and check them out. We were amazed at all of the totally unique types of animals available for sale in Chinese grocery stores and the many aisles of yogurt in the French hypermarket. Often we have more fun in the grocery stores than we do at the usual tourist attractions.
4. You get to form a friendship with your guide. We can't always remember the sites we've seen, but we usually remember the guides and their stories. How they got their name (like "Apple" in China) or what life is like for them (how long it takes them and how they get to work).
So, how do you arrange a private tour? I usually ask the hotel to arrange it for me. But, you have to be specific. Let them know the type of guide you are looking for (e.g., I usually ask for someone with teaching experience), where you want to go (no tourist traps) and how long you need the guide and driver (I always try to limit excursions to a half day with kids).
If your hotel can't help you, you can probably find good sources online (e.g., a google search on "tour operator" for whatever location will get you plenty of places to start. Of course, a personal referral or review at tripadvisor.com is always nice to have as a way to check credibility.
