Below are the FAQ for all our tours. Scroll down to see FAQs for the Bike Tours and Cultural - Walking Tours.
Kayaking FAQ -
Where do the Kayak tours start?
Mission Adventure Tours does not operate out of a store or building instead we meet you at predetermined meeting locations. Please refer to your conformation email for the exact address and interactive map link of where to meet. You can also scroll to the bottom of each tour page to see the different meeting locations for each tour.
Can we bring liquor or beer on our kayak trip?
NO! The San Antonio River Athority has strict rules about consuming any type of alcohol (this includes liquor & beer) while recreating on the river. Please refer to the San Antonio River Authority’s Concession Permit for Commercial Water Craft & Guide Services on the San Antonio River. The entire Mission Reach Paddle Trail is a city park and per city ordinance doesn’t NOT allow alcohol. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department also has a law against consumption of alcohol while operating a watercraft (yes kayaks are legal considered watercraft) and you can get a BUI, Boating Under the Influence, on a kayak. Mission Adventure Tours takes these rules VERY SERIOUSLY. If you are caught with alcohol or beer on the the river the SA River Athority and SA Police will will ticket you and the fines are EXPENSIVE! We simply ask that you save your drinking for after your kayak trip.
I have never kayaked before. Is it difficult?
We like to say that kayaking is easier than riding a bike. 95% of our customers are first time kayakers. If you are unsure about kayaking down the river the GUIDED KAYAK TRIPS are your best options. Our kayak guides are experience river guides. They will give you a few simple padding instructions before getting on the river and once on the water they will guide you safely down the river and through the kayak chutes.
What is the best way to contact Mission Adventure Tours?
The quickest way to contact us is by calling us at 210-383-0872. You can also email any questions to MissionAdventureTours@gmail.com or text your question to 210-383-0872. If we do not answer the phone its because we are either on the phone with another client or are guiding a trip. Please leave is a voicemail and we will return your call as soon as possible.
If I am staying downtown, can I walk to my trip’s starting location?
Each tour and event starts at a different location. Some tours can be easily walked to from downtown, others are miles away and will require you to drive or use Uber, Lyft or a taxi.
Do I have to make a reservation, or can I just show up?
A1: All tours, trips and classes must be booked by 11:59pm the night before.
A2: Kayak Rentals at Espada Park and the King William District can be booked online the same day or you can simply walk-up. Please understand that online reservations take priority over walk-ups.
A2: Kayak Rentals at Espada Park and the King William District can be booked online the same day or you can simply walk-up. Please understand that online reservations take priority over walk-ups.
I have my own kayak, can I just buy the shuttle service?
Our river permit and commercial insurance does NOT allow us to shuttle other peoples personal gear.
I have kids, can they get a kayak too?
Kayaking is the ultimate family sport and we love to see families on the water! The ages vary depending on which kayak trip you are looking for.
- – KAYAK RENTALS: We have life vests for kids as young as 2 years old and we have two 2-person kayaks that have seats for an adult and a child. The parent or guardian will need to give consent, and sign our liability waiver. Children between the ages of 2 and 8 must be in a tandem kayak with their parent or guardian. Kids 9 and older can be in their own kayak for the on-site rentals
- – RIVER TRIPS: Kids 6-12 can be in their own kayak for the 2-Mile Kayak Trip. Kids 13 and older can be in their own kayak for the 3-Mile kayak trip. Kids 13 and older can go on the 4-Mile kayak trip and can be in their own kayaks. However, parents need to understand that the 4-mile kayak trip is GRUELING even for adults and many of todays youth will have a difficulty time completing the 4-miles. If you have any questions please feel free to give us a call.
Bike Tour FAQ
Where do the bike tours start? Parking?
Our tours start and end at a location on Mission Road, just south of Mission San Jose. Once you book a bicycle tour, a confirmation email and a reminder will be sent to you. This email will provide detailed directions regarding our physical location and instructions on how to find us. The email will also provide details regarding parking. Limited on-site parking is available.
Please take the time to review the directions and instruction in the confirmation email prior to your tour start date and time.
Please take the time to review the directions and instruction in the confirmation email prior to your tour start date and time.
How many people are required for a bike tour?
We require at least 2 people to book a bicycle tour. If you are an individual rider and want to book a tour, please give us a call at (210) 328-9958.
We allow a maximum of 10 people per tour. If you are interested in booking a tour for more than 10 people or a private tour, please call us at (210) 328-9958 to discuss options.
We require participants to twelve years of age of older. We do not have children's sized bicycles - all our bicycles are adult frame sizes. Additionally, the trail routes can be challenging for younger children and difficult for them to keep up with the pace.
We allow a maximum of 10 people per tour. If you are interested in booking a tour for more than 10 people or a private tour, please call us at (210) 328-9958 to discuss options.
We require participants to twelve years of age of older. We do not have children's sized bicycles - all our bicycles are adult frame sizes. Additionally, the trail routes can be challenging for younger children and difficult for them to keep up with the pace.
ARE advance RESERVATIONS REQUIRED?
Yes, advance reservations are required for all our bicycle tours. Reservations must be made before 11:59 PM the night prior to the tour start date. Reservations cannot be made the morning of the tour.
Our maximum attendance for our tours is 10 persons.
If you are interested in a private, custom or group tour for more than 10 persons, please give us a call at (210) 328-9958. Please call us well in advance of your desired tour date to ensure we have availability and appropriate staffing.
Our maximum attendance for our tours is 10 persons.
If you are interested in a private, custom or group tour for more than 10 persons, please give us a call at (210) 328-9958. Please call us well in advance of your desired tour date to ensure we have availability and appropriate staffing.
I’m worried about keeping pace!
Our tours range from 9 miles to 14 miles and we ride along the Mission Reach Trail. We ride at a leisurely, casual pace and our guides make sure no one is left behind. We do our best to match your speed. During each tour, we stop at 2 to 3 missions as well as several other historic and interesting locations. These frequent stops help break up the ride. Our goal is to make this a pleasant and enjoyable experience for everyone!
With that said, there are some physical requirements. Please make sure you are physically able to ride a bicycle 9 to 14 miles (depending on tour selected), get off and on a bicycle at each stop and are able to walk the grounds of 2 to 3 missions. The tour routes do include some rolling hills and many sections are in direct sunlight. Additionally, not all sections of the trail have direct road or trailhead access.
If you are concerned about distance, terrain or pace, please consider upgrading to an Aventon Pace 350 e-bike. Our Aventon Pace 350 e-bikes have 5 levels of pedal assist to give you power behind your pedal. You still need to be able to pedal the bike (electronic features do not activate until the bicycle is pedaled), get off and on the bike, and walk the grounds of each mission - but the pedal assist will definitely make the pedaling a whole lot easier and make going up hills a breeze. The upgrade fee is $25.00.
With that said, there are some physical requirements. Please make sure you are physically able to ride a bicycle 9 to 14 miles (depending on tour selected), get off and on a bicycle at each stop and are able to walk the grounds of 2 to 3 missions. The tour routes do include some rolling hills and many sections are in direct sunlight. Additionally, not all sections of the trail have direct road or trailhead access.
If you are concerned about distance, terrain or pace, please consider upgrading to an Aventon Pace 350 e-bike. Our Aventon Pace 350 e-bikes have 5 levels of pedal assist to give you power behind your pedal. You still need to be able to pedal the bike (electronic features do not activate until the bicycle is pedaled), get off and on the bike, and walk the grounds of each mission - but the pedal assist will definitely make the pedaling a whole lot easier and make going up hills a breeze. The upgrade fee is $25.00.
Do we stop along the way, or do we bike the whole time?
There are multiple stops along each tour route. We stop at each mission for 20 to 30 minutes and we spend 45 to 60 minutes at Mission San Jose, the most restored of the San Antonio Missions and also the San Antonio Missions National Historic Park Headquarters. We also stop at public art installations and other sites of historical significance along the route between the missions.
Do we get to stop and explore the Missions!
Yes! We stop at Mission San Juan, Mission Conception and Mission Espada for about 20 to 30 minutes each! We stop at Mission San Jose, the most restored of the missions, for 45-60 minutes! Our tour guide will walk the mission grounds with you while providing a historical context. There is also time for photos, time to explore on your own and at Mission San Jose, visit the National Park gift shop where you can buy a souvenir.
What should I bring/wear for the tour?
Wear comfortable clothing appropriate for physical activity (bicycling and walking) and appropriate for the weather conditions. Please wear closed toe shoes or sandals with straps (we prefer you not wear flip-flops). Bring sunglasses, bottled water, snacks, sunscreen, and clothes that protect you from the sun! Many sections of the trail are in direct sunlight as are the mission grounds. Bring a camera or cell phone to take pictures with.
Bring your own backpack or use one of ours to carry your belongings.
There is a National Park Gift Store at Mission San Jose if you wish to purchase a souvenir or a book.
Bring your own backpack or use one of ours to carry your belongings.
There is a National Park Gift Store at Mission San Jose if you wish to purchase a souvenir or a book.
What do we do with our keys, wallets, and purses?
You can either bring your own backpack or use one of our backpacks to store your personal items while you ride. We do not have lockers or any other form of secure storage for your personal items. Additionally, we do not recommend you leave any valuables in your vehicle if you are driving. Bring just what you need and what will fit into a backpack.
I’m running late, what do I do?
If you are running late call us at (210) 383-0872 or (210) 838-7159 to give us an ETA!
If you are not within a reasonable distance and we have other paying clients on the tour, we may proceed with the tour without you (we can talk about rescheduling your tour but will not offer you a refund). Please keep in mind we might have other paying clients on the same tour and we need to take these clients into consideration.
If you have not shown by the scheduled bike tour start time and you have not called us, we will attempt to reach you by phone (one attempt). If you do not answer the phone and we have other paying clients who are present, we will continue on with the tour as scheduled (you will not be offered a refund). If you do not answer the phone and we do not have other paying clients, we will wait 15 minutes past the scheduled bike tour start time. After 15 minutes you will be considered a "no-show" and will not be rescheduled or offered a refund.
If you are not within a reasonable distance and we have other paying clients on the tour, we may proceed with the tour without you (we can talk about rescheduling your tour but will not offer you a refund). Please keep in mind we might have other paying clients on the same tour and we need to take these clients into consideration.
If you have not shown by the scheduled bike tour start time and you have not called us, we will attempt to reach you by phone (one attempt). If you do not answer the phone and we have other paying clients who are present, we will continue on with the tour as scheduled (you will not be offered a refund). If you do not answer the phone and we do not have other paying clients, we will wait 15 minutes past the scheduled bike tour start time. After 15 minutes you will be considered a "no-show" and will not be rescheduled or offered a refund.
What if I need to cancel my trip, can I get a refund?
In order to qualify for a refund, you must make your cancellation at least 48 hours before your scheduled trip time. Refunds will not be given if you cancel within 48 hours of your trip.
Are there bathrooms along the tour?
Yes! There are public restrooms and water refill stations at each mission.
Please note that there are no public restrooms at the storage facility where our tours start and end.
Please note that there are no public restrooms at the storage facility where our tours start and end.
What if there is bad weather?
Although our bike tours proceed in most weather conditions, we do make exceptions for severe weather conditions to include but not limited to: wind chill at or below 35 degrees; heat index at or above 103 degrees; heavy rain and/or thunderstorms; snow or sleet; high winds of 20mph or higher. We monitor weather conditions and will call you before each tour if we have concerns. We will discus the weather conditions with you and discuss options.
If the tour is canceled due to severe weather conditions you will have the options for a tour credit or a full refund.
If the tour is canceled due to severe weather conditions you will have the options for a tour credit or a full refund.
IS THERE A WEIGHT LIMIT FOR THE BIKES?
All of our bikes can handle people up to 275 lbs.
Do you rent tandem bikes or kids bikes?
We do not have tandem bikes, recumbent bikes nor do we have children's bikes. All of our bikes are adult sized, single rider bikes and are meant for people at least 5ft tall.
Is there an age limit for the tour?
All participants must be at least 12 years old or older, must be at least 5' and must be able to ride an adult size bike for the duration of the tour. We do not have bike sizes for children. Our smallest bike is an extra-small adult bike which is suitable for people 5' in height.
Additionally, the distance and terrain on the longer bike rides is often very challenging for children 12 and under. We recommend the 2-Mission Southern Route Tour for children 12-13. This tour is 9 miles in length and only 3 hours in duration.
Regarding e-bikes, riders must be at least 18 years of age.
Additionally, the distance and terrain on the longer bike rides is often very challenging for children 12 and under. We recommend the 2-Mission Southern Route Tour for children 12-13. This tour is 9 miles in length and only 3 hours in duration.
Regarding e-bikes, riders must be at least 18 years of age.
CAN WE TIP OUR TOUR GUIDE?
Tipping is customary and is greatly appreciated by our guides! There is no better way to tell a guide that they did a good job than with a tip!
Walking Tours FAQ
Are advance reservations required?
Yes. All tours require an advance reservation and all reservations must me made by 11:59pm the night before. You can not make reservation the morning of the tour.
Is there an age limit for the tour?
Our Cultural - Walking Tours are geared towards adults and teens. The tours are 3 miles in distance and almost 3 hours in duration. The tour guide provides a historical narrative along the tour route. Due to the distance, duration and content, the recommended age is 12 years old and above.
What if there is bad weather?
Although our bike tours proceed in most weather conditions, we do make exceptions for severe weather conditions to include but not limited to: wind chill at or below 35 degrees; heat index at or above 103 degrees; heavy rain and/or thunderstorms; and snow or sleet. We monitor weather conditions and will call you before each tour if we have any concerns. We will discus the weather conditions with you and discuss options.
We do not cancel walking tours due to drizzle, light rain or high winds. We do have rain ponchos available if needed.
If the tour is canceled due to severe weather conditions you will have the options for a tour credit or a full refund.
We do not cancel walking tours due to drizzle, light rain or high winds. We do have rain ponchos available if needed.
If the tour is canceled due to severe weather conditions you will have the options for a tour credit or a full refund.
I’m running late, what do I do?
IIf you are running late call us at (210) 383-0872 or (210) 838-7159 to give us an ETA!
If you are not within a reasonable distance and we have other paying clients on the tour, we may proceed with the tour without you (we can talk about rescheduling your tour but will not offer you a refund). Please keep in mind we might have other paying clients on the same tour and we need to take these clients into consideration.
If you have not shown by the scheduled tour start time and you have not called us, we will attempt to reach you by phone (one attempt). If you do not answer the phone and we have other paying clients who are present, we will continue on with the tour as scheduled (you will not be offered a refund). If you do not answer the phone and we do not have other paying clients, we will wait 15 minutes past the scheduled tour start time. After 15 minutes you will be considered a "no-show" and will not be rescheduled or offered a refund.
If you are not within a reasonable distance and we have other paying clients on the tour, we may proceed with the tour without you (we can talk about rescheduling your tour but will not offer you a refund). Please keep in mind we might have other paying clients on the same tour and we need to take these clients into consideration.
If you have not shown by the scheduled tour start time and you have not called us, we will attempt to reach you by phone (one attempt). If you do not answer the phone and we have other paying clients who are present, we will continue on with the tour as scheduled (you will not be offered a refund). If you do not answer the phone and we do not have other paying clients, we will wait 15 minutes past the scheduled tour start time. After 15 minutes you will be considered a "no-show" and will not be rescheduled or offered a refund.
Where do the walking tours start? Parking?
Our Walking Tours start and end at different locations. Our Heart of Old San Antonio and Historic Church Tours start and end at Alamo Plaza. Out History Through Art Tour starts and ends at Main Plaza. For map and detailed directions, please go to our Walking Tours page and scroll down to the bottom of the page. A map and aerial picture of Alamo Plaza and Main Plaza to include meeting points is provided. If you book a tour, map and aerial photo are included in the confirmation email and reminder email. Please take the time to review this information before the tour start time/date.
Both Alamo Plaza and Main Plaza are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and motels.
If you are driving your own vehicle, please note that finding parking and paying for parking is your responsibility. Mission Adventure Tours does not provide parking for Walking tours, nor will we refund parking fees. There are many public and private parking lots downtown within walking distance of Alamo Plaza and Main Plaza. Please take time to research parking options prior to your tour start time/date. Please arrive downtown with enough time to secure parking and walk to the tour starting point.
Both Alamo Plaza and Main Plaza are within walking distance of many downtown hotels and motels.
If you are driving your own vehicle, please note that finding parking and paying for parking is your responsibility. Mission Adventure Tours does not provide parking for Walking tours, nor will we refund parking fees. There are many public and private parking lots downtown within walking distance of Alamo Plaza and Main Plaza. Please take time to research parking options prior to your tour start time/date. Please arrive downtown with enough time to secure parking and walk to the tour starting point.
What should i bring/wear for the tour?
We will be outdoors, walking and standing for the majority of our tour duration. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes appropriate for walking on sidewalks, flagstone and going up and down stairs. Some of our tours do entail going down stairs to riverwalk level and back up to street level. Other tours will require you to go up stairs to enter buildings. There are some elevator/ramps along tour routes but not in all locations. Please go to our Walking Tour Page and review tour information for more details regarding.
Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Tour routes go through both shaded and semi-shaded streets but also sections in direct sunlight. Bring bottled water and sunscreen. There are places to purchase water bottles along the route as well as some public water fountains. But, in the summer months, it is wise to carry water with you.
The tour guide will have backpacks available for your use if you so choose.
Please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Tour routes go through both shaded and semi-shaded streets but also sections in direct sunlight. Bring bottled water and sunscreen. There are places to purchase water bottles along the route as well as some public water fountains. But, in the summer months, it is wise to carry water with you.
The tour guide will have backpacks available for your use if you so choose.
Are there bathrooms along tour route?
Yes, there are public restrooms along tour route. Main Plaza has a public restroom as does La Villita. Some of the locations we visit along each route have restrooms while others do not.
CONTACT US:
(210) 383-0872
KAYAKING QUESTIONS:
MissionKayak@gmail.com
BIKE & WALKING TOUR QUESTIONS:
MissionAdventureTours@gmail.com
(210) 383-0872
KAYAKING QUESTIONS:
MissionKayak@gmail.com
BIKE & WALKING TOUR QUESTIONS:
MissionAdventureTours@gmail.com