If you just can't live without any extras of items in the box, you can buy them at escapemonthly.com/offers for a discount. All you have to do is enter your email address and they will send you a coupon code for the discount. They are now offering a less expensive (but no discounts) on a mini-box. It has fewer items (4-5 instead of 8, and no travel guide), but still full-size and costs $24.95. I haven't tried the mini-box and I've been on the fence about this subscription because I want to see more bang for my buck.
The boxes used to have a surprise in one of the many shipped out ... a vacation to the destination. I never got the golden ticket ... woe is me. Anyway, seems that some of the vacations were never claimed, so probably missed. I would prefer to think I didn't win, rather than I might have missed out on a trip. So, the curators decided to do things differently. In order to win the vacaion ... pin where you want to go next (from the map on the box). Take a photo of your pinned location. Post it to Facebook. The pin with the most "likes" wins. I think that sounds pretty fair. 
September was a trip to Puerto Rico. The shipping was a little late as they were waiting for some items to clear customs. Customer service was good about posting updates via social media and email, so no worries. I was looking forward to a tropical paradise. Whoops, I was sent 2 boxes. I contacted customer service and asked what they wanted me to do with the extra box. I did check to make sure I didn't get charged twice on my credit card ... I didn't. They said to share it with a friend or enjoy it myself. I am sharing it with a friend.
Each box comes with a fold-out brochure detailing the items inside. This is pretty handy.
I opened the box and as usual, the items were packed well. I have never had a complaint about the packaging. 
Moon Puerto Rico Travel Guide: Pretty Standard for Escape Monthly, the first item is a travel guide. I like travel guides, but I have amassed quite a collection now, so I think I would consider the min-box for the future. I don't need quite so many. Retail $16.99. 
Dulzura Borincana's Coconut-Pineapple Candy: They are made with fresh coconut and pineaple and are individually wrapped macaroons. They are surprisingly the perfect amount of sweetness ... which means for me, not too sweet. I liked them. Very tasty. Retail $5.00
Carribean Vela Coco Candle: I have received several travel candles from subscription boxes lately. Good think I like them. This has a nice coconut scent. I will be traveling for work the next few months, so I am thinking the travel candles will come with me. I will be in a cold climate, so the coconut scent may warm me up ... dreaming of the tropics. Retail $5.00
Coqui Pins: I like little froggies. Coqui frogs are iconic in Puerto Rico and have a melody song. The frogs are said to symbolize love. This is a sweet little lapel pin and since I like frogs, I might wear it. If nothing else, it's super cute. Retail $9.00El Isleno Plantain Chips: If you ask me, you can never go wrong with plantain chips. Salty. Sweet. I can't get enough ... ever. This was a single serving size, which for me means it is gone in 5 seconds flat. Retail $3.00
Yaucono Cafe Puro Puerto Rican Coffee: Descried as robust, defined, and powerful. I haven't tried it yet, but I have been a fan of other carribean coffees in the past. And who doesn't love the smell of a robust blend of coffee in the morning? I never seem to have enough in my pantry, so happy with another bag. Retail $10.00
The final item in the box is listed as the BONUS!! Authentic Puerto Rican Souvenir. Sweet, handcrafted, tiny little woven hat. OK ... for me, probably a dust collector for a little bit and then give away to a child. Retail $7.00
Overall, satisfied, but still not "wow'ed" by this subscription. It's pricey at full price $49.95. I have 20% off for life, so I pay $39.95, which is similar to other boxes I get. The value of this box was $58.98 including the travel guide. I will be traveling for work for the next few months and have stopped all my subscriptions, including this one. Customer service was great, no hassle, no questions. They offered an additional 10% discount on my first box when I return and re-subscribe. I have to re-evaluate my priorities while I'm gone and decide what I really want to spend my $$ on. I'm on the fence right now. But, if you want to join ... Next month is London.
(This post contains affiliate links. These opinions are my own and are unsolicited. I have not received any compensation for my comments.)
