After her boyfriend dumps her on the eve of their exotic vacation, impulsive dreamer Emily Middleton persuades her ultra-cautious mother, Linda, to travel with her to paradise. With polar opposite personalities, Emily's carefree adventurousness clashes with Linda's preference for safety and a well-planned life. Their relationship has been strained, but Emily genuinely hopes this trip will bring them closer together. Hoping for a trip filled with beach side relaxation and tropical drinks, the duo sets off to Ecuador, unaware that their differing world views will soon lead to unexpected challenges.

While embracing the supposed paradise of South America, they are suddenly kidnapped and find themselves caught in a dangerous situation. Thrown out of their comfort zone and with very little to rely on, mother and daughter must work together to escape their captors. Through this harrowing experience, they begin to bridge the gap between their disparate personalities, as they rely on each other's strengths to survive. While trying to navigate this perilous adventure, they engage in hilarious misadventures and meet an odd assortment of characters that both test and bring out the best in their fractured relationship.