Monkeys, zip-lining, plantains, and hiking. Kayaking, sunsets,
macaws, and fishing. Pura Vida. The Costa Rican way of life.
I was recently accepted to participate in an Education Journey to
Costa Rica hosted by one of our preferred suppliers and cannot be more thrilled
to visit this beautiful country. I know several people that have traveled to
Costa Rica but I have yet to make the journey there. Other than the great
things I hear about Costa Rica and the stunning pictures, what else is there to
know? U.S. News has good synopsis
about Costa Rica along with Costa Rica’s official site.
Being the world’s premier eco-tourism destination, this small but mighty
country has a plethora of sights and activities for the adventure seeker along
with the ones looking for Zen and relaxation. Costa Rica is ranked as one of
the most visited international destinations, so I am excited to see first-hand
what everyone else has enjoyed about this country and learn the true meaning of
“Pura Vida.”
On this journey, we will be visiting multiple resorts and hotel in
several regions: San Jose, Arenal, and Papagayo. We will start off in the
country’s vibrant capitol city, make our way into the volcanic and hot springs
region, and end in Costa Rica’s ultimate luxury beach location. Being able to
visit three distinct and scenic destinations in Costa Rica will provide a
greater understanding of what this country offers to all visitors.
So, there are a few questions on my radar before this trip. Is
Global Entry worth applying for? For those not familiar with Global Entry
(GOES), our wonderful website
has a special page with information and link about GOES. Since I am hoping to
have future international travel plans in the near future, this may be a good
investment. Who absolutely hates waiting in lines and can make time to fill out
an online form and take a trip the nearest Global Entry Enrollment Center for
an interview? This girl can. See ya later long, obnoxious airport security
lines.
Another question that I always run into and close family/friends
can attest to is: What do I WEAR??? I am NOTORIOUS for overpacking so I will
try my very best to pack wisely for this trip. There are many articles and
YouTube videos on how to pack
light, recommendations on clothing/shoes,
which luggage
is best, etc. The advice we always give to our clients is to take items you can
layer, take a few neutral items you can mix & match with (i.e. black
pants/shorts you can pair with different tops), take wrinkle-free clothing if
possible, and for ladies, accessorize with multiple scarves/sweaters. My issue
I always run into is taking too many shoes. Probably because I own too many
shoes. This is where my wonderful sister’s advice comes into play and forces
me encourages me to narrow my selections. I have yet to master the carry-on
packer, but I hope to one day achieve that goal.
Lastly, I want to understand the type of tourist Costa Rica
attracts. Beyond Group Travel has a variety of clients who travel with us
(young families, honeymooners, recently retired, mature couples) and I would
like to know what activities and properties best fits our client’s needs. Our
clients (as should any client) rely on us as a travel company to provide honest
feedback on whether a destination/supplier will give them the best outcome and
experience for their pre/during/post travel. Being able to provide personal
experience about a certain destination/supplier is always a plus and eases the
minds of curious clients. I am hopeful that with this educational journey, I
can familiarize myself with Costa Rica and be able to assist our travelers of
potential vacations to this fantastic destination.
Did you know that the recent 2017 American Society of Travel
Agents (ASTA) How America Travels National Study shows
that Millennials continue to use travel agents more than any other age group?
This study showcases the value travel agents bring to the trip planning process
and how travelers who have worked with a travel agent in the past agree that
travel agents “look out for their clients.” With the ever-changing available
resources to the traveler, travel agents still continue to be a vital resource
when planning for a trip. You hear that Millennials? Travel agents are not only
for the mature traveler. We advocate
for all travelers and assist in finding the best travel experience.
And of course, who isn’t excited to see tropical animals, gorgeous
waterfalls, and mesmerizing beaches. I sure am! Pura Vida. I can get used to
that. 😊
UPDATE:
The Global Entry application process took me ten minutes to fill out and
received approval for an interview within two weeks. There are three locations
in Houston where one can go for an interview: Houston Public Library in
Downtown Houston, and two locations at George Bush Intercontinental Airport
(one is only available if you have gone through TSA security). Be aware of the
operating hours and make sure to plan enough time if neither location is near
your approximate area. Luckily the downtown location is minutes from my home –
yay!
