Let's Go Places Travel News

Hello

Happy New Year!

Let's start this year with a look at one of my favorite countries: Costa Rica.

Despite only being the size of West Virginia, Costa Rica is the land of plenty. It literally translates to "rich coast."

Christopher Columbus reportedly discovered it in 1502, but the one who truly deserves credit for its breathtaking natural wonders is Mother Nature.

The peaceful Central American country boasts extensive coastlines along both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean. In addition to world-class beaches, Costa Rica has some of the most bio-diverse ecosystems on earth.

Whether you are interested in a romantic getaway with a bit of adventure, want to learn more about Costa Rica's national parks, or how to plan a road trip - this edition is for you!

What does Pura Vida (title of today's edition) mean? Simply translated, it means “simple life” or “pure life”, but in Costa Rica, it is a way of life. Visit this small but amazing country and find out more.

While we don't quite know yet what travel will look like in 2022, we hope you keep us in mind when planning your next adventure!

Here's to brighter days!

Anja

TropiQ Trips Blog

The Best Romantic Getaways in Central America in 2022

Honeymooning in Central America is an unforgettable experience with its marvelous cultures, gorgeous sceneries, and delicious cuisines.

Despite this fact, it’s quite overlooked when it comes to top honeymoon destinations. Some of the most romantic spots in the world are in Central America, yet many do not know of them.

From gorgeous beach resorts to lush rainforests, we have compiled a list of the best honeymoon/romance destinations in Central America.

Tour Of The Week

Adventure Honeymoon in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds. The country of Costa Rica is also a water sports paradise, with beaches optimal for snorkeling, sailing, and kayaking.

And for accommodation, the Central American country provides a plethora of unique boutique hotels and beautiful eco-lodges for all budgets – making it ideal for a Costa Rica couple's adventure.

If you are looking for something a little more ‘adventurous’ on your honeymoon, but don’t want to sacrifice luxury and indulgence, then our adventure honeymoon package is perfect for you! This customizable Costa Rica vacation gives you the best of both worlds!

Our Costa Rica Adventure tour is an awesome mix of adventure, fun, and relaxation. It offers accommodation in nice boutique hotels, a great choice of excursions, plenty of relaxed romance time, and organized transportation. No need to drive so just lean back and relax!

Costa Rica

The best national parks in Costa Rica - Lonely Planet

Costa Rica is famous for its rich landscape that inspires the Pura Vida. Despite the Central American country's relatively small size, it boasts 28 national parks on top of dozens of other refuges, reserves, and conservation regions.

From beaches to volcanoes to water-fall strewn forests full of capuchin monkeys, hummingbirds, parrots, and other wildlife, Costa Rica's national parks are treasures well deserving of preservation. The sheer wealth of outdoor escapes, however, can be a little overwhelming for visitors deciding where to go in what order.

That's why we've rounded up the 15 best parks, whether you're looking for a sunrise hike, a surf spot, or a tenacious trek to a caldera so active you can only stay for twenty minutes at a time.

This New Costa Rica Hotel Offers Wellness Coaching, Jungle Hikes, and Botanical Yoga

Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection opened its doors on Nov. 16 and is ready to welcome guests to a brand-new holistic experience.

Located in the Talamanca Mountains in Costa Rica, set on 180 acres of lush landscape, the new Hacienda AltaGracia offers visitors the chance to escape their day-to-day and trade it all in for what the resort calls "soul-stirring wellness and unbridled adventure."

"Hacienda AltaGracia will be a place where guests can move fast or slow, explore the destination and their inner selves, and connect with our community while reconnecting with their loved ones," Mark Wright, general manager at Hacienda AltaGracia, Auberge Resorts Collection, shared in a statement.

How to plan a road trip along Costa Rica's Caribbean coast

Central America’s eco-travel trailblazer, Costa Rica is an adventure playground of wild and wonderful activities and creatures big, small, and creepy-crawly.

Travelers often head straight to its more accessible Pacific coast, but eastbound adventurers on the country’s Caribbean side will find a realm of unblemished beaches, tropical rainforest, and an offbeat pura vida vibe.

The Talamanca region — where the country’s Caribbean coast meets Panama — is especially blessed with things to see, do and swoon at.

Hotel Spotlight

Cala Luna Boutique Hotel | Tamarindo Costa Rica Hotels

Upscale and boutique-inspired yet intimate, organic, and magical, Cala Luna is one of the only hotels in Guanacaste, Costa Rica that remains green all year round. There are few barriers between you and the untouched natural beauty of Tamarindo.

Open-air social areas and secluded accommodations seamlessly meld into a lush jungle that draws more wildlife than anywhere else in the area. Your neighbors are curious monkeys and raccoons and exotic iguanas and birds.

Experience all that Cala Luna has to offer. With the variety of activities and adventures in Tamarindo Beach, the most difficult decision is deciding where to begin!

Around The World

8 tropical vacation ideas for families looking to escape winter

Sometimes you just need to get away, and this can be especially true during harsh winters. Many long to escape to somewhere tropical.

Whether you're looking for total relaxation, an epic adventure or something in between, we've got the perfect destination for your family.

About

This travel update is brought to you every month by Anja Phillips, owner of TropiQ Trips. If you enjoy these free, curated updates and want to help out a small business, please forward our sign-up page and share it on Social Media. Thanks so much.

TropiQ Trips provides customized tours to Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Belize, and other countries in Central America & the world. We create unique travel experiences - at no extra cost to you!

Planning a Panama vacation or just curious about this tiny but oh-so-diverse country? Make sure to join our private Panama Travel Community.

Tourism is a critical revenue source for nearly every country in the world. We work with local agencies in each of our destinations. When you travel with us, you support small hotels, businesses, and local families, not big cooperations - here and there.

If you’d like to get started with planning your once-in-a-lifetime vacation, please reach out by replying to this email, emailing us, or scheduling a call.

I can't wait to work with you!

Anja