Let's Go Places Travel News

Hello

We’ve had a busy year planning trips for our valued clients! Panama has definitely been a favorite destination, followed by Costa Rica and Belize, and I've also created a few multi-country trips. One of them included five countries in a single trip (Belize, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama)!

We were fortunate enough to travel to Belize earlier this year. It is definitely a country I'd love to visit again. It might be small but there's still so much to see and do for all ages!

As you’re running around for those last-minute Christmas gifts, don’t forget to plan a tropical getaway for early 2023. What better way to banish the Winter Blues than with a trip to the beach during Central America’s summertime? Sunny days and "Vitamin Sea" are just what you need to lift your spirits after the holiday fun is all over.

The new year will bring big changes to our family as my husband will be starting a new job flying for a major airline. After flying corporate jets for most of his life, this will be a whole new world for him, and I can't wait to enjoy the flying perks and travel even more! Life is too short to sit at home!

Cheers to more traveling!

Happy Holidays, a blessed Christmas, and safe travels into 2023!

Anja

Belize

Caye Caulker Named 12th Best Place to Travel in the World in 2023

Want to get in on the revenge travel for the new year but are not sure where to go, then you might want to follow the multitudes who will be rushing to the tiny laid-back island of Caye Caulker, which has recently been named the 12th best places to travel in the world in 2023 by Travel Lemming, a US-based online travel guide.

Caye Caulker, which has earned a reputation of being a ‘Go Slow’ destination was able to capture travel Lemmings’ attention due to its size, beachfront bars, shark diving experience, and gorgeous tropical scenery, all of which are complemented by the Belize Barrier Reef which sits just off the coast.

Nicaragua

There’s something for everyone in Nicaragua - Travelweek

Over the past few years, Nicaragua has become the ultimate destination for those looking to experience real natural beauty.

Known as the ‘land of lakes and volcanoes, it has also become known for its beautiful colonial cities, unpretentious organic food, authentic cultural experiences – some as simple as a meal with a local restaurant owner – and thrilling eco-adventures like sandboarding down an active volcano or feeding monkeys avocados from a boat.

If you are looking for authentic experiences, incredible landscapes, and warm hospitality, Nicaragua delivers on all fronts.

Here are some suggestions for every type of traveler:

Panama

The Real Panama Hat Is the Pinta'o | Smithsonian Magazine

The Panama hat is infamously misnamed. The handmade straw headgear actually hails from Ecuador. Construction workers building the Panama Canal wore the hats, though, as their wide brims protected them from the harsh hot sun. In 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt inspected the construction of the canal in a white linen suit topped off with one of the Ecuadorian hats. Photos of Roosevelt unintentionally launched a fashion trend, and the name stuck.

Hotel Spotlight

Portofino Beach Resort & Restaurant - Ambergris Caye, Belize

Escape to a charming hideaway fringed by the azure Caribbean Sea. Portofino Beach Resort is tucked away from the quaint but bustling little town of San Pedro on Ambergris Caye.

Perched on a stretch of private white sandy beach, dotted with swaying palm trees, this resort is perfect for disconnecting from the stresses of daily life and reconnecting with nature with sand between your toes.

Revel in tranquil days to the sound of the waves caressing the World’s second-largest barrier reef. This boutique resort offers 17 beautifully appointed rooms, from charming beach cabanas to spacious suites – dotted amidst swaying palm trees, each room only steps away from the sandy shore and the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. Your perfect island getaway awaits….

Travel News

10 ways to get through airport security faster

Although going to the airport right now may seem like all gloom and doom, there are several options to get through security faster than your traveling peers. Signing up for TSA PreCheck is your first step to expedited security, but there are also other ways you can go about getting through the metal detectors quicker than normal, including just being in the know about what you can and cannot do.

Just For Fun

Travel Quiz: Where Should You Go on Vacation Next?

The world has reopened, which means it’s time to stop simply dreaming of travel and start exploring again. But where to go?

After over a year spent sitting on unused miles, accumulated vacation days, and an ever-growing list of the places to visit next, picking a destination for that first big trip back out there can feel like a gargantuan task. Thankfully, we’ve put together our very own travel quiz to help you—with recommendations catered just for you. Seeking the great outdoors but also needing a rental that will fit four generations of family members? No problem. Always wanted to become a solo traveler, yet unsure of where to start your adventures? We’ve got just the place. Desperately in need of a spa break? Not only can we relate, but we know the best new spas to send you to.

Start answering the questions below to discover where you should travel next—and get inspired for the many more trips that will follow, too.

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

P.S. Already booked a trip? Please do not overlook travel insurance. We have partnered with InsureMyTrip because they are the best option to compare plans and find the right coverage for you.