groups - Blogs - Tripatini2024-03-29T14:36:52Zhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/feed/tag/groups5 Must-Do Adventures in Costa Ricahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/5-must-do-adventures-in-costa-rica2020-01-14T03:57:03.000Z2020-01-14T03:57:03.000ZSky ITLhttps://tripatini.com/members/SkyITL<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009394681,original{{/staticFileLink}}" target="_blank"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009394681,original{{/staticFileLink}}" class="align-full" alt="9009394681?profile=original" /></a></p><p>Before you board a plane to Costa Rica, there are somethings that you should know about this beautiful country. And then I will tell you the five adventurous things that you should definitely do when you go there.</p><p><br /> First of all, you should know that Costa Rica is home to four UNESCO World Heritage Sites (three relating to nature and one to its precolumbian culture), and its tourism industry is the country’s leading foreign exchange earner. You might aslo be surprised to know that since 1948 Costa Rica is one of the 23 countries in the world that don't have standing armies. Costa Rica is home to over 200 volcanic formations. The residents here are called <em>ticos</em> and <em>ticas</em> and they're generally a a contented bunch - the country ranks number one in the Happy Planet Index.</p><p><br /> Now let’s get down to business and explore the adventurous things to do in Costa Rica!<br /> <br /> <br /> <strong><span style="font-size:12pt;">Scuba Diving</span><br /></strong></p><p><br /> Its an activity that I think everyone should try at least once in their life irrespective of the country, but Costa Rica offers some of the world's best scuba diving. If you're a beginner, you need to take a certified diving course - which can be completed in a day or 2-3 half days - but trust me, it will be well worth it. My top pick is Drake Bay, in the Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica's south. Of course, many wonderful snorkeling options are also available to you on both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts.<br /> <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Zip-Lining<br /> <br /></strong></span></p><p>My personal favorite activity on this list, invented here decades ago, it of course involves whizzing through treetops in a harness suspended from thick steel cables. Costa Rica has dozens of zipline operations (aka canopy tours) all over the country. I found a course that covered as long as a mile in Central Valley and another that includes 14 separate zip-lines that go down the side of a mountain. It's an activity perfect for young and old; you just have to be older than six and weigh under 300 pounds.</p><p> <br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Volcano Tours</strong></span></p><p><br /> If, like used to be the case for me, you've seen a volcano only in pictures or on TV, you're in for a treat, as a number of Costa Rica's volcanic formations can be visited, either on your own (a couple you can even drive right up to) or with a tour operator. The most popular are Arenal, Barú, Irazú, Poás, and Rincón de la Vieja. At some you can see steam rising, at others lava, and at yet others, volcanic hot springs can be enjoyed in the area.</p><p> <br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Canyoning/Waterfall Rappelling</strong></span></p><p><br /> Costa Rica is a heaven for waterfall fans, and quite a few outfitters across the country offer adventure tours than involve rappelling down pre-approved cascades - some as high as 50 meters -after a short hike through rainforest and some instruction on technique and safety. The ultimate refreshing adrenaline rush! <br /> <br /> <span style="font-size:12pt;"><strong>Surfing Lessons</strong></span></p><p><br /> This country ranks among the world's top ten for surfing, with gnarly waves all up and down both coasts and top spots including Playa Guiones, Naranjo, and Santa Teresa on the Pacific and Cocles, Manzanillo, and Salsa Brava on the Caribbean. Each beach has multiple surfing schools that do a great job getting newbies into riding the waves - it's very tricky at first, but you'll soon get the hang (ten) of it!</p><p><br /> So as the ticos like to say, <em>pura vida</em> ("pure life")! Come learn more about these and other fantastic Costa Rica experiences with us at <a href="https://www.skyitl.com/all-activities.html?s=Costa+Rica" target="_blank">Sky ITL.</a></p><p></p><p></p></div>Student educational trips to Costa Ricahttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/student-educational-trips-to-costa-rica2016-05-31T17:15:30.000Z2016-05-31T17:15:30.000ZShannon Farleyhttps://tripatini.com/members/ShannonFarley<div><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009017495,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img width="650" class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009017495,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="9009017495?profile=original" /></a>Planning a <b>student educational trip to</b> <b>Costa Rica</b>? This amazing country has so much to offer students in learning experiences – more than 5% of the world’s biodiversity, multiple climactic zones, awe-inspiring natural beauty, and a fun, friendly local culture in a very safe country for travel.</p><p>For an unforgettable student learning experience with hands-on research at a facility certified in <a href="http://www.enchanting-costarica.com/activities/veragua-rainforest-eco-adventure-certified-sustainable-tourism-costa-rica/" target="_blank">sustainable tourism in Costa Rica</a>, go to <b><a href="http://www.veraguarainforest.com/" target="_blank">Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure</a>.</b> One of the most important research centers in Costa Rica, <b>Veragua Rainforest</b> welcomes high school and university student groups all year-round. The most popular travel time is during U.S. schools’ summer vacation and spring break. Veragua also receives educational groups from local universities in Costa Rica.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009066661,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009066661,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" alt="9009066661?profile=original" /></a>The nature and adventure park in Costa Rica’s Caribbean mountains is a <b><a href="http://www.enchanting-costarica.com/activities/amazing-costa-rica-biodiversity-discovered-veragua-rainforest/%20p://" target="_blank">hotspot of biodiversity in Latin America</a>.</b> More than 11 new animal species have been discovered there by the Veragua scientific research team, and 15 endangered species have been recorded living in the area.</p><p>The <a href="http://www.veraguarainforest.com/foundation/" target="_blank">Veragua Foundation for Rainforest Research</a> engages in ongoing scientific investigation to study and <b>protect the biodiversity of Costa Rica's rainforests</b>. They work within the 3,212-acre (1,300-hectare) private reserve of the Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure park, located in the Talamanca Mountains by the La Amistad International Park – both UNESCO World Heritage sites.</p><p><a href="{{#staticFileLink}}9009067082,original{{/staticFileLink}}"><img class="align-center" src="{{#staticFileLink}}9009067082,original{{/staticFileLink}}" width="640" alt="9009067082?profile=original" /></a>Veragua Rainforest features a full research station, wildlife habitats, walking trails in the rainforest, a river and waterfall, aerial tramway, canopy zip line tour, group accommodations, and a restaurant and souvenir shop. See examples of <b><a href="http://www.veraguarainforest.com/educational-program/packages.html" target="_blank">educational programs at Veragua Rainforest Eco-Adventure</a>.</b></p><p>The nature and adventure park and scientific research facility is located an hour from the Port of Limon in Costa Rica’s central Caribbean region.</p></div>Reunions Mean Big Bucks for The Travel Industry: How To Plan Onehttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/reunions-mean-big-bucks-for2010-06-06T17:30:00.000Z2010-06-06T17:30:00.000ZKaleel Sakakeenyhttps://tripatini.com/members/KaleelSakakeeny<div><table style="width:auto;"><tbody><tr><td><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/BtkIR49bTIAIvQ09iPBBm_of0dzRa7ymPcRZ9zZ0Nsc?feat=embedwebsite"><img src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_AnBusKXSA8o/TAPv14y8QrI/AAAAAAAAB2g/Ofi6c-2FOEo/s800/Family_Reunion.jpg" alt="Family_Reunion.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="font-family:arial, sans-serif;font-size:11px;text-align:right;">From <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/travel.video/FromKaleel?authkey=Gv1sRgCIaWy9qJ5r_9WA&feat=embedwebsite">From Kaleel</a></td></tr></tbody></table><br />Reunions Mean Big Bucks for The Travel Industry: How To Plan One<br /><br />Travel for reunions is big business and getting bigger as families, communities, organizations and affinity groups strive to stay in touch in an increasingly complex post 9/11 world. <br />The <a href="http://www.ustravel.org">U.S. Travel Association</a> estimates that in the last three years, 82 million adults have hit the road to see Uncle Joe play horseshoes with cousin Alice, swap stories with long lost relatives and be part of affinity groups reaching out to each other at annual outings, all generating millions in revenue for the hard-hit travel industry.<br /><br />When Facebook became the monster place to meet and swap stories, the travel reunion business thought they were finished. <br />Turns out the opposite was true, says Edith Wagner, Editor-in-Chief of the Milwaukee-based <a href="http://www.reunionsmag.com">Reunions Magazine</a>. <br />“Facebook enhances reunions,” Wagner says, “because people learn about each other ahead of time and then build great conversations around that information when they meet.” <br />So no matter how weird we think our families are, they’re still our families, and we’re apparently willing to travel long distances to get together with them.<br /><br />But reunions can go pretty deep. “Many families,” Wagner points out, “memorialize lost family members with candle light services, or they’ll create souvenir booklets and play games like ‘autograph bingo’ as a way for out-of-touch members or the younger generation to get to know each other." It’s about creating memories, she says.<br /><br />Her advice for families planning that big reunion?<br />• Chose a cruise because they have something for everyone. Cruises and all-inclusive resorts reduce the stress involved in planning meals and activities, creating a worry-free time to get to know each other. <br />• Get creative. Reunion activities can include river rafting, tours of cemeteries in Ireland, East African safaris, Galapagos Islands tours, stays at dude ranches, visiting bike week in Daytona Beach, Fla., or European trips to retrace family heritage.<br />• Use a a travel agent, someone with reunion-planning experience who can handle all the logistics skillfully. <br />• And plan a family reunion around a milestone event like an anniversary or wedding.<br /><br />But beware, family reunions can rekindle old animosities and stir up unresolved feelings among family. Dr. Larry Basirico’s funny and wise book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Family-Reunion-Survival-Guide-Problems/dp/0972971408">The Family Reunion Survival Guide: How to Avoid Problems With Your Family Without Avoiding Your Family</a> is must-read for anyone planning a reunion, or attending one. <br /><br />It goes a long way toward insuring family feuds stay buried. <br /><br />Been to a reunion lately? How was it?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Maria the Diva in Ecuadorhttps://tripatini.com/profiles/blogs/maria-the-diva-in-ecuador2010-07-07T21:35:18.000Z2010-07-07T21:35:18.000ZJacquie Whitthttps://tripatini.com/members/JacquieWhitt<div>On their quest to find out more about the birds of Ecuador, <a href="http://http//adventureholidaysperu.com/">Adios Adventure Travel</a> arranged for the Virginia BeachFriends School 4th & 5th grade girls get up at 4 am to arrive atthe La Paz reserve, near Mindo, Ecuador, just to see the famous Andean Cock of the Rock. After glimpsing thecolorfully red bird, they continued their march through the jungle wherethey saw an even more rare bird, thegiant antpitta<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_Antpitta" target="_blank">.</a> These birds are rarely seen and our girls saw“Maria” who was coaxed out of the forest by a local caretaker with aplastic box filled with worms. Maria is so spoiled now, she will onlyeat “clean” worms. Even the insides of the worms have to be expelled toget the dirt out. Maria has become a diva and fans can buy t-shirtswith her name on them.<p style="text-align:left;"><img src="{{#staticFileLink}}9008544484,original{{/staticFileLink}}" alt="" /></p></div>