Posts tagged with "Costa Rica"

Las Catalinas Announces the Completion Beach Town

Las Catalinas Announces Completion of Beach Town Neighborhood Car-free seaside town in Costa Rica continues to innovate a better way of living

In 2006, the innovators behind a car-free town aspired to create a better way of life connecting people to nature in a place where 1,000 acres of a 1200-acre property would remain undeveloped as a tropical dry forest reserve. After 16 years of planning and construction, that vision is now a reality with the completion of the neighborhood of Beach Town in Las Catalinas. Referred to as one of the most important and beautiful new towns in the world by renowned Notre Dame School of Architecture Professor Douglas Duany, Las Catalinas is located in the northwestern province of Costa Rica. Inspired by New Urbanism, the town offers a sustainable lifestyle that is influenced by the natural surroundings. Throughout its development, the town’s commitment to nature remains as one of its main core values.

Consisting of approximately 150 single family residences, 14 mixed use buildings, and over a dozen commercial and civic buildings across 21 acres of land along the Pacific Coast, Beach Town is a high-density, car-free town. With friendly neighborhoods, walkable streets and plazas, and timeless architecture, Beach Town was conceptualized to combine leisure and urban living with an emphasis on the natural surroundings. Beach Town is connected to two Pacific Ocean beaches and over 30 miles of hiking and biking trails in thriving tropical dry forests reserves. With a rich network of narrow passageways, stair streets and public plazas, the town weaves together 150 residences, two hotels, a beach club, eight restaurants and a variety of shops, offices and businesses centered on living well. In 2022, The Congress for New Urbanism celebrated Beach Town with a Charter Award recognizing the town for achieving “more equitable, sustainable, connected, healthy, and prosperous communities.” Most activities, conversations and meals are enjoyed in the fresh air under shade trees or on the outdoor covered terraces within the timeless tropical architecture. The value placed on walkability and relationship to nature creates an engaging place to visit.

“While the radical idea to build a car-free town received pushback even from the initial design team, our walkable town now seems the most natural and preferred way to be,” said Roberto Villalobos, Sub-Director of Design and Construction for Las Catalinas. “Car-free public realms invite natural sociability and freedom for children that can be enjoyed equally by all. The resulting density allows for more balanced natural-urban transects. Beach Town’s minimal footprint creates a sustainable infrastructure not just for the natural environment, but also for an active and healthy lifestyle full of organic, human, and architectural beauty.”

Beach Town has come to life over the years and offers a vibrant and eclectic mix of retail businesses embracing a way of life that supports the natural fabric of town. Beach Town Travel can arrange stays at the two hotels in town – Santarena Hotel and Posada San Rafael or with an array of villa options from flats to five-bedroom villas. The eight food and beverage venues located in Beach Town include Ponciana, Pots & Bowls, Pascual, Papagayo BrewHouse, La Taqueria at Beach Club, The Deli at Copper & Stone Gourmet, Cuatro Calle La Ronda and Coquelicot. The town’s boutique shops and stores include Las Catalinas Collection, Chunches Consignment, D’Aqui Design and Copper & Stone Gourmet Market. Beach Town also offers CORE by Chakfitness, Center of Joy, Pura Vida Ride, Wake Day Spa, ConnectOcean, BLP and Elif Academy for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Walk through Beach Town with founder Charles Brewer and the Town Architect team to learn about the challenges, successes and missteps made in planning and developing Beach Town in microphases. “Lessons will be applied as our eyes aim to the ambitious development of the remaining 180 acres of Las Catalinas all surrounded by our 1,000-acre natural tropical dry forest preserve,” Villalobos further explained. “The next neighborhood underway includes El Prado where residences, mixed use buildings, parks, and neighborhoods have started vertical construction for an ambitious 600 buildings across 60 acres – most of which get panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and are surrounded by 40 kilometers of hiking and mountain biking trails.”

Located just east of Beach Town in El Prado, Lantana Residences is a collection of ocean view homes and flats built into the hillside. Set to begin construction in the second quarter of 2023, Lantana Residences are located in the second neighborhood in Las Catalinas on the hillside of El Prado. The residences flank a picturesque stair street and offer the most dramatic urban and ocean views in Las Catalinas. The residences are slated for completion in July 2025. Ranging from one to four bedrooms, Lantana Residences offer dramatic views, plentiful outdoor spaces, crafted interior finishes with spectacular architecture. Slanted rooftops, thick walls, high ceilings, clever ventilation, and other structural considerations provide respite from the outdoor elements in the Guanacaste tropical dry forest. Indoor and outdoor living spaces, pools, and outdoor terraces embrace the climate and allow for comfortable indoor and outdoor living. Wood and other materials used are from sustainable sources and all buildings are designed to be energy efficient.

The crowning jewel of the Lantana neighborhood is its stair-street architecture modeling pedestrian Mediterranean hill towns of the Old World. Not only are stair streets visually stunning, but they link people, places, and conversations together, providing an intricate tapestry that weaves lives together. Utilizing its intense sloping topography, Arosemena & Way Arquitectos designed the stair streets of Lantana to create a way for visitors and residents to explore the neighborhood from the shops, plazas, parks, and streets of lower levels of El Prado to the higher vistas, residences, and trail heads of the upper neighborhoods of El Prado. Highly visible from nearly all areas of town while offering a panoramic ocean and town view, the stair streets of Lantana enhance the pedestrian experience which is the cornerstone of Las Catalinas in encouraging interaction and engagement among residents and visitors. The Lantana neighborhood will feature nine buildings and an intricate array of plazas, parks, and community pool. Residences offer a variety of floorplans ranging from 484 square feet to 3,843 square feet. For more information, email sales@lascatalinascr.com or 1-866-357-3872 or visit www.lantanaresidences.com.

About Las Catalinas, www.lascatalinascr.com

The conscious town of Las Catalinas is Costa Rica’s newest desirable beach town inspired by New Urbanist philosophy. The car-free, highly walkable town includes several inns and intimate hotels, shops, restaurants, retail, day spas, pedestrian streets, parks, plazas, and recreational facilities, all located between two of Costa Rica’s loveliest Pacific beaches and 1,000 acres of protected tropical dry forest, which are interlaced with extensive hiking and biking trails. Within the town, the walkable public spaces are interwoven with nature, and the architecture emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and scenic views. Cars are refreshingly absent. Founder Charles Brewer’s core values and beliefs include environmental stewardship, connection to one another and to the rhythms of nature, promotion of wellness, and an emphatic preference for quality of life over quantity of material possessions, understanding that the “good life” is not about material possessions but about human connections, good health, and ecological sustainability.

Las Catalinas Announces Opening of Papagayo Taphouse

Costa Rica’s car-free town adds to growing restaurant and retail offerings

Inspired by New Urbanism and the seaside hill towns of the Mediterranean, the car-free town of Las Catalinas continues to take shape and evolve since it began construction in 2009. The first neighborhood to be built in Las Catalinas, Beach Town, is now nearing its completion and is a model for car-free living and intricate design. The low-rise Beach Town is extremely permeable for people on foot, and its textured hardscapes encourage maximum human-to-human interaction. As this scenic coastal town continues to grow, Las Catalinas adds to its eclectic list of food and beverage and retail offerings with the opening of its newest restaurant in Beach Town.

Recently opened in early November 2022, Beach Town in Las Catalinas welcomes Papagayo Taphouse by Papagayo Brewing Co. Leading the way with sustainability and sustainable brew practices throughout Costa Rica, Papagayo Brewing Co. is a Liberia-based brewery and tasting room producing quality craft beers accentuating the Guanacaste climate and culture. Just a stone’s throw from the Liberia airport, its flagship location produces craft beers proudly “hechas en Guanacaste” (made in Guanacaste) and inspired by the local culture and climate. With the strong belief that quality craft beer should be as refreshing as it is flavorful, Papagayo Brewing Co. is the beer to take from the brewery to the beach. Their taproom offers private group tours which is something not all craft breweries in Costa Rica offer.

Some of Papagayo Brewing Co.’s highlights include the Beach Lager (5%), an easy-drinking traditional lager; Tropical IPA (6.2%), known for its intense flavor of tropical fruits and juicy hops; Sour Gose (4.5%), a German-style sour beer with pink Himalayan salt and hibiscus; and the Passion Fruit Ale (5.5%), a light, golden pale ale with local passion fruit. The brewery just released its newest beer, the Offshore Ale, an American wheat ale with floral and citrusy notes. The IPA Series is a limited batch series with the first release date in May and the second release in August of this year.

For many years, the craft beer boom has steadily grown in North America, but the last five or so years has seen significant growth in the craft beer market in Costa Rica. Although the capital city of San Jose continues to be the leader in the craft beer scene in the country, Guanacaste is starting to see an influx of small micro-breweries to craft breweries with innovative and robust menus. Throughout Guanacaste, brew pubs, taprooms, and distributor breweries are pulling from local traditions, fresh ingredients, and even the Blue Zone water to brew beer that reflects the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica.

Papagayo Taphouse adds to the growing list of food and beverage offerings in Beach Town. Situated in the lively gathering place of Plaza Mercado, other openings this year included: Pots & Bowls, the popular restaurant that first opened as a food truck in the height of the pandemic now operating as a stand-alone restaurant and its new sister restaurant next door called Pascual offering farm-to-table tapas and a wide selection of wines. This summer also saw the opening of Coquelicot, a charming European style food cart specializing in ice cream and waffles.

Focusing on creating a better way of life, the New Urbanist philosophy centers on building walkable blocks and streets, housing and shopping in close proximity, and accessible public spaces and parks to encourage livability, environmental sustainability, and innovation. The 21-acre Beach Town is a vibrant network of narrow passages, stair streets, and intimate public spaces. With nearly all of the buildings located on a small plaza or park, Beach Town embraces the core values of Las Catalinas by linking people, places, and conversations together in an authentic way.

About Las Catalinas, www.lascatalinascr.com

The conscious town of Las Catalinas is Costa Rica’s newest desirable beach town, currently with 142 homes complete and 150 full-time residents. Inspired by New Urbanist philosophy, the car-free, highly walkable town will include several inns and intimate hotels, shops, restaurants, retail, day spas, pedestrian streets, parks, plazas, and recreational facilities, all located between two of Costa Rica’s loveliest Pacific beaches and 1,000 acres of protected tropical dry forest, which are interlaced with extensive hiking and biking trails. Within the town, the walkable public spaces are interwoven with nature, and the architecture emphasizes indoor-outdoor living and scenic views. Cars are refreshingly absent. Founder Charles Brewer’s core values and beliefs include environmental stewardship, connection to one another and to the rhythms of nature, promotion of wellness, and an emphatic preference for quality of life over quantity of material possessions, understanding that the “good life” is not about material possessions but about human connections, good health, and ecological sustainability.

BLESSD – TENDENCIA GLOBAL

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“Tendencia Global” Available Here

Blessd, the artist who has broken the paradigms in Colombia and has become a reference of the genre across the globe presents his new single “Tendencia Global” alongside one of the urban genre’s Puerto Rican representatives, Myke Towers, a song full of energy that showcases the unique styles of each of the participating artists. A track that unites two powerhouses of the genre, Colombia and Puerto Rico, in a single production that will be heard in every corner of the planet. Parallel to this immense release, the artist announced his world tour that bears the name of the single: Tendencia Global Tour, the singer-songwriter will visit important territories such as: Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, United States, Mexico and Europe.

“Tendencia Global” was born from Myke Towers’ initial interest in wanting to collaborate with the rising urban genre star, Blessd, considered by the Puerto Rican as the most relevant artist of the new school of the urban genre in Colombia. Towers, in an interview given to a well-known media outlet, which made its way around the world of reggaeton, expressed his interest in collaborating with Blessd, taken as the first step for such important collaboration in the music industry.

“A collaboration to go down in history, Puerto Rico & Colombia which will go worldwide”… mentioned Blessed.

This new single was written by Blessd, Myke Towers and Ovy On the Drums and performed by Blessd and Myke Towers. The production was carried out, in its entirety, by producer Ovy On The Drums, recognized for working with important artists such as Karol G, Nicky Jam, Becky G, Anuel AA and Piso 21 among others.

The video was shot and produced on the island of Puerto Rico, framing the beauty of the Caribbean beaches and the stunning architectural zone of old San Juan. The video combines close-up images of Blessd, Myke Towers and Ovy On The Drums sequenced throughout the video, adding to all the technical levels of the recording, further demonstrating and recreating the music of this global hit.

The video was directed by Oscar Vasquez and DEIVY P and produced by DYPA FILMS, a production company that has worked with national and international artists such as Blessd, Ryan Castro, Lyanno, Anonimus, Valentino, Dekko, Javielo, Saga White Black, Lenny Tavarez, and Justin Quiles, among others.

Blessd, along with his label JM World Music – Cigol, Warner Music Latina and his management team Just One Cliick, headed by CEO Dr. Velasquez, will continue to work on and consolidate this global music project.

About Blessd:

Talent makes Antioquian urban singer Stiven Mesa Londoño one of the future promises of the genre. With only 22 years of age and a career that began recently, this singer, better known in the music industry as BLESSD, not only improvises and sings but also composes his songs.

His simplicity, charisma, ability to improvise as well as his love for music, have positioned him as one of the promising Colombians in the world of reggaeton, a genre that has allowed him to perform in different cities and events throughout the country, where his fan base chants the songs and motivate him to continue striving for his dream of one day selling out stadiums across different cities of the world.

BLESSD “TENDENCIA GLOBAL” OFFICIAL VIDEO

Exodus Travel Voted Best Operator

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Multi-award-winning small group and self-guided tour experts Exodus Travels have been named the Best Operator in National Geographic’s Traveller Magazine’s sixth annual Reader Awards. The awards acknowledge and celebrate the destinations, experiences, tour operators, personalities, and destinations that continue to make traveling truly great.

The 15 award categories were shortlisted by National Geographic judges and voted on by readers. Voters were asked to champion the locations and organizations that have supported their travel aspirations over the past 12 months. The companies that have provided exceptional customer support, retained consumer trust, and have continued to have a positive impact on the entire travel community during challenging times.

The Best Operator category celebrates the remarkable people behind the scenes ensuring travelers feel safe, inspired, and secure when turning their adventure dreams into realities. The reader votes were resoundingly in favor of Exodus Travels.

“We are thrilled to receive this award, and to have the support of the National Geographic Traveller Magazine judges, and our far-reaching travel community,” says Robin Brooks, Marketing & PR Director of Exodus Travels North America. “It’s a privilege to share this award with all the winners and to see the incredible people and places that continue to inspire global exploration and discovery. I’d like to congratulate the incredible local guides, teams, and travel industry partners we are privileged to work with across the globe. They have kept us smiling through the past 19 months – this win truly belongs to them!”

For close to 50 years, Exodus Travels has been providing a vast range of award-winning holidays across seven continents. Now, with over 250,000 people hosted, and more than 600 trips in 100 countries, the adventure travel company has the perfect travel itinerary for solo travels, couples, groups, or families, all ages, activity levels, and interests.

Here are a few of the many Exodus Travels itineraries that continue to inspire travelers year after year:

Italy: Walking The Amalfi Coast

Exodus’ best-selling tour with hundreds of happy travelers to prove it. Live like an Italian and be immersed in the land of La Dolce Vita’s famous Amalfi Coast. From walking the “Path of Gods,” unveiling the secrets of Pompeii and swimming in secret coves, to discovering Roman ruins, the isle of Capri, picnic lunches, and unparalleled cuisine. This trip has been running for over a decade, with guests staying at the beautiful Hotel Due Torri. The hotel is run by the Acampora family, providers of genuine Italian hospitality who embody the beauty of Italian living.

Costa Rica : Discover Costa Rica

Take a large dose of exotic animals, river cruises, stir in jungle hikes, expert local naturalist guides, the country’s most famous volcano, beach time, lava fields, hot springs, and an abundance of fresh local cuisine and you’ll get this spellbinding immersion in Costa Rica. Spot monkeys, sloths, sea turtles, giant butterflies, and more. Includes village visits, coffee and fruit plantations, day and night hikes, eco-lodges, and expert guides. Pura Vida!

India: In Search of Snow Leopards

Recognized as one of the most elusive animals on the planet, the snow leopard is one of the world’s most mystical and hard-to-spot mammals. In the winter, when they need food, they descend from their homes in the mountainous regions of Central Asia and can be spotted by the rare few who make the annual pilgrimage to this remote region of India. In addition to the ever-elusive snow leopard, Himalayan trekking guide Valerie Parkinson will ensure travelers take in all of the unique wildlife that can be spotted in this special, and rarely traversed, part of the world. There will also be visits to Himalayan Buddhist communities, which adds to the truly transcendent feel of this unique adventure.

Croatia: Cycling the Dalmatian Coast

Go beyond the expected and bike through the playground of the Adriatic. Ideal for cycling enthusiasts of every level, this adventure by two wheels mixes alfresco thrills with cruises, landscapes from Game of Thrones, historic vineyards, local farms, UNESCO Sites, and even time for R&R on the beach. Tour Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik, Mljet and the Peljesac Peninsula. And for those who prefer–E-bikes are available upon request!

Egypt: Alexandria to Aswan

Treasures half as old as time, camel rides, felucca sailing, Nile cruise, and expert local Egyptologist guides are just the start of this classic adventure through the land of the pharaohs. Immerse yourself in the myths of this epic ancient civilization as you tour the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum, and Khan el-Khalili night bazaar in Cairo. Be transported back millennia as you discover the wonders of iconic Alexandria. You get to cruise the eternal waters of the Nile and discover Luxor, Valley of Kings and Queens, Aswan, and more. Complete with delicious cuisine, internal flight, and memories to last a lifetime.

Peru: Inca Trail Moonstone Trek

Between Cuzco and the Sacred Valley lies a small rural valley, that is where this quest begins. From there, adventures will trek seven miles from the beginning of the Inca Trail, discovering rarely visited Andren towns, relics, and snowcapped peaks. Wildlife, breathtaking scenery, ruins, and true isolation make this bucket list adventure especially rewarding.

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Mon Laferte – Amigos Simplemente

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Mon Laferte premiered the video for “Amigos Simplemente” today, exclusively through Facebook. It’s a universally relatable love song as Mon sings of that moment when friendship begins to transform, and that simple affection you once felt becomes stronger.

“I want something with you, more than being friends… Let me love you or at least try. It is no coincidence to love you; it is not an accident,” the Chilean artist sings.

The latest single from Mon’s recent album Seis, “Amigos Simplemente” focuses on a young couple who slowly displays to us that there is something more to their relationship than being just simply friends. The premiere of the new video takes place ahead of Latino and Hispanic Heritage Month (LHHM), which is celebrated from September 15 to October 15. Throughout the month, Facebook will highlight stories from diverse artists and personalities from Latino and Hispanic communities that shape the culture of the United States. This year, Mon Laferte is one of the singers honored for her diverse contributions and achievements in America.

SEIS is an intensely personal album inspired by a documentary about Mexican-via Costa Rica singer Chavela Vargas, who is best known for revolutionizing Mexican ranchera music. The songs were born during the global pandemic and heavy isolation, and include carefully crafted lyrics, brought forth from self-reflection, allowing Mon to explore her deepest feelings, leaving nothing but vulnerability at this rare time.

Billboard calls SEIS, “Vulnerable and commanding” and VICE says, “It gives you chills, requiring no knowledge of Spanish to communicate its emotion… a gut-stomping triumph.” BBC Music says, “SEISis her most intimate and courageous yet; tackling complex topics such as misogyny, repression, and injustice, inspired by her lived experiences.”

Tickets are on sale now and a full list of tour dates can be found below.

Mon Laferte Tour Dates:

Oct 11 — Washington, DC — The Fillmore

Oct 13 — Brooklyn, NY — Kings Theater

Oct 15 — Raleigh, NC — The Ritz

Oct 16 — Charlotte, NC — The Fillmore

Oct 17 — Atlanta, GA — Tabernacle

Oct 19 — Miami, FL — The Fillmore

Oct 22 — Houston, TX — Bayou Music Center

Oct 23 — San Antonio, TX — The Aztec

Oct 24 — Dallas, TX — House of Blues

Oct 27 — Las Vegas, NV — House of Blues

Oct 28 — Tucson, AZ — Rialto

MARRIAGE RETREATS IN COSTA RICA

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Revitalize your relationship in romantic Costa Rica. “Popular Getting the Love You Want” marriage workshop expands to Central America. 360 Magazine is pleased to hear about this amazing retreat as many people need a break from the world as this pandemic has caused many changes.
Costa Rica is a popular honeymoon destination and now thanks to The Marriage Restoration Project’s, “Getting the Love You Want” couples retreats, it’s now the destination helping couples save and revitalize their marriages.
Starting in October 2021 and throughout 2022, these successful marriage retreats will be held at the Autograph Collection’s El Mangroove beach resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Based on Imago Therapy, which focuses on transforming conflict into healing and growth by examining the early childhood experiences of each person, during the five-day retreat couples will:

Be deeply heard by their spouse through a process that feels truly safe
Discover and shed personal triggers that undermine the connection
Comfortably talk about any issue in the relationship and remain connected
Satisfy needs for physical and emotional connection
Learn how to ask for what you want
Remove negativity, retaliation, reactivity, anger, and blame through the Imago dialogue process
Establish new rituals for re-romanticizing
Shift the negative energy in 5 minutes or less!

Twenty years ago Rabbi Shlomo and Rivka Slatkin’s own marriage was hanging on by a thread and Imago Therapy helped revitalize their relationship. Wanting to help other couples save their marriages too, they went on to study and specialize in Imago Therapy, founding TheMarriageRestorationProject.com; authoring books, and offering this unique workshop that is based on the work of the co-founder of Imago Therapy, Dr. Harville Hendrix.
Costa Rica retreats launch October 13-17, 2021 with certified Imago Therapist, Jill Wolf, LCSW leading the program. Each day couples will work on their relationship while having downtime to reconnect over beach walks, spa services, and local excursions.
Currently, there are four additional dates in early 2022, each led by dynamic, results-oriented Imago Therapists from The Marriage Restoration Project team.

For more information visit Rabbi Shlomo and Rivka Slatkin.

New WELLNESS WELL PACKAGE at Las Catalinas

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Dedicated to creating a way of life that is healthy, sustainable, fulfilling, and fun, Las Catalinas is pleased to invite guests to experience it as a Wellness Well with a new package by the same name that will undoubtedly deliver a remarkable sense of wellbeing and rejuvenation while enjoying Las Catalinas and all that this seaside gem of a (car-free!) town has to offer.

This 4-night package includes fresh green juice daily from Copper & Stone Gourmet Market; a $100 credit at Pots & Bowls Food Truck, which opened this year and offers a fantastically fresh, healthy new twist with true farm-to-table cuisine and extensive raw vegan options; an all-access pass to CORE by ChakFitness, which also just opened and offers an exciting array of classes, including Beach Boot Camp, Bosu Boot Camp, Core Conditioning, Flinstones-esque free weights in the “Sand Box” (literally on the beach) and more; one complimentary matcha latte (almond and soy milks available) with all bike, SUP and kayak rentals at Pura Vida Ride; and a $50 credit at Wake Day Spa, which offers some of the best spa services on earth and also features an especially lovely boutique.

The Wellness Well package also includes a day trip to a secluded and magical farm surrounded by the lush Costa Rican rainforest and waterfalls on the slopes of the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, where you can wade in the remarkable “blue lagoon” whose spring water comes directly from the volcano and is naturally tinted an electric turquoise. During the farm visit, taste delicious homemade cheeses, traditional tortillas and Costa Rican coffee, and finish the day with lunch at a beautiful restaurant nestled in the middle of the jungle beside the lagoon. Rates for the Wellness Well Package start at $1500, including airport transfers and private accommodations with breakfast daily at the Santarena Hotel and all else noted above. All Las Catalinas reservations can be made via its preferred travel partner, Beach Town Travel; to book this package please visit Beach Town Travel.

Las Catalinas is designed to be a place to maintain or regain one’s physical and mental equilibrium and provides an ideal environment for feeling comfortable, healthy and happy. It is a place to rediscover the freedom of one’s own two feet and the joy of exploring. Whether wandering the streets, hiking through the forest, or strolling the beach, it’s easy to connect with nature, oneself and others in Las Catalinas. The beautiful natural world and charming town provide ample opportunities to ease the body and mind: Set out in the early morning mist on a paddleboard or kayak; engage in sunrise or sunset yoga on the beach; enjoy hiking and mountain biking through stunning coastal terrain. In conjunction with Pura Vida Ride, Las Catalinas offers one of the best playgrounds in the world for water sports and trail fanatics. Specializing in the rental and sale of standup paddle boards, mountain bikes, kayaks and other ocean and mountain sports equipment, Pura Vida Ride is located on Playa Danta in the heart of Las Catalinas and not only offers lessons and expeditions, but is also a full service bike repair shop and general store serving coffee, pastries, drinks and snacks. Las Catalinas together with Pura Vida Ride provide a special and truly unique place where people can enjoy first class sporting activities with ease.

About Las Catalinas

The conscious community of Las Catalinas is taking shape as Costa Rica’s newest desirable beach town. This highly walkable destination on Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Coast is well underway with 21 acres of land under development, a Beach Club and several full-time residents. When complete, there will be approximately 180 residences, 10 restaurants (four currently operating), several thousand square feet of office space, a town hall, over a dozen plazas and various other merchants. The town’s core values and beliefs include environmental stewardship, connection to one another and to the rhythms of nature.

THE FUTURE OF TRAVEL PLANNING

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By: Andrew Shibuya

As the world has remained in their homes this past year and a half, traveling abroad seems to be the light at the end of a very long tunnel for many. While globetrotters stayed home bound and planned their trips for the second restrictions lifted, the travel industry underwent a rapid and drastic transformation. As such, many experts claim that travel – and particularly global travel – will be forever changed.

In the midst of the pandemic and the ubiquitous desire to be anywhere but home, travel destinations have begun to accommodate traveler’s concerns in the face of the virus. In some cases, it was changing the distance between tables in a restaurant or limiting the capacity of occupants in a hotel. In other cases, however, the only changes were claims of improvements or safer accommodations. While many hotels and restaurants truly began taking necessary precautions, some did not adapt – despite claiming to.

And such, in the age of the internet and modernity’s obsession with bureaucracy, innumerable COVID safety certificates – some valid, and some pure and simple money grabs – were born. Resultantly, the great saturation of these valuable assurances ultimately renders them to be valueless. For even the avid travelers and eagle-eyed among us, such certifications will likely prove to be a nuisance at best, and a health concern at worst.

In the travel industry, the remaining agencies have sought various solutions to this issue of verifying credibility. What happens when someone who is particularly at risk for COVID is infected by the virus at a supposedly safe hotel? Why even take these risks at all?

This past week, 360 Magazine attended an event with several travel experts who discussed this very issue and presented potential solutions. Though the situation is troubling and promises to only get worse, experts are beginning to craft plans and act against this rubber-stamping.

Terrence Suero of Buffalo-based travel agency Toca Travel has a promising and apt response to this new strain of scammers. While he is confident that the world will never return to its pre-pandemic state, Suero understands that travel is an essential part of many people’s lives. Even now, just months after the commencement of vaccine distribution, Americans have started to travel. While most are now staying within United States’ borders, some are wandering to more distant corners of the globe.

But, every new strain and ensuing restriction springs new doubts and trouble for the average traveler. And for travel agents, their work has only gotten more difficult–not only in the face of these conditions, but also regarding the endless onslaught of dubious safety certifications. To this end, Suero has started Safe Travel Pathways – a new endeavor that he hopes will eradicate, or at the very least assuage, travelers’ health concerns related to COVID.

Safe Travel Pathways at its core is an open-source directory of vetted hospitality companies. The company hopes to begin its directory abroad in Costa Rica, and if successful, to gradually expand globally. Behind Safe Travel Pathways is Suero’s ethos as a travel agent: to treat travelers as adults. His aim is simply to provide helpful and accurate information, with the goal being that travelers can make their own informed decisions.

The main criteria for Safe Travel Pathways’ approval includes adherence to internationally accepted health standards, a third-party audit system that can determine the provided level of safety and strict governance. Safe Travel Pathways uses a grading system from one to five that considers various accreditations, verified safety precautions, and guidelines to evaluate companies. The idea behind this system evinces once more Suero’s desire to allow travelers to choose their own itinerary in light of the safety information provided. While certain places may receive lower scores than others, Suero acknowledges that some people are more comfortable than others regarding COVID safety precautions.

However, Suero has more than just coronavirus in mind. His future offerings likely will include restaurants and other accommodations that have been vetted for specific allergens and other necessary health considerations. Suero was careful to note that most travel agents are not health specialists. With these future additions, he hopes to assuage as many health concerns as possible, for both travel agents and travelers. Such other future additions may highlight businesses that are accessible, sustainable, or accommodating for similar travel concerns.

Safe Travel Pathway’s test run is starting soon in Costa Rica to gain a greater understanding of its capability and viability as an international travel database. Suero hopes to soon expand into Europe and South America with the help of travel bureaus, which validate businesses on a local level. The database is free and accessible to all, with certain features limited to travel agents or agencies.

As the world reopens, much is still left unclear. With each new strain and constantly shifting guidelines, creating travel plans can be unnecessarily convoluted and stressful. Though the world may never return to “normal,” tools like Safe Travel Pathways can hopefully move us in the right direction.

Medjet Partnership with Luxury Card

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Pioneer in Air Medical Transport & Travel Security Memberships Now Available with Exclusive Pricing for Luxury Card’s Mastercard Gold Card, Mastercard Black Card and Mastercard Titanium Card Members

Medjet, the industry leader in air medical transport and travel security memberships for travelers, has announced a new partnership with Luxury Card, a global leader in the premium credit card market. Luxury Card’s Mastercard Gold Card, Mastercard Black Card and Mastercard Titanium Card members are now eligible for discounts on the company’s two membership options: MedjetAssist and MedjetHorizon.

“Medjet offers unparalleled professionalism and peace of mind,” says Marina Kissam, Vice President of Customer Experience at Luxury Card. “Safety while traveling is a growing priority, so we are pleased that our Cardmembers will be able to take advantage of exclusive savings on Medjet memberships before they embark on their next adventure.”

An industry forerunner, Medjet provides travelers hospitalized more than 150 miles from home with premier air medical transport to a hospital of their choice at home. Most travel insurance medical evacuation coverage is only to the “nearest acceptable” hospital. In October of 2020, Medjet was the first program of its kind to announce transport benefits for its members hospitalized with COVID-19 in the contiguous United States, Canada, Mexico and Belize, the Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda at no additional cost to members. That was followed shortly thereafter with the addition of Costa Rica and, just this month, Medjet added all of Central America (including Panama, Guatemala, and Honduras) to the list of countries from which members can be transported, if hospitalized with COVID-19.

“Even before the pandemic, statistics showed that one in 30 trips end in a medical emergency,” said Mike Hallman, CEO of Medjet. “We hope this new partnership, and Medjet protection, can bring a little more confidence to travelers, knowing that if the worst happens, they have someone to call.”

Since 1991, Medjet has upheld the highest service and standards in the industry. With the partnership between Luxury Card and Medjet, Luxury Card members can now receive 10% off all annual MedjetAssist memberships, which start at $265 per year for an individual, $359 for a family (two adults and up to five children). Additional security and crisis response protections are available with the MedjetHorizon membership for just an additional $149 per year for individual memberships or an additional $179 per year for family memberships. This discount is available to Luxury Card members until December 31, 2021.

Medjet Website

Luxury Card Website