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Traveling in Costa Rica can mean a lot of things. We have already discussed the wonderful conservation efforts of the Costa Rican forests and jungles through the country’s national parks and ecotourism.  Did you know that Costa Rica also has some of the most stunning beaches in the world? Here is a list of some of the most popular beaches, what they are like, and where they are located:

Bahia Salinas-

Located near the northwestern border of Costa Rica (and close to Nicaragua), Bahia Salinas is best known as a place for adventure. There is a constant wind that funnels through the area making it a great spot for wind surfing and kite boarding.

Tortuguero-

Also a national park, Tortuguero is located on the Caribbean Coast. This coastal area is known for its laid back atmosphere and has a prominent Afro-Caribbean influence.

Uvita-

If you are looking for a less crowded beach destination, Uvita is the  place for you. The waters around this beach provide for perfect swimming, snorkeling and offshore diving.

Playa Negra-

Are you more adventurous and looking for a great place to surf? Then Playa Negra is a great place for you. The beach is known in the surfing community for its right hand barrel waves.

Playa Coyote-

Shaped like a giant horseshoe, Playa Coyote is known for having soft sand. The beach is fringed with coconut palms. The beach is located on the Nicoya Peninsula.

Golfo de Santa Elena-

If you are looking for a relaxing beach and a secluded vacation, then Golfo De Santa Elena is the place for you. In addition to being a tranquil location, Golfo de Santa Elena is a fantastic place for snorkeling and scuba diving.

Costa Rica has dozens of beaches. We cannot highlight them all, but you can discover them for yourself. Check out Anywhere Coast Rica for more information on beaches and everything else Costa Rica. Keep an open mind about traveling in Coast Rica. There is more to the country than just beaches and ecotourism.

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If you love to travel but need an affordable deal for a large group of friends, travel groups may be the solution for you. These programs will typically offer cost-effective packages including airfare, hotel fees, and tour costs for larger groups. If you are a social person seeking new adventures with your friends, there are many services  that could appeal to you. We have done some research regarding specific travel groups online and found a few that stand out.

Overseas Adventure Travel –

This service promises limited group sizes (always between 10 and 25 members) and a wide variety of locations. From India to Greece to China to Costa Rica, nearly every continent is covered. They also offer good rates for the solo traveler looking to save some money!

Women Traveling Together –

Maybe your regular girls’ night out should turn into a “girls’ week-long vacation.” This service limits group sizes to no more than 18, making sure each travel member feels included. The trips also limit interaction with the opposite sex, giving women time to focus on their friendships with each other.

Passports Educational Group Travel –

Looking to take a trip with a school group? Services like this offer affordable packages for large groups to a variety of places. Trips can range from five or six days to upwards of three weeks, with as many or as few stops as you would like.

Trusted Adventures –

While this service offers a broad range of trip packages, their couples’ plans  work perfectly for honeymoons or couples’ retreats. Options range from Italy to the Galapagos Islands and everywhere in between. Be sure to look at pricing options for larger groups!

The key for planning any trip is to shop around. Be sure to look at different quotes from different agencies! Also consider traveling in the off-season – prices are often lower and the destinations are just as beautiful.

Have you joined up with a travel group before? Share your travel story in the comments!

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In today’s economy, everyone is all about saving money wherever they can. One of the first budget items eliminated is travel. If you know how to search for super cheap flights, you can still see the world for less. Just because the economic climate is less than favorable, it does not mean you cannot travel. In that spirit, we have compiled a list of tips that will help you find super cheap flights:

Tip #1: Use search sites

Multiple search engines exist with the sole purpose of finding airfare deals. You can use these sites to find the best prices and best airlines for travel. There are also sites like Kayak that explore the search engines for you and compare the prices available on different sites. These search engines also allow you to add hotel accommodations and car rentals to your searches.

Tip #2: Travel off-season

It may not be an ideal time to travel, but if you travel during the off seasons, you will save money. Typically, these seasons are during the Spring and Fall months. Sometimes you can save hundreds of dollars because the airlines lower prices in order to get more people to travel during these months.

Tip #3: Be flexible on travel dates

If you are flexible with your exact travel dates, you will be able to save money. Airlines run special deals some weeks, so when you are searching for your tickets, play around with the dates or even check out the special deals that the search engines run. Usually, these deals change on a weekly basis, but sometimes you can find daily deals.

Tip #4: Be open about destinations

If you are not looking for a specific getaway, then you have a better chance of finding cheaper deals. Airlines often offer special discounts that last for limited times and are typically for select cities. Keep your eye open for a cheap destination that interests you and you can get away while saving a ton.

Tip #5: Always be on the lookout.

Travel search engines allow you to set up alerts for destinations. These alerts will let you know when plane ticket prices drop. Using these alert systems will help you know when prices are good. You can begin booking your vacation once alerted!

Just keep an open mind as you begin searching and researching travel destinations and airfare. Super cheap flights are out there; you just have to do a little digging to find them!

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So, you have decided to go on a college mission trip, but you do not know where to go or what you want to do. Maybe you have a specific gift, or are most passionate about a certain type of service. Whatever your job of choice, there is work for you to do in the wide field of missions. We have comprised a list of common types of college mission trip services to help you decide what you want to do.

Construction

Many countries around the world are looking for workers to help them build new schools and churches. Other countries are trying to rebuild their towns and cities. Most of these construction type college mission trips take place in Eastern Europe and Africa. War has left these countries broken, so if you are looking to help people rebuild their lives, this might be the type of mission for you.

Teaching/Child Care

Most countries you will choose to visit during a college mission trip will allow you to teach in a school or volunteer at an orphanage. Some of these schools will allow you to write your own lesson plans and actually teach, which makes this a great opportunity for college students studying education.

Medical

If you are studying the medical field in any capacity, there is a college mission trip out there for you. These trips are designed to allow you to serve and gain experience in your field. If you are looking for a way to help those in need, gain practical experience, make a difference and/or work on your medical skills, then you might want to consider a college mission trip in the medical field.

Conservation

Conservation is a growing industry and mission field. Many countries in South and Central America are starting to recognize the importance of beaches, rain forests, and mountain areas. In response to new national parks and conservation acts, these countries are opening their doors to volunteers who are willing to help them in the fight to save the planet. If ecotourism and conservation is your thing and you want to see Central/South America, then a college mission trip in conservation might be the perfect trip for you!

No matter what your passions or interests are, there is a college mission trip out there for you. We have only scratched the surface with this list. Check out our other blog posts on college mission trips to help you decide what you want to do and where you want to go.

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College students often don’t have enough time in the day for classes, homework, and part-time jobs. As a result, finding time to plan for a mission trip takes a back seat to these more immediate needs.  Most campuses have on-site organizations to help get the wheels rolling when it comes to doing good. After you connect with an organization that understands how you require support, finding the time to get ready may become easier. Consider the tips below as you prepare for successful college mission trips.

Consider the Options:

Mission trips occur around the world, so take the time to identify the one that is right for you. Do you want to travel to South Africa and help educate a small village? Perhaps you would rather help build homes in the American Southwest? The choices available are vast. Make sure that you carve out time to research what mission trip best speaks to you and where you think you can be of greatest service.

Select and Study:

After you determine which trip is best for you, the next step is to become immersed in learning about the culture. What is life like for the people in the region? What are the socioeconomic and political realities they face each day? What language do they speak? Understanding their needs will go a long way toward having successful college mission trips.

Plan:

You’ve chosen the trip and learned all you can about the region and people. The next step is to inform friends and family of your intent and generate support. What can you do to raise funds or solicit donations of items that are badly needed? Consider organizing a fundraiser.

Successful college mission trips can have a lasting impact. Ideally, one trip will lead to a desire to participate in additional trips. Preparing adequately will help to ensure that outcome.

Source: “Students on a Mission” College XPress (http://www.collegexpress.com/interests/catholic/articles/catholic-campus-life/students-mission/) Accessed on December 8, 2011