My wife and I had long dreamed of visiting Costa Rica. We knew about its reputation for magnificent landscapes, abundant animal and bird life, and preservation of the magnificent environment.  

We could have spent hours searching the Internet for flights and hotels, reserving a rental car and taking care of the many other details required. But we didn’t.

Instead, we made a single phone call that took care of all of the necessary planning. Additionally, we knew that we would be following an itinerary that combined the must-see attractions with a number of hidden gems that we otherwise might have missed. We also had the comfort of knowing that we would get good value for our hard-earned dollars.

Group comforts

Of course, there’s something to be said for the enjoyment of planning a trip. For some people, a vacation begins when they start to make phone calls, book lodging on their computer and take the countless other steps required to deal with every aspect of a trip, hoping that nothing has been overlooked.

Others follow a different route. They turn to tour companies that travel to the destination (or destinations) they wish to visit and let their experts handle the details.

We went to Costa Rica with a tour operator we’d traveled with before: Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). OAT’s itinerary allowed us to squeeze as many experiences as possible into every hour of each day.

For example, one day included a visit to an OAT-sponsored school, where the children greeted the group with a charming folkloric presentation. It was followed by a traditional lunch with a local family and a guided horseback ride through dense forest. Another day began with a hands-on tortilla-making lesson, followed by viewing giant crocodiles at close range and ended with time spent on one of Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches.

 Our experience underscored the benefits of traveling with a group.

• Follow the leader. Many tour guides live locally or, if not, have been there many times. They can bring the history, culture and other aspects of a place to life in ways that enhance your travel experience.

• Relax on the road. Driving in another country can be stressful at best, and downright dangerous if, for example, it requires sticking to the opposite side of the highway. When a professional driver is at the wheel, you can sit back, relax and take in the passing scenery.

• Safety in numbers. Traveling with a group is safer than venturing out on your own, especially in an unfamiliar place. Plus, guides know what areas of a city to steer clear of and can provide assistance in case you encounter a problem.

• When cost is a factor. Because tour operators receive group discounts on many aspects of a trip, the total cost can offer more bang for the buck. In addition, guides can provide practical tips like good places to shop and where to get the best currency exchange rate.

• Share the satisfaction. We’ve met people on group tours whose company we enjoy during bus rides and at mealtimes. In some cases, they’ve become friends who share our love of travel and with whom we’ve planned future trips together.

• Staying healthy. In this time of concern about remaining healthy while traveling, going with a tour group can provide peace of mind. Companies have instituted a variety of measures to keep both trip participants and guides safe.

Safe travels

OAT’s group tours follow a long list of safety protocols. In addition to using face coverings, hand sanitizer, temperature checks and other well-known basics, it provides disinfected headsets that allow travelers to maintain “social distancing.” Also, OAT arranges to visit popular locations before or after large crowds congregate and limits the number of people sharing a vehicle. Learn more online at www.oattravel.com.

Untours, another travel site, practiced social distancing long before it became an everyday phrase. This company combines the planning, services and on-site support of a group tour with the benefits of independent travel.

During our three trips with Untours, the only times that we met with other participants were during a first-day briefing, the goodbye dinner and an optional group activity we opted to take. Other than that, we were on our own. 

Our accommodations included an apartment at a vineyard and comfortable lodging on a farm. We had use of either a rental car or public transportation passes. An on-site representative was available to answer questions, offer suggestions and provide additional assistance that we might request.

In an effort to attract clients, some group travel companies have been offering discounts on 2021 trips. For example, G Adventures offers discounts of up to 15 percent off the price of dozens of tour options.

Finally, Travel Stride is a definitive source of information about, and bookings with, travel companies that offer more than 30,000 guided trips, adventure packages and river cruises. Anyone may use the site, and members can receive a cash bonus of up to $600 per trip.

Ready to get traveling again? Your perfect group tour awaits!