News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Richards, Mango Travel, (612) 205-6417, info@travelmango.net
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR LEADS ADVENTURE SEEKERS
THROUGH COSTA RICA AND BEYOND
Mango Travel’ goal is simple: to expand travelers’ horizons with group adventure trips to Costa Rica and beyond, emphasizing adventure, local culture,
and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.
MINNEAPOLIS (March 1, 2007) – Priding itself on offering exciting, unique, culturally engaging, affordable and responsible travel opportunities, Mango Travel is embarking onto the Central American adventure travel scene. This fledgling business promises to offer many different trip styles to Costa Rica for people of all ages and backgrounds. You don’t even need to speak Spanish to join in the fun!
Joe Richards, owner of Mango Travel, decided he was not going to wait for middle age to start the business of his dreams: an adventure travel company to Costa Rica and beyond. Richards, a Minneapolis native and graduate of the University of Minnesota, currently works at Century College in White Bear Lake and has teamed with a native Costa Rican coworker to lead group adventures over the last two summers.
What makes Mango Travel stand out is its commitments to providing an authentic cultural experience, group camaraderie, and all-out youthful fun, regardless of age. Mango Travel takes pride in balancing cultural experiences with the more popular tourist destinations Costa Rica is known for. Richards spent last summer getting to know many of the nooks and crannies of the country, networking with Costa Rican business owners and community organizations, and discovering new adventure opportunities that are “off-the-beaten-path.” The result is truly a one-of-a-kind experience for travelers.
What is a typical Orosi Adventure? Travelers opting for the Costa Rica Mix itinerary, for example, spend ten days in the area visiting many of the destinations that make Costa Rica a popular tourist option, such as the rainforest, hot springs, volcanoes, and beaches. These are then balanced with excursions through San Jose, as well as traditional Costa Rican meals and other cultural experiences. “I’ll bring people to the most visited destination in Central America (Manuel Antonio beach), and from there we’ll have a day trip to a little Costa Rican tilapia farm for the day to ride horses, fish, swim, and play soccer. Then the next evening I’ll see who wants to go fishing with the gardener at our hotel and me,” says Richards. Trips begin in August, starting at $995 for 10 days.
Most trips are between one and two weeks in length and groups are small and personal in size, usually no more than fifteen people. While most travelers with Mango Travel have a youthful energy, adventurers of all ages are welcome. The group leaders spend time facilitating engagement between the participants, and encouraging an active, social, and strong bonding experience. A unique touch is the pre and post departure parties to break the ice beforehand and relive the memories afterwards. Says Richards, “People don’t just get a vacation, they get an experience of a lifetime as well.”
Mango Travel promises more trips in the future, spanning more of Central America and beyond. These include seven different trip styles including options for learning Spanish in a local school, living with a home stay family, and a “Tropical Studies” trip with emphasis on the biodiversity of the region. There are even plans for a future spring break trip to Panama. Mango Travel also encourages interested parties to organize their own groups.
The best part of these trips is their heavy emphasis on adventure and fun while also being a learning experience. Sure, the thrill of successful cultural immersion for the first time may be different than the thrill of swinging through a tropical canopy attached to a strong cable, but they are both an adventure!
For more information on Mango Travel, log on to Mango Travel.com or call Joe Richards at (612) 205-641bsp;
###