PajMon Information Blog

Posts Tagged ‘beaches’

[I:http://www.pajmon.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/VictorCKrumm5.jpg]

If you were asked to pick the place with the highest satisfaction of life and happiness, where would you choose? Hint: Disneyworld which claims to be the “happiest place on earth” did not make the finals (or the list for that matter). It is officially tiny Costa Rica, winner of the Happy Planet Index as the most satisfying place to live on the planet.

The Index measures three factors in 143 countries, encompassing 99 percent of the population on the planet: high life expectancy, high life satisfaction, and a low ecological footprint. Costa Rica came out on top by a large margin.

The Happy Planet Index asked: 1. What is a person’s life expectancy ( premise: it is better to live longer than die young)? 2. While alive, how satisfied are people with the quality of their life (premise: living longer but miserably is not very satisfying)? 3. How much does a country cost the planet (premise: sustainable development is better than exhausting resources and has less effect on global warming) ?

Most folks probably think the wealthiest nations will rank at the top of the list but they would be surprised. The richest, most developed nations fall somewhere in the middle of the Index. The highest-ranking Western nation is the Netherlands – 43rd out of 143. The United Kingdom places 74th and the United States is a long way back in 114th place.

There is a very dramatic difference between Costa Rica and the United States. Costa Ricans live slightly longer than Americans (and have universal, almost free coverage), report substantially higher levels of satisfaction with their life, and yet make a per capita carbon footprint 75% less than the States.

Costa Rica reached the top of the rankings for many reasons. The country does not just talk about sustainable development, it is committed to it. While the developed world and rising powers of China and India rely upon nonrenewable resources (think oil) for power while contributing to serious global pollution and global warming, an incredible 99% of Costa Rica’s energy is completely renewable and sustainable. As the States and other developed countries dither about how to address power needs, chase more and more resources to use up, and argue about the challenges of global warming, tiny Costa Rica has been taking action. Even as more and more of the world is being deforested, there are 20% more forested areas in Costa Rica than just 20 years ago. And, though there may be large oil deposits off its shores, the country has ignored its Siren Song and refuses to allow oil drilling. Also, it is the first, and so far the only, country to commit to being completely carbon neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica’s per capita income is only about $11,000, but it is the #1 place in the world for life satisfaction. Other countries can endlessly debate all the ways things cannot be done or rethink their model.

Now is the time of year to get to your local travel pro and start planning that summer time tropical getaway. I’ve made plenty of such trips, and here is some quick advice for those of you looking to get to warmer latitudes this year!

Best Month To Travel

I’d say this one tops the list in importance. I say that because I have had many trips ruined by weather and now days, I do my best to avoid the rainy season. You also might think about going to the Caribbean during the winter, but do keep in mind that even way down there, it can get cold in the evenings, and this may spoil some of your romantic fun. The key is to ask someone who has been to your destination at certain times of the year and get their take on how the weather effected their stay.

Where To Go and What To Pay

If you are not a big world traveler, you may find that most places in the Caribbean are very similar in looks and service, but much different in pricing. As an example, a trip to Cancun Mexico will offer you world class powdery sand beaches and crystal blue waters for a price 30% less than a similar vacation to the Cayman Islands.

You may also look at emerging destinations like Punta Cana that are offering great prices as a way to bolster popularity. Once again, a travel agent is your best bet here, and you should consult several in order to get a clear representation.

Accommodations

The popularity of the “all inclusive” resort has hit an all time high, and for good reason. Going all inclusive means you can pay one price and just go enjoy yourself. There is nothing better than being able to kick back, eat and drink all you want and live in paradise for a week. Just be sure you look at the ratings on the resort before booking to ensure they hae good food and service.

Stay Away From The Local Water

I know you have heard to never drink the water in Mexico, but really you should apply that advice to anywhere you go outside of the United States. You just don’t want to take a chance on ruining your vacation with bowel problems. Just find bottled water and you are all good.

At the end of the day, your main purpose should be to have fun. Just go to paradise and let loose! The good news is that once you try one place, there are still dozens more left to try next year!

I’ve never been much of a big spender in any aspect of my life and it goes the same for when I go on holidays.  In fact, you could almost say that cheap holidays are the only type of vacation I take.  Sometimes I am criticized about the way I pick the place I go on holidays, but it is just the way I am.

Over the last couple of years, our holiday destination of choice has been Icmeler Turkey.  Part of the reason for this is due to the fact that every year it seems very easy to get cheap flights to Turkey.  Not to mention that Icmeler is one of the nicest places that I’ve ever gone and it seems that most people don’t even know about it.

So, if you are planning a holiday and need a place to go, consider giving Turkey a try.  With its nice beaches, wonderful people and quiet relaxed atmosphere, it is definitely the place to go.