Exito Travel Official Blog !

The newest destinations offered by COPA airlines from it’s hub at Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, Panama bring the total number of destinations served by COPA in 2008 to a total of 45 destinations. Service to Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago began earlier this year, and the service to Belo Horizonte, Brazil; Aruba; Valencia, Venezuela and Santa Cruz, Bolivia are scheduled for later this year.

COPA airlines currently serves the following Airports in the United States:

Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Washington DC (Dulles) (IAD), Miami (MIA) and Orlando (MCO).

Connections can be made from any of these cities to any of the 41 destinations served by Copa in Mexico, Central, and South America.

“We continue to grow and strengthen Copa Airlines and Panama as the best connecting point for travel within Latin America,” said Pedro Heilbron, CEO of Copa Airlines. “The new flights will facilitate commercial and business relations between the countries in our region, increase tourism, and foster economic development.”

Many countries in Latin America require a payment at the airport prior to departure. Often times you have to pay this amount in cash (usually either local currency or US Dollars).

Argentina: (Buenos Aires EZE) $18 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight from Argentina.

• El Calafate: $18 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.
• Trelew: $6.05 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.
• Ushuaia: $15 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.

Belize: (Belize City BZE) $20 Paid in cash at the airport prior to departure.

Bolivia: (La Paz LPB) and (Santa Cruz VVI) $16 airport toll plus $25 traveler tax. ($100 USD reciprocal VISA fee now required for US citizens… check before you fly)

Brazil: (Rio de Janeiro GIG) or (Sao Paulo GRU) None (Included in ticket price). Visa required in advance including $100 reciprocal fee for US citizens.

Chile: (Santiago SCL) $100 to be paid in USD, Visa, Master Card or American Express upon arrival at customs. (This is actually a reciprocal Visa fee)

Costa Rica: (San Jose SJO) and (Liberia LIR) $26 to be paid in USD or local currency prior to checking in with the ticketing booth. Costa Rica now accepts credit cards… however a cash advance fee may apply. Use your debit card to avoid the fee.

Ecuador: (Quito UIO) and (Guayaquil GYE)

• Guayaquil: $27.15 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight.n (Cash only)
• Quito: $40.80 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight. (Cash only)
• Shell: $3 to be paid in USD upon checking in for domestic flight to & from Kapawi.
• Galapagos: $10 to be paid in USD for Galapagos Transit Control Card upon checking in for domestic flight to Galapagos. National park fee currently USD 80 per person

Guatemala: (Guatemala City GUA) $30 for international departure, plus $5 per domestic flight, plus $5 fuel surcharge per domestic flight.

Mexico; (Mexico City MEX) Included in ticket price (but over $70… paid when you buy your ticket). The same tax applies to all airports in Mexico

Panama: (Panama City PTY) $20 paid at airport upon departure

Peru: (Lima LIM) $30.25 for international departures, $6.05 for each domestic flight to be paid in USD or local currency after check-in before entering gate area. (cash only)

Uruguay: (Montevideo MVD) $29 to be paid in USD after check-in, before entering gate area.

This information is estimated and is subject to change. Check with the appropriate embassy prior to confirm accuracy prior to departure

Three weeks during the month of October every year the city of Guanajuato, Mexico, plays host to the Festival Internacional Cervantino. This festival is a cultural celebration of the arts, and is one of the most important happenings of its type in the world. Attendees can expect to see first-class theater, dance, music, visual arts, and street performances from not only Mexican artists, but artists from all over the globe as well. Previous acts include: Radiohead, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Nortec Collective, and Cafe Tacuba to name a few.

The city itself sees tens of thousands of visitors during October from all over the world, so many that, when I was there in 2001 any public bench or grassy area was the sleeping space of any enthusiastic Cervantino-goer that did not make lodging arrangements far enough in advance. I almost ended up as one myself, luckily though I had some friends who put me up.

Personally, the street performers were the biggest draw. You will see everything from clowns and mimes to graffiti artists and fire dancers. Throngs gather round to watch these creative geniuses work their crafts. Some even had regular performances in front of the Teatro Juarez where spectators fill the steps that lead to the theater’s entrance.

Getting to Guanajuato for the Cervantino Festival is quite simple. Airfare offered by airlines such as American, Continental, Mexicana, and AeroMexico will get you to Leon(airport code BJX), which is the capitol seat of the state of Guanajuato, then from there the city of Guanajuato is about a 45-minute automobile ride. Be sure to arrange your airfare and lodging well in advance so as not to be one of those literally, left out on the street.

Bonus ! Also check out these pictures from the festival.

Fire Art Pictures
A View of Guanajuato

It’s the same challenge for most groups: How to find a group airfare option that fits the total budget, without having to pay in full right away, or otherwise risk paying more later, as the fare, taxes and/or fuel charges continue to skyrocket?

In the current airfare market, there is an inherent risk of paying more tomorrow for what was quoted today. Even when a “guaranteed” group rate is available, this guarantee typically applies only the base fare, and not to taxes, or the ever-increasing fuel surcharges, which can be as much as $300 per ticket. A group fare booked today can end up being hundreds higher by the time the group is ready to issue tickets.

There is a refreshing exception. Exito group specialists can now offer a guaranteed rate on select group fares INCLUDING taxes and fees. Book today with a deposit, and lock in todays total price, even if the final purchase is months away. While other group bookings fluctuate from rising fuel costs and annual tax adjustments, Exito’s qualifying group rates stay put, allowing groups the chance of actually staying within a set budget.

Here’s how it works:

1. Contact an Exito Group Specialist and request a quote for a group flight, specifying an interest in a guaranteed total rate. Phone: 800 655 4054 . *Minimum group size is 10 people, traveling on an identical itinerary*

2. Once a suitable itinerary is confirmed for the group, pay a standard group deposit, up to $100 per seat, to lock in the space and the price for the group. Deposits are either refunded or applied to the purchase price, provided the group abides by the airlines stated cancellation and minimum utilization policy. Note: Flights departing within 90 days may have special deposit and payment requirements.

3. Provide all passenger names and payment by the airline’s quoted deadline; typically 30-60 days prior to departure. *No surprise fees or extra taxes will be charged on qualifying fares, according to the initial quote*

This option is available to groups of at least 10 people traveling together, on select airlines, subject to availability of group space and according to specific airline policies, which are subject to change. Round trip travel must originate in the US, and include select destinations in:

Mexico - Guatemala - Costa Rica- Honduras - Belize - El Salvador
Nicaragua - Ecuador - Peru- Venezuela - Chile - Argentina - Brazil - Colombia

Contact an Exito Group Airfare Specialist for further details and to find your guaranteed group fare, now.

Phone: 800 655 4054

Email: groups@exitotravel.com

Beginning July 1^st, 2008, TACA Airlines will begin offering daily flights between it’s hub in San Salvador, El Salvador and Panama City, Panama. This flight makes it possible for passengers from a variety of cities throughout North America to travel to Panama City, Panama with a seamless connection at TACA’s hub in San Salvador, El Salvador. TACA offers nonstop service to San Salvador, El Salvador from New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Oakland, Miami and Chicago which now allows a quick connection to Panama City via San Salvador International Airport.

TACA continues to offer service to Panama City, Panama via it’s hub at Juan Santamaría airport in San Jose, Costa Rica. Previously many passengers needed to make a double connection in El Salvador as well as San Jose in order to reach Panama City. This new flight makes it possible to reach Panama City with a single connection from virtually any city served by TACA in North America.

After the Tragic accident on May 30, 2008 at Toncontín International Airport (MHTG) in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, TACA has reestablished flight service to/from Tegucigalpa trough San Pedro Sula, Honduras with 42-seat ATR type aircraft, The ATR 42 is a twin-turboprop short-haul regional airline built in France and Italy by the company known as ATR. The name “42″ comes from the aircraft’s seating, which varies from 40 to 50

All tickets purchased after June 1st for travel to/from Tegucigalpa on TACA will fly via San Pedro Sula, Honduras on TACA’s ATR service.

Beginning this July 22nd, LAN Airlines (Formerly known as LAN Chile) will begin offering service from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the city of Neuquén, Argentina. The service will be offered twice daily Monday through Friday and one flight per day on weekends.

Neuquén is the capital city of the Argentine Province of Neuquén. It is located on the eastern side of the province, at the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers. The city has a population of more than 265,000, making it the largest city in Patagonia. This will be LAN’s 11th domestic destination served in Argentina.

LAN now serves the following cities in Argentina:

• Salta
• Iguazu
• Cordoba
• Mendoza
• Bariloche
• Neuquen
• Comodoro Rivadavia
• Puerto Madryn
• Calafate
• Ushuaia

It’s no secret that airlines are scrambling to cover costs this year. One of the most noticeable tactics to that end is the addition, and continual increase, of fuel surcharges. What may be less obvious is that airlines are also reducing the the number of low-fare seats available on any given flight. The result: Low fares still exist but are generally not as low as before, and, will be sold on a limited, first-come, first purchase basis.

What does this mean for your group? It might take some specific strategies to obtain the best group airfare deal. Here are some tips:

• Reserve in advance, up to 9 months in advance, and be ready to pay a deposit for every seat. Most airlines expect groups to be organized and confirmed to travel at least 3 months prior to departure. Anything later is considered “last minute”, and can result in fewer options, higher fares, and expedited payment deadlines.

• Simplify. With a limited supply of cheap seats, airlines will not double book, or otherwise offer multiple quotes for the same group. Focus your search by designating one group leader to work with one Latin America group specialist, who will negotiate the best group fare with each airline

• Consider paying in full, way ahead of time. Although the base fare on most group bookings is locked in with a deposit, fuel surcharges and taxes typically continue to rise, and will be calculated on the final purchase date. With rare exception, only paying in full will guarantee the total price.

• Reserve only the number of seats needed, ideally within at 10% margin. If an airline has, say, 20 seats available at the lowest fare, requesting 30 seats can result in a higher quote for everyone in the group.

• Be flexible. Consider traveling during off-peak travel dates, or be ready to pay a premium.

• For larger groups, consider spreading the group onto separate flights on the same dates, when a reasonable option is available.

For more details about group airfare visit http://www.exitotravel.com/flights/group_flights.htm or contact an Exito Travel Group Specialist at 800 655 4054.

One of the most exciting things about contemplating a trip to Latin America is discovering the diversity of sustainable travel options. Staying in a remote “ecolodge” in Costa Rica or Ecuador, joining a cultural heritage tour in Peru, or enrolling in a Spanish immersion course in Guatemala are popular travel options that ideally benefit the local community and conserve its resources. There are ever increasing ways to enjoy connecting with a new culture, while striving to minimize the negative impacts of tourism.

Some people go a leap further by having a true “hands on” approach, choosing to focus firmly on service over sightseeing. Participants travel as a group to volunteer their skills for projects aimed at directly improving the lives of others, a.k.a. “mission trips”. Some example of groups recently booked with Exito include:

Burners Without Borders: Aiding in reconstruction efforts in Peru, after last year’s 8.0 earthquake.

Centura Medical Missions : Medical teams aiding health care facilities in Peru and Nepal

Nova University : Dentistry mission to northeastern Brazil

And, there is everything in between. A whole branch of the travel industry, aptly named “VolunTourism“, serves the increasing number of people who want to combine travel with some amount of volunteer or research work. A variety of travel companies and non-profit organizations endeavor to play the role of matchmaker, carefully putting well-intentioned people together with current projects. A couple of interesting examples:

Earthwatch puts volunteers to work “in the field”, collecting data for ongoing conservation studies focusing on anything from climate change to loss of habitat to lost civilizations. Volunteers who might find the idea of viewing wildlife “up close” in a place like Brazil exciting already, are invited through participation to gain a deeper understanding of the subject at hand, and about key conservations issues. Programs are designed to encourage researchers to apply what they learn back home.

Cultural Embrace provides guidance and placement services for groups and individuals engaging in a variety of volunteer activities, in and beyond Latin America. Volunteers choose from working in an orphanage or school, to taking part in wildlife conservation or construction projects. In many cases language immersion courses and a bit of sightseeing are either already included or can be added to the itinerary as a way of rounding out the ideal volunteer-travel “package”.

A recent Careerbuilder.com survey found that 25% of Americans plan to do some amount of work while on vacation, implying an expectation to stay connected to the job at home. Choosing to dedicate time and energy to a local project could result in a refreshing change of habit, a way to stay engaged with the “here and now” of the destination; ideally leaving the place, and the traveler, in better condition than they were before.

As part of Delta’s ongoing expansion into Latin America, Delta Airlines has announced new service from New York (JFK) Airport to Bogota Colombia.  The service will begin August 19, 2008.  The US Department of Transportation officially approved the new service to Bogota.  This will complement Delta’s current serice from Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.  Connection service is available to Bogota on Delta through either gateway.

The service will begin August 19th.