Honor an Essential Person in Your Life by Nominating Them for a Costa Rica Getaway — Here's How

While the 7 p.m. applause for frontline workers in New York City has waned and gratitude signage is growing less prominent on suburban front yards, essential workers are sacrificing more than ever, as the country reached more than 200,000 daily coronavirus cases for the first time on Friday, USA Today reported.

The Costa Rica Tourism Board is reminding us of what really matters in this challenging year with the Who Is Essential to You contest, in which it is giving away 15 seven-day trips for two in 2021 to the Central American country, whose borders have been open since Nov. 1.

"If the last year has taught us anything, it's how to appreciate the simpler moments we may have overlooked before: spending meaningful time with our loved ones, being out in nature, practicing self-care, and giving thanks to the heroes in our lives," the site says. "Costa Rica is a place that enlightens us to what is truly essential in life."

The tourism board is inviting U.S. and Canadian residents (excluding those in Quebec) who are 18 or older to nominate anyone they consider essential to accompany them on a seven-day trip, which includes round-trip airfare to Costa Rica, six nights in a double-occupancy hotel room, ground transportation, a $200 meal voucher, and travel insurance that covers coronavirus-related issues.

Those considered essential can range from parents and teachers to any kind of heroes who have been truly meaningful in your life.

Applicants can submit a story of why their nominee deserves to win one of the vacation packages now through Jan. 31, 2021 at 11:59 ET. Winners will be notified the week of Feb. 8, 2021.

Earlier this year, Karisma Hotels & Resorts also invited people to nominate deserving frontline workers for luxury vacations, and RV company Outdoorsy accepted nominations to give away free road trips. Meanwhile, El Monte RV is currently seeking nominations for healthcare workers for a seven-day vacation.