FYI: To learn more about our favorite innovations in the world of senior tech, read our guide to this year’s most exciting technology for seniors.
Beeyonder Review: Virtual Tours for Seniors
|
February 23, 2023
The Senior List is compensated when you click on the provider links listed on this page. This compensation does not impact our ratings or reviews. Click here to learn more about our editorial review process and click here to learn more about how we are compensated.
Even before the pandemic, many seniors had options for world travel limited by health or finances. Beeyonder bridges this gap by offering virtual tours in locations throughout the world. Most notably, Beeyonder will even match the user with a local guide, giving its tours a level of personalization not seen with any other service.
FYI: To learn more about our favorite innovations in the world of senior tech, read our guide to this year’s most exciting technology for seniors.
Beeyonder was founded in Boston in 2020, just as the pandemic forced the world to shut down. Founder Brittany Palmer wanted to help people who missed traveling or couldn’t do it at all, especially those with disabilities or travel-inhibiting health problems.
Today, Beeyonder offers more than 300 experiences in 47 countries, all accessible by subscription or individual purchase. Its subscription-based Passport Club offers full access to the service, and Beeyonder also offers partnerships with organizations such as retirement homes.
With the Passport Club, groups of up to 50 can take a single tour for $70 per month or 12 tours for $660 per month. Individual plans allowing two guests per screen go from $25 for one tour to $300 per month for 12 tours.
Private tours range from $250 for groups of 15 to $700 for 100 people. Free sites such as YouTube do not offer live, guided tours; videos are usually not longer than 30 minutes, and the tours are conducted by a brand like National Geographic.
Despite their virtual nature, Beeyonder’s virtual tours are immersive, educational and, most importantly, fun. Through the website, we bought a single group walking tour of one of Costa Rica’s famous coffee fields with Alejandro, a licensed tour guide and naturalist.
The two-way communication of Zoom allowed Alejandro to introduce himself before the tour began and answer our questions as it progressed. His knowledge of the farming process and its origins in Costa Rica’s indigenous culture made the tour feel like a special insight, in addition to the amazing views of the countryside.
Beeyonder tours are booked via its virtual website. Once you create a free account, you are able to view the current month’s tours, both live and prerecorded. Events happen on specific dates and times, so make sure to book around your schedule! After choosing your tour, pay with a credit card to book your spot, and you will receive a Zoom link. When your tour date comes up, simply click the Zoom link at the right time and enjoy your experience.
If your health or finances prevent you from getting out of the house as much as you’d like, Beeyonder tours are a good option for far-flung adventures. The live aspect of the tours makes them much more personable and interesting, but there are limits to the monthly curation. That, and the monthly price of over $100 for multiple trips may give people pause. Still, the experiences themselves are unique and always offer stunning views. People curious about Beeyonder should try a single tour before signing up for a subscription.
To learn more about our favorite tech for seniors, read our helpful guides and reviews:
Beeyonder offers a Senior Passport Club that comes with discounted pricing of $25 per person or $70 per tour. Users can book private tours for a higher price.
Beeyonder currently lists 60 countries on its experiences tab, from famous destinations like the Venice canals to riding a balloon over Luxor, Egypt.
