1. Arenal’s New Luxury Highs
There is now more room at the inn since award-winning, five-star Nayara Hotel & Gardens, located in Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park, connects by pedestrian bridge above a rainforest ravine to its sister resort Nayara Springs, and its adults-only new villas, each featuring a private plunge pool fed by mineral hot springs, complimentary mini-bar and laundry, private host, and exclusive tours and spa treatments. The expansion also includes a new yoga pavilion, new gym and pool with swim-up bar. What all Nayara guests can look forward to is a newly opened Sloth Sanctuary, treetop homes to 15 sloths, as well incredible dining at Altamira Restaurant. On the special offers menu for Nayara Springs this season there’s a delicious culinary experience package that includes complimentary a la carte dinner (as well buffet breakfast) at an average of $523 per night for two people. Then consider the offering 35% off Best Available Nightly Rate for a luxury Springs Villa that includes complimentary breakfast; the average price per night for two people will be $488. nayarasprings.com
2. Crater Lake Comforts
Location! Location! Location! Settle in for a couple of nights at Nicaragua’s new Pacaya Lodge & Spa, beautifully positioned hilltop overlooking a crater lake in the Laguna de Apoyo Lagoon Natural Reserve. Pacaya, located about 20 minutes from Granada, offers 26 modern, sleek, arts-accented rooms, occupying the main lodge and eight casitas, all with crater-lake views and broad balconies with hammocks. Paths weave through the resort connecting rooms and suites to the Restaurante Guardabarranco, to a pool-with-a-panorama and to the spa. Welcoming local employees know how to show off their home with fine service and nonstop delicious dining. Take the complimentary shuttle down to swim and paddle in the Apoyo Lagoon, and do explore: taxi by tuck-tuck into the nearby Pueblos Blancos (White Towns), known for arts and handicrafts, and book an early evening out to gape into the crater of Masaya Volcano. Rates start at $144. pacayalodge.com
3. Two for the Road
Via two new 8-day tours, Latin American Escapes is making it easy, adventurous and fascinating for clients to get to know El Salvador. On the 8-day El Salvador Discovery, the focus is on history, culture and scenic beauty, starring archaeological stops such as Joya de Ceren and Tazumal; a night along the Route of the Flowers; and three nights in colonial Suchitoto, with day excursions to the artisan town of La Palma and to Morzapan to travel the “Peace Route.” Or consider the 8-day El Salvador Adventure, including hiking the crater of Ilamatepec Volcano, archaeological touring, kayaking on Lake Suchitoto, and ziplining through the canopy. Discovery tour is from $1,295 pp sharing; Adventure is from $1,075 pp sharing. latinamericanescapes.com
4. Private Island Getaway
Fly fisherman, scuba divers, snorkelers and the just-relaxing set will be delighted to know that Belize’s private-island Turneffe Island Resort has had a resort-wide relaunch. Spread across 14 acres, this private island hidden gem—35 miles off the cost of Belize City—is known as a place to chase the elusive “Caribbean Grand Slam,” catching bonefish, tarpon and permit all in one day, as well as trips to one of the deepest dives in the world, the Great Blue Hole. Completely upgraded are its exclusive 22 beachside guestrooms, including the luxury secluded presidential and honeymoon villas. Enhanced are the three original buildings, with guest facilities that include an outdoor bar and pool, as well as a helicopter pad. Newly revamped are the resort’s 3-, 4- and 7-night packages, customized for fishing, diving, snorkeling, relaxation or combos of these. turnefferesort.com
5. Teeing Off
There’s a new destination on the radar of golfers: Gary Player’s 18-hole golf course at the Indura Beach & Golf Resort, sitting on the north coast of Honduras along a 26-mile stretch of Tela Bay. Last March, the resort hosted the Honduras Open, a new stop on the PGA Latin America circuit. The course, which spreads across 1,800 acres, embracing beaches, lagoons and tropical wetland vegetation, is managed by global leader Troon Golf. Guests staying at Indura, a member of Hilton’s Curio Collection, are accommodated in 60 suites, tucked into 15 villas; those beachfront come with concierge services. In addition to great golf, amenities include a pool and world-class spa. Double room rates start at $140. induraresort.com
6. Ocean to Ocean
Panama’s new and wider Canal was opened in June 2016, tailored to accommodate the more gigantic cargo and passenger ships of today and tomorrow. Ancon Expeditions salutes the Canal’s new milestone in history and humanity with its 8-day The Panama Expansion tour, a special program taking clients to the most important and influential areas related to this man-made wonder. The trip starts with a dugout canoe journey on the Chagres River to spend time with the Embera indigenous community; then it’s onward for birdwatching along the famous Pipeline Road in Soberania National Park and along Gatun Lake. From there, clients travel to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Portobelo and the Agua Clara Locks on the Atlantic (the Canal expansion); visit San Lorenzo Castle and ride the Canal Railway. The final days are spent getting to know Panama City and the Canal Zone, then by boat, making the journey ocean-to-ocean through the locks during a Panama Canal transit. All meals and top hotels are never far from the Canal and the surrounding Canal Zone tropical forests are included in the tour cost of $2,150. anconexpeditions.com
