Private Excursions at Titilaka

Private Excursions at Titilaka

When Titilaka first opened in 2008, it immediately provided visitors to Lake Titicaca with a more authentic and immersive way to experience the second most visited site in Peru. Rather than joining the masses in Puno on contrived and cheaply operated boat trips to the Uros Islands, Titilaka's location gives guests direct exposure to the surrounding local communities and by proxy, keener insight into their culture and traditions which date back thousands of years. 

Titilaka Boathouse with all of the toys. Instructors are on hand to help guests learn the ropes of various craft.

But Ignacio Masias, owner of Titilaka, and his team don't like to rest on their laurels. They are constantly inventing experiences that are unique, tasteful, have a positive impact on the local community and allow guests a high degree of personalization and flexibility.  A few years ago they debuted the Titilaka Boathouse, home to a fleet of kayaks, canoes, paddle boards and sunfish sailboats that guests can use to explore the lake at their leisure. More recently they worked with a few families on Taquile Island to develop an elevated lunch experience on the popular "Islands of Lake Titicaca" day tour that was a better complement to the dining guests experience at Titilaka.  And in 2018,  Titilaka debuted "private excursions", giving guests the ultimate ability to design their Lake Titicaca experience with their own private guide. 

Biking, lunch and views - just for two with the Titilaka Private Excursions option

The private Titilaka Experience includes a designated guide, vehicle or boat for a group of up to 6 travelers.   For questions or more information, please contact reservations@titilaka.pe or Enrique Petit at  enrique@aeco.pe .

Private weaving demonstration on Amantani Island. In contrast to nearby Taquile, where men do the weaving, women are head of the communities and handle to weaving on Amantani.

Ten Reasons to Choose Kurà Design Villas

Ten Reasons to Choose Kurà Design Villas

In June 2018, Kurà Design Villas joined Virtuoso, becoming the first designer boutique hotel within Costa Rica to join the Virtuoso Consortium.   We know that your Virtuoso travelers will love the adults-only experience on this property, but the location in Uvita always elicits questions. Specifically, why would I go to Uvita (and where is it) and what is there to do at Kurà?  Following are just 10 of the reasons to choose Kurà Design Villas for your clients.

1.) Because of These Views

Kurà is situated above Uvita on Costa Rica's Southern Pacific Coast, overlooking Marino Ballena National Park below.  When the tide retreats, a huge sand bar in the shape of a whale's tail is revealed. Fittingly, this waters surrounding the whale's tail offer some of the best Humpback whale watching on the planet.

2.) Whales Galore

People always think of Alaska, Baja and Antarctica when it comes to whales, but Costa Rica and Marino Ballena National Park in particular offers the longest Humpback whale watching season in the world.  For 8 months out of the year, both Southern hemisphere humpbacks traveling from Antarctica and Northern hemisphere humpbacks traveling from Alaska frequent this segment of Costa Rica's Pacific coast where they mate, give birth and raise their calves. The best time to visit for whale-watching is mid-July to October and December to March. Dolphins, orcas and sea turtles are also visible here year round. 

3.) Because You Love Design That is Clean, Beautiful and Sustainable  

Costa Rica has a plethora of hotels with ocean views and beautiful rooms, but there is nothing like Kurà.  The passion project of biologist Alejandra Umaña and architect Martin Wells, both Costa Rican, Kurà is a locally owned property that was crafted from local and sustainable materials and operates with minimal environmental impact. Design elements are modern and minimalist (instead of cluttered and palm thatched) and immerse guests the nature surrounding them through the floor to ceiling glass walls.  The hotel operates almost entirely "off the grid"; solar panels provide electricity and heat, water is sourced from a nearby spring (and then recycled for garden needs) and a greenhouse supplies produce and herbs for the kitchen. 

4.) Experience the Wild Osa Peninsula - For the Day

For those who want to sample the wild & pristine rainforests of the Osa Peninsula & Corcovado National Park by day, but return to a world of pampering and creature comforts at night, Kurà is for you. The Osa Peninsula has been hailed as one of the "most biologically intense place on the planet" by National Geographic, and accounts for an astounding 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity in just 0.001% of its surface area. 

Guests at Kurà can either travel by boat (1.5 hours) as part of a small group to the San Pedrillo Ranger station for a day of hiking along an array of the Corcovado's trails or charter a small plane or helicopter to explore the park with a private guide. Either way you're sure to see some of Corcovado's legendary wildlife - macaws, sloths, tapirs, all four species of monkey and more!

(For travelers who want more rainforest immersion, send them to Lapa Rios or combine Lapa Rios with Kura for the best of southern Costa Rica.) 

5.) Because The Pool is Super Cool

Where else can you perch on submerged benches to gather around a "bonfire" that is floating on top of the water, listen to your favorite tunes while you swim laps underwater or lose track of the separation between the ocean and the sky? Kurà's infinity pool (chemical free and designed by Wells) is both out of this world and totally instagrammable.

6.) No Kids Allowed

Whether you are leaving the kids at home to rediscover and reconnect on a romantic trip with just your partner, or because you elected to not have children and don't want to spend your vacation being surrounded by them. Even adults need their own clubhouse, and at Kurà, the only rule is No Kids Allowed. (Unless of course you do a private takeover of the entire hotel. Then they'll let you write your own rules.)  

Does anyone actually hang out like this?

Silvia Solis - General Manager at Kura

7.) Staff Who Makes You Feel at Home

From salsa dancing siblings (three siblings from the Leiva family) to sweet Lalo who carefully shuttles guests between Kurà and the beaches of Uvita, Kurà employs nearly 40 staff directly from the local community.  They are a tight knit group, and when you stay at Kurà, you're part of the family.  Expect friendly and anticipatory service, strong and delicious drinks delivered poolside, insight into Costa Rican customs and indigenous culture and plenty of sincere pura vidas!  You'll may initially go for Kurà's views and style but you'll return for the staff. 

(Kurà Design Villas and all of the hotels within the Cayuga Collection recently collected a prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Award in the People Category, an honor that recognizes outstanding achievement in sustainable hospitality. It's an extremely tough award to win...within our portfolio of hotels, only Inkaterra has one as well.) 

8.) Daily Beach Access is a Breeze

While Kurà isn't a beachfront property, they do offer daily complimentary shuttle service to the wild and un-manicured beaches of Marino Ballena National Park. Rent a board in Uvita and surf the easier beach breaks, walk out to the tip of the Whale's Tail formation at low tide or scan the ocean for surfacing cetaceans. Just don't expect lounge chairs and beach service - this is a National Park and feels more like the set for 'Castaway' than a Sandals resort. 

Remote beaches revealed at the Whale's Tail during low tide

9.) Because you Can Go Birding From Bed. 

Or practice your Spanish. Learn about the native Boruca indigenous group, carvers of the gigantic wooden masks that adorn Kurà's walls and Diablitos Bar. Try your hand at preparing ceviche, craft cocktails and patacones. Take a yoga class.  Or relax and enjoy a deep tissue massage at Spa Shà...all without leaving Kurà. 

And if you do want to head out and explore your surroundings, the staff is happy to arrange a multitude of vetted excursions with local guides.  Check out the Tour Book to learn more about what is available in the area. 

Discover the canopy and its winged occupants right outside your bedroom with bedside field guides and high quality binoculars.

10.) Because You Don't Even Need to Leave Your Room to Have Fun

Huge double showers with 'creative' lighting features. Hammocks built for two. Seclusion and privacy. Kurà Design Villas was made for romance. Use your imagination... 

For 2018-2019 Virtuoso Exclusive Amenities at Kurà include:

• Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

• Daily a la carte breakfast for two

• One complimentary 3-course lunch or dinner for two people, excluding alcohol, tax and gratuituy

• Poolside "Mini Massages" (20 minutes) for two people

• Early check-in and late check-out, subject to availability

To include Kurà in your clients' next trip to Costa Rica, work with the hotel directly at reservations@kuracostarica.com or contact your preferred On-Site or Tour Operator and let them know that you are a Virtuoso agent. 

Updates & Enhancements at Arenas Del Mar

Updates & Enhancements at Arenas Del Mar

Arenas Del Mar, the only luxury beachfront resort in Manuel Antonio, celebrated ten years in
November 2017. To commemorate a decade of creating exceptional holiday memories in one
of Costa Rica’s most sought after destinations, the resort further elevated the guest experience
with refurbishments and improvements both small and large. Read on for a complete review of
what’s new and not-to-miss the next time you book Arenas Del Mar for your clients.

El Mirador Lobby & Lounge

The Mirador Lobby and Lounge has a whole new look. Teak replaced bamboo in the public spaces, creating an open-concept floor plan that is lighter and brighter, with more areas carved out for relaxing and lounging. There’s also a new tienda highlighting locally made products and a welcoming Concierge Desk where the dedicated team is at the ready to arrange tours in and around Manuel Antonio or confirm dinner reservations.

In the lounge, you’ll find a fully redesigned bar where friendly bartenders will mix your
favorite cocktails, or encourage you to step behind the counter and master the art of mixology
for yourself. Within view of the bar is a glassed-in entertainment room, perfect for weekly screenings of kid-friendly movies, or reserving for private events such as a family-reunion screening or a small meeting.

The pool overlooking Manuel Antonio National Park has been expanded, with an infinity edge
and comfortable teak loungers across the deck for more refined relaxation. And while it may appear that traditional palm thatch still makes up the roof of El Mirador, look closer and you’ll see that this palm-frond look-alike is actually a recycled plastic material. Manufactured by Palmex, a Canadian company that repurposes the plastic used in fruit shipments, this plastic roofing does not contribute to deforestation, is fully recyclable, lasts 20 years and doesn’t break down or attract bugs like traditional palm thatch. 

Swanky teak loungers...

And sustainable recycled Palmex thatching.

Restaurants and Menus Revamped

El Mirador, the fine-dining option with views over Playa Espadilla and Manual Antonio, has reopened with a new menu, a rotating true catch-of-the-day selection courtesy of the Dock to Dish program and a continually evolving list of International Guest Chefs. This culinary program invites top talent from around the world to come to Arenas Del Mar, use their imaginations and put their hallmark twists on local Costa Rican ingredients. Past participants include Tory McPhail & Juan Carlos Gonzalez (Commander’s Palace), Chip Roman (Blackfish), and Jennifer Carrol (Requin & Bravo’s Top Chef Season 6 Finalist) among others.

Chef Pablo Bonilla recently visited Arenas del Mar to highlight the gastronomy of Costa Rica's indigenous Bribrí, Cabécar and Boruca tribes

Beachfront dining continues at Playitas, which has introduced themed dining evenings such as “Costa Rican Street Food” or Beach BBQ for a greater variety of casual and kid-friendly options that will still please foodie parents. A revamped regular menu is also in the works and will be released soon.

 

Room Soft Refurbishments

All Ocean View & Ocean Breeze Superior Guest Rooms and Suites now have teak furniture inside and on decks – the darker wicker and bamboo is gone. A complimentary mini-bar stocked daily with assorted typical “Tico Snacks” as well as local beverages is standard, and thankfully close at hand when a sudden 'snack attack' happens after a day of swimming and playing on the beach. 

While all rooms are fully air-conditioned, guests can fall asleep to the sound of waves lapping the shore; sliding screen doors feature interior locks to allow the breeze in but keep the rainforest critters out. In the Suite Categories, living rooms adjacent now feature trundle beds in lieu of pull out sofa beds. This means that two children can comfortably sleep on separate mattresses in the living room while adults can share a king bed. Remember, kids 11 and under are FOC when sharing a suite with adults.  Throughout 2018, Arenas Del Mar will continue to update their rooms. Plans include replacing veranda railings with ‘infinity glass’ and installing new bathroom fixtures.

Activities & Wellness

Manuel Antonio is adventure central on Costa Rica's Pacific coast and Arenas Del Mar provides
more in-house activities than anywhere else. New kid-friendly programs are implemented weekly, including movie nights, mask painting, themed food evenings, beachfront soccer and volleyball games, trivia and other interactive experiences led by the amazing staff, giving parents a quick break to enjoy a quiet cocktail or meal together.

Arenas Del Mar recently debuted their new Surf and SUP school. Two enthusiastic instructors
from the local community teach surfing basics on soft and sandy Espadilla Beach where guests have access to a whole fleet of new soft top boards in a variety of sizes.  Book a private lesson or learn with a small group in the gentle waves on this sandy and soft stretch of beach. Kayak and snorkeling tours, led by in-house naturalist guides are also under developments and will debut soon.

Lastly, weekly yoga and fitness classes are now available on a complimentary basis. Join one of the on-site instructors for a morning cardio burn on the beach or stretch it out next to El Mirador Pool. Complimentary Group Yoga is offered 5x/week during peak season and 3x/week during the Green Season. Private instruction is always available for an additional fee.  A schedule of classes is posted in El Mirador Lobby or guests can just inquire with any of the staff to learn more. 

Summer Trips that Transform - Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Immerse Yourself in Amazon of Southern Peru at Inkaterra Guides Field Station

Many visitors are happily surprised, if not shocked, when they check into one of Inkaterra’s luxury properties in Peru like the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel to discover it contains the world’s largest collection of native orchid species (372) in the world and an Andean Spectacle Bear Rescue Project.  Or to learn that they are sleeping in one of Cusco’s most historic and meticulously restored XVIth century mansions, the same very place Simon Bolivar once called home, when arriving to Inkaterra La Casona. 

Most guests learn, only upon arrival, that their Inkaterra luxury hotel (usually chosen due to rave reviews, luxury hotel association affiliations and glossy travel literature or awards) is actually integral to the broader aims of the non-profit Inkaterra Association (ITA).  The Inkaterra Association is self-funded through ecotourism profits and is committed to scientific research as a basis for biodiversity conservation, education and the preservation of Peruvian culture and history.

Guests staying at Inkaterra properties not only support ITA by funding this vital work through their hotel choice, but in turn, their experiences staying at these properties are enhanced by learning about the rich cultural and natural heritage that Peru contains, the threats facing its well-being, and the steps ITA is taking to confront them.  It’s the “ah-ha” moment where luxury travelers turn into eco-tourists and begin to seek out, on future travels, properties and experiences that are not just extremely well appointed, but are also educational, interactive and focused on giving back.

Understanding that today’s travelers, or those turned on to this style of travel from previous stays, are now, at the outset seeking out a more experiential style in their hotel choices, as opposed to solely tangible luxury amenities – Inkaterra has opened the doors of its Inkaterra Guides Field Station, deep in the Southern Peruvian Amazon, to guests.

Less refined in infrastructure and amenities than Inkaterra’s other two, well-heeled, neighboring Amazon Lodges, Hacienda Concepcion and Reserva Amazonica – The Inkaterra Guides Field Station was built and still functions as an educational and scientific field station for visiting scientists, volunteers and students.  And as the name implies, it is where Inkaterra’s own explorer guides are trained in managing ecological projects, gain knowledge of the different Peruvian ecosystems and in guiding skills to be applied in work at any of Inkaterra’s properties throughout Peru.

Although still able to experience the popular tourist excursions provided by the other two Inkaterra Lodges in the area, such as the Inkaterra Canopy Walkway or the numerous trail networks – guests at the Inkaterra Guides Field Station get special behind the scenes access and the opportunity to participate in and learn of the ongoing projects at the field station such as the maintenance and creation of the bio-orchard of native edible plants, the “palmetum” which conserves a diverse sample of native palms, bird monitoring through techniques such as banding for codification of species and the monitoring and identification of fauna through a network of digital trap cameras around the property.

Through recently opening the Inkaterra Guides Field Station to regular eco-concious guests in search of a hands-on experience, Inkaterra has come full circle in their mantra of spreading “conservation through tourism”.  The educational aspect of staying at their other more well-known luxury properties around Peru is not just an enhancement here, it is a fully integrated experience for those seeking out a transformational travel experience.
 

How to Book
Stays at the Inkaterra Guides Field Station can be booked via any travel agent, tour operator or directly via Inkaterra by emailing sales@inkaterra.com

Accommodation is provided in either 2 or 4 person cabanas or in one of two shared dormitory style pavilions.  All meals and choice of guided excursions with a bilingual explorer guide, as well as motorized dugout canoe transfers to and from Puerto Maldonado airport (PEM) are included in the rates.  (Other optional excursions are available at additional cost) Puerto Maldonado is serviced by numerous daily direct flights from both Lima and Cusco. 

Location
The Tambopata National Reserve is one of the last easily accessible virgin tropical rainforests in the world. The Reserve, a 768,774 acre area, offers a wealth of biodiversity, as well as magnificent natural landscapes. Puerto Maldonado, known as the “Capital of Biodiversity,” is the largest city of the Tambopata region. Overlooking the confluence of the Tambopata and Madre de Dios Rivers, Puerto Maldonado is 1,312 feet above sea level, 404 miles from Cusco, and 9 miles upriver from the Inkaterra lodges.

Summer Trips that Transform - Soak in the Stark Beauty of the Atacama Desert & Save in "Shoulder Season"

Soak in the Stark Beauty of the Atacama Desert & Save in "Shoulder Season" 

Great For: Families, Photographers, Birders & Active Travelers  

June-August is typically unbearably hot in the southwest of the United States. For travelers called to red rock deserts, stunning canyons, fascinating geology and a rich indigenous culture, consider venturing to Chile’s Atacama Desert during these months. Home to the world’s highest and driest desert, the far northern region of Chile has increased in popularity over the past several years, but a visit during the “shoulder season” will give you volcanic peaks and geyser basins all to yourself - true desert solitude.

Serenity and solitude at the Tatio Geysers

With a stay at Awasi Atacama, the original jewel of the Awasi trio of properties, you’ll have your own dedicated private guide & driver to structure your stay according to your interests and weather conditions. If peak bagging calls to you, consider 4 or more nights to acclimate to the altitude and then go for the summit of Sairecabur Volcano at over 19,000’ A.S.L. Or enjoy shorter outings to focus on your landscape photography skills in the Valley of the Moon, decipher ancient Petroglyphs or hike to wild hot springs.

While not often thought of for families, children 5 and over are welcome at Awasi Atacama and the convenience of having a private guide makes it easy to customize excursions into the desert for younger explorers. Children can try their hand at creating local crafts and art, keep a journal of the flora and fauna spotted during their adventures and see Saturn's rings through a powerful telescope during an evening astronomy session. Older and more active children can embark on mountain bike and horseback riding excursions, or challenge themselves with a trek to the top of a volcano after properly acclimating. Round and Superior Round suites can be combined to accommodate a family of 4 sharing an outdoor private patio and children are eligible for discounted rates when sharing a room with two adults.

The Awasi Atacama experience is especially affordable during the summer school holidays in North America. From May 1-October 31, guests enjoy an additional night free when they book a minimum of three nights in a double occupancy room.  A great stand-alone trip for a week – you cant contact Awasi directly or work with your preferred local DMC.

Summer Trips that Transform - Experience the Cacao Harvest at Hacienda Bambusa, Armenia, Colombia

Experience the Cacao Harvest at Hacienda Bambusa, Armenia, Colombia

Great For: Great For: Foodies, Families, The Culturally Curious, Adventure Seekers

While Hacienda Bambusa may be located in the heart of Colombia’s Coffee Triangle, the owners are truly passionate about cultivating cacao to produce fine, artisanal chocolates.  Cacao is harvested in two seasons, and the main harvest occurs from April to June and guests staying over these dates have the opportunity to get in on the action.

Together with Bambusa’s Chef, explore the hacienda's cacao fields to harvest pods while will be used to make your own hot chocolate. Experience the step by step process that goes into making a cup of hot chocolate; obtain and dry the cocoa seed, grind your own cocoa, and prepareg a delicious cup of chocolate to enjoy with fresh farm cheese or with an arepa.  The bitterness of the chocolate drink might surprise you, and highlights how much extra sugar and cocoa butter goes into the sweet mass-produced chocolates more commonly found in grocery stores!

Experiencing the cacao harvest is just one facet of a stay at Hacienda Bambusa; guests can also explore colorful Salento, hike through the wax palms of the stunning Cocora Valley, explore the surrounding countryside on horseback and of course visit a coffee plantation.   From April 17th-June 30th, enjoy a 25% discount on the “Highlights of Bambusa” package (half board + a welcome hike of the property) and add-on the Cacao Experience.

Summer Trips that Transform - Get Comfortable in the Saddle at Hacienda Zuleta

Get Comfortable in the Saddle at Hacienda Zuleta

Great For: Families, Active Travelers, Honeymooners, Equestrian Enthusiasts

The quality of Zuleta’s horses and the expertise of their local riding guides and cowboys is reflected in the yearly return of guests for whom a week of riding through the Andes above Hacienda Zuleta is an annual experience.  But you don’t have to be an equestrian expert to experience the 4,000 acre historical working farm and surrounding countryside on horseback. With a herd of nearly 100 horses, the Hacienda is known for its beautiful Zuleteño horses - a unique mixture between the Spanish-Andalusian, Thoroughbred and American Quarter horse. The outcome of this crossbreeding is a robust and noble Andean horse with the perfect disposition for trail-riding.

If a riding vacation is of interest, be sure to read through the detailed description of “Horseback Riding Excursions”  Within you will find dozens of options ranging from short intro rides around the immediate property to half and full days rides which take more advanced riders to remote panorama points overlooking the snowy Andean mountains.  Particularly fun for families (and accessible to children as young as 6) is the early morning “La Manada” in which participants assist the Hacienda cowboys in moving the herd from their overnight pasture to the hacienda, returning to Zuleta’s grounds among the thundering of hundreds of hooves!

Horseback riding at Hacienda Zuleta is an additional cost, but their sales team is happy to create a custom package with flexible options for your guests. Longer stays are eligible for additional discounts and value - Book 3 nights and get 1 short ride free of cost. Stays of 4 - 5 nights receive a 5% discount.  Stays of 6+ nights receive a 10% discount. 

Summer Trips that Transform - Learn the Art of Naturalist Guiding at Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Learn the Art of Naturalist Guiding at Lapa Rios Ecolodge

Great For: Nature Lovers, Educational Travel, Aspiring Guides, Birders

Is your ultimate dream to identify wildlife with the soothing accuracy of David Attenborough? Whether you are a budding biologist, a hardcore nature enthusiast or a wannabe birder, the guiding pros at Lapa Rios can take your identification and interpretation skills to the next level with their 5-night Lapa Rios Guide School, available in May, June and August of 2018.

 

Under the careful tutelage of some of the very best rainforest guides in the business, learn what it takes to be a naturalist guide with the wild Osa Peninsula as your classroom. Distinguish your squirrel from your spider monkeys. Identify the calls of toucans amongst the jungle chorus. Know your medicinal flora and your venomous fauna. Tap into almost 50 years of cumulative guiding knowledge, learning indispensable techniques while out hiking nature trails. Interact with the community and experience the Osa Peninsula from a new perspective and learn about conservation challenges and initiatives in what National Geographic calls the most biologically intense place on earth.  Your efforts for the week are capped off with an official “Guide School Graduation” and certificate of achievement.

Prices for this 5-night/ 6-day natural immersion start at $1,760 per person. The Lapa Rios Guide school is limited to 8 persons and minimum age of 14 years of age.  To arrange this experience for your clients, agents should contact should contact their preferred local DMC or Tour Operator.

Excellent wildlife viewing right from your own private balcony

Summer Trips that Transform, Inspire & Enlighten

Summer Trips that Transform, Inspire & Enlighten

For today’s traveler, the summer holiday season isn’t just about relaxing on a beach with a
frozen cocktail or soaking up sunshine somewhere. Increasingly, travelers want to utilize their
vacation time to learn a new skill, pursue personal development or tackle a physical challenge that leave them transformed, with lasting habits and a changed outlook on life and the world around them.

If you have clients – both families and adults – that are in search of something immersive, educational or somewhat off the grid over the North America summer months, look no further than Latin America. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite picks for experiences that will challenge & enlighten while also offering extra value due to the off-peak time frame for each destination.

Use the links below to access the individual posts about each destination and experience. 

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Learn the Art of Naturalist Guiding at Lapa Rios, Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

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Chase Winter and Ski a Volcano at Hacienda Hotel Vira Vira, Pucon, Chile

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Get Comfortable in the Saddle at Hacienda Zuleta, Imbabura, Ecuador   

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Ride the Waves at Latitude 10 in Santa Theresa, Costa Rica

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Experience the Cacao Harvest at Hacienda Bambusa, Armenia, Colombia

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Seasonal Savings in the Atacama Desert, Awasi Atacama, Chile

The Cayuga Collection - Leaders in Sustainable Luxury

With the expansion of this portfolio into Central America, we’re excited to welcome six new properties in Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama that are all operated by the Cayuga Collection, an industry leader in providing sustainable luxury hospitality experiences. 

Founders Hans Pfister and Andrea Bonilla are both graduates of Cornell University’s Hotel School in Ithaca, New York and dedicated ecotourism professionals. (Hans actually began his career managing the Hampton Inn at the San Jose Airport where he made waves in the late 80s by eliminating single use bath products in favor of refillable bottles.) Together, Andrea and Hans started Cayuga in 1994 with the goal to blend true luxury travel with practices that are both environmentally friendly and beneficial to the local communities.  They now manage nine individually owned hotels across the region, of which we are currently representing six. These are Jicaro Island Ecolodge, Latitude 10 Resort, Arenas del Mar , Kurà Design Villas, Lapa Rios Ecolodge and Isla Palenque, a new private island resort along Panama's north Pacific coast. In 2017 Cayuga won the National Geographical World Legacy Award in the Earth Changers category.

Andrea and Hans - Founders of the Cayuga Collection

While there is some variation across the properties, the following are hallmarks of the entire collection:

No Single Use Plastic Bottles or Straws: Tap water at the Cayuga hotels is always treated and filtered to international standards and is 100% safe for human consumption. Guests are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to refill or can borrow one for the duration of their visit. Additionally, the Cayuga properties did away with plastic drinking straws several years ago, replacing these with a robust, compostable bamboo option which was the brainchild of a gardener at the Harmony Hotel in Nosara. Needless to say, he’s not gardening anymore.

Bamboo straws in cocktails at Jicaro Island

Sustainability on Display: A mission of the Cayuga Hotels is to educate guests on their sustainability practices, even the unglamorous and often overlooked ones like composting and carefully monitoring exact water to load ratios for optimal energy efficiency in the laundry room.  Each property offers a complimentary “Behind the Scenes” sustainability tour to showcase the various ways green practices are implemented. This ranges from using solar panels to heat water to raising pigs to break down compostable scraps in order to produce biogas.

Go Natural:  You won’t find trimmed grass lawns or perfectly paved walkways at these properties. Most of the hotels exist within the tropical rainforest so lush, natural vegetation is cultivated and in many cases, was left intact and undisturbed when the property was constructed. This equates to more wildlife, especially birds and monkeys who feed on the fruits of established trees.

Natural vegetation means more wildlife overhead or right outside your window

Employ Local: Across the 9 properties and including headquarters in San Jose, Cayuga employs over 400 individuals from Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. Staff at each hotel are 80%-100% from the local community immediately surrounding the property. All positions are year round, keeping service standards consistent and fostering cross training among employees who don't have to worry about seasonal layoffs which are typical at many Costa Rica hotels.

Eat & Drink Local: Cayuga piloted the global “Dock to Dish” program in Central America - they connect their chefs with local fishermen and only use responsibly caught seafood. This often leads to unique dishes as the hotels all pledge to purchase and prepare whatever teh fishermen bring in that day. Additionally, their restaurants use only grass-fed beef and hormone-free chicken and as many locally produced and organic fruits and vegetables as possible.

Local fishermen in Puerto Jimenez, part of the Dock to Dish program at Lapa Rios

Community Investment: The company founded and finances a public charity called Earth Equilibrium, which focuses on environmental education & community development.  Supported projects range from providing local schools with solar power and a water filtration system to providing residents with educational, infrastructure and sustainable food projects

It's true that the Cayuga Collection properties may not be for everyone; travelers seeking a larger tropical resort experience with AC, dedicated pool butlers, manicured grounds, golf courses or a full gym may be happier with the international name brand resorts typical of Costa Rica's Papagayo Peninsula.  But for travelers who seek to experience authentic local culture, have friendly and genuine interactions with members of the community, travel in a style that is environmentally conscious while giving back through travel, Cayuga is for them.