Costa Rica Scoop

Jan / F b

News and insights for upscale travel by Grupo Islita | Jan / Feb 2014

2014

-Grupo Islita-

Bienvenido2014Renting

a Private Villa

is the perfect way to

vacation with your family

or favorite friends.

Villas offer homestyle

comfort with full access to

Grupo Islita's select resort

facilities and fun bonding

adventures.

Enjoy Costa Rica's

beaches at

Hotel Punta Islita

or mountain forests at

El Silencio Lodge & Spa.

Or combine both for a

complete Costa Rica

getaway!

Greeting aNewYear bonds us in celebration of a milestone. Itis a perfect time to be thankful and embrace bold optimism.Grupo Islita wishes you plentiful achievements, personalgrowth, 365 days of uplifting experiences, and (of course)exhilarating travel!

We start off the year with an exciting nod to Hotel Punta Islitaas oneof theBest 500Hotels in theWorldaccording to Travel+Leisure. We also look forward to the fulfillment of manyrenewed goals as we strengthen our sustainability programs.

At El Silencio Lodge & Spa we are thrilled to launch anamazing, adrenaline-pumping Eco-Adventure Park thatcombines rappelling, zip-lining, and hiking. We also welcomeArnay García as El Silencio's new Resident Manager.

I hope youenjoy the year's first edition ofCostaRicaScoopandcordially invite you to share it with friends and family!

ñSe Habla Español!

-Gustavo Segura, CEO Grupo Islita

The Spanish versions of our

new websites are up and running. To access, just click on the drop-down language

menu found on the sites' upper right hand corner.

http://www.elsilenciolodge.com/es-es/http://www.hotelpuntaislita.com/es-es/

-Grupo Islita-

Think Villa

Renting

a Private Villa

is the perfect way to

vacation with your family

or favorite friends.

Villas offer the comforts of

home with full access to

Grupo Islita's select resort

facilities and fun bonding

adventures.

Enjoy Costa Rica's

beaches at

Hotel Punta Islita

or its mountain forests at

El Silencio Lodge & Spa.

Or combine both for a

complete Costa Rica

getaway!

ThinkVillas

-Grupo Islita-

Enjoy the upscale comforts of home at your favorite resorts.

"Our vocation

is to let the world

enjoy and cherish

our culture and nature."

-Hotel Punta Islita Staff

High Five (hundred)

-Hotel Punta Islita-

http://bit.ly/TravelLeisureBestHotels2014

Starting the year with an accolade is a great way to setan upbeat tone for 2014. Hotel Punta Islita is onceagain featured in Travel+Leisure Magazine as one ofthe Best 500 Hotels in the World. We congratulateGeneral Manager Andrey and his wonderful team onthis accomplishment. Your commitment to hospitalityand professional talent is world-class! We also thankthe many former guests and friends who participatedin the magazine's evaluation survey.

Hotel Punta Islita's community outreach anddevelopment initiatives continue to supportand recover local culture. Executed by its VZFoundation, Hotel Punta Islita's diverseprojects have leveraged the support of like-minded individuals, businesses, NGO's, andgovernment entities. One of these programs,"TheRhythmof our Lives" is sponsored by theMinistry of Culture and focuses on preserving

and encouraging the musical traditions ofGuanacaste as embodied in the crafting andplaying of the marimba. This beautifulpercussion instrument provides themelodious backdrop to many of Costa Rica'smost beloved folk songs and dances. Itsunique chime is created by local hardwoodsthat sing in cheer or nostalgia. We thank theVZ Foundation and its Executive Delegate,Nancy Arias for championing this program fora second consecutive year.

Music for the Ages!

The recovery of the marimba traditionharmonizes our elders' knowledge withthe enthusiasm of our youngsters.

The resident Red Macaws greet the goodnews from Travel+Leisure with a hearty

High Five!

-Hotel Punta Islita-

KayakingThe gentle Ora River traces ajaw-dropping path through thicktropical forest, affording uniqueopportunities to spotmesmerizing exotic birds andraucous howler monkeys.Smooth flowing waters reflectjagged versions of the lushgreenery and blue skies tocomplete a stunning landscape.This unforgettable eco-adventure is guided and can beenjoyed in single or doublekayaks.

Sand CandlesHotel Punta Islita is proud of its closerelationship with local art. Weencourage our guests to take part ininteractiveworkshops that pair visitorswith local community artists to createunique pieces as meaningful travelmementos.The local youth group Candemarhosts a fun candle-making sessionthat incorporates sand,pebbles, and otherunique elements ofIslita Beach.

"Hotel Punta Islita offers a diverseselection of cultural and eco-adventureexperiences that are perfect for couples& families. -Andrey Gómez, General Manager HPI

http://bit.ly/ExperienceCatalogHotelPuntaIslitaCostaRica

"By sharing our sanctuary,

we cultivate

awareness & happiness."

-El Silencio Lodge & Spa Staff

-El Silencio Lodge & Spa-

Our forest playground just gotmore daring! A newEco-Adventure Park set within El Silencio's 500acre property offers thrill seekers with acombination of hiking, rappelling, and zip-lining.Framed by woodlands and waterfalls, the courselets participants enjoy one of Costa Rica's mostuniqueand intenseexperiences. Perfect to follow-up with a relaxing visit to Esencia Spa!

The New Eco-Adventure Parkat El Silencio is an adrenalinemega-hit!-Ronald Jiménez, Eco-Concierge ESL

Sensory Delights

http://bit.ly/WanderLustBake

"The lodge is positioned on 500 acres of private landand is made up of just 16 suites. Each suite, a privatecabin staggered up the mountain overlookinguninterrupted views of the vast scenery of the cloudforest. Vast king size beds are lined with soft whitesheets where a hot water bottle is tucked each nightbefore you arrive to your room. Floor to ceiling glassdoors overlook the private viewing deck and secludedn’ steamy hot tub."The Wanderlust & Bake Blog paints a vivid

picture of the El Silencio Experience

Eco-Concierge Ronald in one of ourEco-Adventure Park's maiden runs.

Rappelling Platforms: 4Tallest Platform: 90 ftLongest ZipLine: 900 ft

-El Silencio Lodge & Spa-

We welcome Arnay as El Silencio Lodge & Spa'sResidentManager, thankingWilliam for his wonderful jobas Interim Resident Manager.Arnay brings ample experience in the stewardship ofpremium boutique hotels with a strong commitment toenvironmental and social development programs.Originally from Costa Rica's Puerto Jiménez region,Arnay is thrilled to share our country's hospitality andcommitment to people-positive, planet-friendlyexperiences.

Welcome Arnay

El Silencio is a little Blue

Turning Blue? Good For You!During the months of December and January, thenatural gardens of Bajos del Toro and its forests arecovered in blooming "Santa Lucía" flowers. Thistiny wild flower of minuscule bluish petals is highlyregardedas a symbol of good fortune. According totradition, picking a little bundle of these during themonth of January and keeping it in your wallet is agoodway to attract wealth during the year. It is saidthat the effect is enhanced if one receives it as agift.Our best wishes for a very prosperous 2014!

Ageratum Cpnyzoides

Resident ManagerArnay García

Costa Rica

-Costa Rica-

Costa Rica is about to hold presidentialelections, a civic event that takes place everyfour years in a collective affirmation of thecountry's democratic tradition. Every fouryears, on the first Sunday in February ticosgo to theballots in adynamic, passionate (yetpeaceful) event that fills the streets withcolorful flags, music, and chanting.As Costa Ricans, we join this cherishedinstitutionwithenthusiasm. Indistinct of partyaffiliation, our participation in the democraticprocess strengthens our nation,guaranteeing its time-tested political,economic, and social stability.

Costa Rica: Presidential Elections!

Fact BoxThe President, 57 members of aunicameral congress, and municipalcouncil members are elected everyfour years.

Consecutive reelection is not possible.

The President must obtain more than40%of the total valid votes. Otherwise,a second round among the top 2contenders is held in April.

-Your Travel Ballot-

Condé Nast Traveler's online survey is open for votes!Share your experiences and reward the world's besthotels, cities, airlines, and destinations.

http://bit.ly/TLSurvey2014

Enter for a chance to win a $10,000 dreamtrip to the destination of your choice.Open until March 31st, 2014

Voice Your Globe-Trotting Expertise

Travel + Leisure

Please share your experience at ourhotels with the world's largest online travelcommunity!

Trip Advisor

http://bit.ly/HPITripAdvisorhttp://bit.ly/ESLTripAdvisor

The age of electronic media gives you the chance to be a travelauthority! We cordially invite you to vote in Travel+Leisure's 2014Survey. Both Hotel Punta Islita and El Silencio Lodge & Spa arepre-screened as contenders. We would also love to read yourcomments on Trip Advisor a forum that lets guests reward ourstaff's outstanding service while guiding us in a never-endingquest for perfection.

Upscale Costa Rica destinations

hotelpuntaislita.com | elsilenciolodge.com

We will gladly assist you!reserve@grupoislita.com | +506 2231-6122

Toll-Free from US & Canada: 1-866-446-4053