Recommend August 2010 - (Page C8)

COSTA RICA calling... 641-acre Pacuare Nature Reserve, which stretches along the Pacuare River across from the lodge, are posted with cameras that help research biologists track jaguar movement. Jaguar sightings make the hot news page during naturalist guide brieﬁngs. Actuar, the Costa Rican Rural Tourism Association (actuarcostarica.com), made up of over 20 community-owned rural inns and tours—many far off-the-touristed-path. The alliance created its own full-service travel company, specializing in authentic nature and adventure tours that respond to its travelers’ interests in sharing rural life while exploring magical places and practicing sustainable tourism. Established hotels have been spear-heading Costa Rica’s brand of ecotourism for many years. One of them, the Si Como No Resort & Spa at Manuel Antonio National Park, has long been recognized for its combination of barefoot elegance and environmentalism. Owner Jim Damalas has a way of creating experiences at his hotels (which include Villa Blanca) that are rooted in the culture and conservation of the country. His latest endeavor at Si Como No, available to hotel and non-hotel guests, is called Santa Juana: a Rural Mountain Adventure, a rural heritage tour that explores the Santa Juana private reserve on the slopes of the Fila Chonta Mountains. Activities include guided nature hikes, tilapia ﬁshing, a visit to a working sugar mill powered by oxen, a visit to the rustic Santa Juana pueblo to learn about coffee, participation in Carbon Offset Tree Planting, swimming beneath the waterfalls, having a typical campesino-style lunch, and going horseback riding. For information, visit greentiquehotels.com. continued on page C10 CALL OF THE SEA During Expotur 2010—the country’s annual tourism industry event—Aurora Gamez, co-founder of Almonds & Corals Lodge (almondsandcorals.com) on the Caribbean, won the annual award for National Promoter of Sustainable Development. The property—part beach resort, part safari camp and part eco-conscious boutique hotel—is located just north of Manzanillo, a ﬁshing village mixing the Bri-Bri and Afro-Costarican native cultures. Accommodations are in hut-like tents raised on a stilt platform, and are now joined by rustically luxe suites. And sitting right at the lodge’s backdoor: the Manzanillo-Gandoca Wildlife Refuge. CULTURE CALLING During Expotur 2010, Costa Rica showed its commitment to rural tourism by putting together a terriﬁc and colorful “marketplace” of community tourism projects. The goal was to showcase how rural tourism now offers involving adventures and encounters for visitors who want to experience ﬁrst-hand how Costa Ricans live and work to preserve and enhance their way of life. One delegate was Galapagos · Ecuador · Peru · Bolivia · Argentina · Brazil · Chile · Antarctica · Costa Rica · Panama · Honduras · Belize · Guatemala Top Reasons to use Goway for Latin America Earn up to 15% commission 40 Years Experience Excellent reputation Members of USTOA Quality Staff who have lived and/or traveled extensively in Latin America We offer a variety of travel ideas Price Guarantee Best Airfares We really care 1 888 469 2955 · res@goway.com · www.goway.com C8 August 2010 recommend.com 2016613-20 http://www.actuarcostarica.com http://www.almondsandcorals.com http://www.greentiquehotels.com http://www.goway.com http://www.goway.com http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend August 2010

Editor's Notes/Agent Speak
Hotel Desk
Tour Talk
Uniworld's River Royale
Discover flanders
Five-Star Taiwan
Karisma Sweetens the Pot
Barcelo Los Cabos Palace Deluxe
Playa Grande Resort & Grand Spa
Central America Calling...
Garza Blanca Preserve, Resort & Spa
Israel With Goway Travel
Puerto Rico: A community Experience
Hyatt Regency Curacao Golf Resort, Spa and Marina
The Bahamas: Players' Paradise
Orlando World Center Marriott Resort
All-American St. Louis
PH Towers by Westgate, Las Vegas

Recommend August 2010