The Central America Tourism Agency (CATA) – the representative agency for the seven countries of Central America including Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, and the Dominican Republic – highlights the latest news and tourism developments from the region.

Destination News

Nicaragua back on sale following relax of FCO travel advice
Many of the LATA members have put Nicaragua back on sale following the recent change in travel FCO travel advice; no longer advising against all but essential travel to the country. In 2017, Nicaragua welcomed a 19% increase in international travellers, attracting visitors seeking an alluring mix of nature, exotic beaches and Spanish & British colonial heritage. In 2018 however, tourism to Nicaragua slowed down due to unrest and a change in FCO guidelines.  As the situation improves, the FCO relaxed its guidelines in February 2019 enabling tour operators and travellers to return to the country and paving a way towards tourism recovery for the Central American nation. www.visitnicaragua.us

New 'Cuenca Mirador in images' exhibit introduced in Antigua, Guatemala

A total of 145 photographs form part of the new 'Mirador Basin in images' that document the 40 years spent investigating the Mirador Basin in the remote rainforest of Petén, Guatemala. A number of Maya settlements have been found in the basin which is also one of the last sanctuaries of Guatemalan flora and fauna species. The new exhibit opens in Casa Santo Domingo on 8 May 2019 and admission is free. www.inguat.gob.gt/posts/expondran-galeria-fotografica-que-documenta-40-anos-de-investigacion-en-la-cuenca-mirador-668.php?searchresult=1&sstring=cuenca+mirador

Nicaragua outlines its plan for summer 2019

The Nicaraguan Institute of Tourism (INTUR) has outlined its plan of the main activities it will develop for the summer 2019 season. Among the destinations in which it will focus were Villa El Carmen and its San Diego beach, Salamina beach where the turtle nesting point can be found, and the fresh waters of River Plate. General Secretary of INTUR, Elvia Estrada, has identified areas of Managua such as Pocohomil beach and Xiloá Lake as areas of strong tourism potential. Details of summer 2019 activities for each of the individual departments can be found on the INTUR website. www.intur.gob.ni

Hotel News

Nayara Tented Camp opening November 2019

Award-winning Nayara Resorts is adding a third property in the Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica. The Nayara Tented Camp will open in November 2019 featuring 21 tents, each with its own plunge pool fed by mineral springs from the volcano; 12 will be interconnecting. In the second phase of opening in 2020, an Asian restaurant, new pool, and spa will be added to the resort. Alongside the camp, an on-property sloth sanctuary will grow 1,000 Cecropia trees, offering the sedentary creatures a safe haven from human encroachment. Prices are available upon request. www.nayaratentedcamp.com/

Swell Hotel opens in Guatemala

Swell Hotel is a Surf and Lifestyle boutique hotel that has recently opened in El Paredon, Guatemala. Located in this coastal village, it is a favoured haunt among surfers and travellers. Designed by Elan Ibghy and Marie Bonnefond, Swell blends contemporary with rustic using natural wood and colourful Guatemala textiles in its furnishings. It features eight suites, an open lounge area, and guests can rent a board and arrange for private surf lessons in the neighbouring pacific wash. Guests can also practice yoga in Swell's Creative Studio. A one-night stay is priced from £58.68 per person on a room only basis. www.swellguatemala.com

Eco-luxury Kasiiya Papagayo opens in Costa Rica

Kasiiya Papagayo, an eco-luxury retreat overlooking Costa Rica's pacific coast, has unveiled five new tented suites. Each has been constructed with sustainability high in priority having been built solely from locally sourced materials while flora has been preserved to leave little trace of disturbance. The suites include a king-size bed, lounge space, closet, bathroom with indoor and outdoor shower and a private terrace with lounge chairs. There are plans to add 15 more tented suites by 2020. The Kasiiya experience is about wellbeing and connecting with nature offering snorkelling, paddle boarding, tree climbing, canopy zip lining and access to private beaches. A one-night stay is priced from £493 per person in an Ocean View Vintage Suite with private yoga platform. www.kasiiya.com/

Momotombo Lake Resort opens its doors in Nicaragua

Momotombo Lake Resort, a tourist complex built in the shadow of the impressive Momotombo Volcano, has opened its doors to visitors.  The resort's chic design carries Nicaragua's tropical forest as the main theme, featuring artisanal crafts as décor and having been constructed using sustainable practices with locally sourced materials. Excursions such as horse riding, mountain biking, and airboat tours are available to guests. The onsite restaurant, Restaurante Los Volcanes, serves the best of local Nicaraguan cuisine with its specialty being the seafood dishes, caught fresh in the surrounding area. Momotombo Lake Resort also features a garden, terrace, swimming pool, and a bar. A one-night stay in Momotombo Lake Resort is priced from £109 per person and includes access to all resort facilities and a traditional Nicaraguan breakfast. www.momotombolake.com

Yoo Santo Domingo opening in summer 2019

Yoo Santo Domingo, a limited collection of 121 hotel residences, will be inaugurated in summer 2019. The boutique property will be located in one of the Dominican capital's most upscale areas, a stone's throw away from the popular Blue Mall. The announcement of this property comes as Santo Domingo is experiencing a period of economic growth, making it an increasingly popular visitor destination. Prices available upon request. www.santodomingoluxury.com

Marriott hotels in Costa Rica present their new rooms inspired by local nature

Marriott hotels in Costa Rica has introduced newly renovated rooms to 2019. The renovation has overhauled 498 rooms and revamped them with Costa Rica's natural beauty as the inspiration. Featuring coffee cultures undertones and beach vibes, the rooms aim to bring a new luxury experience to guests in a traditional Hacienda environment. A one-night stay in Los Sueños Marriott is priced from £116.95 per person on a room only basis. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjols-los-suenos-marriott-ocean-and-golf-resort/

Plans announced for Pearl Island project in Panama

Development plans for a new private island resort on Pearl Island, just 45 miles south of Panama City, have been unveiled. The first phase involves construction of La Península, a home site designed by world-renowned architect Hart Howerton featuring residences and apartments complemented by a variety of leisure activities and services integrated into the island's natural environment. The second phase is the development of a Ritz Carlton Reserve with 80 rooms and 80 branded residences on Playa Don Bernardo and Playa Mague, two of the most spectacular beaches. The resort will include a main lodge, beach club, spa, kid's club, dive and fishing centre, tennis court, and other facilities. www.pearlisland.com/index.php

Aviation News

Flight connectivity to increase between Europe and Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Dutch airline KLM will introduce a new flight route from Amsterdam to Guanacaste Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) starting in October 2019. This new service comes as part of the winter 2019 schedule and will operate four times a week by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, with 30 seats in World Business Class, 45 seats in Economy Comfort and 219 seats in Economy Class. KLM will provide the service on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between Amsterdam-Schiphol, stopping over in San Jose, before landing in Guanacaste. A return flight is priced from £496.25. www.klm.com

New terminal in Panama's Tocumen International Airport

Tocumen International Airport is generating a lot of excitement with the limited opening of its second terminal in January 2019. The terminal was made partially open when five of its gates were made available to receive visitors. The full scale opening was scheduled for April although it is now predicted that terminal two will launch in July or August of 2019. When the terminal opens it is expected to hold up to 25 million passengers and will act as the hub of the Americas with its many connecting to flights. www.tocumenpanama.aero

Tour Operator News

The Latin America Travel Company launches digital detox tour

The Latin America Travel Company has launched a new digital detoxing tour to the Costa Rican wilderness with the aim of giving guests an escape from technology. The tour visits remote locations, including the El Tesorito Creek and the Osa Peninsular, staying in luxury eco-lodges. The El Silencio Lodge is completely free of TVs, phone signal and Wi-Fi, making it the idyllic place to fully immerse in the natural world. Activities include canyoning, zip lining, river rafting, cloud forest trekking and wildlife observation. The 11-day Hidden Corners of Costa Rica tour is priced from £2,901 per person and includes accommodation, internal transport, meals, tours and excluding international flights. www.thelatinamericatravelcompany.com/our-tours/costa-rica-tours/hidden-corners-of-costa-rica/

One Ocean Expeditions welcomes world-class wildlife presenter Nick Baker on board

In April 2019, One Ocean Expeditions (OOE) will launch its inaugural warm water voyages to Central America with world-class wildlife presenter Nick Baker. New destinations such as Costa Rica and Panama, teaming with extraordinary wildlife, are on the itinerary and Nick will be able to share his wealth of natural-world knowledge. Nick will join OOE's ten-day Central America Adventure tour (23 April – 2 May 2019) as well as the Central America Explorer expedition (2 – 11 May 2019). The tours are priced from £4,005 per person based on two adults sharing a twin private cabin. www.oneoceanexpeditions.com/

Vapues Tours introduces new The Three Seas of Nicaragua Tour

Nicaragua specialist Vapues Tours has introduced a new tour titled 'The Three Seas of Nicaragua', designed to provide guests with a comprehensive view of Nicaragua. Beginning in Managua, visitors will then head to the Caribbean coast at Cayos Perla where they will kayak between the tiny islets, and snorkel on the reefs bustling with marine life.  The itinerary also includes a stay at Las Isletas in the colossal Lake Nicaragua where guests will discover more of Nicaragua's rich culture by visiting cigar and chocolate factories. The final stop is San Juan del Sur on the pacific coast staying in Morgan's Rock Ecolodge and enjoying the many on-site activities. The ten-day The Three Seas of Nicaragua is priced from £ 5,412 per person and includes accommodation, some meals, internal transport and all excursions. https://tourmanager.vapues.com/savedquote/18976/client

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Editorial Notes:

For more information, please visit: www.visitcentroamerica.com

CATA – the promotional agency for the seven Central America countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua) and the Dominican Republic – is represented by LOTUS.  For editorial and marketing enquiries, please contact Georgina Oakley, Lucy Keenan or George Leonard at LOTUS – georgina@wearelotus.co.uk / lucy@wearelotus.co.uk / george@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470