DESTINATION NEWS

EL SALVADOR INTRODUCES STOPOVER PROGRAMME

El Salvador has recently introduced a new 'Stop Over' programme designed to allow travellers with layovers of five hours or more to get out of the airport and explore the different tourist attractions available in the destination. The programme offers visitors a selection of tours including private tours of San Salvador to discover the rich culture heritage of the city, surfing lessons and visits to El Boquerón Volcano. Visitors are collected from the airport upon arrival and driven back after the tour. Prices are available on demand: www.reservas.elsalvadorstopover.com

THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC LAUNCHES SUSTAINABLE TOURISM INITIATIVES

Following the recent success of sustainable tourism initiatives in the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic, the Ministry of Tourism and the Institute of Technical Vocation Training (INFOTEP) along with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) have implemented additional sustainable initiatives across other northern Dominican regions including Montecristi, Dajabón, Valverde and Santiago. These new initiatives focus on developing a sustainable tourism model that benefits both visitors and local communities alike, such as the 'Esencia del Sabor' initiative (Essence of Flavour), a gastro-circuit around the north west of the island that highlights each community's individuality from a culinary perspective. www.mitur.gob.do

BELIZE RESTRUCTURES FORT GEORGE TOURISM ZONE

The Belize Tourism Board (BTB) has undertaken a project to restructure the Fort George Tourism Zone (FGTZ), located in Belize City, with the aim of improving guest experience and regulating the flow of passengers arriving into the port. Part of the restructuring process is the introduction of an application form and criteria that grants tour operators a trade license to operate within the area. To minimise congestion, the BTB has assigned loading/offloading spaces for tour operators to make for a smoother flow and avoid delaying other tour operators from free movement of tours. www.belizetourismboard.org

HOTEL NEWS:

SANTARENA HOTEL COSTA RICA OPENING FEBRUARY 2019

A new luxury hotel called the Santarena Hotel is due to open in February 2019 in Costa Rica's Guanacaste coast. Perched between two of Costa Rica's most idyllic beaches, the property will feature 45 guestrooms, including three suites, a range of culinary offerings from all-day bakery to fine dining restaurant serving local delicacies, and access to an array of excursions and activities such as paddle boarding, kayaking, snorkelling, hiking and biking. The hotel is on the doorstep of Las Catalinas, a traditional, car-free town with charming plazas, shops and restaurants. A one night stay is priced from £316.89 based on a double room on a room only basis. www.santarenahotel.com

SIX CONTEMPORARY SUITES ADDED TO CASA PALOPO, GUATEMALA

Casa Palopó, a Relais and Chateaux property located in Guatemala, has added six new contemporary suites making it a 15-bedroom hideaway. Originally a family home, the revamped boutique hotel offers guests stunning views of Lake Atitlan and its three surrounding volcanoes. The hotel has a traditional Mayan feel while the six new suites offer a contemporary Guatemalan style embodied in the country's famous textiles. A one night stay is priced from £217.44 based on a double room on a room only basis. www.casapalopo.com/en

PLANS FOR NEW AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION HOTEL SET TO OPEN IN BELIZE

Autograph Collection Hotel Alaia will be opening in Belize's historic town of San Pedro in 2020. The collection will feature 35 units, 56 two-bedroom condominiums, and eight villas for a total of 155 guestrooms. Upon completion, Alaia will be equipped with a beach club, a rooftop suspended pool, a spa, fitness centre, kids club, dive shop and art gallery. The surrounding area features several preserved Mayan Temples, lush jungles, ocean views and archaeological sites such as the Tunichil Muknal Cave. www.alaiabelize.com

COSTA RICA'S PAPAGAYO PENINSULA UNVEILS NEW DEVELOPMENTS

Peninsula Papagayo, a 1,400-acre premier resort and residential community in the north of Costa Rica has unveiled new developments for late 2018. These include a new Papagayo bike share programme, golf clubhouse renovation, a new gourmet market and reimagined dive bar at the Marina Village, and a new daily outdoor nature programme designed for early teens. Two of the resident hotels are undergoing improvements such as the Four Seasons Hotel which is introducing a private concierge lounge, a new spa, as well as an outdoor terrace. A one night stay in the Four Seasons is priced from £507 based on a double room on a room only basis. www.fourseasons.com/costarica. A one night stay in the Andaz Resort is priced from £319.95 based on a double room on a room only basis. www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/costarica/andaz-costa-rica-resort-at-peninsula-papagayo/liraz  www.peninsulapapagayo.com/

AC HOTEL SAN JOSE ESCAZÚ OPENS ITS DOORS

The San Jose Escazú hotel, located in Costa Rica's capital, opened its door in September 2018. The new hotel features 122 rooms, four suites, five meeting rooms, a fitness centre and a European-inspired restaurant. The property is located in one of San Jose's most prestigious areas, Los Laureles, which offers a selection of restaurants and entertainment. A one night stay is priced from £81.54 based on a double room on a room only basis. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/sjoar-ac-hotel-san-jose-escazu

NAYARA TENTED CAMP SET TO OPEN AUTUMN 2019

Nayara Resorts is set to open its third luxury resort in Arenal Costa Rica in autumn 2019. The Nayara Tented Resort will feature 18 luxury tents, 12 of which will be linked together to create a spectacular two-bedroom unit. The resort will be located high on the hill and will offer spectacular views of the Arenal Volcano, air conditioning, plunge pool fed by natural hot springs, an outdoor shower, wooden floors, a four-poster bed and a spacious bathroom with a luxury hot tub. www.nayaratentedcamp.com

AIRLINE NEWS:

AIR FRANCE INCREASES PARIS-PANAMA FLIGHT ROUTE FREQUENCY

Air France is now offering daily flights from Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Tocumen International Airport in Panama. The route will be operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft with a 276 passenger capacity. The new route will complement the already established KLM Amsterdam-Schiphol – Tocumen International route that takes the Air France–KLM group's flight offering to 14 a week from Panama. Return flights are priced from £567 with outbound flights departing at 13:05 arriving in Panama at 19:05 and inbound flights departing at 21:05 and arriving in Paris at 13:10 the following day. www.airfrance.co.uk

OTHER NEWS:

JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA LAUNCHES NEW EXPEDITION CRUISE IN CENTRAL AMERICA

Journey Latin America (JLA) has recently announced the launch of a new expedition cruise in Central America. 'Panama, the Canal and Costa Rica is an expedition-style cruise on board an intimate vessel that explores the natural landscapes, wildlife and indigenous cultures on the Pacific and Caribbean coasts of Panama and Costa Rica. Guests can expect a diverse range of experiences and activities while exploring some of the most fragile and delicate environments in Central America. This holiday starts from £6,978pp and includes accommodation on board a comfortable mid-range expeditionary cruise ship and a mid-range hotel in Panama City, one land transfer, excursions and most meals. www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk

PANAMA AND BELIZE IN TOP TEN TRAVEL DESTINATIONS 2019

Each year Lonely Planet, releases an annual guide looking at the best in travel for the forthcoming year. For the 2019 edition both Panama and Belize have been ranked in the top ten countries to travel as voted for by a community of editors, researches, locals and influencers before being ranked by a panel of judges. Editorial director Tom Hall stated “These are the places to experience in 2019 […] whatever the reason, now is the time to plan a trip.” www.lonelyplanet.com/best-in-travel/countries

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