07 Apr 2016
PANAMA LAUNCHES NEW 'ECOTOURISM' PROJECT
The Ministry of Environment and the tourism authorities in Panama are moving forward with a new ecotourism project; Ecotur, which is a part of the government's plan to develop sustainable tourism throughout the country.
The Ecotur project, which will be launched on 22 April 2016, aims to develop nine protected areas across Panama, such as the 'Isla Bastimentos' Marine Park, 'Volcan Baru' National Park, 'Altos de Campana' National Park and the 'Altos de Campana' National Park. Through the project, the government aims to develop the tourism offering in the areas by allowing local communities to provide services such as guided tours, basic accommodation services, restaurants and artisanal shops.
The project will allow tourists to discover more protected natural parks and attract more international travellers which in turn will generate economic benefits for the local communities and the country. www.visitcentroamerica.com www.visitpanama.com
HYATT HOTEL OPENS ITS DOORS IN NICARAGUA
In March 2016 the new Hotel Hyatt Place officially opened its doors in Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. The 140 room hotel is the first hotel from the Hyatt hotel chain to open in the country and the fifth to open in the Central American region.
The Hyatt Place Managua is conveniently located in the centre of the city, a twenty minute taxi drive from Augusto C Sandino International Airport and has easy access to some of the city's most important tourist attractions such as the old cathedral and Puerto Salvador Allende area. The hotel also boasts modern amenities such as a heated outdoor pool, a gym, the Coffee to Cocktails bar and a restaurant offering Nicaraguan specialities.
A standard double room in the hotel based on two people sharing is priced from £117 per room including complementary breakfast for all guests. www.managua.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/our-hotel.html
NATURE AIR LAUNCHES NEW FLIGHTS FROM COSTA RICA TO NICARAGUA
Nature Air has increased the frequency of flights from San Jose, Costa Rica to Managua, Nicaragua to operate twice daily in response to the high number of passengers since the route was launched in December 2015.
Outbound flights from San Jose to Managua will operate at 7am and 5:30pm and inbound flights from Managua to San Jose will operate at 8:30am and 7pm. Return flights are priced from £140. www.book.natureair.com
LEONARDO DICAPRIO MAKES BELIZE HIS NEXT ECOTOURISM PROJECT
The Oscar winning actor, Leonardo DiCaprio, is planning to open a new eco-resort in Belize in 2018. The actor, known for his environmental activism, is building a luxury sustainable tourism project on cayo Blackadore a small island that he recently purchased just off the north eastern coast of Belize, not far from the Belize Barrier Reef.
The eco-conscious resort 'Blackadore Caye, a Restorative Island' is one of the world's most exclusive island resorts featuring villas, infinity pools and stunning views. DiCaprio intends to build all accommodation on a platform above the water under which artificial reefs will be installed to provide shelter for marine life. Vegetation that needs to be removed during construction will be replanted within an area designed to protect the wildlife of the island.
The island is a 15 minute boat ride from the town of San Pedro or a 45 minute boat ride from Philip S.W Goldson International Airport in Belize City. www.restorativeislands.com/blackadore-caye
COSTA RICA TO OPEN NEW TOURISM COMPLEX 'CABO VELAS',
A new tourism complex called 'Cabos Velas' is due to be built in the district of Tempate in Santa Cruz located in the north western province of Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The construction of the new tourism complex is expected to take place over a period of 15 to 20 years in four different stages. The infrastructure will be made up of 18 apartment buildings over ten floors with eight apartments per floor and three hundred hotel rooms as well as recreational centres.
The aim of the project is to further open up the country to international tourism in conjunction with the new British Airways flights to San Jose. Regular buses leave from San Jose bus terminal to Guanacaste and are priced from £20 and travel time is approximately three hours. www.visitcentroamerica.com/?q=es/country/costa%20rica
TOUR OPERATOR NEWS
NEW ANATOLIAN SKY BOUTIQUE CRUISES TO COSTA RICA AND PANAMA
Anatolian Sky has launched a new cruise experience exploring the Pacific Ocean coastline of Costa Rica, discovering the nature reserves and national parks of Isla Coiba, Curu and Manuel Antonia in Panama and walking along the trails in the Panamanian Darrien jungle.
The new cruising experience also includes a visit to The Panama Canal and Panama City. Prices of the cruise are available upon request. www.anatoliansky.co.uk/worldwide-cruises/costa-rica-panama-cruises/costa-rica-panama-canal
KE ADVENTURES LAUNCHES NEWS TREASURE OF GUATEMALA AND BELIZE TOUR
KE Adventures has launched 'Treasures of Guatemala and Belize', a 14 day journey of discovery through the highlights of Guatemala and Belize. The tour includes kayaking on Lake Atitlan, climbing up the Pacaya volcano at sunset, discovering the Mayan ruins of Tikal, Yaxha and the 'Crystal Maiden' of the Actun Tunichil Muknal cave. The tour also includes snorkelling in the Caribbean Sea and a trip to the Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary to experience some of Belize's wildlife. Departure dates for the 'Treasure of Guatemala and Belize' tour run in August, November, December 2016 and, February and April 2017.
The holiday is priced from £1,795 excluding international flights or £2,445 including international flights from the UK. www.keadventure.com/holidays/guatemala-belize-discovery-tikal-central-america
DIVE IN THE BEST DIVING SITES IN THE WORLD WITH JOURNEY LATIN AMERICA
Journey Latin America has launched 15 day dive tour of Central America and Mexico that combines diving in some of the region's most sought after diving sites with the best natural, cultural and adventure activities on land.
The holiday takes in world famous sites such as the Cenotes (limestone sink holes) in Mexico's Yucutan, the Bay Islands in Honduras and the Great Blue Hole in Belize, interspersed with visits to cultural and wildlife attractions such as Copan Mayan ruins in Honduras, Tulum Mayan ruins in Mexico and Antigua Colonial in Guatemala.
The holiday is priced from £3,700 per person and includes flights, accommodation, transfers, excursions and diving equipment, departing on 30th April. www.journeylatinamerica.co.uk/destinations/mexico/holidays/diving-group-tour
CATA – the promotional agency for the seven Central America countries (Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Panama and Nicaragua) – is represented by Lotus. For editorial and marketing enquiries, please contact Rebecca Wilson, Georgina Oakley or Lucy Keenan at Lotus – rebecca@wearelotus.co.uk / georgina@wearelotus.co.uk / lucy@wearelotus.co.uk / 0207 953 7470
