Travel should be a holistic journey that not only showcases memorable landscapes and en-

ticing cultures. It should present opportunities to find inspiration in nature, cultivate inner

peace, and nourish a sense of wonder. Grupo Islita welcomes Costa Rica bound travelers

with authentic experiences that reflect our country’s Pura Vida mantra

hotelpuntaislita.com │ elsilenciolodge.com ..….

An exclusive travel special

combining

the best of Costa Rica’s

beach

and cloud forest settings.

Pure Life Experiences in Costa Rica

Includes:

All land transfers (air transfers available, please ask for rates)

3 nights at El Silencio Lodge & Spa in a Suite with outdoor whirlpool

4 nights at Hotel Punta Islita in a Suite with outdoor whirlpool

7 breakfasts

2 traditional lunches

7 dinners

2 spa treatments

The following experiences:

Espiritu Santo Coffee Experience

Guided hike at El Silencio Lodge private reserve with tropical fruit picnic

Cultural culinary experience including traditional lunch

Local market experience

Guanacaste day: horseback riding adventure with traditional lunch at the corral

Cooking lesson

Islita cultural immersion experience

Twilight zip lining with wine and hors d’oeuvres

Mixing it with Miguel cocktail lessons

*Double occupancy

Total price per person, including taxes:

Please enquire about domestic flights and additional nights and activities

Group rates available

$2955 8 days, 7 nights

Welcome to the Cloud Forest! El Silencio Lodge & Spa is an eco luxury hotel located in Costa Rica's tropical cloud forest.

Ideal for honeymoons, relaxation getaways, and wellness travel. Silencio, Spanish for si-

lence, is befitting of a destination where daily stress is hushed by nature’s melodies. A 500-

acre mystical cloud forest, crisp mountain air, hidden waterfalls, a healthy menu, spa, yoga,

and premium amenities offer an ideal retreat in Costa Rica’s pristine central volcanic region.

El Silencio Lodge & Spa is a unique retreat, ideal for all who seek respite from everyday

stress. Designed by one of Costa Rica’s most prominent architects, Ronald Zurcher, El Si-

lencio provides a seamless natural immersion experience that reflects elements of Costa

Rica’s traditional rural farms and countryside homes. The clean lines and the extensive use

of wood, bamboo, and glass elements perfectly complement the lush tropical cloud forest.

El Silencio Lodge & Spa’s main lodge houses Las Ventanas Restaurant, a coffee lounge, a gift shop, and a conference/media room.

Arrival Day:

Morning or early afternoon arrival at San Jose In-ternational Airport (SJO)

Private ground transfer with complimentary tropical fruit sampler

Espiritu Santo Coffee Experience On the way to El Silencio Lodge & Spa, you will enjoy a special stopover at Costa Rica’s Naranjo County. Renowned for its ideal conditions for growing gourmet coffee, Naranjo features some of the best plantations in Costa Rica. Hacienda Espíritu Santo wel-comes java lovers who wish to learn about the fascinating coffee process, from bean harvesting and roasting, to final brewing. In-cludes coffee-tasting mini-course.

Private Dinner by the Fireplace An impeccably set table right by the fireplace is the ideal setting to enjoy Las Ventanas Restaurant, where Costa Rican dishes are executed with inspired flair. Signature dishes favor local ingredi-ents and the in-property garden supplies most of the organic herbs and vegetables. An excellent wine list perfectly comple-ments the dining experience.

Day Two:

Guided Morning Hike & Picnic Your personal Eco-Concierge will guide you along El Silencio Lodge& Spa’s private hiking trails, meandering through pristine cloud forest and bordering a crystalline river until reaching the magnificent La Promesa Waterfall. A magical spot to enjoy a trop-ical-fruit picnic.

Local Culture & Cuisine + Lunch at Doña Olga’s Our hometown, Los Bajos del Toro Amarillo is a thriving rural community with rich traditions, unsurpassed landscapes, and in-triguing flora. This guided tour pays a visit to local orchid enthusi-ast, Don Martin Porras and his private garden. His collection fea-tures more than 400 orchid species, from fun shoe-shaped speci-mens to tiny varieties of Lilliputian beauty. A magnifying glass is provided for a unique micro-safari. Followed by a visit to the local school, church, soccer field, and a fun stop at Doña Olga’s Pulpería where she will teach you how to palm fresh tortillas to best enjoy a traditional Bajos del Toro lunch.

El Silencio Lodge & Spa’s Suites are surrounded by tropical cloud forest and gardens.

Suite amenities include premium comforts, panoramic windows, a private viewing deck, and an outdoor heated whirlpool.

Day Three:

Live Your Destination: Local Market Experience Enjoy a truly unique culinary experience. Learn a little Spanish, visit a regional mercadito, and prepare the best Olla de Carne on record. Perfect for shopping and cooking enthusiasts! Starts off with a list of delicious ingredients for a traditional Costa Rican stew. A photo guide will help you undertake your mission: To find, select, and purchase the freshest produce at the community market! You will be given ₡5000 (about $10) and your Eco-Concierge will reveal pointers to make the most of your mon-ey. In the process, you will have a chance to interact with local farmers as you learn about their daily lives and culture. Back at El Silencio, participants will make a hearty Olla de Carne stew to be enjoyed at dinner.

Afternoon Spa Treatment Esencia Spa lets you enjoy the best of Costa Rica’s natural healing ingredients. The sound of flowing water, whispering breeze, nourishing earth, and the primal flicker of candles converge in harmony for relaxing massages, facials, and body wraps. Stand-out features include the al fresco Yoga Deck and the Conical Room, designed to channel the Costa Rican forest’s life energy.

Day Four:

Land Transfer to Hotel Punta Islita Switch gears. From the mystical cloud forest and green moun-tains to Costa Rica’s famed Nicoya coastline in Guanacaste. A pri-vate land transfer gives you a perfect opportunity to witness Cos-ta Rica’s eco-diversity and picturesque little towns. Relax, enjoy the sights, and don’t hesitate to ask your private driver to stop for photo opportunities whenever you spot a fascinating landscape, a stunning flower, or cultural landmarks.

Welcome to the Beach! At Hotel Punta Islita, life’s best experiences in-

tensify in planet-friendly, people-positive equi-

librium. Friendship, wellness, and adventure

are heightened, framed by Guanacaste’s stun-

ning beach coves and tropical dry forests.

Beachfront seclusion, and homespun charm

distinguish Hotel Punta Islita as Costa Rica’s

premiere destination, brimming with authentic

character. Hotel Punta Islita welcomes savvy

travelers with non-crowded beaches, a local

community art museum, and the off-beat expe-

riences that make Costa Rica an exciting travel

destination.

Hotel Punta Islita has developed in full synergy

with its neighbors: a collective of about nine tiny

rural communities with a total population of

about 1400. By opting out of an enclave-style

hotel model and pioneering an internationally-

recognized sustainability program, Hotel Punta

Islita has fostered a win-win partnership that se-

cures optimal resource stewardship and eco-

nomic opportunity. Reforestation, species recov-

ery and protection, water conservation, local

employment, and support for education and the

arts ensure the health of Islita. Today, Islita is not

only a globally-recognized destination, but a

thriving region characterized by a dynamic natu-

ral environment and a successful collective of

travel professionals, community artists, and mi-

cro-entrepreneurs.

Hotel Punta Islita has developed an integral partnership with its surrounding communities.

Day Four (continued):

Arrival at Hotel Punta Islita

Free afternoon to explore the beach cove

Private Torch Lit Dinner Live a storybook dining experience. A three-course meal is en-joyed at a private table set on the viewing deck adjacent to the main restaurant. Lit by flickering torches and serenaded by the cove’s breaking waves. Featuring traditional Guanacaste flavors

Day Five:

Ride Like the Sabanero Local cowboys are known as sabaneros because their riding skills are honed in the local savannah plains. At Hotel Punta Islita, you can sample a bit of the sabanero lifestyle by enjoying an unfor-gettable adventure on horseback. Includes a traditional sabanero lunch at the corral.

Savor Guanacaste Cuisine Learn the secrets behind Costa Rica’s favorite dishes including the healthy, citrus ceviche, the versatile picadillo, or the deliciously sweet tres leches dessert. Led by our Chef, Leanneth Viales, this fun session lets you understand the flavors behind local traditions so you can replicate them at home and share with family and friends.

Hotel Punta Islita’s Suites feature panoramic ocean views, a private deck with outdoor whirlpool, and lounging hammock.

Suite amenities include premium comforts, four-post king-sized beds, local art, and a reading area.

Day Six:

Live Your Destination: Islita Community Our closest neighboring community, the little town of Islita is a welcoming example of Costa Rica’s most colorful traditions and heartfelt friendship. Paying a visit will provide a wonderful oppor-tunity to participate in its daily life in an unscripted way. Doing a little shopping is a wonderful way to support local artists and busi-nesses!

Twilight Zip-Lining + Special Treat Soar through the forest canopy while safely suspended from a steel cable zip-line! Hotel Punta Islita’s tree-friendly adventure is set on ground platforms and crisscrosses a deep canyon. Under-taking this challenge while shrouded by darkness provides an ad-ditional rush. Inhale deeply as you take in the experience! After-wards, toast your courage with a mini celebration including wine and hors d’oeuvres.

Day Seven:

Free Morning to Enjoy at Your Leisure

Casa Spa Treatment in the Afternoon Embedded in lush tropical gardens, the world-class Casa Spa is home to pampered wellness. Its generous selection of nature-inspired treatments includes health and beauty offerings for men, women, and the entire family.

Mixing it With Miguel + Early Happy Hour Learn to bartend with tropical flair! Miguel at the Borrancho Beach Club will reveal the secret to the perfect Piña Colada or give you tips as to how to add extra zest to your favorite cocktail. Fol-lowed by a special Happy Hour to celebrate the many adventures of the past days.

Day Eight:

Land Transfer Back to SJO Airport for Departure

EXCELLENCE ACCOLADES & DISTINCTIONS

Condé Nast Traveler Magazine

Readers’ Choice (2012,2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006)

Gold List (2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006)

Travel+Leisure Magazine

Best 100 Hotels in the World (2008)

Best 500 Hotels in the World (2010, 2009, 2007)

Trip Advisor

Reader’s Choice: Best Luxury- Central & South America (2009)

SUSTAINABILITY AWARDS

Costa Rica’s Certification of Sustainable Tourism

Five-Leaf Maximum Sustainability Rating CST (Since 2011)

Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards

Best Accommodation for Local Communities (2010)

Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)

Grand Award Best Contribution to the Community (2010)

World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC)

Investor in People- Tourism for Tomorrow Awards (2006)

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH)

Caring Luxury Award (2005)

EXCELLENCE ACCOLADES & DISTINCTIONS

Condé Nast Traveler Magazine

Readers’ Choice (2012,2011)

Gold List (2012)

Hot List- Best New Hotels of 2008

Trip Advisor

Winner Traveler’s Choice (2012)

Travel+Leisure Magazine

It List- Editors’ Pick of the World’s Most Exciting New Hotels (2008)

Featured in Hardcover Book: World’s Greatest Hotels, Resorts & Spas 09

Costa Rica’s Certification of Sustainable Tourism

Five-Leaf Maximum Sustainability Rating CST (Since 2011)

To learn more, please visit:

www.grupoislita.com

www.hotelpuntaislita.com

www.elsilenciolodge.com