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Discover bohemian, authentic Costa Rica


El Mangroove and Punta Islita Autograph Collection Hotels


T e Travel Guide 11


El Mangroove, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Just a 20-minute drive from Guanacaste International Airport — and the closest resort to an airport in the country — the all-suite El Mangroove, Autograph Collection is set right on the Gulf of Papagayo’s Playa Panama, situated on 17 acres of beachfront forest surrounded by preserved mangroves. Guests will marvel at the property’s contempo- rary design, which is inspired by the surrounding environment, the ecolog- ical and cultural sustainability eff orts and the region’s natural bounty, from rich fl ora and fauna to serene marine panoramas to an exciting variety of eco-adventure activities. Accommodation has been designed


with relaxation in mind and all rooms come with deep, sumptuous beds, spa-like bathrooms, balconies or terraces with hammocks and white walls complemented by natural wood accents. Among them are the Canopy Grand Suite, which off ers views of the sea between the treetops, and the Presidential Suite, with a mid-century modern vibe and private plunge pool. El Mangroove off ers an authentic Rican culinary experience seasonal produce and


Costa using local,


ingredients in the restaurant’s menus. Meals are as visually stimulating, with both restaurants promising vistas of the Gulf of Papagayo. Makoko’s menu ranges from contemporary Costa Rican to international, with plenty of local seafood, and dishes such as cavatelli pasta with grilled octopus. T e more casual Matiss is the spot for burgers, pizza and poolside cocktails, such as the Mon-key, made with Costa Rican cold-brew coff ee, Jim Beam bourbon, and homemade cinnamon syrup. T e resort’s sustainability eff orts can


be seen further in the eco-conscious design by Costa Rica’s most prominent architect, Ronald Zürcher. Supporting authentic local experiences and the surrounding community, guests can also discover the culture of the Chorotegas—one of Costa Rica’s main Indigenous groups, renowned for their farming excellence and handcrafted


For more information on El Mangroove, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels, please visit: marriott.com/en-us/hotels/lirel-el- mangroove-autograph-collection/overview/ T: 1855 2199371 Reservations: reservations@elmangroove.net Instagram: @elmangroovehotel Facebook: elmangroove


ceramics, following the tools and tech- niques of their ancestors. Outdoor enthusiasts can start the day


at the sleek infi nity-edge pool, or head out for some swimming, boat-hopping, fi shing,


stand-up paddleboarding,


kayaking jet-skiing, snorkelling, or a sunset cruise. Explorations further afi eld


take in Santa Rosa National


Park, with the chance to spot dolphins, turtles and manta rays, and the vast Área de Conservación Guanacaste (ACG), a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. As the only resort in the area with two private tour boats, adven- ture is never far away. For wellness seekers, the Bearth Spa off ers serene outdoor relaxation terraces amid the mangroves, as well as treatment suites, massage decks, and a variety of thera- pies utilising regional ingredients. El Mangroove is also well posi-


tioned for weddings — it can hold up to 120 guests in the Union Ballroom or 160 on the Ocean Terrace — and meet- ings, with almost 3,000 square feet of chic meeting space that can accom- modate 300 delegates.


Hotel Punta Islita, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Dense tropical forests and a protected Pacifi c cove await guests of Hotel Punta Islita, Autograph Collection, a luxury eco-resort on the Nicoya Peninsula, designated one of


the


world’s Blue Zones. Guests reach the hotel via a 30-minute domestic fl ight to Punta Islita airport from Liberia or San José International Airports. T is sequestered retreat takes full advan- tage of its natural surroundings, with rooms and facilities scattered around lush gardens. Wellness and sustain- ability are the ethos behind Hotel Punta Islita, off ering a serene escape while integrating and empowering local communities, protecting and conserving wildlife through reforest- ation and other ecological eff orts. T e 54 individually designed rooms


range from standard rooms with private terraces and hammocks, to


three-bedroom villas sustainable, featuring locally accented decor,


and art created by regional artists and community groups. Some rooms include private decks, ocean views, outdoor pools, gardens or full kitchens, while traditional palapa- style roofs in the villas maintain an authentic sense of place. T e resort’s agro-marine gastro-


nomic experience features zero-km menus showcasing seasonal ingre- dients from the region and the hotel’s organic garden, as well local seafood. Regional fl avours inspire at Alma Restaurant, where beautifully prepared dishes refl ect Costa Rica’s diversity, while guests can wonder at


the expansive ocean views. T e Aura Beach Club serves up familiar favour- ites in a laid-back tropical garden by the infi nity pool and beach. T e resort recognises its social and


ecological impact on the local commu- nity and has implemented initiatives such as a seed-planting programme. It also adheres to sustainable farming practices through permaculture and a zero-waste management programme. Punta Islita’s nearby Outdoor Contemporary Art Museum combines the social concept of art and creative thinking as a generator of sustainable development. At the Museum House, artists teach workshops and develop activities for San Jose in coordination with the Costa Rican Art Museum.


Inspired by the lush natural


T e resort recognises its social and ecological impact on the local community and has implemented initiatives such as a seed-planting programme


surroundings, the resort off ers guests a range of eco-activities, celebrating the bounty of the region. Guests can hike through the property’s private trails, see sea turtles nest at the mangroves by the cove, and witness other wildlife such as dolphins, monkeys and macaws at the nearby Macaw Recovery Network, where the resort off ers morning and after- noon photography walks. Horseback riding, canopy zip-lining, kayaking, jet skiing, surfi ng and trips with local fi shermen are also off ered. Guests can learn more about local gastronomy with cooking lessons with the chef, or learn to prepare mazamorra, a corn dessert beloved by the local Chorotega community. For those ready to unwind, there’s


the dramatic hilltop infi nity-edge freshwater pool for adults, the ocean- side family pool and the secluded beach providing the perfect oasis for relaxation. T at sense of calm extends to the Nanku Spa’s signature wellness treatments using natural ingredi- ents showcasing the ancient regional Chorotega healing wisdom, along with thalassotherapy. Punta Islita is fully equipped to


host intimate meetings and events in two dedicated spaces. T ose wishing to tie the knot can choose from a variety of outdoor ceremony and reception locales and have access to the welcoming local community Catholic chapel.


For more information on Hotel Punta Islita, part of Marriott’s Autograph Collection Hotels, please visit: marriott.com/hotels/travel/lirak-punta- islita-autograph-collection/ T: 1866 446 4053 Reservations: reservations@elmangroove.net Instagram: @HotelPuntaIslita Facebook: @HotelPuntaIslita


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