Awasi Iguazu has redefined how visitors experience South America’s most iconic cascades. Situated just 15 minutes from the falls, this exclusive retreat boasts 14 luxurious villas. From this intimate base, guests venture into the heart of the Atlantic Rainforest, uncovering its secrets with the help of a private guide and Jeep, creating a deeply personal and immersive journey.
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Mike in Antarctica
It was a dream come true to travel with Aurora Expeditions to this beautiful, pristine wilderness. It was so exciting to witness playful orcas, waddling penguins, stunning icebergs, and lounging seals. A particular highlight was the ‘polar plunge’. It was exhilarating jumping into the icy Antarctic waters and earning a warming shot of vodka. Cheers!
The Costa Rican Road Less-Travelled
Enjoy the road less travelled? Then search out some of the lesser known but equally beautiful regions of Costa Rica. Enjoy the nature, wildlife and beaches but without the crowds and stay in authentic and intimate properties. For an off-beat adventure, check out our recommendations…
Turriabla
Washed by the pure waters of the Reventazón River, this is a beautiful region of primary forests, biological reserves, reforestation and extensive plantations of coffee, macadamia and sugar cane. It is ideal for those seeking adventure and biological diversity away from the crowds.
Stay here: Casa Turire
Try this: Visit the Guayabo; Costa Rica’s most extensive pre-historic ruins.
Guayabo National Monument.
San Gerardo de Dota
The home of the brilliant Quetzal, beautiful San Gerardo de Dota is just 85km southwest San Jose. The dazzling highland scenery is a mecca for birdwatchers and nature lovers alike. Pack your camera and guide book and head down Pan-American highway for ornithology heaven.
Stay here: Dantica
Try this: search for the Resplendent Quetzal with an expert bird guide.
The quetzal is both beautiful and elusive.
Nicoya Peninsula
Remote and beautiful, this region is home to some of Costa Rica’s finest beaches and boutique beach stays. Perfect for relaxing, the atmosphere is laid back with fresh fruit, hammocks and yoga aplenty. Prefer to stay active then horse-riding on the beaches and surfing the famous waves here are just some of the options.
Stay here: Nantipa
Try this: take a surf lesson on Santa Teresa’s point break perfect waves.
Sunset surfing Santa Teresa-style!
We love chucking in a curve ball into our itineraries when requested. Let us guide you on an off-beat odyssey.
Perfect Pairs
Ant and Dec, Lennon and McCartney, strawberries and cream?…. Somethings are just better when together. We take a look at some of our favourite property combos that, when combined, create a truly pair-fect holiday.
1. Fazenda Catucaba & Pousada Picinguiba (Brazil)
‘Authentic farm-stay & boutique fishing village guest house’
Fazenda Catucaba is a beautiful country estate surrounded by protected forests. What used to be a 450 hectare coffee farm, the main house was built in 1850 and guest accommodation is in three villas set in the grounds. The organic food here is fantastic.
Pousada Picinguaba is a small boutique property located in a quiet bay, in the heart of the Mata Atlântica Natural Park, in the small fishing village of Picinguaba. The simple rooms have views of the ocean and the forest. The swimming pool is breath-taking!
Getting between properties: three hour transfer by road.
2. Blancaneux & Turtle Inn (Belize)
‘Rainforest & reef’
Francis Ford Coppola’s writing hideway, Blancaneux Lodge is set within the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve and is surrounded by pine trees and has its own orchid trail. There are 20 luxurious bungalows and villas, an outdoor pool, organic gardens and two restaurants. The lodge can arrange hiking to a nearby waterfall and caves. Free bikes are also available to explore the surroundings.
Turtle Inn is a beachfront property located just outside the small fishing village of Placencia. One and two bedroom thatched cottages are decorated exquisitely with Asian furnishings and textiles. There is also a pool, bar, spa and dive shop.
Getting between properties: three hour transfer by road.
3. Tierra Atacama & Tierra Patagonia (Chile)
‘Northern desert & southern peaks’
Tierra Atacama is a stylish desert hideaway and sits in five rugged acres, punctuated by waving pampas grass and giant cacti, with the Licancabur volcano and Salt Mountains as a dramatic backdrop. The 32 bedrooms are beautiful: adobe walls, private terraces, outdoor showers and volcano views; meals in the restaurant are refined and varied. But it’s the desert adventures you’ll come here for: hikes and bike rides to salt flats studded with pink flamingos, turquoise lagoons, spurting geysers and the other-worldly Moon Valley.
Tierra Patagonia is a beautiful eco-hotel that brilliantly blends into the pristine steppe landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park. The 40 stylish rooms are an ode to nature, with cow-skin rugs and bare-wood walls; enormous bathtubs are perfectly placed to gaze at the extraordinary wild surroundings as you soak. Every day, local guides lead small-group adventures through the park: hiking along the giant glaciers, kayaking across mirror-glass lagoons and biking or horse riding through pine forests, as condors soar above in the bluest of skies.
Getting between properties: two hour transfer by road to Calama Airport. Fly via Santiago to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. It is then a four or two hour transfer by road depending on the airport.
For more inspirational itinerary ideas, you know where we are!
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa
Tabacon Thermal Resort & Spa offers the unique combination of the energy of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs and the fresh air of the rainforest. This deluxe hotel offers 103 luxurious rooms and suites of different categories. All rooms are beautifully appointed with rich handicrafts and furnishings made by Costa Rican artisans.
Villa Bom Jardim
This private house is in the classical colonial style and was recently renovated by renowned Brazilian architect Marcos Tomanik. It has seven bedrooms, beautiful large gardens and direct access to the coconut and palm tree fringed beach.
Loft Bom Jardim
This stunning private house was renovated in 2020 and is a converted boat house which juts out dramatically into the calm protected waters of the bay. There are 3 bedrooms, high ceilings and use of glass to accentuate the incredible sea views.
Pousada do Sandi
A 300-year old colonial mansion, sitting at the heart of Paraty, Pousada do Sandi has been the town’s most famous small hotel for more than 30 years. Extensively renovated in 2020, historic charm pairs beautifully with modern comforts. There are 28 stunning, colourful, characterful rooms, suites and apartments.
Finca Rosa Blanca
This pioneering sustainable property is a world away from bustling San Jose and is just 30 minutes from the airport. Nestled up in the hills of Heredia with beautiful views, the fertile volcanic soil here allows for abundant coffee crops which thrive in the tree-shaded 30 acre plantation. Amongst tropical trees and bushes are collection of small buildings with white washed walls and terracotta roofs, and within each house Finca Rosa Blanca’s eclectic range of 14 spacious, artistic, colourful rooms.
Pura Vida Leader
Distinctive’s founder Steve Hyde is never one to sit still – even during a national lockdown! Instead he turned those lemons to lemonade and has just returned from a 10-day fact finding mission to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica is our bestselling destination and its borders recently re-opened to UK tourists, so it was the obvious choice for Steve to experience travel’s “new normal” first-hand. The fact that it’s a warm, tropical country with a wealth of luxury lodges and fantastic beaches was just an added bonus!
A nation which prides itself on its commitment to health and education, the Costa Rican government has been praised for its handling of Covid-19. Confidence in its robust health protocols means that visitors are no longer required to take a PCR test prior to arrival. They just need to complete the online “Health Pass” form 24hrs prior to arrival and purchase specific insurance to cover any Covid-related medical or accommodation costs. Over 15,000 tourists (including Steve!) have entered the country since, without any cases being reported.
Steve praised the country’s efforts:
“I travelled extensively in Costa Rica and was extremely impressed by the various public health protocols in place, such as hand & luggage sanitising, temperature testing and mandatory masks for all hotel/shop staff, transfer drivers and tour guides. Local people are also very committed to the protocols and wear masks and observe social distancing throughout the country. Speaking to other visitors it was very clear that they too felt reassured and confident in the measures that had been put in place to protect both tourists and locals”.
Costa Rica is ideal for visitors who literally want to get away from it all post-Covid. It is very much an outdoor destination offering stunning scenery, incredible biodiversity and thrilling soft adventure activities . Many of its hotels and lodges are small locally run establishments in remote locations, and private tours and transfers are easy to arrange. So visitors can enjoy the country’s famous “Pura Vida” (Pure Life) in safety and comfort.