Hotel Punta Islita


Located in the province of Guanacaste, Hotel Punta Islita is the brainchild of Mr. Harry Zurcher, a Costa Rican attorney with long-standing ties to this secluded area of the country’s Pacific Northwest.

After purchasing a 500-acre farmland property in the mid-seventies, he created a relaxation haven for friends and family, gradually consolidating a productive relationship with his community neighbors. In 1993, he envisioned an extraordinary luxury boutique resort that could provide educational and career opportunities to local residents while preserving the area’s natural beauty.

Since 1994 and under the innovative and dynamic stewardship of Mr. Eduardo Villafranca, Hotel Punta Islita has overcome the initial challenges posed by the area’s remoteness.

Today, the Hotel’s unique development model is internationally recognized as exemplary in the tourism industry. The underlying symbiosis between the Hotel, the surrounding communities, and staff members elicits a deep sense of pride and a genuine commitment to extraordinary service.


Rich ethnic tradition

The Guanacaste Province is one of Costa Rica’s richest cultural regions. Its artistic, culinary, and economic traditions are rooted in three distinct ethnic currents, providing a uniquely colorful synthesis of expression and endeavor. Hispanic, African, and native Chorotega influences are evident in the architecture, pottery, furniture, and garden sculptures that immerse visitors in the Hotel Punta Islita's unique world of captivating aesthetics.

Ancient stone artifacts, vividly colored pottery, packed earth ovens and the melodious sound of the marimba are only a few of the elements of the rich traditions of the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica.

Hotel Punta Islita is a spirited reflection of its ethnic roots and surroundings. Its people transmit the vibrancy of a hybrid culture that is marked by artistry, unintrusive courtesy and true joie de vivre.

Commitment to conservation

Hotel Punta Islita is embedded in a secluded tract of Tropical Dry Forest, a fascinating yet endangered ecosystem that is home to over 155 species of mammals, 253 species of birds, 100 species of amphibians and reptiles, unique tree species, and brilliant tropical flowers. The Hotel has pioneered conservation initiatives that aim to secure the effective protection and long-term survival of this precious and delicate habitat.

The Tropical Dry Forest is characterized by lower relative humidity, an extended dry season of bright-blue skies, and a green season of sunny mornings and sporadic afternoon showers. Due to its suitability for crops and ranching, the Tropical Dry Forest is a highly threatened ecosystem. Less than two percent of original habitat remains in the global arena.

Hotel Punta Islita has undertaken specific actions to protect and restore its natural setting. In addition to an ecologically sound development model, the Hotel has designated over 250 acres of its own land as a private biological reserve, thereby contributing to the preservation of the pristine beauty of its delicate surroundings.

Another conservation initiative is the protection of sea turtles in the nearby beaches of Camaronal. In collaboration with the Costa Rican Ministry of Environment (MINAE), the Hotel provides resources and logistical support to guarantee a safe haven during the egg-laying ritual and hatching period of these endangered creatures.



Restaurant 1492

Embark on a culinary journey at Punta Islita’s magnificent 1492 Restaurant, so named in reference to the year Christopher Columbus arrived in the Americas. The fifty-foot thatched palm ceiling is perhaps Hotel Punta Islita’s most distinguishable landmark and pays tribute to the architectural style of the Chorotegas, the area’s once predominant native culture.

Movie buffs may recognize prop items featured in Gerard Depardieu’s epic film “1492”, that chronicled Columbus’ journey to the New Continent.

1492’s menu includes delectable original dishes that fuse the best elements of Costa Rican and international cuisine. Locally grown herbs, spices, and vegetables are artfully combined to imbue signature dishes with an explosion of flavor, color, and variety. Don't miss out on the freshly caught seafood. An select wine list offers the perfect accompaniment to your own gastronomic expedition.





Borrancho Beach Club

A generously-sized fresh-water pool in tandem with the breaking Ocean is the centerpiece of the laid-back Borrancho Beach Club located on the first tier of the Hotel’s property. Landscaped gardens offer a playful atmosphere ideal for sunbathing, reading, writing, and swimming. Enjoy a spirited game of table tennis or foosball, enjoy a scrumptious Mahi-Mahi Sandwich, or cool down in the swim-up bar while sipping a refreshing Mojito- Costa Rican style!

Gym

Panoramic windows regale your workout with inspiring views of the surrounding mountains and beach cove.

Fully air-conditioned, Punta Islita’s Gym offers comfort and convenience for the fitness enthusiast. From the treadmill, stepper, and spinning bike to the Cybex multi-exercise station and free weights, our equipment can provide an intense and invigorating heart-pumping session.




Casa Spa

Punta Islita’s Casa Spa is a unique sanctuary for relaxation and holistic well being. Enjoy the nourishing elements of traditional healing arts and exotic local ingredients that provide refuge from the stress of everyday life.





Its signature line of beauty procedures and products channels the herbalist heritage and beauty rituals of the Indigenous Chorotegas and other ancient cultures through an array of modern techniques and treatments.

Casa Spa’s menu includes over thirty original offerings that include massage therapy, aqua therapy, Reiki, body scrubs, aromatherapy, facials, and healing stone therapy. Punta Islita’s own Organic Garden supplies the key natural ingredients found in Casa Spa’s products.

Casa Spa’s recent expansion of its locale and line of services provides a unique minimalist and rustic environment of relaxed simplicity that is conducive to the perfect harmonizing of mind, body, and soul.

Beauty rituals and traditions are intrinsic to every culture. All of Casa Spa’s treatments are based on the ancient healing arts of the region’s native heritage. Its signature line of spa products are hand-made locally from the finest and most natural ingredients grown on the premises. Available for purchase, these will stir memories of times spent in our relaxing sanctuary.

Special Offer! Valid from Sept 11th - Nov 15th, 2008
Stay 3 nights and pay 2 nights only !
$250 - 2 bedroom villa w/private pool Rates per person, per night, based on Quadruple occupancy	$210 - 3 bedroom villa w/private pool Rates per person, per night, based on Sextuple occupancy
Taxes NOT included

Special Offer Includes: American or Typical breakfast Welcome cocktail Cultural Tour $25 Casa Spa discount (massages 60 min. - 90 min. ) Green Fee (Golf)

RATES	Set 1 - Nov 15 /08	Nov 16 - Dec 23 /08 **	Dec 24 /08 - Jan 02 /09 ***	Jan 03 - Apr 15 /09 **
Deluxe Room	$250	$300	$350	$300
Suite w/ private jacuzzi	$360	$420	$495	$420
Casita w/ private plunge pool	$425	$480	$575	$480
2 bedroom villa	$570	$625	$760	$625
Home Rental: 3 bedroom villa w/private pool *	$600	$720	$865	$720
Additional person	$30	$30	$30	$30

Full American or Costa Rican Breakfast is included in room rate (Except in 3 bedroom villas) Taxes are not included, currently 16.39% Rates based on double occupancy except the villas 2 bedroom villa based on 4 people 3 bedroom villa based on 6 people Extra person add 16.39% tax Children under 12 free of charge if sharing room with two adults Rates are not valid during holidays * Does not include Breakfast.- 3 night minimum rental, applies year-round ** Minimum stay: 3 nights *** Minimum stay: 7 nights

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