With a world of inspirational cultures and fl avors, including Spanish, African, Mediterranean and Caribbean infl uences, Central America is a gastronomic wonderland. Experience Latin fusion cuisine utilizing chicken, fresh seafood, organic fruits and vegetables, and staples such as fried plantains, beans, rice and corn for a rich combination of ingredients to tempt any palate.

With a world of inspirational cultures and fl avors, including Spanish, African, Mediterranean and

CENTRAL AMERICA CULINARY DELIGHTS

DAY 5 | GUANACASTE/ARENAL | Soak in nature sights and biodiversity on the three and a half hour private transfer to The Springs Resort and Spa in Arenal for three nights in a Vista Grande guestroom. Indulge in this premier resort, boasting picturesque volcano views and featuring 28 natural hot springs, pools and waterfalls, spa, discriminating dining, and a wildlife preserve.

Partake in mouthwatering, chef-created fusion fare in Las Ventanas for dishes such as papaya creole shrimp, lobster ravioli and Angus beef tenderloin, and incorporating Spanish inspiration for their sweet desserts.

DAY 6 | ARENAL | Energize yourself with an exciting rappelling adventure on the Private Pure Trek Canyoning Excursion. Get in touch with nature as you keep an eye out for unique wildlife on a rainforest hike. Then, rappel down four waterfalls and a rock cliff, for a fun, adrenaline-filled experience. Head to the mineral hot springs to relax in lush environments from raging waterfalls to tranquil forest experiences.

Enjoy a tasting menu in Tres Cascadas with an array of salads, soups, fresh baked breads and signature entreés including Costa Rican casado, blackened Ahi tuna filet, and pork, plus shrimp lo mein made with homemade Asian sauce.

DAY 7 | ARENAL | Immerse in nature and adventure at the Club Rio Outdoor Center, then for a midday snack visit the Treetops Grill, surrounded by five waterfalls. Savor sea bass ceviche, curried chicken wrap or organic salads, burgers, and more as music gently wafts through the breeze.

After a day of thrilling discovery, satisfy your palate with a traditional Tico dining experience at Rancho Club Rio. With views of Arenal River, indulge in panko shrimp, cassava chalipas, quinoa salad pita, and specialty entreés such as arroz con mariscos or guava churrasco with a favorite homemade chiribiscos for dessert – a Costa Rican version of gelato.

DAY 8 | ARENAL/USA | After a scrumptious breakfast with your last cup of rich Costa Rican arabica coffee, relax in your private transfer to the airport. Board your homeward flight and begin planning your next exquisite vacation enhanced with more delightful culinary surprises.

Costa Rica is the ultimate haven for fresh fruits, vegetables, and its greatest export: coffee. With an international fusion of flavors, savor organic ingredients, fresh seafood and traditional dishes fused with a homemade flair and pura vida inspiration.

Below is just a sample of the immersive itineraries our Destination Specialists can create.

DAY 1 | USA/GUANACASTE, COSTA RICA | Upon arrival in Liberia, board your private transfer to The Westin Golf Resort & Spa, Playa Conchal, located on the stunning North-Pacific Riviera. Spend four nights in a spacious, all-inclusive Royal Beach Club Suite in the adults-only section. Revel in a lagoon-style pool, championship golf, spa, non-motorized sports, and more. And, as Club suite guests, enjoy enhanced amenities, private Royal Beach Club pool and the Royal Beach Club Lounge with complimentary breakfast, evening happy hour and more.

For dinner, toast your arrival with a signature red sangria at Manglar Mediterranean Restaurant, before a fresh Niçoise salad with tuna filet or Chilean salmon. Or, dive into folk traditions under the thatched roof of La Sabana. Marvel at roaming “sabaneros” who offer local fire-roasted and international meats, such as chorizo criollo, picana, and turkey breast.

DAY 2 | GUANACASTE | Embark on a full day of adventure on the Private Arenal Volcano by Night Excursion. At a height of more than 5,400 feet, explore the ancient Arenal volcano, its majestic skyscapes, rainforest canopy, verdant foothills and the country’s largest lake. After lunch, relax with a soak in the mineral hot spring pools and waterfalls before a tasty buffet dinner and a spectacular evening lava display.

DAY 3 | GUANACASTE | Discover a duality of nature from the unique wetlands to the tropical dry forest with a relaxing jungle boat cruise on the Palo Verde and Coffee Excursion. Located along the banks of the Tempisque River, take an in-depth look at Palo Verde’s rainforest. Following lunch, visit The Beneficio Matambú to sip coffee and learn about the production of Diria Coffee, from the growing of the plant to the treatment of the excess.

Unwind at the resort with Latin fare in Las Candelas, starting with a refreshing sea bass ceviche and a passion margarita. Savor a tender rib eye, grilled tuna fillet or annatto flavored rice as you reminisce about your exciting day.

DAY 4 | GUANACASTE | Spend your day relaxing poolside or keep busy with a wealth of activities. Royal Beach guests can delight in a private, adults-only lunch at Faisanela Italian Restaurant, including soups, salads and delicious pastas, providing an authentic taste of Italy.

Celebrate this evening with dinner in casually elegant style in Catalinas, the resort’s signature restaurant serving a host of international flavors. For a serene ambience, savor a touch of Asian inspiration with local flair at Bamboo. Or satisfy your eclectic palate with French, Asian, Middle-Eastern or Latin America night at Mitra’s themed-buffet.

A Taste of Costa Rica

THE SPRINGS RESORT AND SPA

COSTA RICAARENALDon Rufino Restaurante | Upscale yet casual, savor eclectic, modern fare infused with local fl avors and ingredients at this popular restaurant. Delight in organic meats and chicken, fresh seafood, vegetarian and gluten-free options, some seasoned with chocolate, coff ee, and tarragon, and paired with your choice of purple corn polenta, organic racacha root puree or handmade tortillas.

Wine Pairing Extravaganza at Nayara Gardens | From Latin American to European vintages and cuisine, sip and savor five courses paired with a different wine with each course as you bask on an open-air terrace. Sample a premium red with beef tenderloin, a sparkling cava with green mussels or an Argentine Malbec with a chocolate soufflé for a truly distinctive evening.

CENTRAL VALLEYPrivate Romantic Dinner at Pacuare Lodge | Extraordinary and unique, romance abounds with a candlelit dinner by the riverbank or suspended in a thatched-roof “nest” 60 feet up in the canopy. With a well-stocked wine cellar, evolving menus and hotel-grown organic ingredients, savor traditional rice and bean dishes, fish with fresh vegetables and rib-eye steak and potatoes for a magical night under the stars.

GUANACASTEMakoko at El Mangroove | For an exciting gastronomical journey, Makoko utilizes organic, farm-to-table ingredients, supporting local farmers and fisherman to create a fresh, distinct menu offering well-presented, beautifully prepared Costa Rican cuisine fused with delectable flavors to tantalize the senses.

AMBERGRIS CAYE Palmilla Restaurant at Victoria House | Boasting ocean views amid manicured grounds, delight in a casually elegant, continental dining experience under the stars or indoors. Awaken your appetite with a rotating selection of Amuse Bouche options, followed by fresh conch ceviche, cashew crusted grouper, beef tenderloin or grilled lobster, ending with a delicious molten lava cake.

The Hidden Treasure Restaurant | As San Pedro’s best kept secret, hidden away on a back street, discover fine dining in a rustic yet elegant setting. Feast upon chimichurri pork chops, Caribbean jerk shrimp and eggplant parmesan followed by a decadent tres leches cake, all while swaying to the beats of the live local musicians.

BELIZE CITYCelebrity Restaurant & Bar | A cozy, local favorite, savor delicious house specialties including fresh seafood, American classics, Mexican plates, and Italian inspirations. From steaks and burgers, gourmet salads, ceviches and pasta plates to seafood specialities, spoil yourself with their extensive menu, saving room for homemade cheesecake.

PLACENCIATutti Frutti | Touted as the best gelato in Belize, delight in homemade creations ustilizing the fresthest fruits and purest ingredients. Savor exotic flavors such as mangoes, soursop, coconut, lime and pineapples then mix in your choice of panacotta, pistachios, roasted figs, nuts and more.

COSTA RICAARENALAMBERGRIS CAYE

JOURNESESM CULINARY RECOMMENDATIONS

CULINARY TIPS

BELIZE• As one of Belizes’ cultural influences, sample classic

Creole dishes such as rice and beans, stew chicken, and Boil Up, a mixture of vegetables, eggs and fish served with a dumpling cake.

COSTA RICA• For an authenitc taste of Costa Rica, try the most

famous dish gallo pinto made of rice and beach or a local, traditional version of Olla de Carne, a stew made with chunks of beef, plaintains, yuccas, sweet potatoes and camotes.

PANAMA• When dining within the home of a local, be sure to

take small amounts of food at first, as it is a great compliment to your host to ask for second helpings.

• One of the most authentic dishes in Panama, Sancocho is a hearty chicken and vegetable soup, usually served with rice and cilantro.

BELIZE

BELIZE COSTA RICA

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Rio Bhongo Restaurant at Andaz Costa Rica at Peninsula Papagayo, Costa Rica | Overlooking Culebra Bay, gaze at tranquil views as you immerse in the flavors of Costa Rica. Inspired by Latin culture, revel in fresh fruit smoothies, homemade breads, traditional casados, salads and more, plus rich coffee, chocolate and tea specialties from the Barista bar.

Soda Las Palmas | Renowned for its local flavors and experience, this quaint family owned gem just outside of Tamarindo offers an authentic menu you won’t want to miss. Made fresh daily, indulge in Gallo pinto, a traditional rice and beans dish with the option to add a variety of meats and seafoods or Mondongo, a slow-cooked tripe soup.

MANUEL ANTONIO La Luna Restaurant at GAIA Hotel & Reserve | Lauding rainforest and ocean views in an open-air setting, savor an extensive menu of fresh, local and international fare, signature drinks and desserts. Discover innovative vegan choices, tenderloin steaks, and plantain and coconut-crusted Mahi-Mahi, plus a five-course menu option paired with a glass of wine for each course.

SAN JOSÉ Doka Estate Coffee Experience & Oxcart Factory | Ideal for ardent coffee lovers, learn about the plantation and its gourmet coffee process from sowing and harvest to processing and roasting. Delight in a coffee and chocolate tasting before a visit to an oxcart factory to witness the creativity and craftsmanship of Costa Rica’s famous symbol, plus a delicious lunch.

Las Terrasse French Cuisine | An ideal intimate setting, French Chef Patricia Richer welcomes you to her home dating back to 1927 to share her French culture and gastronomy. Not to be missed is the profiterole of goat cheese and mascarpone on a gourmet salad, pork pate with cardamom, or the smoked salmon with honey and passion fruit.

PANAMALa Posta Panama | A local city favorite, sip a mojito as you listen to Latin music and gratify your palate with innovative fusion of Latin American and European flavors. With a classic Caribbean ambience, sample fresh seafood, prime beef, organic pork and chicken, homemade pasta and pizza offerings for a relaxing evening.

La Vespa | Discover authentic food and the Italian lifestyle in Panama utilizing the freshest ingredients to create Mediterranean and Italian specialties. Amid live entertainment, indulge in handmade lasagna alla Bolognese, gnocci with clams and ginger, or a mix grill of lobster, prawns, octopus and more, with a dolce finish of tiramisu or pannacotta.

Tierra y Fuego at The Westin Playa Bonita Panama | Sophisticated and refined with chic red leather booths, bolo frescoes and ocean views, this sleek steakhouse boasts tempting specialties infused with Latin flavor. Reserve your table after 7pm for an adults-only experience to taste succulent rack of lamb, juicy New York strip, or signature 12-ounce churrasco skirt steak.

PANAMA