A leading Costa Rica resort has hit the market, Caribbean Journal Invest has learned. 

The Si Como No Resort and Wildlife Refuge has been listed for sale with CBRE Hotels. 

The property first opened in 1992 as a five-key resort and has expanded into a 51-room property with two restaurants, a swim-up bar, two outdoor pools, a private theater, a full-service spa and a 21-acre wildlife refuge. 

The property is marked by panoramic views of the ocean and the foliage of the Manuel Antonio National Park. 

The property, set in Manuel Antonio on the country’s central Pacific coast, has been listed unencumbered by both brand and management, according to CBRE. 

It has posted average annual NOI growth of 22.3 percent since 2016. 

There’s also expansion potential, with conceptualized plans to add another 27 guest rooms. 

“Manuel Antonio is cherished as  one of the most beautiful and unspoiled places on earth,” said Paul Weimer, senior Vice President, Americas at CBRE Hotels in Miami.  “And the perennially popular village of Quepos is the tourism heart of the region.  Under the same ownership for many years, Si Como No has flourished financially and offers tremendous further upside potential.”

For more, visit Si Como No. 

— CJI

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Belize has officially reopened its borders for international tourism. 

The sought-after destination on the Caribbean coast of Central America has begun welcoming back travelers to its Philip Goldson International Airport as part of the third phase of the country’s five-phase travel reopening plan. 

A number of major carriers have already resumed flights to the country, including American Airlines out of Miami and United Airlines out of Houston. 

Delta will be resuming Atlanta-Belize flights on Nov. 20. 

So what about the travel protocols?

Most crucially, all travelers to Belize must present proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test within 72 hours of travel. 

They must also download the Belize Health App and completed the required questionnaire. 

All visitors will undergo a health screening and test verification process upon arrival. 

Those with a verified negative COVID-19 PCR test result can proceed to immigration and customs and then to their hotel. 

Those who do not have a test must take an immediate test at the airport, and will be placed into quarantine at their hotel until receiving clearance from the Ministry of Health. (You can find more on the travel protocols here)

The initial reopening phase will center around the Belize “Safe Corridor,” which will include hotels, restaurants and tour operators that have been approved by the Belize Tourism Board’s “Gold Standard” recognition, a nine-point program of safety protocols. 

All travelers will have to check in on the Belize Health app daily. If they report symptoms, they will have to be tested again; those who test positive will be placed into quarantine. 

“We’re confident the Tourism Gold Standard Recognition Program and Gold Standard Seal of Approval will allow travelers and the tourism industry to operate safely as COVID-19 restrictions are eased,” said Belize Tourism Board Director of Tourism, Karen Bevans. “While visitors will need to adhere to our ‘new normal’ entry requirements and safety protocols, their experience will remain authentic to Belize’s adventurous spirit.”

More than 130 accommodations have already been approved as “safe corridor” accommodations, according to the Belize Tourism Board. 

That includes notable names like the Cayo Espanto private-island resort, the Lodge at Chaa Creek, the Matachica Resort, among others. 

You can find the full list of Gold Standard hotels here.  

For more, visit Travel Belize. 

— CJ

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The British Virgin Islands is reopening for tourism on Dec. 1, and in the age of social-distancing, a luxe villa vacation is the perfect way to experience the destination.

And Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals, which has a portfolio of 20 villas across the island, is launching a host of new amenities for travelers.

The company’s team has used the last six months to train and to develop and test the COVID-19 health and safety protocols which have been approved by the BVI Environmental Unit, according to Sharon Flax-Brutus, director of operations for the company.

“We understand and are sensitive to the current climate and we want our guests to feel ultra-special as well as safe and comfortable when they stay in our villas,” Flax-Brutus said.

And with the BVI relaunching ahead of the festive season, Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals is unveiling a host of holiday amenities for the occasion.

That includes a new program which begins Dec. 15, giving guests the opportunity to have their villa decorated with a complimentary Christmas tree and get a holiday amenity featuring locally-made culinary treats.

Guests can also enjoy a prix-fixe dinner menu at the fine-dining eatery at Virgin Gorda’s Leverick Bay Resort, Spa and Marina in North Sound.

Even better? Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals is adding another amenity: a tennis pro who will be available to play with and teach villa guests: Arthur Hicks, the former coach at the Necker Island Resort, who has played in multiple championships in both the United States and the United Kingdom.

“Everything is in place to welcome guests and as our villas offer large open-air spaces, lots of privacy, stunning beach front locations or breathtaking ocean views they are perfect for couples, families and small groups,” Flax-Brutus said. “We are looking forward to that day.”

For more visit Virgin Gorda Villa Rentals.

— CJ

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The Caribbean’s newest luxury resort has officially opened its doors on the island of Grenada.

The Point at Petite Calivigny opened this week as Grenada’s first lifestyle and wellness resort. 

The property is home to three villas and 12 suites on an 11-acre estate above Grenada’s Benji Bay. 

The boutique resort, which has access to a private beach, has a spa, a beach bar and restaurant and five pools. 

Each of the suites has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, private balconies and the suites share two large swimming pools, a swimming pool and an outdoor grilling station. 

“The Point is the first luxury resort in Grenada that is totally focussed on wellness,” said Chris Ashby, owner of the resort. “We offer discerning travelers the perfect combination of luxury accommodation in a peaceful setting with the ability to design their stay exactly as they wish.”

The property’s wellness offering includes a state-of-the-art gym, along with a slate of classes for activities ranging from stand-up paddle boarding to high-intensity interval training and Barre, a full-body workout inspired by ballet movements, Crossfit and boxing. 

That’s along with a menu of meditation and yoga courses and a regular Grenadian-style tea ceremony. 

The opening of the property comes as Grenada completed its multi-phased reopening earlier this month, one that included access for travelers from the United States. 

The opening of the luxe resort is part of what is a growing luxury sector in Grenada, buoyed by the new Silversands Grenada and a soon-to-launch resort by Kimpton.

“The impetus in creating The Point was to offer a truly Grenadian experience,” Ashby said. “I am proud to say that The Point is owned by a Grenadian, was built by Grenadians and is staffed by Grenadians.”

For more, visit The Point at Petite Calivigny. 

— CJ

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