Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality gives new meaning to “Girls’ trip.”
“When the working day is done,” Cyndi Lauper sang all those years ago, “girls just wanna have fun.” Things haven’t changed since, so we’d like to suggest something a little more exotic for the next annual vacation with your besties — for instance, an all-inclusive trip to the exotic rainforests and beaches of Central America.
That’s exactly what is being offered by Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality (CSH), a tourism group that operates in Latin America and the Caribbean. From now until November 15, gal groups are invited to take part in the Girlfriend Getaway, a package deal that is available at five CSH locations in Costa Rica and Nicaragua. Whether you and your girls prefer to stay active or be pampered at the spa, each set of amenities caters to a wide variety of vacation options.
The four Ps of sustainable tourism — people, planet, profit and place — are fundamental to the hotels, lodges and other projects managed by CSH. Local economies are stimulated, money is raised for worthy causes and the lush natural surroundings of each resort are preserved to their fullest. The guests don’t complain much, either.
Lapa Rios Ecolodge
Where: Costa Rica
Why it’s great: Nestled on a private nature preserve that covers more than 1,000 acres, Lapa Rios Ecolodge lies within Central America’s last remaining lowland tropical rainforest.
Girlfriend Getaway Package details: Five nights’ accommodation for the price of four; three gourmet meals per day; shuttle transportation to and from Puerto Jimenez airport; an exclusive tour of the resort property (which includes participation in the site’s ‘Plant a Tree’ program) and a guided onsite expedition (choices include bird watching at sunrise, a local medicine walk or exploring the rainforest).
Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation & Inn
Where: Costa Rica
Why it’s great: The Finca Rosa Blanca is the only property to earn a perfect score from the Sustainable Tourism Certification program. We hear they make a mean cup of joe, as well.
Girlfriend Getaway Package details: Three nights’ accommodation; three gourmet meals per day; transfers to and from the airport; a tour of the inn’s organic coffee plantation; and — last but certainly not least — a head-to-toe rainforest massage. I’m sold.
Arenas Del Mar Beachfront & Rainforest Resort
Where: Costa Rica
Why it’s great: Arenas Del Mar (Spanish for ‘sands of the sea’) is set on two private white sand beaches, Playa Espadilla and Playitas. The resort is located within safe walking distance to nearby nightlife activities, so a girls’ night out with umbrella drinks and club-hopping is entirely possible.
Girlfriend Getaway Package details: Five nights’ accommodation for the price of four; shuttle transportation to and from the local airport; continental breakfast every morning; two 50-minute massages (one per guest); an expert-led tortilla-making tutorial; a guided sustainability tour; 25% discount at the resort gift shop and a choice of one exclusive resort activity (guests may explore Manuel Antonio National Park, go bird watching, go on an exploratory hike of Biezans Beach, go horseback riding, go whitewater rafting or take a surfing lesson).
Latitude 10 Beach Resort
Where: Costa Rica
Why it’s great: You and your girls will have the opportunity to stay in a private casitas that overlooks the stunning Costa Rican beachfront — where playful sea turtles are known to spend time.
Girlfriend Getaway Package details: Five nights’ accommodation for the price of four; gourmet continental breakfasts; shuttle transportation to and from the airport; one surfing lesson; dinner prepared by a private chef and served with a complimentary bottle of wine; and your choice of an exclusive resort tour (a hike to Montezuma Waterfalls, an exploration of the Malpais forest canopy, a horseback riding expedition or some quality hang-out time with local sea turtles.)
S E A T T L E I T E 