Seascapes in the Costa Rican Cloud Forest

A brief escape can go a long way in enhancing your wellness and productivity.  Soothing the mind with pleasant images and relaxing music is a good option when you just need a breather.  We gladly offer you this brief desktop escape, featuring enticing images captured by Karin Zurcher, El Silencio Lodge & Spa's owner.  A mesmerizing collection of photographs of the Bajos del Toro cloud forest seems to suggest that the bridge between land and ocean doesn't stretch far.

7.6 Richter... A Perfect 10 in Resilience!

Costa Rica greets the morning after the quake in hopeful spirits.

As you probably have heard by now, Costa Rica was jolted yesterday morning by a strong seismic event. The earthquake rattled most of the country’s territory and put emergency authorities on high alert. Fortunately, our beautiful nation was spared of widespread casualties and there are no reports of pervasive infrastructural damage. International and regional airports are fully operational, utility services have been reestablished, and the vast majority of the road networks are intact.

Costa Rica is a geologically active nation. This activity is partially responsible for our incredible bio-diversity, stunning rugged landscapes, and amazing volcanoes. Periodic seismic events are an unavoidable part of the equation. Fortunately, our engineering standards are top-notch, fully rooted in our geological reality and accounting for the excellent safety of our building codes.

Today, hours after the event, we are all imbued by a humble sense of thanks, of feeling blessed.  The raw number of the quake's magnitude was a terrifying 7.6.  But the reality is that the country is largely unscathed and in great spirits.  A perfect 10 in confidence and resilience!  The families and communities that endured some damage are now being assisted in solidarity, underscoring the hopeful conviction that our institutions remain solid and our character as determined as always.

Artful Mementos

Shopping is one of the signature pleasures of the consummate traveler... Finding a one-of-a-kind piece that reflects a unique experience is a fun little challenge, and a great way to build lasting memories of the places we cherish. A figurine, placemat, hat, or t-shirt can certainly bring satisfaction, but there is no greater joy than finding an item that doesn't bear the label of mass production. Local art is, undoubtedly, the most rewarding of mementos and a fantastic way to ensure, not only the economic benefit of the host communities, but their empowerment and self-confidence.

Community artists use local natural elements as media.

That is precisely the case in Islita.  As part of a synergistic responsible tourism model, the village's simple infrastructure and open spaces were transformed into a unique collective art display that has redefined the area's core identity. The Islita Art Museum has become the community's signature institution and a vehicle for self-validation and renewed optimism. The Museum culminated "Islita Encounter", an initiative that paired established urban Costa Rican artists with local townspeople to create colorful outdoor murals and sculptures in a living display of aesthetics and traditions.

Sponsored by Hotel Punta Islita and its Villafranca & Zϋrcher Foundation, the Museum has fostered more than six thriving community art groups, helping to revitalize an economically depressed region that used to rely solely on subsistence agriculture.

Realizing that visitors are not only interested in the spectacular natural beauty of their birthplace, but also in its culture and people, has prompted a transformative sense of empowerment. Local artist and homemaker Juana López recalls: "Prior to my involvement in the art groups, I barely left the house. I hadn't even visited the nearby beaches in over ten years... I found no reason to." Today, Juana finds expressive language (and a supplementary income source) in collages and sculptures, incorporating the polished glass, seashells, and twigs that line the coast. Her renewed sense of optimism is collectively mirrored in a series of successful "regional firsts" undertaken by local community leaders including a small public library and an ambitious recycling program.

Thousands of travelers visit the Museum, its workshops, and gallery in growing awareness that acquiring local art is far more meaningful than jaded t-shirts. A deep bond with local people is established and brought back to share with friends and family. We can only imagine the engaging conversations as they relay their exciting, rewarding, and unique travel experience, reflected in a signature piece that was created with heart and in hope.

Guest Experience at El Silencio Lodge & Spa

James and Patricia capture a sunny glimpse of our Suite layout.

 
A chance to showcase the best of Costa Rica's legendary natural beauty and hospitality is a true privilege.  We love our country dearly and relish in sharing unforgettable moments with visitors from all over the world.  The following comments and images, generously shared by our recent guests, James and Patricia T. inspire broad smiles and generously capture the lifting experiences we seek to transmit.  We are deeply grateful for their heartfelt words and extend a very special thanks to James for his amazing images.

"Having just spent 9 days in the amazing beauty of El Silencio Lodge, the

peace and tranquility that we experienced from the very start will be with

us for a very long time.  Every one of the staff was so delightful,

friendly, refreshing, gracious, and helpful reflecting the true Costa Rican

hospitality that we have always loved.  The beauty of El Silencio where one

can literally hear God whispering is awesome.  The babbling river over the

rocks in front of the restaurant and lounge and some villas, was the perfect

place to unwind with the forever peace and serenity of the surroundings.

Villa No5, further up - a beautiful walk with lush foliage and trees - with

its incredibly beautiful full panaromic view of the mountains with the

clouds descending in the evenings and the sun shining through intermittently

lighting up the mountains was a sight to behold. And yes! It was cold but

the hot water bottles at night and the room heaters made it just perfect and

the rocking chairs with blankets to cuddle up with and enjoy the

surroundings whilst sipping hot ginger mint tea was just perfect. The smiles

of everyone made us feel truly at home.  The special requests were so

graciously attended to and so promptly.  And the food - oh! the food and

water - so pure, fresh, wholesome, delicious, especially the salmon trout

and tilapia! We are truly grateful to have found this gem of a retreat -

calling it a hotel with suites is an understatement.  An exclusive mountain

retreat in the cloud forest with very private chalets it truly is!!! Yes, we

live in another beautiful part of the world but oh so very different.

Having always sought out other amazingly beautiful places and we can truly

say that El Silencio is of the best."

James and Patricia T.

Cayman Islands

A Soaring Partnership

Hotel Punta Islita's partnership with The Ara Project has brought back Red macaws to the region.

A quiet afternoon at Hotel Punta Islita’s 1492 Restaurant is a picture-perfect opportunity to enjoy the ocean’s endless spectacle. The breeze gently nudging the palm trees and the murmur of the waves reaching the coastline are soothing to the point of complete relaxation. Until a flock of Red macaws in perfect V formation disturbs the peace! As detailed by Hotel Punta Isilta’s Customer Service Associate, Marvin Seas:
 

“I was startled by a wild, fast-approaching cacophony of squawks and cackles. As I looked around, I could see our guests’ bewildered faces, their curiosity tinged with a bit of alarm. I walked over to the adjacent deck and spun around, trying to pinpoint the source of the racket. As I finally looked up, I was greeted by an amazing sight: A brilliantly hued flock of Red macaws, soaring in a perfect V formation against a green and blue backdrop. Every guest left the table, gazing in awe of this graceful, yet boisterous display. We all shared a special feeling, knowing that we had just been blessed by an amazing opportunity to witness nature briefly painting the sky’s blue canvass with passing streaks of color. It was especially exciting because it illustrated the gradual success of Hotel Punta Islita's partnership with The Ara Project to bring back endangered Red macaws to Costa Rica's skies. What a magnificent afternoon!”

We agree Marvin!