Tropical delights: a land of contrasts is a traveler's haven

Latin Trade, Feb, 2005

From restaurants run out of family homes in Havana to the world-class resorts in Puerto Rico, and from the coffee haciendas in Costa Rica to Panama's business district, Central America and the Caribbean offer contrasts like no other. Get to know the best business travel spots in eight capitals.

GUATEMALA CITY

BEST HOTEL

In the heart of the capital's restaurant area, just 10 minutes from the Aurora International Airport and 45 minutes from the colonial city of Antigua is the Hotel Real InterContinental. Aside from the 239 luxury rooms, the hotel also has live jazz music in the lobby, a business center, a heliport, gym, swimming pool, Jacuzzi and 16 meeting and banquet rooms with space for 1,600. Rates range from US$120 to $350. [502] 2379-4551. www.intercontinental.com

HAVANA

BEST HOTEL

Opened in 1998, the magnificent, 409-room Melia Habana is in the residential Miramar area, just five minutes from the city's Palacio de Convenciones. 15 kilometers from the Jose Marti International Airport Prices start at US$160. [53] (7) 204-8500

BEST-KEPT SECRET

Paladares are restaurants in family houses, some of which are illegal. One of the more popular ones is La Cocina de Lilliam. Business has brought operations to the level of a real restaurant, adding new plates to its existing menu all the time. The tuna or anchovy bruschettas are exquisite. Escabeche, a house specialty, is perfect. The chicken mousse is out of this world. [53] (7) 29-6514

PANAMA CITY

BEST HOTELS

Strategically located in the financial and business center of Panama, the Bristol offers its visitors 56 rooms at rates from US$195 to $500. It's part of the global hotel chain, The Leading Hotels of the World. [507] 265-7844. www.thebristol.com. The Marriott is in the heart of the banking center, one of the world's most important, and 20 minutes from the Tocumen International Airport. It has 296 rooms, including eight suites, an ample swimming pool, a complete gym and nine meeting rooms. Rates range from $160 and $325. [507] 210-9100. www.marriotthotels.com

BEST SHOPPING

Close to the Panama Canal and more than a kilometer long, Los Pueblos Albrook offers visitors a wide range of activities, enough to fill a day. Aside from stores and warehouses of all types, the shopping center has 11 movie screens, restaurants, bars and a supermarket. The Los Pueblos Juan Diaz-Tocumen shopping center was built on 22 hectares. East of the Panamanian capital, it's just eight minutes of the Tocumen International Airport. [507] 303-6256. wwww.grupolospueblos.com

BEST NIGHTCLUB

One of the most frequented nightclubs in the city is El Tablao, better-known as Montana, where the fun never ends since it is the only club in the capital open 24 hours. Capacity 250. [507] 224-3512

BEST RESTAURANT

City Club Panama, on the 29th floor along the city's main drag, has one of Panama's most exclusive restaurants since only a member can invite you. The US$16 lunch buffet is very popular. The club has about 500 members. [507] 210-1366. www.cityclubpanama.com

SAN JOSE

BEST HOTEL

The Marriott is less than 10 minutes from the Juan Santamaria International Airport, near coffee plantations. Rooms include a safe-deposit box, mini-bar, high-speed Interact, air conditioning and cable television. Rates begin at US$145. [506] 298-0000. www.marriott.com

BEST RESTAURANT

Recognized as the best Italian restaurant in San Jose, La Piazzetta has more than 100 entrees from around the regions of Italy, as well as shellfish, French and Mediterranean dishes. The wine cellar has more than 200 labels. Lunch from US$5 to $25. [506] 222-7896

BEST TRAVEL AGENCIES

Since 1984, Horizontes Nature Tours has been a pioneer in eco-tourism. Its "nature with style" packages take travelers to the country's natural wonders. [506] 222-2022. www.horizontes.com

Viajes Ejecutivos Mundiales, known as Vemsa, has a decade of experience and has become one of Costa Rica's largest travel agents, with 30 tours of the country. [506] 257-5510. www.vemsa.co.cr

BEST CAR RENTALS

Avis has four offices in Costa Rica, in the Hotel Tryp Corobici (near downtown), at the Juan Santamaria Airport, in the Hotel Melia Cariari and in Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste province. Rates range from US$200 to $550 per week, [506] 293-2222. www.avis.co.cr.

Budget has four offices in Costa Rica--on Paseo Colon downtown, Rio Segundo de Alajuela (two minutes from the airport), Jaco and Liberia. Rates range from $200 to $600 weekly. [506] 436-2022. www.budget.co.cr.

Dollar has three offices, in the Juan Santamaria Airport, on Paseo Colon and in Liberia. $250 to $500 a week, [506] 443-2950. www.dollarcostarica.com

BEST MEETING SPACES

Ten minutes from the Juan Santamaria Airport and 15 minutes from downtown San Jose, the Hotel Herradura is Costa Rica's largest convention center and has 10 executive meeting rooms. [506] 239-0033. www.hotelherradura.com.

On the Monte de la Cruz outside the city of Heredia, the Hotel La Condesa is one of the central valley's most luxurious hotels and convention centers. Eight conference rooms with an impressive view of the country's central region. [506] 267-6001. www.hotellacondesa.com.