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Stars And Celebrities Head Down To Exotic Locales In Central And South America For Soft Adventures

MIAMI - Stars, celebrities, and Hollywood hot-shots "experience another world" by snatching their well-worth-it R&R in unique and exciting locales such as a canopy-level resort in the Amazon Rainforest, a diving resort in Honduras' Bay Islands, and a hillside resort overlooking Costa Rica's Pacific Ocean.

EcoRepublic, a group of independently owned lodges and cruises in Central and South America for soft adventure and nature travel, offers guests some of the most remote and exotic destinations imaginable, with every comfort available. Some of the member lodges to recently welcome celebrities are:

ARIAU AMAZON TOWERS, BRAZIL

The Ariau Amazon Towers Hotel, ideally located in the treetops of the Amazon Rainforest in Brazil, has played host to celebrated A-list stars such as Kevin Costner, Jennifer Lopez, Susan Sarandon and Charleton Heston. More recently, some Hollywood executives stayed at the Towers and enjoyed the five-star experience in midst of a lush jungle. During their stay, they visited the Tukano Indians, a tribe originally coming from the upper Negro River, enjoyed a canoe ride, and attended the Jungle Fight Show. The CBS reality hit Survivor 6: The Amazon was also shot in this secluded location.

Ariau Amazon Towers is the only hotel complex at canopy level in the Amazon Rainforest. Located thirty-five miles from Manaus (a comfortable two-hour boat ride), Ariau comprises eight towers linked by long and high catwalks (all about 30 feet high level). The towers house 196 standard rooms, 67 air-conditioned deluxe rooms and 15 suites, all individually decorated and featuring such unique themes as a planetarium in the forest and a world peace suite. Activities at the hotel include hiking expeditions in the forest, boat tours, fishing, bird watching, visits to indigenous communities and trips in search of wildlife.

LA MARIPOSA, COSTA RICA

La Mariposa in Quepos, Costa Rica has been very lucky to host numerous big names. The soon to be released film, Death to the Supermodels, shot in the nearby Manuel Antonio National Park brought its star, supermodel Brooke Burns, to La Mariposa. She and guest Bruce Willis stayed a week in the resort's elegant and ultra-romantic Penthouse.

Built in Spanish-Mediterranean architecture, La Mariposa is perched on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Manuel Antonio National Park. The 43 rooms offer charming, stylish accommodations well-integrated into the rainforest and feature hardwood floors, stucco walls, bamboo ceilings, colorful tropical murals and atrium gardens. In addition, the property boasts an intimate open-air restaurant with panoramic vistas, infinity pools, tropical gardens and a gift shop offering local handcrafts, jewelry and quality souvenirs.

BELLAVISTA LODGE, ECUADOR

John Malkovich retreated to the Bellavista Lodge in Ecuador while directing the film The Dancer Upstairs. Mr. Malkovich relaxed at the lodge for only a few days, while Mrs. Malkovich and the rest of the family extended their stay in one of the Dome rooms, where they enjoyed views of the Tandayapa Valley and spent time hiking the trails.

Bellavista Lodge, located in a cloud forest teeming with exotic bird and plant life, is an ideal place for adventure, wildlife discovery and relaxation. Just a two-hour drive from Quito, the lodge houses guests above the forest canopy in a four-story geodesic dome, in a spacious Bamboo House, or in forest-bound cabins. The forest reserve welcomes hikers, horseback riders and birdwatchers.

ANTHONY'S KEY RESORT, HONDURAS

Rebecca Romjin-Stamos has been known to stay at Anthony's Key Resort in Roatan, Honduras when working on modeling shoots. Her last trip to the sunny coast was for her shoot in the Conde Nast WSF magazine in 2000.

Anthony's Key Resort is a tropical hideaway dedicated to diving and eco-adventure on Roatan, the largest of the Bay Islands. The resort features 56 wooden bungalows, spread from hilltop to lagoon or on Anthony's Key islet; another islet, Bailey's Kay, has a nature trail and is the focus for the resort's dolphin program. In addition to scuba diving and snorkeling, activities include fishing, kayaking & canoeing, tour of the island and to the mainland.

EcoRepublic represents 19 lodges, resorts and hotels, as well as two adventure-cruises, in nine of the most appealing and exciting countries in Central and South America and plans are to expand worldwide. Member properties are independently owned and share a commitment to deliver the greatest comfort and the finest nature-based and adventure experiences in their respective environments.

For additional information contact: EcoRepublic at (877)-777-7167 or (305) 466-5652; email: info@ecorepublic.com; Web: www.ecorepublic.com.