Guatemala

Guatemala's First Golf Resort

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Sports, Real Estate Developments

The first golf resort in Guatemala, a country more accustomed to attracting tourists to its ancient Mayan ruins, opened this spring outside the colonial city of Antigua. The resort, called La Reunión, occupies a former coffee plantation at the base of the active volcano Fuego.

Its centerpiece is Fuego Maya, a Pete Dye–designed golf course that offers striking views of Fuego and three other volcanoes as well as the Pacific Ocean in the distance. The layout is the architect's first course in Central America (and his second to open this year). According to Dye's son Perry, who oversaw the project, it's also the region's first course to have bent grass, which is prized by golfers because it produces lush, full fairways and smooth-rolling greens.

When completed, the 1,400-acre enclave is to include 950 units of housing in the form of villas and private homes plus a luxury hotel, a boutique eco-hotel, a spa, an observatory and a cultural center. There are 26 golf course casitas available for overnight guests, each including an outdoor terrace, small pool, Jacuzzi and shower.

Gallery: La Reunion Golf Resort in Guatemala

The clubhouse, at the base of the Fuego volcano

Tags: Antiqua, Fuego Maya, FuegoMaya, golf, Guatemala, La Reunion, LaReunion, Pete Dye, PeteDye

Zacapa Rum, Aged 8,000 Feet Above Sea Level

by Jared Paul Stern (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Spirits

Here's a new twist on high-end rum, so to speak: Ron Zacapa, a rich tipple hailing from Guatemala's mountainous region that's aged at 8,000 feet above sea level.

At that altitude - roughly the same as Aspen, Colorado - there's not only 25% less oxygen, but a very steady year-round temperature of 62° that facilitates the spirit's maturation in flavorful sherry, bourbon and wine casks.

Made from first-crushed virgin sugarcane grown in the country's fertile volcanic soil, rums of between 6 and 23 years go into the final Zacapa blend. Its heritage goes back to the mash of corn and wild fruits the Mayans and Aztecs made into hooch for their religious rites 2,000 years ago.

This is definitely a rum meant for sipping, not mixing, for full enjoyment of its deep, rich flavors. We're also fond of the natty band of woven straw around its midriff, like a sort of vestigial Panama hat.

Tags: Aztecs, Guatemala, Ron Zacapa, RonZacapa, Rum, Zacapa