Electric bike cycling tour in Costa Rica

Planet

Costa Rica is the environmental jewel in the crown of sustainable tourism. We aim to keep it that way with our use of electric bikes for most of the tour, making this tour extremely low in carbon emissions.

In Tapantí National Park proceeds from the entry fees to the reserve help to protect the highly endangered habitat of the Resplendent Quetzal, of which only 300 pairs remain in the world. Income collected through visits are used directly to fund preservation, research and educational programmes to ensure this pristine environment is preserved for future generations. A survey by Costa Rica’s National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio) identified 1,229 species of plants and 199 species of mushrooms and lichen within Tapanti National Park. This is a unique and important ecological reserve which we are proud to support.

Our use of accommodation throughout this tour is carefully selected, for example when we stay at the sustainable biological station Tirimbina.

On our tours, waste management is extremely important. We actively discourage the use of single use water bottles. Water is safe in the regions we cycle through, and we suggest that instead of repeatedly buying bottled water, guests should re-fill a singular bottle. All of our clients are encouraged to minimise waste at all points and to think about the use of local resources.
Of course, looking after our environment really should start at home.

Our UK based office has an extremely low carbon footprint and we subscribe to a green energy only tariff. We are actively reducing the waste produced by our office and staff, no longer producing brochures or mailing leaflets and confirmations. Our offices have cycle locks and showers to encourage cycling to work and we offer staff a cycle to work scheme.

People

Your visit makes a real difference, bringing work to local drivers, guides and other staff. You can rest assured that the money spent in the community stays in the community. We also visit local projects, including a fascinating coffee co-operative and farm. By purchasing the homemade souvenirs available here you are promoting recycling and benefiting the local people directly.

On all of our tours, we only employ local staff and unlike many operators we believe that to send a foreign tour leader along to accompany your trip is an unnecessary burden on your wallet and on our own carbon footprint. We believe that the locals know best.
Our local partners only use locally owned accommodation which means your money stays in the area to benefit the local community. Wherever possible we use local transport, (i.e. rail/bus) when not on the bikes and we always use local restaurants, markets and shops. In doing this your travels are supporting and encouraging the development of local services.

We only work with operators who are as committed as we are to putting something back into the communities we visit. For example when we visit the Ticos during a visit to the village of El Roble and learn about the local food and delicacies. Furthermore, in order to allow our clients to make an informed decision on where a greater proportion of their money should be spent, we avoid including pre-paid full board meals where this is feasible. Local restaurants and cafes then benefit.