Costa Rica off the beaten track vacation

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This slow paced trip aims to provide guests with an extensive experience within Costa Rica whilst leaving as little trace as possible. The routing of the itinerary allows for overland travel throughout the trip and minimising the need for internal flights, with the exception of one flight at the end to return to San Jose.
We aim to use energy efficient transport where possible, Tortuga Lodge for example transfer guests efficient four-cycle engines that help minimize water and noise contamination in the canals as well as use less fuel than conventional boats additionally 55% of their energy is generated by solar panels.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

We provide all guests with water bottles on arrival and have an agreement with all hotels we work with that ensures the provision of free drinking water in order to avoid having to use single use plastic. This includes vats in vehicles allowing them to fill up wherever and whenever.

Wildlife is a huge part of a vacation to Costa Rica, all of our guides are trained and ensure that guests do not negatively impact the habitats and reserves they visit or the animals within them. Guiding is always done at a respectable distance so as not to disturb or disrupt the wildlife.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

Over 90% of guides are Costa Rican and throughout the itinerary there are many tours that are “unique to our guests” visiting local homes to learn to cook, or fincas where guests can learn arts and customs from locals. All restaurants included in the tours are locally run with locally sourced and produced food ensure money spent goes directly back into and supports the local economy.

One project we’re proud to be part of is Camino de Osa, and organisation set up by our partners that provides treks through the Corcovado National Park and is completely operated by locals, totally 100 families. Not only do they guide the tours but they also welcome them into their own homes showing them their local way of life and how they make a living, which is a truly unique experience.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

The Camino de Osa project is a great example of finding innovative ways of training and providing work for marginalised communities. Prior to this project these families benefitted very little from the vast amount of tourism passing through the area however it’s provided multiple jobs for many local Costa Ricans.