Costa Rica vacation, coast to coast

Planet

As an in depth specialist tour operator to Costa Rica responsible tourism is at the very heart of what we do. To us, this means much more than a simple donation to a charity for each client. We try to build long and constructive involvements with local guides, lodges and hotels, in the course of which we, and our clients, can make lasting wide-ranging contributions to the wonderful places and people we engage with. In this itinerary we use several hotels and lodges that fit with this philosophy perfectly:

In the mid-range category:

Lomas del Volcan hotel in Arenal has implemented programs to maximise water and energy efficiency to reduce waste in their daily operations. They also sort and manage solid waste. The hotel is also part of the "Ruta Eléctrica La Fortuna" (La Fortuna Electric Route), an initiative to promote the use of electric vehicles by offering charging points at their facilities and supporting sustainable mobility.

Sibu Lodge Monteverde is dedicated to making a meaningful impact beyond their hotel walls. They strive to minimize their ecological footprint in every way possible through initiatives such as energy-efficient lighting, water conservation measure, and waste reduction strategies. They use biodegradable cleaning supplies and prioritise local sourcing for their supplies and ingredients, supporting small-scale producers and artisans in the community. 95% of their staff are from the local area. Through partnerships with local not for profits and grassroots organisations, they support initiatives that promote education, healthcare, and environmental conservation such as sponsoring educational programs for local children and participating in local reforestation efforts.

In the upper-range category:

Arenal Kioro is committed to operating as sustainably as possible. It has its own onsite sewage treatment plant, smart system for energy conservation and a recycling program. It is set on a 27 acre property comprising tropical gardens and streams which provide habitat for local wildlife. The hotel is a proud member of ‘Pack for Purpose’, a non-profit initiative that connects travelers with local community projects (schools, orphanages, clinics) in destinations to provide needed supplies like school supplies, medical items, or clothing, by simply using extra space in their luggage to carry donations, making travel more impactful.

Cloud Forest Lodge Monteverde (days 8 and 9 of the itinerary) is fully committed to responsible and sustainable tourism practices. Some of the ways in which it achieves this are as follows: 100% of lodge staff are from the local area. It purchases produce such as cheese, coffee, eggs, meat, office supplies, and other food products from local growers and providers whenever possible. It also gives preference to local service providers for the repairs and upkeep of the lodge. The lodge restaurant, Endemica, offers a plant-based vegetarian and vegan menu. It has dedicated a sizable portion of its 23-hectare property as a private nature reserve included in the Bellbird Biological Corridor that extends between the provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast.
A one-time $10 per guest Cloud Forest Lodge Conservation Fee is put towards programs which help to protect and preserve the surrounding natural environment and support local communities e.g the non-profit organization Escape Monteverde who provide mental health services and activity camps, youth meetings, and employment training for teenagers. The lodge is also part of the Haciendo Comunidad Group of Monteverde leaders who work to develop solutions that address environmental and social challenges during biweekly meetings and resource investments.

On this trip you will visit the Tortuguero National Park, and will have the opportunity to visit other National Parks and reserves in each location, where entrance fees go directly toward the conservation of these protected areas.

We were the first tour operator in the UK to form a partnership with the Rainforest Alliance to work towards the implementation of best management practices in sustainable tourism. In real terms this means that we are working with hotels who are making a positive impact on their local community – socially, environmentally and economically.

People

In Costa Rica we use local ground handlers - this means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions. By incorporating locally owned hotels, restaurants and the services of guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism.

We use local guides in all of our destinations. It is our experience that with the right approach, local guides with their superior local knowledge are best qualified for the job, and are the best champions of their local communities. It is also a fantastic way of helping communities to survive and flourish when gifted people are able to work locally instead of having to leave for the cities to find work.