Cloud Forest lodge accommodation in Costa Rica

The Cloud Forest lodge was built inside the Los Santos Forest Reserve without damaging one tree. For some bungalows further inside the forest we had to carry in all the materials by man and horse in order not to open a road. We employ only local people and work together with a local restaurant for lunch and diner. These local farmers used to cut down the forest to grow crops and make carbon, now they can make a living through our Cloud Forest lodge(guides, local restaurant, work at the Lodge) and leave the cloud forest intact.

We have a Private Forest Reserve that protects flora and fauna directly and works both as a corridor and a buffer zone for the bordering Los Quetzales and Tapanti National Parks. Our forest is only accessible to our guests to guarantee minimum disturbance to the fauna. Involved in the founding of the Los Quetzales National Park and its management plan.

Large Art Gallery with much Indigenous Art bought directly from different Indigenous Groups throughout South and Central America. Products made of natural materials without damage to the environment, i.e. selective harvesting and preserving ancient techniques and traditions.

We employ only local people and work together with a local restaurant for lunch and diner. These local farmers used to cut down the forest to grow crops and make carbon, now they can make a living through our Lodge (guides, local restaurant, work at the Lodge) and leave the cloud forest intact. Educating our employees about protection, recycling and the importance to maintain the forest intact for long-term sustainable eco-tourism.

We only have local staff, 6 persons, 3 from San Gerardo, two from El Empalme and one from San Marcos de Tarrazu. All constructions, transportation, garbage are done by local people from San Gerardo and the surrounding villages (radius of 30 km).

We send all our guests to a local restaurant for dinner. We use local people/guides for tours, horseback riding and small transports within the valley. When guests come with public transport we pick them up and drop them off for free at the entrance to San Gerardo.

We are in the process of installing solar energy for hot water. We work with an illumination system of 12 Volts and with photocells and timers to minimize energy use. On the parking lots we use energy efficient light bulbs with photocells. We disconnect the electricity in the bungalows that are not in use.

We use the water from our own streams for the garden and houses so it recycles back into the river system. We have an information form in every bungalow reminding our guests that using towels twice or more saves energy and water, they decide how often towels should be changed. We use eco products from Amway for all our cleaning and washing. We don’t use pesticides and mainly use organic waste from our Lodge to fertilize the gardens. We have primary cloud forest so the only thing we do is leave it undisturbed and putting signs so people are aware where they are and don’t damage plants or catch animals.

We recycle organic waste, paper and carton, wood, glass, cans. Some products we use again, other are collected. We support The Los Quetzales National Park and Los Santos Forest Reserve, the first one by helping founding it through workshops, the latter by giving work to local people and educate them about protection.