Osa Peninsula rainforest wildlife lodge in Costa Rica
How this holiday makes a difference
Environment
El Remanso Lodge has been a recognized pioneer in sustainable development.
In 2011 the Costa Rican Tourism Board awarded the lodge with the "Level 5" of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism. This is the highest possible rating and El Remanso achieved 100% of the points in the 4 areas of the evaluation.
1. Private Conservation Reserve
The El Remanso reserve includes 200 acres of protected rainforest. The property belongs to the 4,000 acre "National Refuge of Osa", a conservation effort of local landowners to provide a biological corridor to the National Park of Corcovado.
2. Waste management
The most important priority in achieving an effective waste management system is starting by REDUCING the amount of waste that the operation generates. El Remanso has several policies that include:
- whenever possible we buy in bulk to reduce packaging waste
- all fruit and vegetables are transported in rugged plastic cases that are re-used, thus avoiding packaging
- we only serve beverages in refundable crystal bottles. No cans or plastic bottles are served at the lodge
The lodge also recycles all glass bottles and plastic containers at a local recycling station.
El Remanso has its own composting station. All organic waste is treated in it and the resulting product is used as organic compost in the garden of the lodge.
As a result of the prior policies over 90% of the waste (in kg) is either compostable or recycable.
3. Energy
The lodge's electricity is provided exclusively by its own hidroelectric station. The system uses part of the water of the creeks in the reserve to generate enough energy to offer electricity 24/7 to our guests and for the entire operation of the lodge. To be able to run the lodge entirely with this system a strict energy reduction plan is implemented:
- the lodge only uses compact fluorescent or LED lightbulbs
- the fans in the cabins & rooms are energy efficient
- fridges and freezers are energy-efficient
- the laundry of the lodge maximizes the use of sun to dry clothes
The pool is cleaned with a highly energy-efficient ionization system and the water pump works on solar energy.
4. Buildings
In order to minimize the ecological impact of our lodge we decided from the beginning to build with minimal environmental impact materials. That is for instance the use of naturally fallen timber in most of our structures. Our restaurant and bar structure are entirely built with locally grown bamboo. In other constructions we only use plantation wood such as local teak or pine.We do not use glass windows as they represent a threat to birds.
Community
5. Providers.
The lodge works mostly with local providers such as:
- Food ingredients are bought locally whenever possible and available. Certain ingredients are exclusively bought locally such as fresh fish, eggs, some of the fruit & vegetables.
- Much of the furniture comes from local providers
- We follow a strict "local tour operator-policy": all external tours are operated and owned by local people.
- Our small giftshop offers exclusively art-crafts made by local artisans and we have traditional artisans come to the lodge weekly to offer their works to our guests. Our store is intentionally kept very small and we encourage guests to buy at local giftshops in Puerto Jiménez.
5. Local community
The El Remanso Lodge has a policy of hiring only local staff. The constant staff of over 25 guarantees that their families are directly supported by the lodge operation.
The lodge also continuously participates in programs in favor of the local community such as:
- the lodge supports the local library with donations of books and materials
- sponsorship of cultural or sportive activities & local teams
6. Research projects
El Remanso supports ongoing scientific research projects to better understand or monitor the local flora and fauna. From botanical studies of endemic tree species like the Anthodiscus chocoensis or Garlic Tree to studies of amphibians or even ants, El Remanso has hosted and supported the studies of local biologists. Since 2008, El Remanso Lodge has been supporting the local wildcats conservation project, run by to local biologists. Camera traps are continuously set out in the reserve of the lodge. Weekly presentations of the project offer guests possibilities to learn more about the local conservation offers.
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