Costa Rica and Panama holiday

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This small group tour travels overland between destinations in Costa Rica and Panama using road and boat transport and does not include any domestic flights.

Sibu Lodge, Monteverde

Uses energy-efficient lighting throughout the property.
Solar panels contribute to the property's electricity supply.
Operates water conservation and wastewater treatment programmes.

Villas Rio Mar, Dominical

Uses solar energy systems that contribute to the electricity needs of air conditioning units and other hotel facilities.
Solar water heating systems are used to provide hot water for guest rooms.

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Operates 47 solar panels which contribute to the lodge's electricity supply.

The itinerary includes guided walking experiences in natural areas, including:


ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Separates recyclable, compostable and general waste streams.
Recyclable materials are delivered to the Acopio de Monteverde recycling centre.
Staff participate in community recycling centre organisation and clean-up activities.
Organic waste from the restaurant is composted and used in the lodge's gardens.

Villas Rio Mar

Separates recyclable materials and organic waste through its waste collection programme.
Organic material is composted and used within the property.
Recyclable materials are collected by specialist waste management and recycling companies.
Used cooking oil is collected for processing and reuse by external organisations.

Sibu Boutique Hotel

Operates water conservation and wastewater treatment programmes.
Uses energy-efficient lighting.
Has measures in place to reduce the use of single-use plastics and unnecessary packaging throughout the property.
Uses cleaning products selected to reduce environmental impacts where available.

Monteverde Lodge & Gardens

Maintains a small organic farm where guests can learn about Costa Rican agriculture and locally grown produce.
Participates in the Jaguar Research Program.
Staff committees coordinate periodic creek clean-ups and tree-planting activities on and around the hotel grounds.

Villas Rio Mar

Participates in annual tree-planting activities with other local hotels, including projects in Marino Ballena National Park.
Organises regular beach clean-up activities in Dominical involving hotel employees.

Sibu Boutique Hotel

Supports community programmes that produce fertilizer from organic waste materials.

Poás Volcano Lodge

Supported the local area's participation in the Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica.
With support from the lodge and the wider community, Varablanca has received Blue Flag sustainability recognition for multiple consecutive years.

La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge

Has dedicated approximately five acres to natural forest regeneration.
Native tree species have been planted to support the development of secondary forest habitat.
Maintains wildlife-friendly gardens that provide habitat for butterflies, frogs, birds and small mammals.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

The following accommodation providers on this tour are independently owned businesses:

Riande Urban Hotel has been owned and operated by the same family for approximately 50 years.
La Quinta Sarapiquí Lodge is a family-owned and managed business that was originally established on a former cattle ranch. The founding family continues to live on the property. According to the lodge, all staff are recruited locally, and several employees have worked at the lodge since it first opened.

Day 4: Chitré Cultural Experience

Guests have the option to participate in a cultural tour in Chitré, including visits to artisans' homes and workshops, providing opportunities to learn about local crafts and purchase products directly from producers.

Day 5: Boquete Coffee Experience

Guests visit a locally operated coffee plantation to learn about coffee cultivation and processing. Visitors may choose to purchase products directly from the producer.
EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

Local guides, drivers and accommodation teams are involved throughout the itinerary, providing services and sharing knowledge about the destinations visited.

By working with locally based tourism providers, the tour incorporates a range of regional perspectives and expertise from across Costa Rica and Panama.