Costa Rica family holiday, Caribbean experience

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION
Reduce flying: We encourage guests to avoid unnecessary internal flights and use shared ground transfers whenever possible. For international flights, we encourage travelers to choose direct routes where practical and compare flight emissions when booking.
Accommodation: We select locally based accommodation with environmental and community values. Eco Travel Hostel works to reduce waste and plastic use and supports local environmental initiatives. We are continuing to assess renewable-energy use and other measurable carbon-reduction practices with our accommodation partners.
Shared local transport: Shared transfers and local transportation are used where practical, helping reduce emissions per traveler compared with private vehicles.
Human-powered transport: Cycling, walking, kayaking, snorkeling and other low-carbon activities are incorporated throughout the itinerary. The program includes several days where human-powered activities replace motorised excursions.
Vegetarian and vegan food: Vegetarian and vegan options can be provided throughout the trip, with meals adapted to dietary requirements.
Local and seasonal food: We prioritize locally produced Caribbean ingredients and traditional dishes, supporting local producers while reducing unnecessary food miles. We encourage accommodation and food partners to minimize food waste and single-use packaging.

ENVIRONMENT AND WILDLIFE
Reducing environmental impacts: We prioritize accommodation and local partners that actively reduce waste, plastic consumption and unnecessary resource use. Eco Travel Hostel has a strong focus on responsible tourism, community involvement and environmental awareness.
Restoring nature: The itinerary directly includes reforestation, beach cleanup and conservation activities, allowing travelers to contribute hands-on to protecting and restoring local ecosystems. The trip also includes a visit to Cahuita National Park, supporting the protection of one of Costa Rica's important coastal ecosystems.
Nature recovery: Travelers participate in reforestation and beach-cleanup projects and visit wildlife and macaw conservation initiatives. These experiences contribute directly through participation, local employment and conservation awareness.
Wildlife conservation: The itinerary includes visits to wildlife rescue and conservation projects, including the Jaguar Rescue Center and ARA Macaw Conservation Project. We aim to work with reputable local organizations whose priority is animal welfare and habitat protection.
Reducing impacts on nature: Guests receive responsible-wildlife guidance, including keeping a respectful distance from animals, never feeding wildlife, staying on designated trails, avoiding single-use plastics, respecting coral reefs, taking all waste with them, no selfies with wildlfife and following local conservation guidelines.
Local nature guides: Wildlife and nature activities are led by local guides with knowledge of the area's ecosystems and wildlife. Using local guides helps ensure that tourism income remains within the destination while giving visitors a deeper understanding of local conservation challenges.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY
1. Locally owned accommodation: We prioritize locally owned accommodation and independent businesses rather than international hotel chains. Our accommodation partner, Eco Travel Hostel, is locally focused and strongly connected to the surrounding community.
2. Local economic opportunities: The itinerary is designed to keep tourism spending within the local economy. We work with local guides, instructors, cooks, community organizations and conservation projects. Guests also visit local cultural initiatives, take part in traditional cooking and chocolate experiences, and support community-based activities. This creates income opportunities beyond traditional tourism businesses.

EMPLOYMENT, INCLUSIVITY AND DIVERSITY

1. Local employment: We prioritize hiring local guides, instructors, drivers, cooks and activity providers. Wherever possible, services are delivered by people from the destination, ensuring tourism income remains within the local community.
2. Indigenous and community inclusion: The program includes a Bribri cultural experience, creating opportunities for Indigenous communities to share their knowledge, traditions and local products while generating direct tourism income
3. Fair employment: We expect our local operating partners and suppliers to comply with Costa Rican employment legislation and pay staff at least the applicable legal minimum wage.
4. Diversity and inclusion: Planet Conservation is committed to equal opportunities and respectful treatment regardless of gender, race, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, disability or background. We encourage our partners to follow the same principles.
5. LGBTQ+ friendly: Our trips are designed to be LGBTQ+ friendly and inclusive, with a focus on creating a welcoming and respectful environment for all travelers.
6. Accessibility: Some activities involve uneven terrain, swimming, hiking, cycling and other physical activities, so the standard itinerary may not be suitable for everyone with limited mobility. We are happy to discuss individual accessibility requirements in advance and adapt activities where reasonably possible.
7. Community benefit: Through our community and conservation activities, travelers contribute their time and support directly to local initiatives, helping ensure that tourism creates benefits for the communities they visit.