Costa Rica holiday, coast to coast

Planet

As an in depth specialist tour operator to Costa Rica, we take a considered approach to the social, environmental and economic impacts of the holidays we design. 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, wildlife 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 have selected several hotels and lodges whose documented practices align with this approach.

In the mid-range category:

Lomas del Volcán, Arenal has implemented measures relating to water and energy efficiency within its daily operations, together with systems for sorting and managing solid waste. The hotel is also part of the Ruta Eléctrica La Fortuna (La Fortuna Electric Route), an initiative promoting electric-vehicle use in the area. Lomas del Volcán provides electric-vehicle charging facilities for guests.

Sibu Lodge, Monteverde has introduced a number of measures relating to resource use and waste management, including energy-efficient lighting, water-conservation measures and waste-reduction practices. The lodge uses biodegradable cleaning products and sources supplies and ingredients locally where possible, including from small-scale producers and artisans. According to the lodge, approximately 95% of its employees are from the local area. Sibu Lodge also works with local non-profit and community organisations on initiatives relating to areas such as education, healthcare and environmental activities, including educational programmes and reforestation projects.

In the upper-range category:

Arenal Kioro operates an on-site sewage treatment plant and has systems for energy conservation and recycling. The hotel occupies approximately 27 acres, including landscaped gardens and streams that provide habitat for local wildlife. It is also a member of Pack for a Purpose, a non-profit initiative that enables travellers to carry requested supplies for community projects in their destination, using available space in their luggage.

Cloud Forest Lodge, Monteverde (days 8 and 9 of the itinerary) reports that all of its lodge staff are from the local area. Where possible, the lodge purchases products including cheese, coffee, eggs, meat, office supplies and other food products from local growers and suppliers, and gives preference to local service providers for repairs and maintenance. The lodge's Endemica restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan options, including plant-based dishes.
A portion of Cloud Forest Lodge's approximately 23-hectare property is designated as a private nature reserve and forms part of the Bellbird Biological Corridor. The lodge also charges a one-time US$10 per-guest conservation fee. According to the lodge, this fee supports programmes relating to the surrounding natural environment and local community initiatives, including work undertaken by the non-profit organisation Escape Monteverde. These initiatives include services and activities such as mental-health support, youth activities and employment training.
Cloud Forest Lodge is also part of the Haciendo Comunidad group, a network of Monteverde leaders that meets to discuss environmental and social issues affecting the community and to consider potential local initiatives and investments.

The itinerary includes a visit to Tortuguero National Park, as well as opportunities to visit national parks and other protected areas at several destinations. Entrance fees are paid to the relevant protected areas and contribute to their management and operation.

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 tourism. In practical terms, this has involved working with hotels that have introduced specific social, environmental and economic initiatives within their businesses and local communities.

People

In Costa Rica we work with local ground handlers, helping to retain a significant proportion of our operational expenditure within the Costa Rican economy and supporting employment, including in more remote regions. By incorporating locally owned hotels, restaurants and the services of local guides and drivers into our itineraries, we aim to keep as much tourism expenditure as possible within the local economy, allowing local businesses and communities to benefit from tourism.

We use local guides in all of our destinations. It is our experience that, with the right approach, local guides' detailed knowledge of their destinations makes them particularly well placed to guide our tours, while their local connections enable them to share their knowledge of the communities and places we visit. We also see employing local guides as a way of creating opportunities for people to build careers in their own communities rather than having to move elsewhere to find work.