Costa Rica self drive holiday, natural history

Planet

As an in depth specialist tour operator to Costa Rica responsible tourism is at the very heart of what we do. 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 use several lodges that fit with this philosophy perfectly:

Chayote Lodge offers guests the opportunity to experience real life and local culture in Costa Rica’s central valley. Guest bungalows have been built to resemble coffee receiving stations or 'recibidores' and feature artwork and furniture designed by local artisans. The lodge employs exclusively local staff from the surrounding communities and prioritises local producers and suppliers. The onsite restaurant and bar, 'Quelites' serves fresh, locally-grown, seasonal produce including ingredients such as palmito cheese, coffee and squash. There are a variety of guided tours on offer from the lodge focusing on authentic experiences to connect guests with the local community and surrounding nature including options such as visits to a local cloudforest village and waterfall, a local coffee plantation, cooking experiences in a local home and tours of the local towns of Zarcero, Naranjo or Sarchi.

Tocû Tent Camp at Hacienda Caño Negro is committed to the restoration and preservation of the ecosystems that make Hacienda Caño Negro a unique biodiversity sanctuary. They actively participate in reforestation projects that aim to regenerate areas affected by past human activities, planting native trees that help restore the natural balance of the forest. Their guests can also participate in these efforts through their tree adoption program
Hacienda Caño Negro is a refuge for a rich diversity of fauna, including many endangered species. The camp conservation efforts include the creation and maintenance of biological corridors that allow wildlife to move freely through their natural habitat. They collaborate with local biologists and conservation organizations to monitor and protect key species, such as migratory birds, mammals, and reptiles that find a safe haven in their reserve.
By integrating sustainable farming practices and responsible ranching, Hacienda Caño Negro demonstrates how it is possible to coexist harmoniously with nature. They use farming techniques that respect the natural environment, minimizing the use of chemicals.
They have developed educational programs for local communities and visitors, focusing on the importance of conservation. These programs include workshops, talks, and guided tours that allow participants to learn about the flora, fauna, and sustainable practices that they apply at Hacienda Caño Negro. They involve the surrounding community in their conservation efforts, creating a local support network that ensures the long-term success of their initiatives.
Hacienda Caño Negro also serves as a centre for scientific research. They collaborate with universities and international organizations to conduct studies on biodiversity, climate, and the impact of their sustainable practices. These studies help them to continuously improve their conservation strategies and contribute to global knowledge on tropical ecosystem conservation.

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 sustainable tourism. In real terms this means that we are working with hotels who are making a positive impact on their local community – socially, environmentally and economically.

People

In Costa Rica we use local ground handlers - this means that all the operational costs go directly into the local economy and helps to improve employment opportunities in remote regions. By incorporating locally owned hotels, restaurants and the services of guides and drivers into our itineraries, we ensure that money you spend on your trip goes directly into the local economy and local communities benefit from tourism

We use local guides in all of our destinations. It is our experience that with the right approach, local guides with their superior local knowledge are best qualified for the job, and are the best champions of their local communities. It is also a fantastic way of helping communities to survive and flourish when gifted people are able to work locally instead of having to leave for the cities to find work.