Costa Rica luxury nature tour

Planet

By travelling in a small group, led by a local guide, we ‘tread lightly’ to minimise our impact on local resources and the environment.

Our trips adhere to ABTA’s industry-leading animal welfare guidelines to ensure the best possible practices with regard to working animals and wildlife viewing. Our local operator has a policy of Animal Welfare that requests suppliers to comply with the minimum conditions of animal welfare.

Our local operator has been awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Board for their sustainable tourism practice & dedication to improving sustainability standards. This means that efforts are made to rationally use water and electricity, provide adequate waste management, and positively impact communities, among many other actions.

To reduce our carbon emissions, we use a shared coach at the beginning of the tour to transport clients from San José to Tortuguero rather than an internal flight. During the trip, we travel responsibly using appropriate methods of transport; therefore, depending on group size, a minibus/coach will be used.

We work with our partners on the ground to proactively eliminate or reduce waste, for example eliminating all single-use plastic water bottles and instead providing refills for re-usable bottles.

Most of the accommodation and restaurants we visit on this trip use locally sourced food such as fruit which is always sourced locally and abundant. Vegetarian options are available if notice is given which include a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, and rice.

Examples of eco-friendly accommodation used on this trip:

Aninga Lodge - Aninga is an ecolodge in the region of Tortuguero; committed to sustainable development and environmental awareness that will generate a positive impact on the community, the environment, and customers. The hotel is constructed 1.5 m (5 feet) above the ground. Restaurant, bungalows, and walking trails are built on stilts, it allows not only to protect the natural habitat of animals but also lets guests enjoy the panoramic view of the tropical rainforest.

Rio Perdido Hotel - From the start, the commitment has been to keep the land's topography as close as possible to its original state. The hotel elected for structures to be founded on existing geological formations and, when that was not possible, to be elevated by pylons. This style of raised architecture was ideal in conserving the natural hydrology of the terrain. The result is the ultimate respect for the natural environment. Rio Perdido focuses on sustainable transplanting. Because Rio Perdido is in the region's most sun-drenched area, it must irrigate the younger transplants. To accomplish this, the hotel uses most of treated residual water as well as circulated pool water.

People

The use of a local guide means our customers will be well informed about local traditions, and cultural and social sensitivities.

This trip brings income and opportunity to the destination community through the inclusion of locally-owned hotels and restaurants, the emphasis on eating locally produced food and support of other local enterprise. We use fairly small, family run and locally staffed establishments which ensures that we are benefiting local communities.

Our local guides are careful to explain that any souvenirs on sale over the duration of the trip which are made from animal parts, shells or local hardwoods should not be purchased.

This is a small group tour, meaning that we have a low impact on the environments and communities we visit and are able to ensure that we do not disrupt or lead to the displacement of local people.

Our local operator is very involved in supporting community projects. Our local operator cares about our impact on the destination, which is why we carry out several actions. For instance:

The celebration of the International Tourism Day of 2019 by cleaning a beach at Guacalillo, that allowed to recollect 150 Kg of waste.

Plastic lids collect and donation them to Fundación Proparques, to develop walkways to improve accessibility for people with mobility problems, in the country's protected wild areas.

The establishment of an alliance with the Recycling Program of the Municipality of San José, since May 2015 until December 2020, that led to recycle 43 tons of recoverable resources during that period. During pandemic, staff members continued with the recycling process from their homes. Collection and recycling include paper, cardboard, plastic items and lids, batteries, and electronic devices, among others.

The purchase of souvenirs from local artists, to promote local benefits.

Days have been held on the beach with older adults living in care homes.

Elimination of single use plastics in our operation

Reduction of printed documents by having all the information in a secure drive.