SUSTAINABLE TOURISM IN COSTA RICA

Worldwide, many companies gladly provide their products and services nowadays with a supplementary eco endorsement, even though the customers don’t often exactly know if the environment is ­really protected by this.
In order to provide the tourists in Costa Rica with a guide of which hotels and tour organizers actually protect the environment, the National Tourist Institute (ICT) has introduced a certification with the name CST (Certificación para la Sostenibilidad Turistica). Recognizable by the symbol of a green leaf, it shows an environment-friendly manner and the level goes from one to five leafs as the highestrank.

Whoever wants to adorn themselves with this must submit to a strict and elaborate audit in which an extensive criteria catalogue is checked. Belonging to that is more active environmental protection, sewage clarification facilities, waste recycling and the use of biologically degradable detergents. The food prepared in restaurants is considered about the protection of the environment and organically cultivated products of local producers are positively rated here. Energy-saving measures and the related training of the staff are also important criteria. But not only internal measures of the participants are challenged, the external impact on the customers is also demanded, for example, information panels about the environmental protection and the correct behavior in the nature. And, because the social environment also belongs to the project, activities in the local communities are also asked for. This can be funding of the library or the support of the local school.

The preferred employment of local people will also be positively rated.

The hotels and tour organizers appreciate this certification: “The criteria are, beyond doubt, strict and the realization requires much engagement, but I find it quite important that we as hotel owners in Costa Rica take environmental protection seriously

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OUR FEATURED HOTEL – CASA CORCOVADO.

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge is located on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, on prime location right at the edge of Corcovado National Park. Luxury first class service and food in a Spanish colonial style Bungalows spread around a garden for maximum comfort and privacy. The hotel has 14 rooms, 1 restaurant and 2 pools. Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge Costa Rica, tucked away in the trees and cooled by the Pacific Ocean, is a 170 acre private reserve bordering Corcovado National Park. Carefully designed and built by an American naturalist with over twenty five years of local experience. This unique lodge offers accommodations constructed with the highest concern for conservation in harmony with the landscape and the environment.

Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge Costa Rica provides the ideal base for your in depth rainforest experience. There are no roads to Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge; access is only by motor launch. The adventure begins upon your arrival at our reception center, “La Hacienda”, in the town of Sierpe.

Classic Experience 4D/3N includes: San Jose – Palmar Sur – San Jose. Land Transportation Palmar Sur – Sierpe – Palmar Sur. Boat Transportation Sierpe – Casa Corcovado – Sierpe. 3 Nights lodging. Tour to Corcovado National Park. Tour to Caño Island. Bird Watching Tour (optional).Hiking in Casa Corcovado trails. All meals, park fees and taxes or the Exclusive Adventure package 3D/2N.

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CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK

The Corcovado National Park has an extension of 54539 land hectares and 2400 marine hectares and 46 kms of sandy coast. It is located in the South Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this park as throughout  the entire Osa Peninsula is one of the most richest in vegetation and animals also a large number of endemic species can be found. A freshwater herbaceous swamp known as Corcovado Lagoon which covers 1000 hectares approximately provides the perfect refuge for the park wildlife, also the mangrove swamp located on the estuaries of the rivers Llorona, Corcovado and Sirena where red, tea, buttonwood and white mangrove are the most important, the park has more than 500 species of trees, some of the largest of Costa Rica.

The Corcovado wildlife is varied and rich, it is know that there are 367 species of birds, 140 mammals, 117 of amphibians and reptiles, 40 of freshwater fish and about 6000 species of insects, big animals can being seeing in the different areas like tapir, pumas, ocelot, tiger cat and jaguar as well as long nosed armadillos, pacas, white lipped peccaries and the 4 species of monkeys that live in Costa Rica, the howler, white faced, spider monkey and squirrel monkey. Also the park protects the largest population in the country of scarlet macaws. Amphibians and reptiles have a wide number of members, studies carried out in the park 20 species of saurians, 33 of snakes, 48 of frogs and toads and 7 of turtles, besides salamanders, crocodiles and caymans, the most common snakes in the park are the bushmaster and de fer-de lance de.

The beaches are black because of their volcanic origin. They are laying sites of marine turtles. Whales regularly visit the protected marine area of Corcovado National Park between December and April and between August and October. Also dolphins and bull sharks are common.

Within Corcovado National Park you will find several trails:

La Leona – Sirena (18 km, about 7-9 hours): Salsipuedes Trail along the coast to the airfield at  (only at low tide; accessible the whole year). The station is at the end of the airfield.

Sirena – Los Patos (23 km, about 8-10 hours): Puesto Los Patos Trail (accessible only during dry season)

San Pedrillo-Sirena (24 km, about 11 hours)

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COSTA RICA IS THE WORLD’S THIRD MOST ECOLOGICAL COUNTRY

According to the digital magazine, Eroski Consumer, Costa Rica ranks third as one of the most ecological countries in the world. This release is based on the results of the Environmental Performance Index 2010 from the Colombia and Yale universities in the United States.

Costa Rica was ranked third for its natural wealth, which allows it to survive, in large part, off of eco-tourism. It has also avoided deforestation, which has devastated other Latin American countries and, therefore, scored well in foresting agriculture and fishing categories.

Iceland topped the list by receiving the highest score in many categories, like access to clean water or Green House Effect emissions per capita.

Nevertheless, the study revealed that its weak points are air contamination and its effect on the eco-system.
This is the top-ten list and respective scores:

1- Iceland: 93.5

2- Switzerland: 89.1

3- Costa Rica: 86.4

4- Sweden: 86

5- Norway: 81.1

6- Mauritius: 80.6

7- France: 78.2

8- Austria: 78.1

9- Cuba: 78.1

10- Colombia: 76.8

The study also reflects an overall drop in environmental quality among the 163 countries studied, with respect to the previous year, 2008, such as the case with the United States.

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OUR FEATURED HOTEL SANTA TERESA PENINSULA DE NICOYA – LATITUDE 10 RESORT

Latitude 10 Resort was built as a private resort and is now available to the public. As the winner of the 2008 Grand Award in the International Class for second homes, the resort leaves nothing to be desired in luxury and elegance in its natural setting, providing interaction with the jungle and it’s beachfront location.

The resort consists of five spacious free standing, individually decorated and private casitas. Each casita has its own tropical décor, situated on over seven acres of private beachfront property located near the bustling beach town of Santa Teresa on the Southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula in Costa Rica.

Santa Teresa lies in the southern tip of the Nicoya Península, one of the most diverse and attractive areas of Costa Rica. Santa Teresa is a long wide sandy beach located 6 km north of Cabo Blanco National Park, stretching to the pristine Playa Hermosa. This beautiful touristic destinations has tropical jungles, world class surf, and amazing sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

Don’t miss out on the famous Santa Teresa surf break, horseback riding excursions, tropical canopy tours, boat and fishing excursions or just a leisurely stroll along one of Costa Rica´s most beautiful white sand beaches where the lush vegetation of the rainforest melts into the Pacific Ocean.

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CABO BLANCO ABSOLUTE RESERVE

Cabo Blanco Biological Reserve, established in 1963, is the only government protected area created before the inception of the park service in 1970 that has survived to this day.

The reserve occupies the southernmost tip of the Nicoya peninsula and protects the largest tract of an extremely important example of mixed evergreen and deciduous moist tropical forest in the area. Size: 1,172 hectares in-land and 1,700 hectares in the ocean. Distance from San José: 300 kilometers. Have a Trails and the Dry Season: November through April.

The place is home to many rare and threatened species, including curassows, crested guan, brocket deer and jaguarundi, along with some more common species like howler monkeys, raccoons and kinkajous. There are excellent tide pools along the coast, and Isla Cabo Blanco is a very important seabird-breeding site.

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THE RAINY SEASON LOOMS AHEAD

This year the “Rainy Season” also known as “Green Season” is expected to start in mid May and if you travel during that period that gets extended until the end of October you will enjoy a particular condition of the country that those who travel during the Dry Season did not enjoy: This time of the year, everywhere you look; you’ll see green, green, and green. Don’t know what it is, but there’s something truly primeval and invigorating about being surrounded by lush tropical vegetation during rainy season. It makes you feel truly alive in every sense of the word, but don’t take our word for it – come see for yourself.

Generally, rains occur in the early afternoons in the highlands, mid-afternoons in the pacific lowlands, and late afternoons and night in the Atlantic lowlands.

The days often start out warm and sunny, although “temporales” are not uncommon. In the highlands, rainy season usually means an hour or two of rain in the mid-afternoon. Still be prepared, because after 23 hours of a given day maybe dry and pleasant, on the 24 hour the rain may be hard as a waterfall.

A very convenient fact is that during the rainy season most hotels and tour companies provide discounted rates and special packages to their clients.

Contact us today and take advantage of those “Green Season Specials” we can offer to you and your clients and don’t miss the chance of exploring Costa Rica as not many travelers have done it.

The land of the eternal spring is waiting for you!!!!!!!

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