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Swiss Travel is one of Costa Rica's leading travel and destination management agencies. For over forty years, Swiss Travel has taken on the task of promoting tourism in Cost Rica and, even more importantly, it has worked to make the industry grow responsibly beside nature and local communities. In recognition of its efforts, this Rainforest Alliance Verified and CST certified company is the recipient of this month's "Making a Difference" award.

Swiss Travel marketing manager José Pablo Salas details the efforts Swiss Travel has made to become a sustainable company and how that has benefited them.

Question: How did Swiss Travel begin?

Salas: Swiss Travel Service began in 1972, focusing on inbound tourism for Costa Rica. We were pioneers in a virtually unknown industry, where the word "tourism" was not common. Nationals traveled to certain destinations that were nearby and popular, but it was difficult to find foreign tourists like we do today. Hotel accommodations in the country were very poor and we didn't have the technology or the marketing tools that are available now, but we believed in Costa Rica's potential.

Q: In those years, the concept of sustainable tourism was very new. What motivated Swiss Travel to be a responsible tour operator?

S: The concept of sustainable tourism was virtually unknown at the time, but it has always been essential for Swiss Travel to develop activities that care for the environment where we invite our customers. These locations are our main asset, and our commitment to conserve it has been a factor that makes us stand out. Ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism is an effort that fills us with pride and satisfaction because this is how we contribute to the country's development and help current and future generations to enjoy the natural beauty of our country.

Q: How would you describe your approach to sustainable tourism?

S: We focus on implementing best business practices based on the three pillars of sustainable tourism: the environment, the economic context, and the sociocultural setting of the organization. These best practices are reflected in every action the company takes, both in its workforce and with all the parties involved in our activities. For our efforts, we obtained the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), a Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) program, as well as Rainforest Alliance Verification, which have permeated throughout our company.

Q: What are some of your most outstanding sustainability initiatives?

S: We've developed operating manuals, policies, and procedures to ensure respect for the environment. These cover all of the company's activities and involve guides, drivers, plant personnel, and the tourists themselves.

For example, we have reduced paper usage by over 50 percent thanks to policies for saving and efficiently using resources, and our vehicle fleet follows strict maintenance standards to prevent pollution. We have tried to go the extra mile, turning ourselves into one of the few (if not the only) tour operator in the country that has a sewage and gray water treatment plant and submits operational reports to the Ministry of Health, ensuring the proper disposal of our liquid wastes. We also have a fully-equipped collection center at our facilities to ensure strict control of solid waste.

In collaboration with agencies, institutions, and other private businesses, we help promote the conservation of protected areas and assist diverse communities and programs with environmental protection and social development. The initiative we are most proud of is a reforestation program near Palo Verde National Park and the Tenorio Miravalles Biological Corridor in Guanacaste, developed in conjunction with the Allies Against Climate Change Program and the Ministry of Public Education, which has declared the area in the public interest. The program involves local schoolchildren in awareness-raising activities, environmental education, and reforestation with native species.

Q: How do you help communities foster tourism while conserving natural and cultural wealth?

S: Swiss Travel operates throughout the country with different communities that have different needs. Therefore, our strategy is to listen to their needs first and then propose joint projects together. In our experience, the initiatives that arise from this are truly sustainable over time. For example, we have ongoing activities that involve our cruise ship groups and the surrounding communities, where we support fairs that promote their cultural treasures, traditional costumes, art, local food, crafts, and more.

We also make donations to various social and environmental causes and we encourage our customers and intermediary businesses to make donations or collaborate with local communities or NGOs.

Q: Is it difficult for a company as large and diversified as Swiss Travel to maintain its sustainable performance in different areas?

S: It involves a lot of effort and the implementation of management systems for continuing improvement that require us to have ongoing assessments, rigid controls, and readjustment whenever necessary. This requires major documentation, systems for additional information, and constant updates in this area and about the newest options in the markets.

Q: Why is it important for the company to have CST certification and Rainforest Alliance Verification?

S: It's relatively easy to say that a company is "green" or "eco"; the difficult part is proving it. These verifications and certifications provide significant backing for the transparency of the business and the best practices it carries out.

Q: What are the benefits of being a sustainable company and have a "green" image?

S: We receive many benefits, such as higher efficiency in our processes, more orderly documentation, and better economic performance (positive cost-benefit impact) thanks to our optimization of resource use. This has also led to greater engagement and environmental awareness among our collaborators as we establish better relations with the community and create partnerships that, together with a greater understanding of the immediate and national environment, better prepare us to respond to risks and uncertainties of all kinds. In addition, this image allows us to be more competitive because we can offer differentiated products.

This entry was posted on June 25, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 480 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Manual Antonio is one of the most idyllic destinations in Costa Rica. Located on the central Pacific coast, it is famous for its white sand beaches, calm and warm waters, the surrounding rainforest that is rich in biodiversity, and the amazing panoramic ocean views that you can enjoy from many hotels located atop the hills.

One of these hotels is Si Como No Resort Spa & Wildlife Refuge, a stunning boutique hotel that combines nature, sustainability, luxury, and a breathtaking ocean view. Si Como No is a little oasis with 58 rooms nestled in the jungle, two full-service restaurants, two pools, a THX movie theater, a world-class spa and a 30-acre private wildlife refuge.

This entry was posted on June 21, 2013 at 10:23 AM and has received 433 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

The lush, humid forest of the Chocó bioregion is a bird lover's paradise that extends across western Colombia and into northwestern Ecuador. It is one of the most biologically rich areas of the world, particularly in terms of bird life, with more than 500 bird species in total, including over 60 endemic species that exist nowhere else in the world. In fact, the Chocó is classified by Birdlife International as an Endemic Bird Area (EBA), as it is one of the most critical regions for the conservation of birds in the world.

For everyone except the most expert birders, your chances of seeing wildlife are hugely increased by enlisting the services of a local guide who has intimate knowledge of the forest and its inhabitants' favorite spots to feed and congregate. Here are some of the bird beauties you might see during a visit to the famous Chocó bioregion:

Booted racket-tail These emerald green hummingbirds with their fluffy white "boots" are hard to miss! They are common visitors to lodge bird feeders, so you should have a good chance of getting to see one fairly up close.

Cock of the rock The males of this species look like something out of a surrealist painting! The truly lucky birder might witness an impressive "lek" display, during which a group of males will gather to compete for mates by performing complex courting rituals.

Velvet-purple coronet This stunning, amethyst hummingbird is endemic to the Chocó region. They seem dull and drab until their feathers catch the light, treating spectators to a magical, iridescent sight.

Plate-billed mountain toucan Listen for the mating duet of this species, which consists of females and males calling to each other with loud rattles and clicks.

Turquoise jay The turquoise jay is a vibrant blue color with a distinct black face mask. They often travel in big, noisy mixed flocks.

Red-headed barbet The red-headed barbet is a strikingly-colored bird that loves to feast on bananas and other large fruit.

Learn more about sustainable birding tourism and how it supports the conservation of endangered bird species.

This entry was posted on June 19, 2013 at 11:41 AM and has received 1249 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

These travelers are camping on the shores of a peaceful lagoon in Cajas National Park, located in the highlands of Ecuador. The name "Cajas" is derived from the indigenous Quichua word that means "gateway to the snowy mountains." Traveling with a sustainable tour operator like Expediciones Apullacta will ensure that you not only enjoy the best trails and camping spots, but also that you won't cause any unintentional harm to these fragile ecosystems.

Find sustainable hotels and tour operators in Ecuador

This entry was posted on June 14, 2013 at 9:45 AM and has received 612 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Welcome to Corcovado National Park, the place with the most biodiversity on Earth! Located in Costa Rica's south Pacific coast, on the famous Osa Peninsula, this park has been called "the most intense place on Earth, biologically speaking," by National Geographic, as it is estimated that there is no other place on the planet that is home to such a vast and dense biological diversity. In other words, travelers who visit Corcovado will be treated to a natural spectacle of living creatures that exists nowhere else in the world!

Corcovado is made up of 99,000 land acres and 13,000 marine acres in which 3-4% of the world's biodiversity is found, including 50% of Costa Rica's total species. The park conserves the last existing humid tropical forest of the Mesoamerican Pacific and the largest primary forest of the American Pacific.

The park is home to a considerable number of known wildlife species: 140 species of mammals, more than 360 birds, of which 40 are in danger of extinction, some 180 amphibians and reptiles, including four species of marine turtles, and 40 freshwater fish species. Many beautiful and biologically important animals are among the species in danger of extinction, including the guacamaya or scarlet macaw, the white-lipped peccary, the jaguar, and the American crocodile.

Thousands of plant species also inhabit the park, many of which have restricted habitats or have already disappeared from other regions. It is estimated that there are 2,100 plant species, of which 139 are endemic (meaning they are unique to this location), and some 700 tree species, of which 49 are in danger of extinction.

Apart from being biologically rich, Corcovado is a destination with unique beauty. Its forests have remained largely pristine since the area has never been too populated. When the park was established in 1975, the 300 farmers who lived there were compensated to relocate so that the area could be protected from the harmful effects of agriculture. For almost 40 years, the park has been designated exclusively for conservation, scientific research, environmental education, and regulated ecotourism.

These characteristics make Corcovado a dream destination for nature-loving visitors, including both casual ecotourists and hardcore backpackers. The park has a dozen trails running through its virgin forests, varying between half a mile (1 km) and 12 miles (20 km). If you are quiet and have a bit of luck, it is possible to catch a glimpse of the animals that live here.

Crossing these trails leads to the park's 12 miles (20 km) of beautiful beaches, though swimmers should exercise caution because the shores are quite rocky, the currents are very strong, and the waters are often inhabited by crocodiles and bull sharks. There are four range stations that serve as access points for tourists. All visitors who enter the park must have an admission ticket and register with the rangers. Two of these stations offer lodging, including rooms with bunk beds as well as campsites for adventurous tourists who wish to spend the night in Corcovado and cover more of the park.

The visitors that prefer one-day tours can stay in nearby areas. The tours to the park depart from Drake's Bay, Sierpe, Dominical, and Puerto Jiménez, all ecotourism sites of great beauty in their own right. Drake's Bay is usually the preferred departure point for tourists because of its beautiful beaches. Those who choose to depart from Sierpe have the advantage of crossing the scenic wetlands and the Térraba-Sierpe forest mangroves, the second largest wetland in Latin America. Sierpe is also known for its stone spheres, a set of more than 500 petroshperes created by the Indians more than 100 years ago. These are considered unique in the world for their number, size, perfection, and abstract organization.

The Osa Peninsula offers various sustainable hotels and ecolodges that you can find listed on SustainableTrip.org.

This entry was posted on June 12, 2013 at 9:06 AM and has received 1490 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Did you know that chocolate grows on trees? Those green and yellow pods you see in the picture above are hanging from a cocoa tree, and the seeds they contain will be fermented, dried, roasted, and turned into chocolate you can buy at the grocery store! As agritourism rises in popularity, cocoa farms like this one in Nicaragua are welcoming more and more travelers who are curious about where their food comes from--and it doesn't hurt that cocoa is grown in beautiful tropical destinations! On a farm tour, you'll meet local farmers and their families and get a glimpse into authentic rural life.

This photo was taken on a tour with Vapues Tours.

This entry was posted on June 6, 2013 at 4:32 PM and has received 892 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Belize is a small Central American country teeming with wonderful travel experiences for both beach-and-sand tourists as well as eco- and adventure tourists. Read on to find out why Belize should be at the top of your travel bucket list!

1. No habla español?

Unlike the rest of Central America, Belize was a colony of Britain, not Spain. Consequently, the official language of Belize is English. That means everyone from your taxi driver, to your waiter, to the local shopkeeper will speak English – and no need to haphazardly guess when reading maps, signs, or menus either!

2. World-class diving

Belize is perhaps most famous for being one of the world's best scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. Just offshore in the Caribbean Sea lies the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the second longest coral reef system in the world. Underwater explorers will feast their eyes on many beautiful, colorful, and rare marine species such as West Indian manatees, whale sharks, and loggerhead sea turtles. Also check out the Blue Hole – a 400-foot deep underwater sinkhole and a mesmerizing natural wonder that is famous among divers.

3. Surf & turf

The former fishing village of Placencia boasts long stretches of soft sand and turquoise water and also serves as a great base for day trips to nearby lagoons and nature reserves. Ambergis Caye and Caye Caulker are two islands off the northern coast of Belize with a characteristic, laid back island vibe. All three destinations offer easy access to the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef.

Travel inland and you'll find lush rainforest ecosystems with rich biodiversity. The Mountain Pine Ridge Reserve and Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary are particularly well-known for their vast array of wildlife, especially birds. Hiking, cave exploration, canoeing, and waterfalls are all part of the experience in the jungles of Belize.

4. Mayan ruins everywhere

They say you can't throw a stone in Belize without hitting a Mayan ruin. The area that is now known as Belize was actually the heart of the Maya Empire during its peak. There are hundreds of archeological sites within the country, most of which have yet to be excavated. Read our blog entry on the Mayan Jewels of Belize to discover the country's best Mayan sites.

5. Say goodbye to the crowds

Caribbean beaches, world-class diving, lush rainforests, and Maya culture – surely such a spectacular destination will ensure a constant battle for the last spot on the beach/bus/tour? Guess again! Not only does Belize have the lowest population density in Central America, it receives only about 250,000 tourists each year. In comparison, Nicaragua receives four times as many tourists annually, while Costa Rica receives a whopping 8.7 times as many! So, no need to worry about crowds, traffic, or waiting in line after line. In Belize, you'll finally have that peaceful and relaxing vacation you've always dreamed of.

Sustainable hotels and tours in Belize »

This entry was posted on June 5, 2013 at 10:39 AM and has received 1293 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.