In 2006, Meghan Casey and her husband Davis Azofeifa purchased Chilamate Jungle Private Reserve, a 52-acre (21-hectare) reserve in Costa Rica's San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor founded by Don Lindley Lumsden and his family in the 1940s. Together, Meghan and Davis built the Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ sustainable lodge.

Visitors to Chilamate can enjoy rafting, canopy exploration, horseback riding, zip-lining, mountain biking, kayaking, safari boat tours, sport fishing, swimming and more. We spoke with Casey about the reserve, home to 500 bird species, 300 tree species, and nearly 140 mammal species.

Question: How did you and your husband come to own the property?

Casey: In 2006, just after the birth of our daughter, my husband and I were trying to come up with a family project that would make a conservation difference in the area. One day, we were walking by the river and decided to explore a little farther than usual. We came across some people who turned out to be caretakers of the property. They let us look around and we asked if the owner was selling. A few days later, we got a call from Don Lumsden's daughter, who was then in charge of the reserve. She had been having trouble maintaining it, but had refused to sell because she wanted the next owner to be someone from Sarapiqui (as my husband is) who was committed to protecting the land.

Question: What are you doing to manage the retreat with an eye toward sustainability?

Casey: As soon as we started [building the lodge], we got the Rainforest Alliance's manual for best tourism practices. We also attended a number of [Rainforest Alliance] training sessions. We learned even more when Rainforest Alliance verification program auditors came to our property and gave us some great advice about improvements we could make.

Question: Tell us about some of their most valuable suggestions.

Casey: While my husband and I have always been committed to sustainability, we were not exactly business people. When the auditors came the first time, we had no computer, no website, no written materials and no real business plan. They gave us ideas for the business side of our project. They helped us develop a sustainability plan and a mission statement, and they told us that we needed to keep track of everything we were doing in terms of our work in conservation with the local community.

Question: What other sustainable business practices have you adopted?

Casey: We exclusively use biodegradable soaps and cleaning products, and we have solar panels that provide much of our electricity. We use live bacteria to clean the plumbing system. All of our organic waste is composted and we recycle everything we can. My husband is also really creative about devising eco-friendly alternatives. For example, he built a system of diverting rainwater for showers and toilets.

Question: Has doing all this helped your business to thrive financially?

Casey: Yes, purchasing waste wood and recycled materials from local businesses brings costs down significantly. In addition, our commitment to conservation appeals to visitors.

Question: How does Chilamate support the local community?

Casey: We support our neighbors' businesses whenever we can. We have a place close by where we buy cheese, eggs, milk, chicken and even fish. We also recommend that our guests go on tours with local companies.

In addition, Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat facilitates a program with Earth University and about 60 families in our community who run small farming operations. We meet periodically, and the farmers learn how to integrate affordable sustainable practices into their everyday farming.

We also give discounts to guests who make a donation to the community, do service days or support the community in some way.

Question: What's next for Chilamate?

Casey: We'd love to expand our reserve so that more of the region's biodiversity can be protected. We also want our neighbors, the smallholder farmers, to be able to continue their work; it's not easy for them to sustain themselves.

Question: Any highlights from your time managing the lodge and reserve?

Casey: When we first got here, I kept meeting kids and parents who had never even been in the rainforest before. I am proud to say that today there is not a single child in any of the three closest schools who has not visited us. This year, we're developing a program in the local schools so that students of every grade can come to the reserve at least once a year and experience walking through a rainforest.

This entry was posted on February 4, 2014 at 1:30 PM and has received 478 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español.

Who doesn't love watching the setting sun after a fun-filled day of travel, disappearing below the horizon and turning the sky into a beautiful canvas of red and orange hues?

Today we want to share some amazing photos of sunsets from the sustainable hotels listed on our website:

Baja California Peninsula, México

Baja California offers a unique contrast between intense ocean-blue water beaches and arid desert landscapes. Photo by RED Sustainable Travel.

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Costa Rica

The Arenal Volcano is well known for providing tourists with magical eruptions in the night. But this photo proves that the views are just as great right before dark. Photo by Catarata Eco Lodge.

Cancún, México

Cancún has amazing beaches and a great weather, but its romantic sunsets may be what has made it one of the top destinations for couples getaways and weddings. Photo by Dreams Riviera Cancún Resort & Spa.

Yacuma Protected Amazon Rainforest Reserve, Napo, Ecuador

Imagine experiencing a sunset right in the heart of the Amazon jungle! Photo by Yacuma Ecolodge.

Lago Atitlán, Guatemala

Lake Atitlán, also known as the "mirror of the sky," has been called the most beautiful lake in the world. So you can expect exceptional views behind its three impressive volcanoes. Photo by Hotel y Centro de Convenciones Jardines del Lago.

Monteverde, Costa Rica

Most of us like to sit, relax, and enjoy a sunset. But zip lining in the amazing cloud forest is another option to enjoy this magic moment! Photo by Hotel El Establo .

This entry was posted on January 21, 2014 at 5:36 PM and has received 724 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español.

By Thomas Enderlin

As the Costa Rican tourism industry continues to take off, one of the biggest challenges rural communities face is finding a balance between the conservation of traditional ways of life and the need for economic growth. A visionary new agrotourism project in the Dota region of Costa Rica--developed by a group of community leaders and Vancouver Island University--helps rural communities establish financial security, protect the environment and conserve their traditions.

The project is centered on a multi-day trail, known informally as the Los Santos EcoTrail. Descending through the Dota region before arriving at the Pacific Ocean in the city of Quepos, the trail links a handful of small coffee farming communities and homestays. Currently, five Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms are directly involved in the Los Santos EcoTrail project, with many others indirectly benefiting from the gradual growth of community-based ecotourism in the area.

The Dota region is world famous for its top quality coffee production. Here, Rainforest Alliance certification is helping to improve farming practices while reducing environmental impacts and providing economic and social benefits. But volatile coffee market swings and erratic climate patterns make economic diversification an important attribute in the region--and local communities are achieving this critical diversification through small-scale tourism enterprises connected to the Los Santos EcoTrail.

"We really believe in this project, and we are doing this for the future of our children," one community representative explained. "We love our rural way of life, and don't want to see that disappear."

With increasing demands for adventure and culinary tourism and an upswing of consumers interested in purchasing products featuring the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, projects like the Los Santos EcoTrail will provide opportunities for travelers to take their commitments one step further. These immersive vacations can provide a more direct connection to the origins of certified ingredients while demonstrating how farm and forestry certification benefits local rural communities and biodiversity.

On the trail, visitors also learn how local communities have survived off the land for generations. The people of Providencia still grind their shade grown coffee by hand. The people of Naranjillo let guests test their skills processing sugar cane into juice and crude molasses. Elsewhere along the journey, visitors are invited to make tortillas, learn traditional dances, and make artisanal crafts.

This model of diversified local economics is the future of sustainability. The Rainforest Alliance is currently exploring other agriculture and forestry landscapes that could benefit from small-scale sustainable agrotourism projects so that consumers can have an opportunity to travel to the places where their coffee, tea, and chocolate originate.

For more information on unique agrotourism opportunities, visit the Heart of Gold website.

Thomas Enderlin has a background in conservation, sustainable tourism, commodity trading and agriculture. He is currently based in San José, Costa Rica, where he divides his time as a project consultant, adventure travel guide, photographer, writer and cactus cultivator.

This entry was posted on January 7, 2014 at 1:03 PM and has received 1077 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

From Selva Verde Lodge's beginnings in the 1980s, it was a pioneer in supporting the local community, especially women. Deep in the lowland tropical rainforests of Sarapiquí, founders Giovanna Holbrook and Berth Carter hired members of remote local communities to work at their budding ecotourism lodge. They established a rule that staff members must retrieve their own paychecks, so that husbands could not collect their wives' earnings, helping women to gain domestic empowerment and independence.

For a long time, attending school was just a dream for Sarapiquí's poorest children because their families could not afford the cost of textbooks. Consequently, in 1993, Selva Verde Lodge partnered with JADE (Joventud Activa Desarrollo Educativo, or "Active Youth for Educational Development") to open a public library to give local children free access to the textbooks they needed. From these noble beginnings, the library evolved over the years into the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC), a robust community center that is now the local headquarters for the San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor. Today, this impressive place is a community center, conservation organization, and ecotourism operation all in one.

Travelers to the Sarapiquí region come for the multitude of nature activities available in this lush jungle setting, such as rafting on the Sarapiquí River and visiting nearby hot springs, waterfalls, and volcanoes. Twenty minutes away from SCLC is another amazing ecotourism attraction: La Selva Biological Station, one of the world's most important sites for tropical biology research. La Selva Biological Station offers accommodations in its Rainforest Alliance Verified™ ecolodge and nature tours with bilingual naturalist guides. Back at SCLC, travelers can take advantage of the center's rich cultural ties and participate in Costa Rican cooking classes, Latin dancing classes, and visits to local schools and farms.

The Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center remains the only public library in the region. It is currently implementing programs such as a children's theater camp, preschool story time, open lab computer assistance, movie days, adult literacy programs, women's empowerment workshops, and celebrations for national and international holidays, such as World Water Day.

If you're looking for a great gift for an environmentally-conscious loved one (or if you're in the generous holiday spirit yourself), think about making a donation to SCLC's library! You'd be hard pressed to find a better cause than giving the gift of books, learning, and literacy. Learn how to make a donation on SCLC's donation page.

This entry was posted on December 18, 2013 at 12:35 PM and has received 1429 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español.

Guanacaste, a province located in the northwestern part of Costa Rica, showcases some of the most beautiful sites in the country – and the beautiful Catarata Oropéndola is one of them! This waterfall spills an impressive 82 feet (25 meters) in a natural shower to a sparkling turquoise pool below. It is placed in a beautiful vegetated canyon of Río Blanco (White River), close to the Rincón de la Vieja volcano, making a picturesque tropical oasis that is inviting for a refreshing swim.

Hotel Hacienda Guachipelín organizes horseback riding and hiking tours to Oropéndula waterfall. Visitors can go by horseback 45 minutes on a scenic trail and then have a short walk to get to the waterfall canyon. There are two options available for those who prefer to enjoy a hike. One departs from the hacienda by minibus to the parking lot of the national park (10 minutes); from there, they walk 15 minutes to the waterfall. The second option is hiking a scenic forest trail from the hotel to the waterfall – approximately 1.5 hours each way.

This entry was posted on November 29, 2013 at 5:33 PM and has received 424 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español.

For the very first time, the winner of our Making a Difference award is a car rental company!

Costa Rica's Mapache Rent A Car was founded in 1994 and has become a leading transportation company in the country. It has also been recognized for its pioneering efforts to conserve the environment by obtaining the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) and Ecological Blue Flag recognition in the category of "Actions to Address Climate Change". In addition, Mapache is the only car rental company that's certified as 100% carbon neutral under the National Standards for Carbon Neutrality.

We talked to Jackeline López, Mapache's administrative and sustainability manager, to learn about their Earth-conscious efforts.

Question: When and why did Mapache Rent A Car decide to start becoming a sustainable business?

López: We started about 6 or 7 years ago, because we recognized the impact our business had on the environment.

Q: You obtained a very high rating (4 leaves) from the CST, and you are the first car rental company in Costa Rica to achieve the carbon neutrality seal. What are the main challenges you faced to achieve this and what were the most important improvements made?

López: We had to start working internally to raise the awareness of all our staff and on adapting our business practices to meet the requirements of these certifications. This required a major commitment, with tasks as detailed as taking traceable measurements of our carbon emissions and creating a management system.

Q: How many vehicles are in the Mapache fleet and how many emissions are being reduced under the carbon neutrality seal?

López: We have 400 modern vehicles with cutting-edge technology that receive proper maintenance for proper emissions control. Our goal is to reduce an average of 6.81 tons of carbon per year.

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

López: Achieving carbon neutrality is one of the most outstanding, because offsetting carbon emissions also supports reforestation. We also partner with several NGOs to conserve forest and water resources. Finally, we support the protection of children and adolescents in Costa Rica; for example, we support a comprehensive care center for children facing domestic violence.

Q: How do you involve your customers in these efforts?

López: By renting Mapache Rent A Car vehicles, our customers directly support all of our projects. In addition, by choosing to support our "Clean travel" program, they offset all of the emissions generated by the vehicle they have rented.

Q: How do you plan to continue improving the company's sustainability?

López: We'll keep measuring and analyzing our impact, increase our savings, and we hope to have fully 'smart' offices.

This entry was posted on October 9, 2013 at 7:04 PM and has received 955 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español | Voir l'article en français

What do you look for when you're choosing a vacation destination? Have you ever noticed that most popular tourism destinations are located near a body of water? Whether it's a vast blue ocean, a serene lake, or a bubbling river teeming with wildlife, water is a huge part of tourism. Not to mention the water that travelers use for drinking, showering, and other basic needs.

It's extremely important to consider the impact of your vacation on local water resources. The following tours showcase stunning waterways and ensure a light water footprint, and all of them are led by members of Tour Operators Promoting Sustainability (TOPS), a Rainforest Alliance network of Earth-friendly, local tour operators.

Costa Rica:

Costa Rica Sun Tours has a "Turtles, Whales & Dolphins" tour for marine wildlife lovers.

Nicaragua:

Gray Line offers a "Water & Tourism to Protect Our Future" tour on the legendary Lake Nicaragua.

VaPues Tours offers a "Rainforest Alliance Green Itinerary" that showcases the diverse and beautiful regions of Nicaragua.

DeTour, Viajes y Cultura has a "Land Surrounded by Water" tour that features cloud forests, volcanoes, and environmental education.

Peru:

Condor Travel's "Volunteer Program: Misminay Water Project" gives travelers the opportunity to meet and work with a rural community.

Mexico:

Explora, Ecoturismo y Aventura offers a "Highlands to the Lacandon Jungle" tour that visits indigenous rainforest communities.

This entry was posted on September 24, 2013 at 12:36 PM and has received 1390 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

This photo captures two of nature's most wonderful oddities: hummingbirds and heliconias!

Hummingbirds are the tiniest birds in the world and can fly as fast as 60 miles per hour in a dive. Contrary to popular belief, they don't suck up nectar through their beaks like a straw--they lap it up with their long, pointy tongues!

Heliconias are sometimes called lobster claws or parrot flowers because of their waxy, beak-like cups, called "bracts." These bracts hide the flowers, keeping their sweet nectar tucked away so that only specialized birds can get to it.

This photo was taken at the Costa Rica Nature Pavilion by Nelson Mena.

This entry was posted on September 12, 2013 at 5:47 PM and has received 1354 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

Vea esta publicación en español.

Can one of the highest quality hotels in the world also be one of the most sustainable? The answer is yes. Pacuare Lodge, in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, is proof that hotels can offer world-class accommodations in the heart of the rainforest while being an excellent ally of local communities and the environment. For this reason, Pacuare Lodge was awarded our Making a Difference recognition this month.

Roberto Fernández, founder and general manager of Pacuare Lodge, tells us about the lodge's history and their ambitious efforts to become a global benchmark of sustainability.

Question: Where did you get the idea to create Pacuare Lodge?

Fernández: More than 25 years ago, tour companies were offering expeditions on the turbulent waters of the Pacuare River, but the trips were limited to one night of camping and two days on the river. The first time I rafted the river, I was so impressed by its scenic beauty and natural wealth that I decided to create the first rafting company that was purely Costa Rican, without any international corporate ownership.

Later came the idea of opening a high-quality lodge in this exceptional destination. We acquired a small property and embarked on the adventure of building in a place with challenging geographical conditions and no road access.

Q: What makes this area so special and unique?

Fernández: The Pacuare River and its surroundings represent one of the most valuable and beautiful ecosystems in the country! The river forms the northern boundary of Central America's largest cluster of protected areas, national parks, and indigenous and private reserves, and it is considered one of the top 10 rivers for rafting in the world.

Q: Pacuare Lodge has been featured in dozens of international publications and was named by National Geographic as one of the 25 best lodges in the world. What can tourists expect when they stay in one of the world's best lodges?

Fernández: They can expect a truly unique travel experience! To reach Pacuare Lodge, visitors must raft down a wild river of incomparable natural beauty winding through a stunning tropical rainforest. When they arrive, they will find a lodge built with care and attention to detail that is simple yet sophisticated and run by a team renowned for its authenticity, warmth, and passion. Our mission is to provide the best in everything we do.

Q: Can you name three of the top experiences for tourists at Pacuare Lodge?

Fernández:: First is the journey there: venturing down one of the world's most scenic rivers by raft to reach Pacuare Lodge. Then, the stay at the lodge is an experience in itself. Our facilities are magnificently designed and decorated in the middle of a jungle that is beyond description.

Finally, do not miss having dinner in "the nest," a platform set 65 feet high in a kapok (ceiba) tree that offers wonderful views of the rainforest canopy. Your evening is completed with a meal that has been recognized for its quality and innovation.

Q: The UNWTO also named Pacuare Lodge as an example of sustainability in the world. What has your hotel done to earn this recognition?

Fernández: We strive to have a positive impact on the environment and on social and cultural issues. We began with a property of only 35 acres, and now we have 840 acres of forest that we are protecting. We support conservation projects like a jaguar monitoring program on our property.

Since our beginning, we've actively involved local communities so that our work would benefit them directly. Today, 100% of the lodge's workforce comes from the Nairi Awari indigenous reserve and the nearby communities of Santa Marta, Linda Vista, Turrialba, and Bajo del Tigre.

We are also very proud of our environmental education program in the schools of eight communities near the Pacuare River basin. Some 800 children have seen environmental education presentations given by our staff on topics such as ecosystem stewardship, proper use of water, and waste management. We've also established collection centers for waste management and disposal, a program for reforestation of native species, and projects for painting murals and maintaining infrastructure.

Q: How have these efforts influenced community development?

Fernández: The first person we hired was a resident of the nearby community of Bajo del Tigre, and he was the most well-known hunter in the area. We hoped that providing local employment opportunities in nature tourism and giving environmental presentations would promote a different attitude towards conservation in the community.

Well, our first employee went from being a poacher to a protector of the environment! He set an example that was crucial in getting other residents of the area to change some of their deeply rooted bad practices. Hunting in the area has dropped considerably because students take the message about caring for wildlife home to their parents.

Providing local employment has had other benefits: according to a socioeconomic survey of the community, 67% of the local population employed in the tourism industry works for Pacuare Lodge, where they earn fair wages, full social security benefits, and constant training. We also support small businesses in the community by purchasing food, candles, tours, , photography, and other tourist services.

Q: Many initiatives for conservation and sustainability – such as acquiring 840 acres of forest for protection – represent major investments. How do these investments benefit the hotel?

Fernández:: We don't think about how acquiring more land for conservation or developing programs for jaguars, howler monkeys, or environmental education will benefit us. Our aim with these investments is to return a little of what we receive to the community. We embrace this commitment with joy and enthusiasm. We are motivated because we can see how our contributions promote positive cultural changes.

Q: What is your number one recommendation to other hotels that are starting down the path to sustainability?

Fernández: Everything starts at home! Sustainability is a lifestyle; it is not a fad or a strategy for self-promotion, is something that you believe in and live, through specific actions. Those who decide to take this path must be convinced that sustainability is an essential part of life.

Q: How can guests get involved in your efforts for sustainability?

Fernández: They can donate digital cameras to the jaguar program, provide educational materials or sporting goods for local children, or make specific donations to nearby schools and community projects.

Q: What plans does the Pacuare Lodge have to remain one of the best and most sustainable hotels in the world?

Fernández: We will engage in continuous innovation, facilitate training for employees, and work closely with neighboring communities. We know that staying current and being better each day is a constant challenge that requires investing time and resources, but that's what excites us!

This entry was posted on September 4, 2013 at 7:58 PM and has received 1334 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

An ecotourism vacation is perfect for families with kids. They'll be filled with awe and delight when they experience the larger-than-life flora and fauna of the tropical rainforest. Who knows, you might even inspire a life-long passion for nature, science, and adventure!

Greenloons has a great blog entry with more ways children can benefit from an ecotourism experience.

This photo was taken on a rainforest tour with Ecole Travel Costa Rica.

This entry was posted on August 23, 2013 at 1:54 PM and has received 579 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.