La Cusinga Eco Lodge

Overview

Description

La Cusinga Eco Lodge is dedicated to marine and terrestrial conservation. We are part of a private reserve in the rainforests of the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, next door to Ballena Marine National Park, which protects the humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae) that migrate through this area.

At our facilities, guests can enjoy relaxing vacations at the beach while being treated to impressive views of the ocean and experiencing the unequalled wildlife, forests, and rural culture of Costa Rica. The reserve has more than 618 acres (250 hectares) of virgin rainforest surrounded by hundreds of acres of private forest that is accessible from the hotel. Our ecolodge was established for the purpose of sharing this unique place with all Costa Ricans and visitors.

Rooms

6 double rooms, 1 single room, 1 honeymoon suite, and 2 group rooms.

La Cusinga offers excellent, comfortable cabins with beautiful panoramic views, ideal for tropical vacations. They are made from trees we planted on our property more than 20 years ago and were built using local labor and materials such as timber, stones, shells, and sand.

Making a Difference

Number of employees: 15

Percentage of local employees: 100%

La Cusinga’s commitment to sustainable development and the community is evident in every corner of the hotel:

• All of the buildings were built using reforested wood and materials obtained on the farm, in harmony with the rest of the setting.
• All wastewater is treated to avoid contamination of the forest, river, and ocean.
• Electricity is produced by solar energy (for heating water) and we also work with hydroelectric energy.
• All of the trails were created with an eye toward causing the least erosion and reducing impact as much as possible.
• Our food is grown on-site and we also offer organic products from local providers.
• All wastes are recycled or disposed of correctly in the municipal dump; organic wastes are used to make organic fertilizer for the crops.

Since its beginning, La Cusinga has had a positive impact on the community. Our Costa Rican staff members typically stay with us for ten or more years. We promote the conservation of the park and advocate for the conservation of humpback whales, the rainforest, the beach, and sea turtles. We have educational programs, conferences, and seminars and we fund plans for the conservation and preservation of the surroundings and their beauty. The hotel also offers tours for local schools, which culimates in cultural events for the students, teachers, and parents.

Thanks to our environmental committment and practices, we were awarded 4 out of 5 leaves from the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program. For more information see our policies regarding sustainability.

Rates

$150 and up

For more information about rates, please visit:

• www.lacusingalodge.com/es/habitaciones (available in Spanish).
• www.lacusingalodge.com/en/rooms (available in English).

Getting There

Nearest international airport: San Jose (SJO)

Nearest local/national airport: Palmar Sur (PMZ)

Travel time to nearest airport: 30 minutes

For more information about our location, visit the How to arrive section on our website.

Additional Information

Awards or Recognitions

• We have Blue Flag certifications in the following categories:
  • La Quebrada Grande micro-basin, 2 stars.
  • Actions for confronting climate change, 4 stars.
  • Playa Arco, 1 star.
• Code of conduct seal against the commercial sexual exploitation of minors, awarded by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute and PANIAMOR.

Date This Information Was Provided

November 2013.

Photos courtesy of La Cusinga Eco Lodge, Costa Rica, for SustainableTrip.org.