Special Achievements:
Winner of five leaves from Costa Rica´s prestigious Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST) In the process of being certified as CNeutral (carbon neutral)

Energy Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - At this moment, Lapa Rios Ecolodge has a very rigorous energy saving plan, and is working diligently to improve upon it as well. Due to the fact that we are located in a very remote area of Costa Rica (off the country’s central electricity grid), we need to generate our own power. We are currently using biodiesel in our generators and are in the midst of conducting a study on the feasibility of micro-hydro. Additionally, we use solar panels to supplement our water heating needs, and have installed a biodigestor that uses excess organic waste from the hotel kitchen to power our employee kitchen (we have a group of pigs on property and collect the methane gas that forms off of their fecal matter to produce gas for our employee kitchen stoves). The property itself runs on extremely energy efficient equipment and lighting; there are no air conditioners on property and we have prohibited the use of blow dryers among our guests. Additionally, all management and staff have gone through rigorous training on energy saving techniques and practices, and every year, we make sure to write up our energy saving goals.

Water Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - While Lapa Rios Ecolodge is located in an area where we have an abundance of water, we have implemented several measures to reduce our consumption of water. All plants in the Lapa Rios garden are native to Costa Rica and require little, if any, additional watering. All of our cleaning and personal products offered to guests are biodegradable, and we have information for guests about water saving techniques (including a linen and towel reuse program). Additionally, all of our staff has gone through extensive training on water saving techniques and practices, and every year, we make sure to write up a list of goals to save water.

Disposal Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Lapa Rios Ecolodge has an extensive and rigorous recycling program. All areas of the hotel, including hotel rooms, are equipped with recycling receptacles, and all employees have received extensive training on waste management and recycling practices. Additionally, we have a composting system and a biogas system that works with our organic waste. As mentioned above, our biodigestor uses excess organic waste from the hotel kitchen to power our employee kitchen. We have a group of pigs on property and collect the methane gas that forms off of their fecal matter to produce gas for our employee kitchen stoves. Every year, we make sure to write up a list of goals for ways that we can reduce our non-recyclable waste as well.

Eco-Active Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Lapa Rios Ecolodge makes a great effort to work on educating its guests on the importance of sustainability and on involving them with the local community. We offer a number of locally guided tours that go into the local community (including tours of local farms and local conservation projects) and also offer a sustainability tour that looks at our various projects and practices in sustainable tourism. Additionally, all of our promotional material works to educate guests about the importance of sustainability and how they can contribute to our cause.

Protection Rating: ★★★★★ (5)
Staff Comment - Lapa Rios works extensively in conservation, education and community development. We support local schools, buy locally produced organic vegetables and support a number of community development projects. Guests are made aware of these programs through our on-site sustainability coordinator and through all of our promotional material.

Contact Details

Name:
Lapa Rios Ecolodge
Address:
USA "Mail Drop"
Box 025216-SJO 706
Miami, FL 33102-5216

Lodge Location:
Peninsula de Osa, Costa Rica
Telephone:
011-506-2735-5130
Website:
www.laparios.com
E-mail:
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