The 10 Most Sustainable Eco-Lodges in Costa Rica
For an Ethical and Sustainable Stay in an Eco-Lodge in Costa Rica.
A Sustainability Ranking in partnership with ETIC Hotels
You’re planning a trip to Costa Rica and you’re trying to be as ethical and sustainable as possible?
niood lists you the 10 most sustainable eco-lodges in Costa Rica:
1. Hotel Belmar
Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
From $200 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Hotel Belmar sustainable?
For past few months the Hotel Belmar has been working hard together to construct a greenhouse on the property. The purpose of which is to provide another level of sustainability within our hotel operations, and also the ability provide our guests with fresh and organic high quality fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
2. El Remanso Lodge
Osa Peninsula – Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
From $500 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes El Remanso Lodge sustainable?
We are proud to be one of the few hotels in Costa Rica to rely 100% on renewable energy for the full operation of the lodge. We generate our electricity with our own hydroelectric system and solar panels.
Furthermore, the hot showers you will enjoy are a result of our solar hot-water system which covers all of our demand for hot water.
The staff you’ll meet at El Remanso grew up here, or near here. After all, one of the basic principles of sustainability is to enhance local economic vitality; another is to promote equity. Your stay at El Remanso contributes to both – to supporting local families and to help them work toward a better future, both for their families and for generations to come.
El Remanso is run with integral sustainability practices that go from the 100% renewable energy use, to strict waste management process where we stand by the “three Rs”: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. The waste we do produce, we do our best to reuse: We turn our non-cooked organic waste into compost for our garden, and cooked waste is destined to nearby farms to feed the pigs.
3. Bosque del Cabo
Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
From $200 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Bosque del Cabo sustainable?
Waste Management
- Reusing building materials from previous structures for new constructions whenever possible
- Providing receptacles and transportation to recycling center of plastic, aluminum, and glass for staff and guests
- Recycling of paper, envelopes, packing materials, newspapers and anything feasible to recycle
- Reusing fresh food scraps as compost for our gardens
- Donating cooked food scraps to a local farmer for feeding his pigs
Low or Zero Impact Practices
- Implementation of a constructed wetlands filtration system for processing of grey water
- Use of organic compost as fertilizer
- Construction with mainly bamboo and plantation grown wood
- Biodegradable soaps and cleaning products used whenever possible
- Drainages around lodge created with erosion control measures and plantings
- Provide carpools for workers to decrease number of vehicles coming and going from town
Education
- Providing forums for guests to learn about local conservation, wildlife programs & general information about rainforests
- Providing guidelines for workers regarding recycling at the lodge and in their own homes
- Educating staff on hunting and conservation of natural resources
- Sponsoring/promoting beach health & awareness of the need to keep beaches pristine & natural by sponsoring cleanups
4. Florblanca Resort
Provincia de Puntarenas, Costa Rica
From $400 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Florblanca Resort sustainable?
Environment Policy
• Make a responsible waste management to prevent water, air and soil pollution.
• Optimize the use of water and energy, through saving and the use of alternative technologies.
• Protect, respect and promote wildlife habitat and species.
• Keep gardens and structures free of agrochemicals or chemical substances harmful to human and wildlife health. Encourage the use of organic fertilizers and the enrichment of soils in a sustainable and natural way.
• Share with visitors, neighbors, suppliers and the hotel staff, our knowledge and experiences in environmental issues.
Purchasing Policies
• Inform and create actions to encourage our suppliers to participate in programs of environmental and social improvement.
• Promote local production.
• Reduce waste production and prefer reusable, recyclable or biodegradable products.
• Prefer fresh, natural and organic products.
Social Policies
• Develop employment opportunities for the community and contribute to their professional growth through training.
• Encourage guests to participate in recreational and cultural activities that our community offers.
• Support sports, culture, education, health and security programs in our community
• Respect our traditional and existing living cultures in the environment where we are and we operate. Encourage our customers and staff to promote and
respect our origins.
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5. Arenal Springs Resort
San Carlos, Costa Rica
From $150 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Arenal Springs Resort sustainable?
- Electric car charging station
6. El Remanso Lodge
Osa Peninsula – Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
From $500 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes El Remanso Lodge sustainable?
We are proud to be one of the few hotels in Costa Rica to rely 100% on renewable energy for the full operation of the lodge. We generate our electricity with our own hydroelectric system and solar panels.
Furthermore, the hot showers you will enjoy are a result of our solar hot-water system which covers all of our demand for hot water.
7. Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa
La Fortuna, Costa Rica
From $120 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Arenal Observatory Lodge & Spa sustainable?
- Sustainable maintainance of 270 acres (109 hectares) of our property as natural forest and 400 acres (162 hectares) in reforestation with pine and eucalyptus.
- Use of pristine mountain spring water in the hotel which is certified by a laboratory approved by the Costa Rican Health Ministry.
- Plant our gardens and green areas with species native to the region which attract birds and wildlife. We have identified many shrubs and trees with labels indicating their scientific and common names.
- Use natural and biodegradable products to maintain the gardens.
- Use indirect lighting in natural areas to avoid disturbing wildlife.
- Control the run-off of rainwater to prevent soil erosion.
- Installation of proper sewage treatment plants to prevent contamination to the environment.
- We encourage energy and water conservation practices among our employees and guests by asking that lights be turned off when not in use, that towels be reused, etc. We have installed water saving devices such as low flow toilets, shower heads and faucets, and low energy lighting.
- We use low volumes of chlorine in our pool, and have the pool water quality certified by a laboratory regularly.
- When possible we hang linens and clothing to dry rather than using dryers.
- We recycle and re-use when possible, including using organic waste as food for local farm animals.
- We use fresh products instead of canned goods whenever possible in our restaurant.
- The hotel uses refillable containers for shampoo, soap, etc. in guest rooms, and we use biodegradable cleaning products.
- In our community, we hire local personnel and help the local school with donations of books, building materials and supplies for events, etc. We help the community with road maintenance, drainage systems, and cleaning and dredging of the river.
8. Hotel Playa Espadilla
Quepos, Costa Rica
From $150 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Hotel Playa Espadilla sustainable?
Hotel Playa Espadilla offers an eco-friendly hotel option within walking distance of Manuel Antonios main beach. Guests of this affordable and quaint 16-room hotel will enjoy the beautiful scenery, a relaxing vibe while, and gorgeous pool and lounge area. Hotel amenities include nature trails, restaurant and bar, tennis court, swimming pool, tropical gardens, souvenir shop, and WiFi in some areas.
9. Mawamba Lodge Tortuguero
Pococí, Costa Rica
From $110 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Mawamba Lodge Tortuguero sustainable?
As Mawamba Lodge is very aware of its potential impact on the environment and local society, they have implemented their own Environmental Management System (EMS); the agoal being the reduction and mitigation of all environmental and social impacts that the company may produce as a result of their activities.
Grupo Mawamba has also decided to opt for the Costa Rican certification for sustainable tourism, showing their commitment to the sustainability standards they have always upheld.
10. Hotel Aguti Lodge & Reserve
Monteverde, Costa Rica
From $200 per night
ETIC Hotels Green Score: 9.5/10
What makes Hotel Aguti Lodge & Reserve sustainable?
The Aguti Reserve currently develops several conservation and research projects, such as the reforestation of our endemic tree (Ocotea monteverdensis), which at this moment is in danger of extinction and its fruit is preferred by birds such as the bell bird and the quetzal.
Our restaurant maintains standards of social responsibility that allow us to bring to your palate products of very high quality craftsmanship. We are committed to buy only local producers who, in turn, work in a sustainable way to preserve natural resources, this includes responsible fishing.
