What Can I Do To Minimize My Impact of Traveling in Costa Rica?
If you are flying to Costa Rica, you will already leave a significant carbon footprint by the time your plane lands. One option to help offset this footprint is to purchase trees in the tropics - these trees will help absorb carbon and, after nearly 20 years later, your flight to Costa Rica will be neutralized. You can learn more about tropical reforestation here.
Once in the country, you can minimize your impact by reusing plastic bottles (the tap water is great here), supporting the local economy, visiting a national park or reserve to help sustain Costa Rica's conservation efforts, and by staying at a hotel that has implemented sustainable practices. You can learn more about hotels and sustainability here.
Related Questions
- How Much of Costa Rica's Energy Comes From Renewable Sources?
- How Can I Tell If a Costa Rica Hotel Is Sustainable?
Costa Rica Domestic Flights & Booking Service
Costa Rica is about the size of West Virginia, but ground transportation can take many hours on its rough, windy, and mountainous roads. Depending on your travel route, domestic flights may be the most convenient and sensible option. Traveling between some destinations can take up to 8 hours by ground, while a domestic flight can cut that travel time to 35 minutes - a major time saver, especially if you have only a short time in Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Hotels
Costa Rica is all you've heard and more — from adventure vacations to romantic getaways, and family trips to solo travel, part of the magic of Costa Rica is that it almost seems to transform itself based on your travel needs. You can explore mountains, cloud forests, beaches, and more. In each of these unique destinations, you'll find hotels to match your activities and personality. Enjoy a honeymoon or anniversary of romance and indulgence when you stay in Uvita or Dominical, or a sustainable adventure for two when you find yourselves in Sarapiqui or Drake Bay. Perhaps the person you're celebrating and learning to love again is yourself; Costa Rica can accommodate your inner journey. Choose a hotel that offers yoga courses or a full-fledged yoga retreat — you can find them all over the country, from Tamarindo to Arenal. Want to take the family on a vacation where everyone can unplug? How about lodgings that double as working farms? Costa Rica's farm hotels will have you in the heart of the country — explore destinations including Arenal, Monteverde, and San Isidro General. Not only will you enjoy peace and quiet, you can even teach the children about sustainability and where their food comes from. The best part? Most farms offer an opportunity to assist with some of the chores, so you'll get to know the animals and harvest some of the produce you've been enjoying! Wherever you choose to stay, you won't be too far from adventures such as zip lining through rainforests, observing amazing wildlife in cloud forests, trekking across mountains and volcanoes, and napping on beaches. Your perfect vacation begins with the perfect hotel, and both are waiting for you in beautiful Costa Rica.
Costa Rica Sustainable Hotels
Costa Rica is a country of fantastic natural beauty and delicate ecosystems. As a visitor to its impressive landscape, one seeks to tread lightly and support efforts that will help to preserve its natural wonders into the future. Some hotels in the country have led the way in implementing policies that seek a better balance with the environment and community. These properties have taken steps to significantly reduce waste, toxicity, and consumption of resources. Many have developed programs in areas such as recycling, reforestation, and environmental education. For the conscientious traveler, these accommodations offer some of the best places to enjoy a mid-range or luxury vacation with minimal environmental impact. For more information on sustainable tourism in Costa Rica, see the Anywhere Costa Rica Sustainability.
Plant Trees in Costa Rica - Anywhere Costa Rica
Travel involves substantial carbon fuel emissions that affect global warming, but you can help offset these effects by making a donation to tropical reforestation efforts in Costa Rica. All donations go directly to the Center of Investigation in Technological Transference and Education for Development (CITTED), which is a branch of the State University from a Distance (UNED). With this initiative, 1 native tree species is planted for every $6.
Arenal Volcano National Park
The Arenal Volcano National Park packs all of Costa Rica's allure into one place: incredible hiking, magnificent views, abounding wildlife and the country's most active volcano. Hiking and horseback riding tours allow you to get up close and personal with this incredible area, which encompasses close to 30,000 acres (12,000 ha) and extends into eight different life zones. Overlooking everything is the imposing Arenal Volcano which sits right inside this wonderful park.
Aviarios del Caribe Reserve
Following Highway 26 south of Puerto Limon, the river valley breathes life into the tropical vegetation, which is a burgeoning haven of unique flora and fauna. Here, 31 km south of town, is the small wildlife refuge of Aviarios del Caribe in the Estrella River delta.
