Sustainable Tourism: Visiting the Natural Jungles of Costa Rica

Traveling is one of the most rewarding experiences for many people. Yet this is not always the case for our planet. According to the EESI, Airlines alone accounted for ~2.4% of all global CO2 emissions in 2018. As the tourism sector is dependent on the transportation sector, and clean air travel is decades away, a small step towards a solution would be to focus on reducing emissions at the hotel level. Sustainable tourism allows guests to have a guilt-free experience, and help protect the beautiful landscapes of these sought-after destinations.

This past summer, I was lucky enough to see how Costa Rica’s very own, Aguila De Osa: Rainforest and Marine Adventure Lodge, has been lowering their own carbon footprint. Nestled into the Osa Peninsula, this region holds over 2% of the worlds biodiversity, with hundreds of different wildlife species! The resort's surroundings of stunning and untouched nature, definitely provides the motivation to protect it for generations to enjoy.

Anyone who has stepped foot in Costa Rica, has heard the popular phrase “pura vida”, meaning pure life. Here, it is not just a belief, but a way of living. It is clearly adhered to, upon arrival to the lodge, as the explosion of rainforest is the first sight to take your breath away as you arrive by boat. As you walk up the stone pathway, you begin to realize the resort has built itself into the existing land, with few borders between. Beautifully standing with local wood and a palm leaf ceiling, the architecture of the Great Room is one of a kind.

The open concept dining room is the heart of the resort, with a view of the bay to accompany every meal. All guest rooms are placed uphill for the grandest view of sunrise and sunset. Overlooking the ocean, each are completed with their own, cozy, viewing porch.

Throughout the area, is an astonishing array of thriving vegetation, and sometimes scattered with creatures: monkeys, iguanas, butterflies, enjoying themselves in their true home. It is a perfect place to nestle into the jungle, in luxury, with still a taste of the wild life!

Aside from the gorgeous landscape and unique adventure tours, the best part of this hotel is most definitely the cuisine. All the ingredients are locally sourced, either from the resort's own farm, fishing excursions, or other nearby farmers. A wide array of cuisine is made fresh daily to accommodate each guest with three meals.

The delicious dishes may have been number one for me, but a close second was joining the team in the resort's hydro-garden! Here I was able to learn about hydro-gardening techniques, and gained an in-depth look at how they implemented their water system using sustainable techniques. Hydro-gardening allows for faster growing times with less investment in good soil. In a climate that is dry for half the year, this gardening technique yields better year-round results. The water system at Aguila De Osa supplies all the water needed to maintain the operations for gardening, laundry, and bathrooms. How you may ask does a secluded resort supply itself with enough water? From Mother Nature herself! A rainwater collection system with extensive filtering techniques provides the resort with enough water to last throughout the year. By enclosing their circle of resources, the best they can, the resort provides quality service for its guests and the planet.

The most enlightening part of my experience was the commitment and deep care all the resort's workers had for the Earth. Throughout Costa Rica, it is clear that its citizens are highly aware of the beauty their unique environment holds. Especially in the Osa Peninsula, dubbed by National Geographic "one of the most biologically intense places on Earth", the workers I talked to, deeply believed, that it should be conserved as so. This is why the hotel offers weekly beach cleanups for the local community, and has helped create the local conservation nonprofit, The Corcovado Foundation. I had the pleasure of meeting Alejandra Monge, the Executive Director for the past 17 years. She states their goals are to "keep illegal woodcutters and poachers away from their untouched jungles, promote sea turtle conservation, and provide knowledge and development for future environmental education." The passion her team had just talking about their work was so immense, that working on the ground level must be inspiring work. Any guest can donate to the Foundation and get involved on their vacation if they want too!

The feeling of connection to the natural wonders of the Earth were definitely in the essence of all those who work at Aguila De Osa, and it is definitely a feeling one leaves with, after visiting. Like a proper Tica, Pura Vida!