Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge:
Sustainability

“Our goal is to provide guests with an experience that they will always remember fondly and to provide this experience while operating the lodge in the most environmentally friendly manner possible.”

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge is:

A place that is remote yet accessible;
A place that is sensitively designed in harmony with the environment;
A place that is a nature lover's, adventure sports lover's and environmentalist's dream;
And, most importantly, a place that never lets you forget that you are nature's guest.

Respect for nature is truly lived at Playa Nicuesa and reflected in every aspect of the lodge; from construction to operations, environmental preservation to community efforts as well as a number of alliances in the area of sustainable tourism. Due to this holistic approach, visitors are offered a unique ecotourism experience on the one hand while the existence of this very nature and community is ensured by the hotel on the other hand.

Carbon Footprint Campaign

Carbon Credits are aimed at reducing the carbon footprint and overall ecological footprint on our planet. Costa Rica's Carbon Credits program is administered by Fondo Nacional de Financiamiento Forestal (FONAFIFO) the Nation's official Carbon Credits foundation. Nicuesa Lodge has earned a FONAFIFO Certification for offsetting uses of fossil fuel by purchasing carbon credits. This year through FONAFIFO we helped purchase and reforest property in the Osa Peninsula to compensate for our carbon footprint. We have also begun the official process to be certified a Carbon Neutral Business. Nicuesa Guests Can Offset Carbon Footprints Created By International Flights To Costa Rica By Purchasing Carbon Credits.

Construction

Worked with Costa Rican architect to design all lodge structures.
The entire construction was performed by local labor from the immediate coast as well as the towns of Puerto Jiménez and Golfito.
Lodge buildings are located on less than 2% of property.
The use of recycled construction materials such as: roof tiles on the lodge and cabins are made of recycled plastics including banana bags.
Wood used throughout Playa Nicuesa is either naturally fallen and permitted by the government to be pulled out of the forest by oxen, or farmed.
Environmentally friendly design features: design of the cabins and lodge is unique and in context with the natural environment and, the orientation of the cabins and lodge maximizes natural ventilation of air from the mountains and the beach through the structures.
Separation of gray water and black water, and use of organic micro-organisms to clean septic system of toxins and diseases.
Little to no disturbance to the natural landscaping to protect the natural habitat.

Operation

Electricity is provided by solar energy. Panels are centrally located on main lodge structure.
Passive solar drying room used to dry all of the wash.
Hot water is provided by on-demand propane which means that the propane is used only when the hot water faucet is turned on.
Fuel efficient four stroke engines are used on all of our boats.
Trash separation for the purpose of recycling glass, plastics and paper.
Composting organics.
Rainwater management: use of trenches to channel heavy amounts of rainfall thereby reducing soil erosion.
Gardens and landscaping maintained without the use of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.
Use of homemade natural solution to combat certain insects (garlic, onion, chili pepper solution).
Use of organic-biodegradable cleaning products.
Use of organic shampoos and soaps in guest rooms.
Energy efficient light bulbs, refrigerators and freezers.
Use of solar lanterns for pathway lighting.
Tours and activities are conducted in the most environmentally friendly manner possible in order to preserve the natural habitat and the wildlife that thrive here, while always educating guests about the importance of environmental conservation.
Offer daily Sustainability Tour of lodge environmental operations (recycling area, composting area, Reforestation Center, passive solar drying room, solar system, construction efforts, etc.).
Lodge meals focused on national and regional cuisine, utilizing food from the property or grown as locally as possible.

Community Efforts

Employ local/Costa Rican staff (98% of employees); primarily from the immediate coastline and two area villages.
Sponsor a local Costa Rican student annually to attend a local bilingual school - Nuevo Hoja. Assist in creation of a local recycling collection center in Puerto Jiménez in collaboration with Women of the Osa (an organization of which we are a member).
Support local campaign to clean up and beautify Golfito by creating welcoming public spaces, improving infrastructure, and giving locals pride in their city.
Employ reformed hunters as guides.
Sponsored building of local library in Puerto Jiménez
Provide opportunity to employees to learn English. (e.g. fully sponsored one employee to live in San Jose and attend a one month intensive English language program).
Display decorations and sell to guests locally produced artwork and handicrafts in effort to support the development of regional/local cultural and artistic activities.
Support local economy by purchasing food, hardware, and other supplies from nearby towns.
Support local tour operations by regularly promoting to guests.
Provide opportunity for career advancement for employees via training course sponsorship.

Memberships

Active member of Women of the Osa (WOO) which is a local effort as part of an international campaign supported by The Nature Conservancy, Conservation International and Costa Rica-USA (CRUSA) to protect and preserve the OSA Peninsula/Golfo Dulce Region.
Member of the International Ecotourism Society (TIES)
Member of the Organization of Tropical Studies (OTS)
Member of EcoClub International
Currently applying for Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
Member of Centro de Derecha y de los Recursos Naturales (CEDARENA)
Member of Responsibletravel.com

Member of Sustainable Travel International