earteart mericasmericas of the TURISMO The government of Costa Throughout our years of worldwide travel and avid SOSTENIBLE Rica has set up programs scuba diving, we have firmly believed in the simple concept of “taking only pictures andleaving only that play a large part in bubbles.” Before Sustainable Tourism became an making sure that what industry passion we at Elegant Adventures practiced visitors come to Costa our philosophy of responsible travel by being actively Rica for today will still be involvedin ongoing community outreach projects there for the visitors of andsupporting resorts andbusinesses that showed CST tomorrow. One of these an obligation to responsible environmental practices SUSTAINABLE programs developed by andto making a positive impact on their local TOURISM the Costa Rican Tourism communities. Board (ICT), along with Today it is more important than ever that the other governmental and educational groups, tourism community – travelers and travel providers alike – engage in environmentally friendly travel is the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism practices andleave as small a footprint as possible. (CST). The CST program categorizes and One way to accomplish this is to support those certifies tourism companies according to the organizations that demonstrate a conscientious level that their operations approach a model commitment to sustainability, environmental of sustainability – in terms of their degree of conservation andthe well being of the local people. impact on the natural, cultural and social Elegant Adventures is proud to feature many of these resources of the country. The certification fine establishments in our committee focuses on four operational Central America guides. components: the physical-biological; the Dan & Jeanne infrastructure and services; the external clients; and the socioeconomic environment. The ICT defines sustainable tourism as the balanced interaction of three basic factors within the tourism industry: 1. Proper stewardship of our natural and cultural resources; 2. Improvement of the quality of life of the local communities; and The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity and ensure 3. Economic success that can contribute to sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. other programs of national development. We work with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host Although Costa Rica and many of its travelers. The Rainforest Alliance involves businesses and consumers worldwide in our efforts to bring responsibly produced goods and wilderness-oriented tourism businesses services to a global marketplace where the demand for sustainability is growing steadily. are famous for pioneering the concept of ecotourism, the CST addresses a broader We set standards for sustainability that conserve wildlife and wildlands and promote the well-being of workers and their communities. concept – sustainable tourism – which We also work with tourism businesses, to help them succeed while leaving a small footprint on the environment and providing a boost addresses bothwilderness and urban tourism to local economies. activities and encourages practices that The Rainforest Alliance is working on an initiative to expand spread benefits into the local communities the benefits of sustainable tourism certification to small and medium sized enterprisesinCosta Rica through pilot projects ingeographic and ensures long-lasting success. CST isn’t areas that are not currently benefiting from Costa Rican Certification for an ecotourism seal. It is a set of performance- Sustainable Tourism (CST). The proposed work will take place along the Caribbean coastline, recognized for its distinctive topography and based standards that create guidelines. The its complex cultural mosaic. The project will teach best management certification addresses a series of basic practices, provide training sessions on certification, conduct certification assessments, and promote certification within environmental markets. principals of sustainability that are in need In Costa Rica, the Rainforest Alliance’s work will complement the of adoption the world over. National Institute for Biodiversity (INBio) project entitled “Support to the Use of Biodiversity by Small Enterprises,” inviting the participation of any ecotourism ventures working with INBio in our pilot projects and standard-setting process. rainforest-alliance.org Bienvenidos á Costa Rica 3 • T ABLE OF • C ONTENTS BEAUTIFUL,EXOTIC SAN JOSÉ ....... 4–5 Hilton Doubletree Cariari ........ 4 ura Vida! “Pure Life” – this popular Costa Rican greeting says it all about Costa Rica Marriott Hotel ......... 5 the allure of this amazing country. Located at the center of the American Continent Hampton Inn & Suites Airport ... 5 with coasts on both the Pacific and the Caribbean, Costa Rica is a peaceful land of NATURAL WONDERS – THE CATHEDRAL OF NATURE ....... 6–18 spectacular beauty. No other destination offers such an immense variety of landscapes, Central Zone ecosystems, climates and experiences all within easy traveling distance. There are tree-lined Finca Rosa Blanca ..................... 8 tropical beaches whose warmth is exceeded only by the friendly, family-loving people who live here. Peace Lodge ............................... 8 Villa Blanca ................................ 9 Misty mountain forests give way to rolling savannah and bucolic countryside. Dense, lowland rain Xandari Resort & Spa ................ 9 forests shelter brilliantly coloredbirds, exoticbutterflies and prolificplant life and provide a Arenal Volcano Arenal Kioro Hotel .................. 10 magnificent backdrop to the crashing surf of the Pacific. Beaches on both coasts are primary nesting Royal Corin .............................. 10 sites for many species of sea turtles. There are rushing tropical rivers, cascading waterfalls, thermal The Springs .............................. 11 mineral springs and active volcanoes that light the night sky with their spectacular fiery display. Arenal Nayara Hotel ................ 11 Hotel Mountain Paradise ..........12 Tabacon Resort & Spa ..............12 A Model for Conservation Lost Iguana Resort & Spa ........12 More Choices in Arenal ........... 13 Arenal Area Tours ...............14–15 Each year, Costa Ricans welcome thousands of visitors to share the tranquil beauty and natural treasures Caribbean Area & Tortuguero of their country. Endowed with 5% of earth’s life forms within a mere 0.03% of the planet’s surface, they Pacuare Jungle Lodge ............. 16 have preserved this incredible bio-diversity in national parks, nature reserves and protected areas Manatus Hotel ......................... 16 Osa Peninsula covering fully one-quarter of the land – more per capita than any other country in the world. It’s no Aguila de Osa Inn .................... 17 wonder that Costa Rica is often cited as a model for conservation in harmony with community Lapa Rios .................................. 17 Monteverde Area development and economic growth, and has become a place of pilgrimage for ecological tourism. El Establo Mountain Hotel ..... 18 Monteverde Area Tours ........... 18 Rich in Experiences USEFUL FACTS FOR TRAVELERS ....... 19 MAP OF COSTA RICA ................. 20–21 The opportunities for fun and adventure are endless. There are spectacular new golf courses, BEACHES – uniquely carved into the magnificent landscape. Record-winning sport fishing, thrilling whitewater UNSPOILED &UNDISCOVERED ... 22–35 rafting and kayaking, world class surfing and superlative scuba diving attract enthusiasts from the Northern Pacific Four Seasons Resort ................ 24 world over. Plus there is hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, canopy traversing and a great Hilton Papagayo Resort & Spa ...24 deal more – all in a perfect, year-round spring climate. JW Marriott Guanacaste ...........25 Riu Guanacaste .........................25 Playa Conchal .......................... 26 Accommodations that Offer Something Special Playa Conchal Royal Service ....26 Reserva Conchal ...................... 27 Throughout the country there are plenty of captivating places to stay. From cozy Capitan Suizo .......................... 27 Tamarindo Diria ........................28 mountain lodges and charming jungle hideaways to spacious villas, elegant inns Barcelo Playa Langosta ............ 28 and luxury resorts there are a variety of tempting choices for every taste and Guanacaste Area Tours ............ 29 Nicoya Peninsula budget. Punta Islita .............................. 30 Tango Mar ................................ 30 Latitude 10 ............................... 31 Finally, Safe and Close to Home Harmony Hotel ........................ 31 Manuel Antonio Best of all, Costa Rica offers a safe travel environment in a La Mansion Inn ........................ 32 stable democracy with very close political, economic and Si Como No Resort & Spa ....... 32 Arenas del Mar ......................... 33 social ties to America. The country has been twice Parador Resort & Spa .............. 33 nominated and once awarded the Nobel Peace Prize and, Gaia Hotel & Reserve .............. 34 since 1949, has had no standing army. Instead, the Fishing Charters ...................... 34 Manuel Antonio Area Tours .....35 country’s resources are directed to its excellent educational NATURAL ADVENTURES – and health care systems, social programs and economic WET &WILD ..........................