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Spot: Lapa Rios Rainforest Ecolodge
Zone: Coastal, Rainforest
The Good Stuff:
Overlooking the beaches of the Pacific Ocean and surrounded by a 1,000-acre private nature reserve, Lapa Rios ecolodge works both as an outstanding green luxury resort and as a testament to sustainable development. 
The lodge and sixteen bungalows were built high above the ocean with natural materials to blend seamlessly into the surrounding rainforest. Each bungalow features bamboo furnishings with netted beds, screened wall windows, a private deck, and a garden shower for full immersion in the feel of the rainforest. Hiking, guided nature walks through the reserve, bird watching, ocean kayaking, horseback riding, and catch and release sport fishing keep you busy, and massages and yoga classes help with the wind-down when you're done. The lodge serves Costa Rican cuisine with an emphasis on fresh local ingredients. And at the end of the day, all proceeds from the resort's operation are returned to the nature reserve and its educational outreach.
What We Love:
Sitting on the balcony of the rancho for breakfast with a family of spider monkeys to our left almost within arm's reach, with the only sound drowning out their chatter being the two scarlet macaws two trees down crunching on their own breakfast.
Green Cred:
- The private nature reserve is kept pristine by limiting access to those accompanied by professional guides. Guests are encouraged to plant native trees in the reserve to assist with reforestation. All buildings and paths are created with erosion control in mind.
- The lodge and bungalows were built with natural local materials and construction methods.
- Optimal waste management through recycling, minimized use of plastic, bulk purchases of biodegradable products used at the lodge, and a policy against food carryout to reduce litter.
- Landscaping is done without pesticides, herbicides, or motorized gardening tools.
- No live trees were cut down for the construction of the resort, and staff members report illegal logging to local authorities.
- Staff members are local residents.
- The resort supported the building of a local school.
Above and Beyond:
Lapa Rios is a sustainability project in action. Its symbiotic relationship with the local community and with the land it preserves through its nature reserve provides a model for other tourism endeavors. The business activities of the resort fund the conservation and education efforts of the reserve, and the reserve is a destination that draws guests and motivates the local community to greater engagement with the environment. The resort has been recognized as a pioneer in sustainable travel and works to disseminate its best practices to other hotels.
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