Sustainability and Community Outreach

Arenal Observatory Lodge is located within Arenal National Park and borders the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve in an area that is characterized by dense primary rain forests broken only by unpolluted streams and rivers. Because we value the importance of this environment, we promote the efficient use of resources and develop practices which have little impact on the natural surroundings.

 Hotel Goals:

    1. Protect flora and fauna through the implementation of a reforestation program, watch closely for animal and plants traffic              and finally through the usage of non toxic herbicides, pesticides, fungicides, among others.  

    2. Promote recycling both partners as guests, so everyone will be motivated to sort garbage and give proper treatment to                 this.

    3. Promote water conservation through information in the rooms and devices on showers, sinks and toilets, in addition                       to reuse towels and sheets.

    4. Promote energy conservation through information in the rooms, reuse towels and sheets, the use of light bulbs, and                       drying clothes outdoors.   

    5. Provide adequate treatment of sewage and organic wastes so that these are not a source of contamination to                                 the environment.

    6. Using fresh products for food preparation and products with recyclable containers, reusable and biodegradable.

    7. Establish a good relationship with the community, being a source of employment for residents of the area. Besides,                       providing financial support among other for the community needs.    

    8. Establish a proper plan in case of emergency or natural disaster.

Strategies

     1.

• Reforestation of 160 hectares.
• Care of the illegal trafficking of animals and plants.
• Prohibit animal hunting and deforestation.
• Use natural products for the maintenance of the garden, and “gallinaza”.

• Do not use toxic chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides or fungicides.
• Ensure that the lighting and noise of the hotel does not alter the space of animals and plants.

     2.

• Trash Cans properly labeled to separate trash.
• The Hotel has a recycling department.
• Responsible for the separation of garbage in the recycling department.
• Provide adequate information to both internal customers and external customers.

     3.

• Information in the rooms.
• Water and lights saving stickers.
• Information for reuse towels and sheets.
• Use of water saving devices in showers, sinks and toilets.

     4.

• Information about the lights off when are not in use.
• Information for reuse towels and sheets.
• Use fluorescent bulbs and low energy spending.
• Drying clothes outdoors.
• Preventive maintenance for electric equipment.
• Use of automatic shutdown systems of lights.

     5.

• Contract of Specialists Company for treat sewage.
• Use of organic waste as food for pigs on the farm.

     6.

• Use fresh foods instead of canned.
• Buy products in recyclable containers, reusable or biodegradable.

     7.

• Contract of local employees.
• Financial contributions to the community.
• Provision of lounges for meetings, lectures or other community activities.
• Participation in the maintenance of road infrastructure.
• To promote sports, cultural and social community activities.

     8.

• Emergency Plan properly structured.
• Meeting points for emergency marked.
• Drawings or sketches showing meeting points in case of emergency.
• Signals and information to help customers in case of evacuation.

Our sustainable practices include:

• Maintaining 270 acres of the property in natural forest and 400 acres in reforestation with pine and eucalyptus.
• Using pristine mountain spring water which is certified  by a laboratory approved by the Ministry of Health.
• Installing proper sewage treatment plants to prevent pollution and controlling the run-off of rainwater to prevent soil erosion.
• Planting our gardens and green areas with species native to the region which attracts birds and wildlife.
• Identifying shrubs and trees with labels indicating the scientific names.
• Using natural and biodegradable products for the maintenance of the gardens.
• Using indirect lighting in natural areas to avoid disturbing the flora and fauna.
• Encouraging energy saving practices among both employees and clients by placing signs asking that lights be turned off when not in use, that towels be reused, etc.
• Installing water saving devices such as low flow toilets, shower heads and faucets.
• The use of low volumes of chlorine in our pool, and having the pool water quality certified by a laboratory.
• Performing regular preventive maintenance on electrical equipment.
• Installing low energy lighting such as fluorescent bulb.
• Use of timers at the Hotel.
• Covering the hot water tanks and pipes with insulation to prevent heat loss.
• Hanging linens and clothing to dry rather than using dryers.
• Promoting the efficient use of resources by reducing the production of waste to a maximum, re-using where possible, and recycling.
• Maintaining a warehouse for waste storage with personnel responsible for separating, classifying and shipping for recycling.
• Using fresh products instead of canned goods whenever possible.
• Purchasing products in large containers of recyclable metal or glass.
• Using refillable containers for shampoo, soap, etc.
• Eliminating the use of products packaged in small containers.
• Using biodegradable cleaning products (detergents, disinfectants, cleaners, etc.).
• Proper management of organic waste (food for farm animals).
• Using different and identifiable containers for the separation of garbage (plastic, glass, paper).
• Buying local agricultural products for use in the lodge, and selling goods and crafts produced locally.
• Motivating clients to participate in our efforts to save water and electricity, to separate recyclable material and leave no impact on the natural surroundings by placing informative publications in rooms.
• Recruiting personnel from the local communities.
• Contributing to and working with the community in the maintenance of the roads, drainage systems, and cleaning and dredging of the river.
• Helping the local school with donations of books, building materials and supplies for the organization of events, etc.
• Providing facilities to the local school to hold talks on sustainability in the hotel.
• Maintaining an Action Plan in case of emergency (escape route, evacuation of tourists, communications, etc.)
• Sale is prohibited in the hotel of plants and animals, including products and handicrafts made ​​from them.
• We promote no plants or wildlife extraction by tourists or anyone else, with visible signs in reception and hiking areas of the hotel.
• The hotel prohibits keeping animals in captivity within the same facility

   * * We recommend you to visit Costarican National Parks enjoying theirs marvelous beauty. 

          Please, remember that its not allowed the extraction of Flora or Fauna in this areas.    

                                                                             Law for the Flora and Fauna Protection Nº 6919. 

•  A.O.L is part of the Costa Rican Natural Reserves and is in the process and implementation of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)