Sustainability

Sustainability is not a goal; it is a journey.

Costa Rica Expeditions, Monteverde Lodge & Gardens and Tortuga Lodge & Gardens are committed to being among the most eco-conscious hotels and tour providers in Tortuguero, Costa Rica. From the very beginning have embraced innovative sustainability practices, not because they make us look better, but out of conviction. We are proud of the different practices that our hotels and tour company have embraced that have impacted the Costa Rica communities where we operate. But we recognize that there is a long journey ahead and we have the willingness and determination to continue protecting the natural, cultural and socio-economical environments of Costa Rica.

These are some of the sustainability practices we have in place at our Tortuguero, Costa Rica hotel:

Community and Social Responsibility

Our team is mainly from the region. No one knows and loves this area more than its people and this is reflected by the genuine, personalized and friendly service they all provide.

We buy locally, approximately 45% of the products used at the hotel come from local producers or shops.

We actively support our community, collaborating in as many ways as possible. This includes donating rooms and meals for local cultural and environmentally related activities such as the Local Music Festival and the local Health Fair.

Environment

We employ a solar energy system for heating the water in all rooms and the restaurant kitchen.

As a conscious decision to do away with single-use plastic, we offer a complimentary stainless-steel reusable water bottle to all guests. We also use 100% biodegradable straws made out of avocado seeds.

A high-tech system of filters and ultraviolet lights purifies water to be 100% drinkable. This system also helps us eliminate the use of bottled water.

Our swimming pool uses a system that works with regular salt instead of chlorine.

We use Bio-Agua, a mix of 80 different tropical microorganisms that ferments solid and liquid waste to eliminate odor, reduce solid and decontaminate the effluent runoff in the septic and gray water system.

We use biodegradable and environmentally friendly soaps, detergents and cleaning products.

Gray water produced by the lodge is treated by an Environmental Septic System, with two biodigesters that create methane gas used by the kitchen for cooking meals.

In Progress

We privately own, protect and preserve 5.9 hectares (14.75 acres) of old forest growth and secondary growth around the lodge grounds.

Tortuga Lodge assists with local research programs. Bird tagging research is done every year in our reserve by Sea Turtle Conservation.

By our request, the Costa Rican Electric Company insulated the Lodge’s high-voltage cables to avoid the electrocution of wildlife.