Costa Rica is known around the globe as a leader in eco-tourism. With over 25% of the country protected from development and its government encouraging sustainable practices, it is easy to enjoy nature the way it's meant to be: leaving minimal impact behind while immersing one's self in nature's wonders and supporting the local communities.

But what exactly IS Eco-travel?

By definition it means "'Responsible travel to fragile, pristine, and usually protected areas that strives to be low impact and (often) small scale. It purports to educate the traveler; provide funds for conservation; directly benefit the economic development and political empowerment of local communities; and foster respect for different cultures and for human rights".

So really... ALL travel to Costa Rica is eco-travel.

At the Eco Preservation Society we take it a step further and make it also about  traveling in an eco-friendly manner and staying at hotels that use sustainable practices. Eco travel can be simple or luxurious, it wears many faces.

We are more than happy to help you plan an eco-friendly Costa Rica vacation. Let's get started!

In Costa Rica, a world leader in eco-tourism, it means:

• Using biodegradable soaps (both for laundry, bathing and cleaning products)
• Recycling Programs
• Option to not have your sheets and towels changed everyday
• Hot water on-demand
• Bio-digesters
• Use of sustainable materials to build the hotel or lodge
• Conserve a certain % of land from development and reforestation
• Carbon neutral travel
• Learn more about Costa Rica's certification program for sustainable tourism

Ex President Oscar Arias pledged in 2008 that the entire country would be carbon-neutral by 2021 – if Costa Rica reaches its goal, it will be the first country in the world to have entirely offset its carbon footprint!