An Ecotourism Adventure: Lapa Rios Ecolodge
The best way to learn about a place is to truly experience it. Add in ethical travel practices via ecotourism and sustainable travel, and you've got a heck of a trip! After perusing the website for a Costa Rican Ecolodge called Lapa Rios, I was hooked. I recently sat down to talk with Millay Kogan, Sustainability Coordinator for Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality about the Lapa Rios Ecolodge. I have to say, this is one place that I can't WAIT to go to!
WE: Tell us a little bit about Lapa Rios...
MK: Set in a private nature reserve spread over 1,000 acres of
Originally, Lapa Rios was built by John and Karen Lewis as a private nature reserve. A
For the past sixteen years, the privately financed Lapa Rios Ecolodge has become more than just a beautiful rainforest hotel or eco resort next to the beach. With over 50 employees and more than 9,000 guests visiting the lodge yearly, Lapa Rios is a model ecotourism project that strives to show both its guests, its employees and the surrounding community that “a forest left standing is more valuable than one cut down”.
WE: It seems that ecotourism is the newest and most important aspect of global travel. Can you tell us a bit more about how Lapa Rios is part of that?
MK: Lapa Rios Ecolodge was one of the first properties in the world to promote the ideals embraced by ecotourism; with almost 60 employees, it is a model ecotourism project that strives to show both its guests, its employees and the surrounding community that conservation and sustainable development truly are a feasible, and more importantly, desireable option for development.
Receiving five leaves from Costa Rica´s renown Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), Lapa Rios works rigorously, and systematically, to include sustainability and conservation in its daily business practices, showing both the surrounding community, the tourism industry and the business community in general, that luxury, sustainability, conservation and community development truly can go hand-in-hand.
WE: I see that Lapa Rios has a school. Can you please let us know more about this? How can we help?
MK: The
When Lapa Rios was originally built, most families living in the Carbonera area lived on small farms in simple huts with dirt floors. Very few had running water and none had electricity. Most families living in the area worked as tenant farmers or squatters, simply surviving off of the food they raised (mostly beans and corn). Using slash and burn techniques, these farmers continued to deplete the rain forest and, when the land became infertile, they were taught to cut down even more forest. To earn spending money for essentials men often worked as laborers, stooped under the hot tropical sun with machetes in hand, clearing grass and brush for large-tract land owners and preparing fields for rice or pulp trees. Only some local people in the Carbonera area respected and understood the rich bio-diversity of the region and the opportunities conservation offers.
These days, most of the families living close to the
La Asociación de EducaciónUSA "Mail Drop"
Box 025216-SJO 706
Miami, FL 33102-5216
WE: What sort of activities are available at Lapa Rios? Is it an all-encompassing vacation spot, i.e., activities, food, etc.?
MK: While the services, amenities, comfort and quality of food served in Brisa Azul restaurant are truly outstanding, it is Lapa Rios´commitment to sustainability, to maintain the surrounding environment and to support the local community that truly set it apart from its competitors. Lapa Rios´commitment to sustainability touches on everything from maintaining its 1,000 acre private reserve and training members of the local community, to using only biodegradable soaps and cleaning products and supporting local schools in the surrounding
Activities offered by the property include nature tours in the private reserve, typical dance performances, the chance to plant trees in our volunteer rainforest, tours of
WE: Are children welcome? Are there educational programs/activities for children?
WE: What sorts of accommodations do you have for people with disabilities?
MK: Due to its remote location, site construction (Lapa Rios is constructed on a ridge overlooking the
WE: I think that
MK: The vision for Lapa Rios came from Karen and
To finance the building of Lapa Rios, they sold their house and possessions, liquidated their pension and profit sharing plan and moved to
WE: You must have a high demand for your hotel. How far in advance should people book out? How many days do you recommend people stay, in order to get the most relaxing and educational experience? And what season is best for a visit?
MK: Our space tends to fill up 2 - 6 months in advance and for some periods even earlier than that. We would recommend that you investigate space availability now and if you think you would like to come and stay with us make a reservation now to guarantee the dates that you want.
We must advise you that we do not recommend less than 4 nights at Lapa Rios for anyone who is arriving or leaving by plane. It is too short a time for most people given the experience encountered here and the variety of things to do and see.
WE: Thank you, Millay. I have to say, we can't wait to visit! I appreciate you taking the time to share about Lapa Rios and Costa Rican ecotourism with us!
For more information on Lapa Rios Ecolodge, please see their website at www.laparios.com.
Music for Shifting Times
Through the Eyes of an Educator: A Compendium
Exploring Michigan's Coasts: A Compendium
Generation Study Abroad Commitment Partner
I'm a White House Travel Blogger
Wandering Educators Youth Travel Blogging Mentorship Program
Travel with Awe and Wonder: A Compendium
