Responsible Tourism

Feel Good

You feel truly good about your destination when your destination feels good about you!

Punta Islita’s Video

Responsible Tourism

We actively encourage the preservation of local culture, foster economic opportunity, and promote the responsible stewardship of resources.  Healthy human and natural surroundings reward travelers with authentic experiences, heartfelt charm, and spellbinding settings. 

Art

The symbiotic relationship with our neighbors is most visible in the colorful Islita Open-Air Contemporary Art Museum.  Sponsored by Hotel Punta Islita, this initiative paired established Costa Rican and international artists with local community members to transform Islita Village into an impressive display of murals and sculptures.  More than five local artist groups have coalesced around the project.  Their original works are available for purchase and are featured in all Villas Islita properties.

 

Local employment and microenterprises

Giving preference to local staff, goods, and services significantly benefits the surrounding communities.  More than 85% of Hotel Punta islita’s staff are local men and women.  More than twenty micro-businesses have thrived including restaurants, transport companies, tour operators, and furniture makers.  Your visit and patronage of these enterprises provides tangible economic opportunities to the region.

 

Environment

Avoiding mass development, reforestation, gray water irrigation, energy-efficient technology, and a full waste collection and recycling center has allowed us to preserve and recover the surrounding tropical dry forest, a delicate ecosystem home to howler monkeys, armadillos, and exotic bird species.

 

 

What is CST (Certification For Sustainable Tourism)?

It is a program that seeks to categorize and certify each tourism company according to the degree to which its operations comply to a model of sustainability.

To this effect, four fundamental aspects are evaluated:

1. Physical-biological parameters


Evaluates the interaction between the company and its surrounding natural habitat.

2. Infrastructure and services


Evaluates the management policies and the operational systems within the company and its infrastructure.

3. External clients


Evaluates the interaction of the company with its clients in terms of how much it allows and invites the client to be an active contributor to the company's policies of sustainability.

4. Socio-economic environment


Evaluates the interaction of the company with the local communities and the population in general.

Get more datails about our Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program