Arenas Del Mar is a stunning, luxury and sustainable 38 room exclusive beach and nature resort with spectacular views of the Manuel Antonio National Park on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, nestled in eleven acres of rainforest with private trails and two tree-shaded white sand beaches. Guest rooms, apartments and suites offer spectacular ocean views, elegant dining in two restaurants with a focus on fresh local ingredients, two fresh water swimming pools with views of the rainforest and the beach, a spectacular Spa and personalized service that exceeds guest expectations. Arenas del Mar is a model project for sustainable development strictly following the guidelines laid out by the Costa Rican Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST).

Arenas Del Mar Beach and Nature Resort, one of the first truly sustainable resorts in Costa Rica, was built in accordance with Costa Rica’s prestigious Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), which works to certify hotels based on their level of incorporating elements of sustainable tourism within the operation. The resort itself seeks to demonstrate that sustainability can be incorporated into a resort-like setting (where typical practices tend to be both destructive and damaging to the local environments and communities) by combining elements of conservation, luxury, community development and innovative building techniques.

Conservation
The total construction of Arenas Del Mar covers less than 25% of the property itself; the rest will become a private nature reserve that will act as an ecological corridor to expand the area surrounding Manuel Antonio National Park (one of Costa Rica’s most popular national parks and home to monkeys, sloths, rare birds and other creatures of the rainforest). In the next few years, Arenas del Mar will be participating in an extensive reforestation program, planting over 7000 native species of trees on the property.

Best Practices and Sustainable Development
At Arenas Del Mar, sustainability has been a key feature since the planning and construction phase. A few of the sustainable features of the physical property and operation itself include:
- Solar panels to heat hot water coupled with energy saving auxiliary heating systems
- Underground electricity systems that do not interfere with surrounding wildlife
- Organic coffee in menu offerings
- Ionization systems to clean swimming pool water
- An advanced vermiculture-based compost system to recycle organic waste
- Energy efficient light bulbs and equipment
- Organic chocolates for guests during turndown service
- The use of biodegradable cleaning products
- Extensive recycling and waste monitoring programs
- An advanced wastewater treatment plant
- A policy of only allowing electric cars on property
- Biodegradable personal care products and amenities in guestrooms
- Roof tiles made from discarded plastic bags from the banana industry

Highlighting Local Culture and Flavor
Guests who stay at Arenas Del Mar are immersed in local Costa Rican culture and given the chance to connect with unique and authentic experiences, thereby preserving local heritage and customs. A few of these features include:
- Tortilla-making classes and demonstrations
- Traditional dances performed by a local dance troop
- A menu made up of typical dishes and locally sourced fruits and vegetables
- Live nightly music
- Costa Rican art in our giftshop, including a items made with recycled materials

Supporting Local Communities
Arenas Del Mar works rigorously to improve local communities, offering unique opportunities and training to employees, as well as supporting local projects that work towards environmental improvement and a more sustainable future for Manuel Antonio and Costa Rica. Some of our work in community development includes:

The Blue Flag Program
Since 2006, the beach located in front of Arenas Del Mar (known as Playitas) has coveted the prestigious Blue Flag (Bandera Azul Ecolgica) award. This program, based on a similar model developed in Europe, works towards the sustainable development of Costa Rican beaches through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and information, environmental management, and safety and other services.
The Bandera Azul is a volunteer certification that incorporates both private and public sectors. In the case of Playitas Beach specifically, Arenas Del Mar has taken a leadership role in obtaining certification, and continues to encourage others to work towards Blue Flag Certification.

Kids Saving the Rainforest
Arena Del Mar is aware of the current situation of the wildlife of the Manuel Antonio area and, as a result, has chosen to support Kids Saving the Rainforest (KSTR), a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife and educating others about the importance of environmental stewardship. By contributing to this program, and offering guests the opportunity to do so as well, Arenas Del Mar has formed a powerful alliance that will contribute to the sustainable development and protection of Manuel Antonio.

Carbon Offsets
Carbon offsets are voluntary donations made by individuals, companies, or governments that compensate, or offset, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, electricity use, and other sources. In an effort to promote sustainable development and tourism, the Costa Rican Ministry of Environmental Affairs has created a program in which tourists can compensate the carbon emissions caused by their international flights by investing in programs that preserve and reforest natural areas within Costa Rica.

Guests who stay at Arenas Del Mar are given the opportunity to offset their carbon emissions caused by their flight to Costa Rica, assuring the conservation and sustainable development of the country.

High and Green Season
6 Jan. - 14 Dec. 2010

Pre-Payment
• No pre-payment is required if the client has approved credit.
• No credit is needed for F.I.T. reservations, but a credit card guarantee is needed with the total amount of the reservation. This amount will be charged 30 days before arrival date.

Cancellations
• If there is a “no-show”, 100% of the total of the reservation will be charged. (even if it hasn’t been prepaid).
• If a reservation is cancelled 30 days or less prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged (even if it hasn’t been prepaid).
** In the case that we are able to sell the rooms, an 80% reimbursement will be made.

Holiday Season
15 Dec. 2010 - 5 Jan. 2011

Pre-Payment
A pre-payment for the total amount of the reservation must be done 90 days prior to the arrival date. No credit is available for this period.

Cancellations
• If a reservation is cancelled between 90 and 60 days prior to the arrival date, 50% of the reservation will be charged.
• If a reservation is cancelled between 59 and 30 days prior to the arrival date, 100% of the reservation will be charged.
• A 100% of the reservation will be charged for “no-show”.
** In the case that we are able to sell the rooms, an 80% reimbursement will be made.