Lapa Rios is an upscale 16-bungalow ecolodge protecting over 1,000 acres of preserved rain forest on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica, an area prized for its biodiversity. The 60-plus staff members are from the local isolated area, and environmental education is fundamental to the employees and international guests’ experiences. The development of the local primary school is mostly funded by the lodge's Travelers Philanthropic outreach. Lapa Rios is certified by the country's Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program and has received the highest level of 5 leaves. This model ecolodge has been consistently voted as one of Latin American’s top resorts by Conde Nast Traveler, Travel & Leisure and Andrew Harper.

Set in a private nature reserve spread over 1,000 acres of Central America's last remaining lowland tropical rainforest in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge overlooks the pristine point where the Golfo Dulce meets the wild Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal destination for travelers from around the world.

Originally, Lapa Rios was built by John and Karen Lewis as a private nature reserve. A Minnesota couple driven by a vision, John and Karen liquidated all their assets to finance the purchase of a large tract of rainforest and to build the small supporting tourism project. Today, Lapa Rios contains 16 private, upscale bungalows with a full service restaurant and maintains a conservation easement elaborated by The Nature Conservancy and Cederena to ensure that this private reserve will be preserved into perpetuity. For the past seventeen years, the privately financed Lapa Rios Ecolodge is more than just a beautiful rainforest hotel or eco resort next to the beach. With almost 60 employees, 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 worth more than one cut down”.

Environmental Stewardship
Lapa Rios Ecolodge strives to serve as a model for tourism operations around the world, proving that the incorporation of environmental protection policies and procedures can and should form part of daily operations. Our work includes (but is certainly not limited to):

- The conservation and protection of 1,000 acres of primary rain forest
- A commitment to use locally grown, renewable resources (including suiita and caña blanca) in the construction of the lodge itself
- The use of biodegradable cleaning and personal care products for both guests and employees
- An extensive waste management and recycling program
- A biogas system powered by leftover food scraps from the employee kitchen
- Landscaping that has incorporated the use of plants native to the Osa Peninsula

Working with Local Communities
The philosophy behind Lapa Rios Ecolodge is strongly rooted in education and community development, as we believe that the inclusion of local individuals and groups is integral to the success of any project in conservation and sustainable development.

Over the years, Lapa Rios Ecolodge has spearheaded, and contributed to, a number of different projects to support and develop the communities and its residents in the surrounding community, including (just to name a few examples):
- Maintaining a policy of hiring and training local residents to fill positions within the operation of the lodge itself.
- The building and ongoing financial support of the nearby Carbonera School, which currently educates local children and maintains a strong focus in environmental education and awareness.
- The maintenance and upkeep of the nearby Corcovado National Park, including the yearly salary of park rangers that work to assure the protection of flora and fauna.
- Promoting the concept of sustainable development and conservation worldwide, among students (both local, national and international), local community members, government officials, the international press and much more.

The Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
Lapa Rios Ecolodge has worked extensively with the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), a certfication system that awards tourism operators for their work in sustainable tourism. This complete, and rigorous, certification system administered by the Costa Rican ministry of tourism awards hotels “leaves” on a scale of one to five based on their sustainability achievements (much like the Mobile star rating which evaluates hotel services). The CST bases its judgments on four factors:

1. Biological-physical: How does a property impact and/or protect its surrounding environment?
2. Services and Infrastructure: How do the property’s operations (including product use and disposal, water and energy management, etc.) affect the environment?
3. Social-Economic environment: What impact does the property have on nearby communities to promote/provide education to its staff and community and to work with community service providers?
4. External client: How does the property promote and teach responsible tourism with guests who visit?

Lapa Rios Ecolodge is currently the only hotel in Costa Rica to have received a five leaf rating (the highest rating available) two consecutive audits in a row, and is reknown throughout the country, and the world, for its commitment to certified sustainability practices.

The Sustainable Guest Experience
For guests that stay at Lapa Rios, a number of activities are offered that promote a constructive interaction between nature and the local community, including:
- The Living Green Tour, a free guided tour offered by our onsite sustainability coordinator that explores the sustainable operations of the lodge itself, highlighting best practices and sustainable innovations.
- Nature tours offered by local guides that focus on indigenous and local interpretations of flora and fauna.
- Tours of the nearby Carbonera School, allowing guests to interact with local school children.
- Tours of local farms that have implemented sustainable and organic agricultural practices.
- Typical nightly dances performed by a local dance troupe.
- A volunteer tree planting programs that allow guests to contribute to the reforestation and conservation of the Osa Peninsula.
- The opportunity to participate in and support scientific investigations taking place in the Osa Peninsula, including a program that uses camera installations to monitor and track jaguar populations residing in the Osa Peninsula.

Pre-Payments
A pre-payment for the amount of the first room night is required once a reservation is confirmed. Reservations will be canceled without notification if this pre-payment charge has not been received within 15 days of making the reservation. Once pre-payment is received, the remaining balance will be charged to the clients credit card 40 days before arrival date. If the reservation is made less than 40 days before the arrival date, a full payment is required.

SPECIAL POLICIES FOR HOLIDAY SEASON (Dec 15th thru Jan 5th)
Pre-payment charges will include the cost of the first night per room of reservation. The balance to Lapa Rios is due 90 days prior to arrival of the guests.

Cancellations and No Shows
• No shows or Cancellations received less than 40 days prior to the arrival date will not be reimbursed. The reservation will be charged in full (100%). Any reimbursements will be at the sole discretion of Lapa Rios.
• For reservations that are eight nights or more, or for reservations of multiple bungalows, cancellations received less than 60 days prior to the arrival date will not be reimbursed and will be charged in full (100%).
• Unused prepaid services (such as airport transfers or tours booked in advance) are non-refundable.