Costa Rica has a number of well-known sustainable resorts and wellness facilities, however the nation’s latest addition, El Lugar Resort, appears to be pushing the initiative to a different degree.
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Positioned in Sarapiqui, close to La Selva Organic Station, simply two hours away from San Jose, El Lugar Resort was created with a imaginative and prescient of defending the encircling atmosphere with out sacrificing the visitor expertise. From its development via to its hospitality, the sustainability points of this resort are spectacular…however that’s simply one of many many causes we cherished our latest keep right here.
Through the years, we’ve stayed at many sustainable eco-resorts in Costa Rica, however our latest keep and El Lugar took us abruptly. This large undertaking presents a lot greater than meets the attention! So, let’s dive straight in!
About El Lugar Resort
El Lugar undertaking started in 2017 with a imaginative and prescient curated by Gary Douglas to show a 1,200-acre property in Sarapiqui right into a pure sanctuary. The multi-year undertaking has been something however a fast improvement, and it exhibits.
Designed to embrace and nurture the encircling tropical rainforest and ample wildlife, the undertaking was about establishing a resort that seamlessly mixed fashionable comforts with an unwavering dedication to preserving and enhancing the panorama.
The eco resort lastly opened its doorways to visitors in late 2023 and in the present day consists of 95 casitas (stand-alone rooms), a pool, and a pool bar. A lovely restaurant and bar, in addition to a convention centre with assembly house, are within the works and are slated to open in late 2024. The property can be a working ranch with over 100 horses and an enormous herd of cows that graze within the fields throughout the huge property.
Pushing the requirements of what it means to be “eco-friendly”, El Lugar guarantees to supply the right escape from the town.
We discovered it to be a great spot to unwind in nature whereas experiencing Costa Rica’s tradition and historical past.
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Sustainability at El Lugar Eco Resort
The very foundations of El Lugar, Costa Rica, are constructed round sustainability. In truth, El Lugar’s formidable objective is to turn into probably the most sustainable resort on this planet, so you understand they take it very critically.
To Gary and his workforce on the bottom, which means constructing slowly, and organically, working with the land as a lot as attainable. It meant making probably the most eco-conscious decisions alongside the best way with regards to the development and operations of the resort, however by no means on the expense of visitors’ consolation.
“We’ve taken a special strategy to creating El Lugar”, tells us Liam Bramley, head of Expertise and Innovation at E Lugar. “We would like the visitors to blast the AC, have a 20-minute scorching bathe or run that bathtub with out worrying concerning the impression it has on the atmosphere, so we’ve executed the heavy lifting for them by implementing probably the most progressive options to scale back their carbon footprint”
Their objective is web zero operation and that’s a hefty endeavour, even in Costa Rica.
The complete improvement and development of the resort was primarily based on respecting the atmosphere and each determination was rigorously assessed in its impression.
Listed below are only a few of the initiatives that impressed us throughout our El Lugar Sustainability Tour:
- No bushes have been lower within the development of the resort, and no land was levelled off
- Buildings have been designed to reap the benefits of the pure parts, like wind and solar, to extend power effectivity and permit for pure airflow and cooling
- Light-weight development was used all through the resort – a rarity in Costa Rica, with all buildings constructed on pylons relatively than cement foundations, permitting for the pure drainage of rainwater and additional decreasing the carbon footprint of the undertaking
- A pure sewage system was put in place utilizing crops and flowers as an alternative of chemical substances
- Thermodynamic photo voltaic panels and battery methods have been put in to run the electrical energy off-grid
- Elements of the property have been replanted and “rewilded,” together with greater than 600 bushes of 73 completely different species
- Wildlife is protected on the land with a number of wildlife, together with monkeys, birds, tapirs, ocelots, sloths, lizards and tree frogs, already returning to the realm.
- Room cleansing is just performed upon request to scale back washing and cleansing merchandise
- Onsite restaurant is dedicated to sourcing regionally and decreasing meals waste with a rigorously put-together menu
The Rooms
Regardless of its vastness and measurement, with 95 casitas, El Lugar Eco Resort managed to retain that small hacienda-style really feel. The stand-alone casitas are dotted across the property and arranged into barrios (neighbourhoods), so it by no means seems like there are greater than a dozen different individuals staying on the property with you.
Inconspicuous on the surface, the casitas are designed and furnished with a lot thought and energy.
“We needed the rooms to seem like they’ve been right here for 100 years outdated”, tells us Claudia, the El Lugar Resort Supervisor. The standard Costa Rican Hacienda type served as inspiration for the decor.
They only don’t construct furnishings like they used to, so as an alternative of constructing, El Lugar repurposed, revived and recycles outdated classics. Classic vintage items fill the rooms, bringing the weather of timeless magnificence. The decor is opulent, with loads of darkish timber parts, cream-coloured textiles and splashes of royal blue and deep pink.
The ensuite bogs are spacious and make the most of the pure breeze with loads of home windows for airflow. The casitas with a freestanding bathtub supply an additional aspect of luxurious.
Our room, the Casita Suite, was a stand-out with a wrap-around veranda and a non-public plunge pool overlooking the panorama.
Services & Facilities
The out of doors swimming pool is among the standout points. Designed as an infinity pool overlooking the plush inexperienced hills and bushes surrounding the buildings, it’s the good spot to look at the sundown.
The poolside bar presents a wide selection of easy conventional dishes and loads of cocktails. It’s an ideal spot to seize breakfast (can verify that gallo pinto is on level), a snack or a simple lunch in the course of the day.
The restaurant (slated to open in 2025) guarantees to supply a extra refined eating expertise with natural plates crammed with goodness from the land. The wine choice is promising and is ever-growing.
In-room eating is on supply and isn’t the cheesy affair you could be used to. Our personal in-room dinner was superbly arrange with white linens, candles and contemporary flowers – an ideal setting for a romantic meal.
Notice: Throughout our go to and for the subsequent 6-12 months, eating choices have been restricted to the pool bar and in-room solely, with a small menu of native favourites on supply. In case you are planning to remain for longer than 1-2 nights, we suggest venturing out to the city simply exterior the resort for a meal or two, as we discovered the eating menu to be a bit restricted.
The day spa presents deep tissue, swedish and rest massages. The ethereal, personal room is open on daily basis to visitors trying to loosen up within the fingers of wellness professionals. In-room therapeutic massage can be accessible, with the therapists in a position to convey the tranquillity of a spa proper into your room. We’d not hesitate to suggest this setup.
Actions
As we found throughout our go to, a keep at El Lugar isn’t about filling your itinerary with actions. It’s about gradual mornings with a cup of tea (or espresso) on the veranda, lazy afternoons within the pool, and deep conversations over a glass of wine at dinner.
However those that need to expertise the realm will discover sufficient to fill their days whereas at El Lugar.
The preferred exercise on website is horseback using. With superbly cared-for horses, loads of trails, and completely different choices for novices via skilled riders, it’s one of the simplest ways to study concerning the ranch and discover its huge panorama.
The world is known for its wealthy biodiversity, owing to its tropical rainforest atmosphere. Sarapiquí, particularly, is residence to quite a few species of crops, birds, mammals, bugs, and amphibians. It’s a haven for nature lovers and birdwatchers.
We additionally actually loved our early morning bird-watching stroll. With over 120 species recorded on the property and over 1/3 of all birds in Costa Rica discovered on this area, on daily basis has a chance to supply one thing completely different. The spotlight for us was seeing so many toucans. They’re fairly uncommon in Guanacaste, the place we spend the vast majority of our time in Costa Rica, so seeing a number of species was an actual deal with!
Outdoors of the resort, there are many different actions on supply. The Sarapiquí River flows via the area, providing alternatives for whitewater rafting, kayaking, and wildlife recognizing alongside its banks. The river is surrounded by dense forest, offering a picturesque backdrop for journey seekers. There are additionally cover excursions and a number of other nature reserves and nationwide parks within the space, together with Braulio Carrillo Nationwide Park and La Selva Organic Station.
Guided excursions exterior of the resort may be simply organized with the assistance of the on-site concierge. The character guides on the resort include many years of expertise guiding in Costa Rica and include a plethora of data concerning the native wildlife within the area.
How Lengthy to Keep
El Lugar makes for an ideal cease on any itinerary in Costa Rica, providing a novel perception into Costa Rican tradition and an opportunity to expertise some distinctive actions in Sarapiqui space.
We’d suggest a 1-2 evening cease right here en path to the Caribbean Coast or together with one other seaside vacation spot. You probably have extra time, take into account extending your keep to 3-4 nights to benefit from the gradual tempo dwelling and soak within the surrounding nature.
