Selva Verde Sustainability

Selva Verde was created from a deep commitment to conservation. Protecting over 500 acres of old growth and secondary rainforest, this habitat protection is of primary importance at Selva Verde. As part of the San Juan- La Selva Biological Corridor the impact of our reserve is magnified.

Additionally we are committed to responsible tourism; finding ways to minimize negative impacts on the local environment and maximize positive effects on the surrounding community in Sarapiquí. As such we were very pleased to join the network of CST (Certification of Sustainable Tourism) properties in Costa Rica.

The CST is a program that sets a standard for lodges in key aspects of sustainability including environmental impact, community impact, and environmental awareness building. This program is a voluntary program that was created and is monitored by the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism.

Selva Verde Lodge strongly supports the CST program because it believes that in the long term, properly implemented certification is one of the most promising ways to provide a real incentive to the tourism industry to practice sustainability. By building a brand awareness around certification, consumers have an easy and definable way to know which entities are taking steps to ensure sustainability, and will hence make a choice to patronize those entities.

Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center

However, even before the CST certification, Selva Verde Lodge began the process of working towards increased community benefit through the foundation of the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center (SCLC). Formed in 1993 and located on the lodge grounds, the SCLC's mission is to support conservation through educational programming and community development. Ecotourism and educational exchange are key supporting elements of the Center both interms of generating funding for the Center but also through providing cultural exchange opportunities between local residents, volunteers, and international guests. The ESL (English as a Second Language) program, the After-school program, and the Scholarship program have wide participation.. Find out more about SCLC here.