Ecotourism. Green travel. Environmentally sensitive vacations. These are terms that are becoming increasingly familiar to today’s travel planners and travelers. Well, slogans are slogans—often called “green wash”—but they do point to the fact that travel behavior today indicates a growing understanding and commitment to the principles of environmentally responsible travel, and nowadays, few would contest Costa Rica’s leadership as a major destination concerned with and delivering products and experiences that follow the guidelines of responsible and sustainable tourism. Indeed, the conservation ethic has permeated the country and environmentally responsible travel has become a reality, thanks to an alliance among government ministries, tourism companies, conservationists, citizens, and  travelers.

The fact that more than two million tourists visit Costa Rica each year does not happen by chance. As one of the most bio-diverse regions on earth, Costa Rica has 28 national parks, eight biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that captivate ecotourism lovers. The country’s natural wonders are increasingly being preserved in bird sanctuaries, botanical gardens and marine parks, while rural tourism projects are welcoming visitors to meet the people, visit their schools and farms, sample their special meals, join in their fiestas.

The country’s great outdoors offers a pristine playing field of activities, from hiking and horseback riding along cloud forest paths to guided bird watching tours, river rafting expeditions, turtle-nesting watching and whale spotting. The country’s natural attractions, wildlife and reputation for enlightened conservation draws tourists from all over the world, and the Ticos know it. Successive governments have made major efforts to export the country’s image as an eco-friendly and environmentally caring destination, as well as ensure that Costa Rica earns its reputation as one of the best places in the world to experience the tropics naturally and with minimal impact.

Located 15 minutes from the San Jose International Airport in the Central Valley, is one of the country’s “greenest” outposts. It was the first certified sustainable hotel in Costa Rica, and over the last 20 years under the watchful and ecologically precise eye of Glenn Jampol, it has been rewarded with not only five green leaves, but achieved the only 100 percent score ever in the CST program. “Since we began our Finca Rosa Blanca Coffee Plantation and Inn project,” says Jampol, “we have always had one important goal in mind—to leave the minimum possible trace of our existence.” Well, you have to look close to find the solar panels that heat the water, or traces of the underground, wildlife- and human-safe electrical systems, or to spot the recycled coffee pulp used as fertilizer. A greenhouse is the center for organic vegetables and herbs grown for the inn’s restaurant, and 5% of the bar and restaurant profits go to a local school, where the hotel maintains an ongoing program for local children in an environmentally correct use of the surrounding land.

Located in the South Pacific at the point where the Golfo Dulce meets the Pacific Ocean, was built to be small—16 private bungalows—to fit into the surrounding forest and beach environment with no live trees cut for construction, to be vigilant in energy conservation, using a sustainable approach to chemical use, waste, sewage, recycling and water management. And it was created to meet the demands of today’s “conservation tourists,” according to Minnesota-born owner Karen Lewis. “Everyone knows that today’s tourists are seeking a more interactive tourism, with greater respect for the social, cultural and ecological interests of the local communities, higher standards of service, along with the ability to protect and regenerate the natural environment and local customs. By staying with us, guests support the conservation of the rainforest and provide direct employment and income to more than 45 families in the Osa Peninsula area.” Lapa Rios actually protects and preserves 1,000 acres of primary and secondary rainforest in the Lapa Rios private reserve—helping to create a natural buffer for the Corcovado National Park. It also integrates and assists the local community through basic education and job training, and fosters primary education through the Carbonera School Foundation, which built the Carbonera Elementary School. Guests get involved in hotel projects, from local art sales to turtle conservation programs. They also partake in local soccer matches and learn about sustainability while on the lodge’s free Pigs, Twigs and Garbage Tour. Lapa Rios sits solidly on the Conde Nast Traveler Gold List, an endorsement indeed that ecotourism can be a profitable and successful vehicle for ensuring wilderness preservation.

Founded in 1992 and has been a shining example of the global ecotourism movement ever since it opened its doors. Principal owner/general manager Jim Damalas came to Costa Rica over 25 years ago. Formerly an art director and producer working in Hollywood, he camped in what was to become Manuel Antonio National Park and stayed to build his first totally eco-friendly hotel that minimized its impact on the natural habitat in every way. Earning his reputation as a creative and purely “green guy,” Damalas has been the godfather of many ecotourism projects, from the Rainmaker attraction, to his newest, the 30-acre Nature Farm Wildlife Refuge that embraces a butterfly botanical garden and a nature walk, which are interpreted by qualified naturalists. The refuge sustains itself and the many research and community projects out of tour revenues. His latest rural tourism project is the Santa Juana Mountain Adventure Tour, supported by Rainforest Alliance and INBio. This rural community tourism project—a guided conservation and cultural expedition—offers nature walks, tilapia fishing, horseback rides, school visits, and an authentic campesino lunch in a typical farmhouse. The 10,000 trees planted here are being adopted by guests to help cover the cost of forest maintenance and to offset the carbon footprint of being a visitor in Costa Rica.

Located an hour away from San Jose International Airport, once belonged to the country’s former president Rodrigo Carazo and his wife, Doña Estrella. Today, they continue the tradition of dairy farming in the countryside of San Ramon adjacent to the hotel property. The present owners of the original Villa Blanca agreed to continue not only the tradition of Costa Rica hospitality, but to establish and enhance sustainable boutique hotel practices, starting with original architectural concepts and adding handcrafted Costa Rican materials and furnishings. Both ecologically sound operating systems and extensive organic gardens were put in place, and an environmental program within the hotel and in the neighboring communities is an integral part of the hotel experience. Villa Blanca sits in the midst of the 2,000-acre El Silencio de Los Angeles Cloud Forest Private Biological Reserve, laced with a network of trails where guides identify dozens of medicinal plants and hundreds of bird species. Through the Villa Blanca research station, the property contributes to thousands of local and international students, and now on site is a research facility maintained by conservation partner, INBio. Jim Damalas, the mover and shaker behind Villa Blanca, joined with Si Como No under the banner.