SUSTAINABILITY
Arenal Manoa Resort Hotel & Hot Springs is committed to mitigating the impact of our operations in the natural environment that surrounds us and which our guests come to relax and play in. We are part of the Sustainable Tourism Program, developed by the Costa Rican Tourism Board.
This rigorous set of standards which we are evaluated on yearly, include the reduction in consumption and waste of materials, water and energy, as well as proper disposal of materials, including recycling. We not only continuously train our staff, but we involve our local community in areas of education and environmental awareness. We are proud to provide jobs for the community, and not only employ locals, but also use regional providers whenever possible.
Ask our front desk about any community outreach activities you may be involved in, and as always, your comments and suggestions are always welcome
SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES
Arenal Manoa Hotel is a sustainable business in the hotel and services industry. The business located in San Carlos, Alajuela, aims at reaching productive management within sustainable, sociocultural, and economic guidelines. We know that by protecting the environment, as well as by providing customer satisfaction, we not only contribute to sustainable development but can also reach CST (Certification for Sustainable Tourism) standards to establish sustainability guidelines. In this way, we can define policies to help the company work in accordance with environmental, sociocultural, and quality principles.
- Know and meet the needs and requirements of our customers by paying attention to detail, committing to excellence, and offering a warmth stay.
- Understand that the main objective of our policy is to reduce the impact created from the use of materials, water and energy and the production of waste.
- Involve the community in the hotel’s environmental mitigation and awareness projects, and support other groups to promote cultural enhancements in the area.
Arenal Manoa Hotel Sustainability Policies
As part of our commitment to environmental policy, we aim at achieving the following objectives:
- Identify, modify, and control activities in the hotel that can have a negative impact in the environment.
- Think of environmental protection as one of the main factors to take into consideration when implementing a new activity or service in the hotel.
- Involve the staff in environmentally friendly practices to create awareness and promote operations that protect the hotel’s natural, sociocultural, and economic environment.
Arenal Manoa Hotel Sustainability Policies
Environmental
- Thoughtfully use natural resources, water, soil, and energy by constantly monitoring usage and impact.
- Contribute to the preservation of flora and fauna, and Costa Rican ecosystems and landscapes.
- Correctly dispose of waste generated by the hotel.
- Help prevent the extraction and commercialization of wild products and species as well as objects of archeological heritage.
- Do not feed wild animals artificially.
- Provide preventive maintenance to the company’s equipment and facilities.
- Use natural light as much as possible.
- Unplug electric equipment and electronics that are not being used.
- Set air conditioners in offices at 24º- 25ºC and turn them off when leaving the room.
- The hotel vehicles used in daily operations must comply with RTV (technical vehicle review mandatory in Costa Rica) and have the registration certificate up to date.
- Have smoke free spaces.
Social and Cultural
- Collaborate with the local community to improve life quality and benefit tourism.
- Respect native cultures and encourage guests to learn more about them and protect them.
- Prioritize selecting and hiring people from the local community while complying with the current labor law.
- Buy products from local and national producers.
- Support cultural, sport and environmental activities organized by the local community.
- Create offers and packages aimed directly at national tourism.
- Act against the commercial sexual exploitation of children and teenagers.
- Involve the local community in environmental mitigation and awareness projects of the hotel.
- Improve accessibility in the facilities to ensure people with disabilities enjoy the stay in the hotel.
Economic
- Follow local, national, and international legislation and regulations on tourism.
- Commit to the constant improvement of the hotel’s operations and functions.
- Make responsible use of products and services used in day-to-day activities.
- Know and satisfy the needs and implicit and explicit requirements of our clients by paying attention to detail and striving for excellence.
CONSERVATION AREAS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE
Conservation Areas
Costa Rica has the privilege of preserving national parks and reserves that make up for an important part of its territory (13,000 square kilometers), and that protect our most valuable natural and historic heritage.
The country’s conservation areas encompass national parks or terrestrial and marine biological reserves that are comprehensively managed and that greatly benefit nearby communities.
Protected natural spaces are important to guard and protect natural diversity, avoid the excessive exploitation of natural resources, and capture 15% of the planet’s carbon dioxide emissions.
Protected areas have the following functions:
- Protect biodiversity.
- Regulate human activities and impact in natural spaces to preserve and restore them.
- Capture the excess of atmospheric CO2.
- Regulate the climate.
- Preserve water reserves.
- Maintain soil fertility.
- Provide food and raw material resources.
- Arenal Huetar Norte Conservation Area (ACAHN by its acronym in Spanish)
- Arenal Volcano National Park
- Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge
- Arenal Tempisque Conservation Area (ACAT by its acronym in Spanish)
- Tenorio Volcano National Park
- Central Conservation Area (ACC by its acronym in Spanish)
- Guayabo National Monument
- Braulio Carrillo National Park
- La Cangreja National Park
- Los Quetzales National Park
- Tapantí Macizo de la Muerte National Park
- Irazú Volcano National Park
- Poas Volcano National Park
- Turrialba Volcano National Park
- Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve
- Grecia Forest Reserve
- Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG by its acronym in Spanish)
- Rincón de la Vieja National Park
- Santa Rosa National Park
- La Amistad Caribe Conservation Areas (ACLAC by its acronym in Spanish)
- Cahuita National Park
- La Amistad Pacífico Conservation Area (ACLAP by its acronym in Spanish)
- La Amistad International Park
- Chirripó National Park
- Cocos Marine Conservation Area (ACMC by its acronym in Spanish)
It is located in the Pacific Ocean, 535 km away from Cabo Blanco, south of the Nicoya Peninsula, in the southwest direction between latitudes 5”30’ and 5” 34’ and the meridians 87” 1’ and 87” 6’.
In December 1997, it was declared as Natural World Heritage by UNESCO; in May 1998, Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar Site); and in December 2022, Cultural Historic Site by the Costa Rican Ministry of Culture and Youth (MCJ by its acronym in Spanish).
- Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA by its acronym in Spanish)
- Corcovado National Park
- Marino Ballena National Park
- Piedras Blancas National Park
- Isla del Caño Biological Reserve
- Central Pacific Conservation Area (ACOPAC by its acronym in Spanish)
- Carara National Park
- Manuel Antonio National Park
- San Lucas Island National Park
- Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT by its acronym in Spanish)
- Barra Honda National Park
- Las Baulas Marine National Park
- Diriá National Park
- Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo by its acronym in Spanish)
- Tortuguero National Park
- Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge
Source: SINAC
Cultural Heritage
Some of the institutions that are part of Costa Rica’s cultural heritage are the following:
- National Theatre of Costa Rica: The National Theatre of Costa Rica is a national symbol opened on October 19th, 1897.
- Parque La Libertad: Parque La Libertad is a project for social security and inclusion that aims at improving the life quality of nearby communities through economic, social, and environmental development.
- National Museum of Costa Rica: The National Museum of Costa Rica was created in 1887 to protect, do research, and exhibit archeologic, historic, and natural collections the museum holds.
- Costa Rican Art Museum: The Costa Rican Art Museum (MAC by its acronym in Spanish) is in charge of the main activities related to plastic arts in the country, holds and exhibits the works of national and international artists, promotes critical thinking.
- Teatro popular Melico Salazar: The theatre was created in 1928; it is one of the most important spaces for high level national and international artistic performances in Costa Rica.
- Museum of Contemporary Art and Design: The museum was founded in 1994 and it is a space that constantly promotes the most recent and dynamic trends of contemporary art and design in Central America.
- Dr. Rafael Ángel Calderon Guardia Museum: History, art and the conservation of heritage are the purposes of this museum.
- Museo Histórico Cultural Juan Santamaría: The Juan Santamaría Museum of History and Culture is located in Alajuela and was created through Law 5619 of December 4th, 1974. It is an institution created to recover, hold, preserve and promote historic heritage of the war against filibusters.
Culture in Zona Norte (Northern part of Costa Rica), San Carlos (Canton)
- The identity of sancarleños (habitants of the canton of San Carlos) was created throughout history, for that reason, it is not defined, nor it can be set in time. However, there are particular aspects associated to this culture.
- This cultural phenomenon is the result of waves of immigrants coming from the south to the north, from the Pacific to the Caribbean, as well as from other Latin American and Europeans countries when the agricultural frontier was extended at the beginning and in the middle of the 20th century.
- According to Adriano Corrales, writer, and university professor, sancarleños can be defined as working, entrepreneurial, helpful, and lively citizens who are also very conservative and individualistic, which are characteristics currently disappearing and that many of contemporary sancarleños do not identify with anymore.
Historically, music is the most developed artistic expression in San Carlos, where outstanding composers, musicians and singers have been born.
San Carlos’ Food
- Malanga (Taro).
- Picado de raíz de papaya (dish made with minced papaya root and ground beef).
- Tamal mudo (dish made of a corn dough and refried beans).
- Picadillo de arracache dish made with minced arracacha root and ground beef).
- Torta de arroz (a type of pancake made with rice).
- Olla de carne (a soup made with beef and different root vegetables).
- Tamal de Chancho (dish made of a corn dough and pork along with other vegetables).
- Picadillo de flor de Itabo (dish made with minced yucca flower and ground beef).
- Picadillo de flor de madero negro (dish made with the minced flower of a tree called Madero Negro and ground beef).
- Miel de papaya Verde (a dish made of green papaya and tapa de dulce, typical of this zone)
- Mieles de toronja (sugar-cooked grapefruit).
- Budín de ayote (type of pumpkin bread).
- Miel de ayote sazón (a dish made of ripe pumpkin and tapa de dulce).
- Melcochas sobadas de tapa de dulce (a type of candy made of tapa de dulce).
- Requesones (a type of cheese).
- Miel de yuca (a dish made of cassava root and tapa de dulce).
- Chorreadas de maíz tierno (a type of pancake made of corn).
- Miel de fruta de pan (a dish made of breadfruit and tapa de dulce).
- Tortillas con queso (cheese tortillas).
- Fresco de naranja agria y tapa dulce (a beverage made with a type of orange and tapa de dulce).
- - Arroz con leche y queso, piña, pasas o coco (Rice pudding with cheese, pineapple, raisins, or coconut).
Source: Municipalidad de San Carlos
Tips for Tourists
Regardless of where the Protected Wildlife Area is located, beach, forest, or mountain, take precautions so your visit is full of good memories:
- For your safety, stay and use adequately marked trails.
- Although some areas provide drinking water, take some water with you as well as snacks you can carry while hiking.
- Do not forget your sunscreen and hat, even when you are in the mountains.
- Take repellent with you to avoid mosquito bites.
- For going on hikes, wear light clothing and comfortable shoes, preferably closed-toed shoes, to protect from rain.
- In high and mountain areas, take an umbrella with you and wear warm and waterproof clothing.
- Do not forget your medicines, especially if they are prescribed.
- In volcanic areas, for your safety, follow instructions and respect the established limits.
- Always follow the instructions of staff and park rangers, especially in an emergency.
Be a responsible tourist
By following the advice of experts, you will enjoy your visit and help to preserve the biodiversity of the country:
- Before going to Parks, be informed, for example, of regulations and activities you can do in the protected area.
- To preserve our forests, do not take products as rocks or plants from them.
- Do not feed wild animals, they can feed themselves in the forest. Feeding them only causes changes in their behavior.
- Do not leave food in backpacks exposed, since it is common for raccoons and white-faced monkeys to steal it.
- Do not smoke or drink alcohol in Protected Wildlife Areas, it is prohibited by law.
- Minimize waste and, when disposing garbage of, do it in the corresponding places.
- Make use of local services/facilities/businesses like transportation, restaurants, hotels, etc., especially those that are committed to the environment. In that way, you will get to know better the town and contribute to the local economy.
- Use water and energy moderately.
- Make sure your visits to parks are guided by experts, even better if they are local.
Source: SINAC
La Fortuna Electric Route
providing charging stations for electric carsWe are proud to be a part of the La Fortuna Electric Route!
The La Fortuna Electric Route is a support network pioneered by Arenal Manoa along with 14 other companies so that people who use electric vehicles can reach La Fortuna from different parts of the country, and can charge them at charging points located within the tourist infrastructure of the area.
The objective is to promote fossil free transportation thus supporting the national decarbonization plan. The property features 23 charging stations for electric vehicles, 120V, with sockets apt for outdoor and covered use, as per guidelines. Schedule for charge is 24/7 and is free of charge (pun not intended).
