By To-Wen Tseng

Several factors make the Costa Rica’s Pacuare Lodge experience one of a kind: an exhilarating whitewater raft ride to the lodge, friendly and knowledgeable staff that ensures extraordinary guest comfort and service, its secluded location on the banks of Costa Rica’s premier whitewater rafting river amid a virgin rainforest filled with an extraordinary variety of plant and animal species and most of all, the practical commitment to sustainability and ecotourism.

Pacuare Lodge has established a reputation for its environmentally friendly construction and management procedures. The lodge’s staff are all locally hired. Two of them are Cabecar Indians, in addition to the local guides and laundry services. Food is sourced from nearby towns, while the lodge has helped to improve and maintain the roads in the area, as well as the cable car over the river.

The lodge was very active in extending its positive influence into the outside community. In addition to reforesting former pastureland, it recently purchased an additional 492 acres of rainforest-which ecosystem scientists determined was favorable for reintroducing howler monkeys-to preserve and fund a study of jaguars in the jungle, bringing in one of the world’s top jaguar experts to photograph the animals and help protect them.

The lodge has also developed educational materials and an environmental education program that had been presented at six schools in surrounding communities to teach protection of the flora and fauna, conservation of water and energy and the importance of recycling. Its Guests are instructed to respect wildlife and the sensitivities of local indigenous people. The staff also receive environmental training. Guides are trained in search and rescue, swift water rescue, first aid and knowledge and flora and fauna. There is also a full-time naturalist on the lodge’s staff.

The Pacuare Lodge’s philosophy of simplistic luxury and oneness with nature is enhanced by the romance of operating without electricity. The distinctive palm-thatched bungalows and suites are carefully designed to blend into the surrounding forest. Each features a canopy king size bed, hardwood flooring, private veranda and a spacious private bathroom adorned with brass fixtures, private alfresco shower with solar-heated water and a nearly 360-degree rainforest view—all far from the worries of the outside world, but just two and a half hours from San José, Costa Rica’s capital.

Costa Rica Nature Adventures, company that owns and runs Pacuare Lodge, believes responsible tourism should respect and benefit local communities. They possess a firm commitment to minimally impact the environment while providing the tourists with a safe, reliable and friendly travel experience that is enhanced through convenient and innovative adventure travel options.

The company continues to strive to offer personalized service and individual attention in every facet of the customer’s experience from the reservation process to the completion of the tour. People usually travel to Costa Rica for some type for outdoor activities: hiking, biking, or nature tours. Things to do while staying at Pacuare Lodge include whitewater rafting and Pacuare adventures.

Costa Rica has excellent rivers for whitewater rafting including one of the top-rated wilderness experiences in the world: the Pacuare River. Enjoying the fun and excitement-or peace and tranquility, on the river is great, as is spending the days soaking up the sun and beautiful surroundings while learning about the area and culture through optional activities. Guests may take guided hikes through an emerald rainforest and take a Cabecar Indian tour where they may participate in a cultural exchange with a shaman. They may also glide along in a tropical rainforest canopy with a Pacuare Canopy adventure tour.

In 2003, the Pacuare Lodge was recognized by the World Tourism Organization as one of 65 examples throughout the world of good practices in sustainability and ecotourism. There is hardly anything better than enjoying a relaxing vacation in harmony with nature while having the peace of mind knowing the surrounding environment benefits. For more information, please visit www.costaricanatureadventures.com or www.pacuarelodge.com.