Sustainability

Casitas Tenorio B&B and Our Commitment to Sustainability

At Casitas Tenorio B&B, we believe in the power of sustainable tourism. We are committed to preserving our environment, supporting our community, and ensuring that rural tourism in Costa Rica thrives for generations to come. Our goal is to make a positive impact—both on our property and beyond—by constantly reflecting on our practices and making responsible choices.

Our Approach to Sustainability

We follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle throughout our business and are actively involved in certification programs that recognize sustainable tourism efforts, including:

Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST)

Blue Flag (Bandera Azul) Program

TripAdvisor® GreenLeaders™ Gold Level

How We Reduce Our Environmental Impact

Energy Efficiency
Water Conservation
Sustainable Farming
No Single-Use Plastics

🔆 We have a solar drying area to reduce electricity use for laundry.
🏡 Our casitas are designed to stay cool naturally, reducing the need for artificial cooling.
💡 We use energy-efficient light bulbs and automatic lighting controls where possible.
🌊 Our instant water heaters use less energy than traditional systems.
📊 We track energy usage regularly to ensure efficiency.

💧 We conduct routine maintenance to check for leaks and prevent water waste.
🌱 Our gardens and lawns rely only on rainwater—no irrigation.
🐄 We collect and use rainwater in our dairy operations.
🌍 Guests are encouraged to support our green efforts by turning off lights and using water responsibly.

🌿 We practice organic and permaculture farming methods.
🌳 We actively protect wildlife habitats and engage in reforestation projects.
🌱 We plant trees in the local biological corridor to restore native ecosystems.

🚫 We do not use single-use plastics at Casitas Tenorio.
♻️ We repurpose materials wherever possible.

How We Reuse & Recycle

🏠 We use recycled and salvaged materials in construction and furniture.
🍽️ Organic waste is either composted or fed to our chickens.
🥚🥛 Our farm produces fresh eggs, milk, cheese, butter, bread, fruits, and jams.
📄 We use recycled paper for office work and purchase eco-friendly toilet paper and napkins.
🧺 Our laundry products are biodegradable to minimize environmental impact.

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Social Responsibility & Community Engagement

We love our community and actively contribute to its growth. Our involvement includes:

🏡 Local Hiring & Fair Wages – We employ community members, providing full-time and contract work with fair wages, insurance, and benefits.
📚 Education & Training – We offer training for our staff and support continuing education opportunities.
🎨 Supporting Local Artists – Our murals and paintings are created by local artists to celebrate Costa Rican culture.
🛣️ Infrastructure Development – We are members of the local road committee to improve access to homes and businesses.

Volunteering & Community Projects

🌎 Coordinating volunteer groups (university and high school students) for local development projects.
🏫 Organizing environmental education programs for local schools.
🌿 Hosting “Camp Green”, an eco-awareness holiday camp for local students.
🏡 Collaborating with the local old people’s home to provide day trips to Casitas Tenorio.
📚 Offering English language classes to the local community.
🏕️ Partnering with local groups, including the Development Association and Municipality, on various initiatives.

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Commitment to Responsible Tourism

We are proud signatories of the Code of Conduct for the Protection of Children and Adolescents Against Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Travel and Tourism. We actively work to discourage and prevent exploitation in our industry.

🚫 No Unnecessary Noise or Light Pollution – We maintain a “Quiet Neighbor” attitude, respecting the peace of our surroundings.
🌿 Supporting Local Tour Operators – We prioritize working with local guides and businesses to ensure sustainable tourism growth.

Dona Tapa: Plastic Waste for a Good Cause

Casitas Tenorio proudly participates in the ‘Dona Tapa’ (Donate a Lid) initiative, which collects plastic lids to be recycled into plastic ‘wood’ boards. These boards are used to build accessible pathways on Costa Rican beaches, allowing wheelchair users to access the shoreline.

🌍 Learn more: Costa Rica Turismo Accesible

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Sustainable Traveler Challenge

We developed the sustainable Traveler Challenge as part of our commitment to sustainability.  We have developed a series of challenges for our guests that you can do during your stay and once you return home. During your stay we ask you to be as sustainable as possible.

Protecting Wildlife & Flora

Living in the rainforest, we are surrounded by incredible biodiversity. We ask all guests to respect the environment by following these simple rules:

Do not feed wild animals

Do not take plants or animals from the gardens or forest

No selfies with wildlife

Do not touch or harm plants and animals

Do not feed wild animals

Do not take plants or animals from the gardens or forest

No selfies with wildlife

Do not touch or harm plants and animals

Our Green Practices at a Glance

Eco-friendly construction

Using recycled and salvaged materials

Energy efficiency

Smart design reduces the need for air-conditioning or heating

Biodegradable products

Laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, and garbage bags

Water conservation

Rainwater collection and reforestation efforts

Sustainable farming

Organic methods, permaculture, and habitat protection

Recycling & waste management

Composting, waste separation, and upcycling

Eco-friendly construction

Using recycled and salvaged materials

Energy efficiency

Smart design reduces the need for air-conditioning or heating

Biodegradable products

Laundry detergents, cleaning supplies, and garbage bags

Water conservation

Rainwater collection and reforestation efforts

Sustainable farming

Organic methods, permaculture, and habitat protection

Recycling & waste management

Composting, waste separation, and upcycling

A Leader in Sustainable Tourism

Casitas Tenorio is proud to be a founding member of the Costa Rican Chamber for Rural Tourism (CANTURUAL) and a Gold-level GreenLeader in TripAdvisor’s GreenLeaders™ program.

By choosing to stay with us, you’re supporting a business that values conservation, community, and cultural heritage.

🌿 Thank you for being part of the change! 🌿

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