FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Lapa Rios Ecolodge CONTACT: Jessica Blair TEL: 734-837-7887 E-MAIL: jessica@atmstravelnews.com WEBSITE: http://www.laparios.com/ Click here for Media Kit. OSA PENINSULA, Costa Rica—Widely known as the epicenter of ecotourism, Costa Rica was a fixture in environmentally-friendly travel coverage before the term “green” had been coined. It is here that most of Central America’s last remaining lowland rainforests can be found, giving life to the country’s wealth of biodiversity. Yet, among the beauty of the rainforest and beside the wild Pacific Ocean, there is crisis. A catch 22. While the popularity of Costa Rica within the tourism industry has aided in the progress of ecotourism, it has also hurt this land. Building developers, not all touting valid environmental consciousness, have begun an assault on one of the country’s most pristine resources, the Osa Peninsula. Home to Lapa Rios Ecolodge—a wildlife corridor and protective barrier to Corcovado National Park—and 50 percent of the biodiversity in Costa Rica, the Osa Peninsula is in a very dangerous situation. This sacred, sustainable destination hovers on the brink of extinction as large-scale, foreign and domestic developers delve into mega condominium, residential home and large hotel projects.
The desire of these developers is to take advantage of Costa Rica’s charm, at a steep price. Their practices often wreak havoc on lives, valuable ecosystems and communities that do not have the infrastructure to support them. Often, state and local regulations are completely ignored.
It is for this reason that Lapa Rios, honored as the 2007 Corporate Sustainable Standard-Setter by the highly respected Rainforest Alliance organization, urges travelers to think twice when booking tours and accommodations within Costa Rica. By making wise vacation decisions, tourists are taking a stand to support true environmentalism and the protection of the Osa Peninsula via socially-responsible travel. At Lapa Rios, a 1,000-acre private nature reserve, environmental considerations are made clear, with special attention to the local culture and several eco-conscious activities and offerings, such as a volunteer rainforest initiative, biodiesel-powered electricity and the Carbonera School Foundation.
Soon to be the first carbon neutral hotel in Costa Rica, Lapa Rios continues to support the advance of considerate travel by educating travelers on a daily basis.
To learn more about specific issues currently facing the Osa Peninsula, or Lapa Rios’ dedication to environmentally-friendly travel, please visit www.laparios.com or the Lapa Rios blog. ###
Travelers seeking a “green” slice of paradise are encouraged to visit www.laparios.com, where they can view resort details, bungalows and seasonal rates for planning their own eco-friendly getaway at Lapa Rios, ranked #11 in Travel + Leisure’s “Top 25 Hotels in Mexico and Central and South America.”
Note to journalists: Please contact Jessica Blair (Jessica@atmstravelnews.com), (734) 837-7887, to arrange an interview with John and/or Karen Lewis, founders of Lapa Rios. |
