Since 1998, when we began our project at Finca "LA Quicona", we have always had several important goals in mind: to leave the minimum possible trace of our existence and to be as environmentally friendly and sustainable. Since the beginning of our adventure we have concentrated on an ambitious plan of recycling and regeneration, social consciousness and education.

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The Certificate for Sustainable Tourism is a globally recognized program sponsored by the Costa Rica Tourism Board that seeks to categorize and certify tourism companies on a scale from one to five leaves according to the degree to which its operations contribute to a model of sustainability (five being the most sustainable). Its main purpose is to improve the way in which the natural and social resources are managed, to motivate the active participation of the local communities, and to support the competitiveness of the business sector.

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Finca "LA Quicona" Sustainable Initiatives:

When visiting natural areas in general, always remember:

· Finca "LA Quicona" prohibits the feeding of any animal. As cute as an animal can appear, please do not feed them, this will interrupt their natural habitat and habits and can infect them with viruses or bacteria. Moreover, it will cause these animals to become dependent on humans.

· It is prohibited at Finca "LA Quicona" to hunt any wild animals. Please report any illegal or strange activity you might see along the trails, around the hotel or in its surrounding areas.

· Remember to leave natural areas pristine and beautiful. Do not leave any trash behind during your visit.

· Finca "LA Quicona" prohibits the extraction of any flora out of protected areas or nearby mountains. Please do not take any samples of plants, branches, flowers that you might find in our paths, nature trails or along the trails, no matter how beautiful they may appear.

· Keep your eyes down while walking. Be mindful of your step.

· When you want to look at something, stop moving! Look before touching.

We also want you to know that:

· We get our water by gravity, so no energy is wasted for this purpose

· Our water comes from our own property natural spring

· Our septic tanks is kept clean applying bacteria to break down all the organic residues

· All the detergents used in our laundry building are biodegradable

· All the cleaning materials are biodegradable

·  Our wastewater is cleaned by water lilies.

· We produce our own organic fertilizer using worms to make the compost

· No insecticides and pesticides are used at the Finca

· No animal feeders are used by us

· We recycle our waste in different categories: glass, paper and carton, plastic bottles, plastic bags, cans, chemical waste (batteries and lamps), organic waste for compost, organic rest waste and general rest waste

· The lights on the trails are low and pointed towards the slope, to minimize impact on the fauna

· Natural light is used for illumination of our buildings, saving a lot of electricity

· We are reforesting as much as we can 

· Local employees are involved as much as possible, preferable from Los Santos, if not other areas close by.

· We work only with local guides

· Finca "LA Quicona" provides environmental education and explain our sustainable practices to schools in the region

· We participate in local and community events

· Local small businesses are preferred when buying food, crafts and services such as tourism, transportation, furniture design, craft making and other hotel structures, generating economic stability for the surrounding communities.

· Our gift shop sells products from small local businesses, crafts made of recyclable materials, crafts from native groups, crafts from entrepreneur local women, organic products, and products from associations that work to protect the environment.

· Zero tolerance policy towards activities related to sexual trade, sexual exploitation of minors, prostitution or drug trafficking. If such activities are detected, they will be reported.

· Water saving programs

· We implemented a water saving program 

· We care about Energy saving programs

· We implemented a solid waste management programs such as recycling Creating awareness for our guests.

· We offer a library with information about the flora and the fauna of Costa Rica at the reception

· Also at the reception we offer brochures promoting natural protected areas in Costa Rica

· In the reception you find an information board (called the Green Corner)

· Our tour and activities are so selected to that our guests can interact with the surrounding natural environment and the community