La Quinta
During our stay at La Quinta in
Sarapiqui, our class was invited to adhere to sustainable practices that have
guided the Inn since its establishment in 1993. Owners Beatriz and Leo
transformed a former orange farm that was depleted of its natural vegetation
into a regenerative environment suitable for an eco-friendly hotel. La Quinta –
translated to “The House” – and its guests strive to co-exist harmoniously with
nature.
Sustainability
La Quinta possesses the highest
qualification offered by the Costa Rican Tourists Board at the Fifth Leaf Level
of the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). The CST is a comprehensive
program that categorizes and certifies each tourism company to the degree they
comply with the model of sustainable tourism. Out of the four hotels we
explored during our trip La Quinta, at the Fifth Leaf Level, is considered the
most sustainable by these standards. Beatriz frequently commented on the
overwhelming amount of effort needed to achieve this qualification including: great
investments in time and money, ability to maintain complete and accurate
paperwork to validate claims of sustainability, and community engagement.
ü
Some Efforts Include:
o
Regenerative agriculture à organic farming intended to
build soil health
o
Reforestation à
restocking existing forests with native plants
o
Bio-digesting facility à collects sewage and harnesses
the gas emitted from separating solids and liquids for alternative sources of energy
o
Saltwater pool à
avoids using harmful, unnatural chemicals found in traditional chlorine pools
o
Bulb transition à
converted traditional $.05 bulbs to long-term, low-voltage bulbs at $10 each
for energy conservation
It was very apparent that La Quinta
was a life-long investment for Beatriz and Leo’s family. Prior to its establishment
Beatriz asserted that, “The idea of La Quinta was more of a dream than a
reality.” Her passion for the development of the Inn was very sincere, and after
fifteen years the family advanced from one to five Leaves.
Community
Most qualified participants in the
Certification for Sustainable Tourism lack community engagement, a contributing
factor to achieving the coveted fifth Leaf Level. La Quinta is unique to the
other three hotels in that it heavily relies on the greater community for
support. For example, the inclusive package to accommodate guests at La Quinta
does not include the price of meals throughout the day. This intention enables guests
to explore and buy food from nearby farmers or providers. This increases the
volume of exchanges and stimulates the local economy. Further, most organic produce
that was not grown on-site at La Quinta was sourced from these local providers
as a means of supporting the community. Additionally, La Quinta makes it a
priority to employ the citizens of Sarapiqui in order to offer stable job
opportunities. La Quinta ventures farther than just employment, and
participates in the Happy Schools Program to provide educational opportunity.
During the Happy Schools Program, La Quinta sends representatives to seven
local schools to educate students on sustainable practices and bio-diversity.
Here students are given an educational foundation on what it means to be
sustainable and how to make an impact. More simply put, it’s the hotel’s way of
giving back. It is these distinguishing factors that separate La Quinta from
the two four Leaf hotels, the Hilton Double Tree and Mountain Paradise Hotels.
Ethan Agnello @BryantMKT421
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