MONTEVERDE, COSTA RICA—Hotel Belmar, a family owned and operated boutique hotel that is a leader in responsible tourism, launched a new carbon negative initiative that encourages guests to participate in the Offset Your Footprint program by matching all donations. Created by the Monteverde Community Fund, the program offsets the impact of tourism, growth, and environmental changes by equipping the community of Monteverde, where Hotel Belmar is located, for challenges associated with change by planting and protecting trees and the local biodiversity as well as preserving water in the region, to name a few.
“Since opening our doors more than 35 years ago, our mission has been to protect and enhance the local environment that attracts so many visitors to our hotel annually,” said Hotel Belmar General Manager Pedro Belmar. “It’s our responsibility to ensure that guests can feel good about visiting a hotel that allows them to make a positive impact on the local community, and they should feel good leaving here knowing they did their part as well.”
Globally recognized for its sustainable practices, Hotel Belmar was the first sustainably minded hotel in the region and one of the first upscale sustainable hotels in Costa Rica. The hotel earned the carbon neutral certification by INTECO and Essential Costa Rica and has received many awards including the Silver Award at the Latin America Responsible Tourism Awards by World Travel Market earlier this month which recognizes best practices in responsible tourism to inspire others. Hotel Belmar has been certified as carbon neutral for several years so all donations as part of the new initiative will result in a carbon negative trip for hotel guests who choose to participate.
Numerous ‘Green’ Activities Available
Every day is Earth Day at Hotel Belmar with programming designed to educate guests and visitors about the natural wonders found in the cloud forests of Monteverde while promoting the sustainable practices that make it a thriving eco-tourism destination. A variety of sustainable programs and activities such as farm-to-table, circular agriculture, water conservation and renewable energy are available including:
- Farm to Table Gastronomy Program: Guests can learn about low impact farming while visiting the hotel’s onsite organic garden onsite and harvesting fresh ingredients that are used in the hotel’s restaurants.
- Finca Madre Tierra: The hotel created the country’s first carbon neutral farm, offering a real Costa Rican farm experience where guests can learn about sustainable agriculture, pick coffee beans, grind sugar cane, and more.
- Savia Private Reserve: The newest addition to the Hotel Belmar experience is Savia Private Reserve where guests can enjoy eco-adventures with a purpose. The eco-adventure park allows guests to explore the wonders of the cloud forest through several thrilled adventures including hanging bridges, zip lining, hiking and more.
“We’re connected to the most contemporary practices in hospitality and promise our guests the highest levels of quality and an unforgettable experience that celebrates the art of nature,” continued Belmar. “We’ll always work to empower visitors and guests in the hopes of inspiring the next generation of caretakers of the world’s eco-systems.”
In addition to the hotel’s standard eco-practices and the launch of its new carbon negative program, Hotel Belmar will be celebrating Earth Day this year by working with the Monteverde Institute, a nonprofit association that is dedicated to peace, justice, knowledge, and the vision of a sustainable future, to prepare the community for the upcoming rainy season. Guests and visitors will be welcome to work along hotel staff and community members by planting trees to reforest the area.
For more information about the carbon negative initiative visit hotelbelmar.net/get-involved.
