Sustainability at Huetares: Our Commitment to the Future
At Hotel & Villas Huetares, we believe that tourism can be a positive force for the planet and its communities. Therefore, we work daily to ensure your stay is not only comfortable and pleasant but also respectful of our surrounding environment.
Sustainability Policies
At Huetares Hotel & Villas, we are committed to the environment and the development of sustainable tourism in the country. We have programs and activities to permanently reduce our environmental impact.
Note: These sustainability policies may be modified at any time.
Water Conservation
-
When showering, turn off the water while soaping up.
-
Inform hotel staff if your room has any leaks or drips.
-
When shaving, brushing your teeth, or washing your face, turn off the faucet. You can save up to 20 liters of water.
-
If your stay is longer than one day and you wish to have your sheets and towels washed daily, please inform us at the reception.
-
If you want us to change the towels or sheets in your room, please leave them on the floor.
Energy Conservation
-
Avoid opening refrigerators unnecessarily.
-
When leaving your room, please turn off the air conditioning, lights, and television.
-
Do not leave battery-powered electronic device chargers (such as cell phones or laptops) plugged in when not in use.
-
Take advantage of natural light in your room; open the curtains and turn off the lights during the day.
-
Report to the reception staff if you notice any appliance has a short circuit or is not in proper condition.
Our Commitments
-
We denounce the purchase of indigenous artifacts.
-
We denounce the trafficking of wild animal species.
-
We denounce the commercialization of wood from protected trees.
-
We support the preservation of cultural heritage.
-
We promote visits to indigenous territories.
-
We promote rural community tourism.
Code of Conduct Against CSEC
Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents (CSEC) is a globally recognized problem.
As a tourism company, we commit to training our staff, reporting any manifestation of CSEC, and safeguarding the integrity of our children and adolescents.
Hotel & Villas Huetares warns its guests and suppliers that exploitation, pornography, and sexual tourism involving children and adolescents are punishable by imprisonment under Costa Rican law.
Our staff is properly trained, and we are committed to rejecting and reporting to the authorities any practices that may promote or involve the sexual abuse of minors.
If you travel alone with a minor and we detect signs, we may:
-
Request proof that you are the parent or legal guardian of the minor.
-
If we notice even more suspicious behavior from you or the minor, we will contact the police to ensure everything is okay.
-
If we receive a visit from the authorities requesting information about any of our guests, we will provide the information under the terms of our privacy policy.
You Can Help Too!
We take child trafficking seriously. If you are staying with us and notice strange behavior from another guest with minors, we invite you to notify the hotel reception.
Protecting our children is everyone's responsibility.
Code of Conduct for Visiting Protected Areas
At Huetares, we join the important effort to conserve our protected areas and, in fulfillment of our commitment, we apply the following regulations for visiting these areas during our tours (each protected area establishes guidelines for its particular conditions, so it is also advisable to check directly with the SINAC website):
-
Cooperate with proper disposal of solid waste generated, separating and depositing it in designated containers and places. However, it is recommended not to bring food to natural areas to avoid any impact on local wildlife.
-
Smoking is not allowed within protected areas.
-
Avoid any unnecessary disturbance to wildlife and their habitat. Minimize noise while walking on trails, keep your distance from species, and do not touch plants.
-
Respect demarcations and always walk within marked trails, avoiding straying from them.
-
Do not feed wild animals inside or outside the property.
-
Do not purchase souvenirs or handicrafts made from wild species, endangered woods, nor extract species during your visit. This way, you will avoid being sanctioned by local authorities, as our Wildlife Conservation Law #7495 prohibits and penalizes with heavy fines the acquisition, commercialization, and/or possession of such items.
To visit different protected areas, you must purchase your tickets on the SINAC website by clicking here.
Cultural Heritage
At Huetares, we support the promotion and conservation of the oral, intangible, and tangible cultural heritage that characterizes us. It is the essence of who we are and the legacy we will leave to future generations. In Guanacaste, we have many cultural manifestations to recognize, support, and preserve.
Guanacastecan Folklore: Marimba and Cimarrona
Guanacaste is nationally and internationally known as the cradle of folklore. Music and dances fill people's hearts with joy. The "punto guanacasteco," "El Torito," "Amor de temporada," and "Luna Liberiana" are some of the most beautiful and recognized musical expressions.
The Richest Gastronomy in the Country
The best food in the country, Guanacastecan seasoning is unique, with the peculiarity that its most typical dishes are based on corn. Tortillas, purple atol, chicha, corn rice, rosquillas, and tamal asado are some of the most enjoyed dishes. Also traditional are gallo pinto, chicken gallos, and moronga.
Guanacaste Conservation Area
The Guanacaste Conservation Area is located in the northwest of Costa Rica, in the province of Guanacaste. It comprises the Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, and Rincón de la Vieja National Parks; as well as the Horizontes Experimental Forest Station and the Bahía Junquillal Wildlife Refuge. It is declared by UNESCO as a national natural heritage site.
Orality
In Guanacaste, culture is manifested in the orality of language, through multiple and unique expressions of its inhabitants; in words related to trades, such as those of the sabanero, the oxherd, or the Guanacastecan farmer; in certain expressions linked to rural activities, and even to the landscape; as well as in oral traditions, such as "bombas" and "retahílas."
Handicrafts in Guaitil and San Vicente
This town, located in Santa Cruz de Guanacaste, preserves the traditional Chorotega pottery, a custom that has been passed down from generation to generation since pre-Columbian times. The pieces are made of clay and painted with natural pigments.
National Traditional Festivals
The President of the Republic, Carlos Alvarado, and the Minister of Culture and Youth, Sylvie Durán, signed decree No. 42670-C, which declares the celebration of Santo Cristo de Esquipulas in the community of Santa Cruz de Guanacaste as intangible cultural heritage. Its publication in the official newspaper La Gaceta became effective on December 2, 2020. These are the best festivals in the country.
Support for Rural Community Tourism
As a sustainable company, we support the development of rural community tourism. It is important to support land ownership by residents, as this is a way to eradicate poverty through job creation and product commercialization.
How is Rural Community Tourism Developed?
Communities decide to unite and move forward by functioning as small businesses, either by marketing the products they make or by being the community itself the product to be incorporated into local markets. Business support is essential for these small entrepreneurs to succeed.
Where Can Rural Community Tourism Be Practiced?
Click on this link to visit the official ICT Visit Costa Rica website, where you will find different accommodation options, gastronomy, and services related to rural community tourism.
We Promote Visits to Indigenous Sites
We still have much to learn and preserve...
Did you know that in Costa Rica there are currently eight indigenous groups (Maleku, Bribri, Cabécar, Brunca or Boruca, Térraba or Teribe, Chorotega, Huetar, Ngöbe) distributed in 23 territories that preserve their customs and traditions?
Many of them practice rural community tourism, an authentic and sustainable way to learn about their culture. We promote visits to these sites to support their economic, social, and sustainable development, and to preserve the native culture that each of them represents.
