Dream In Green

11-30-2009

And Escape to the Technicolor of Costa Rica’s Sweet Gulf

by Margo Malcolm

Costa Rica’s coastal rainforest is awash in color. Imagine vibrant red Scarlet Macaws flying amongst the dappled lush green vegetation of the rainforest, majestic blue butterflies floating over the jade colored water, and rainbow toucans perching on trees with gigantic verdant leaves.

Golfo Dulce, or the Sweet Gulf, on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast offers a unique and colorful setting for an eco-friendly escape. For adventure seekers the area provides two naturally dramatic playgrounds – one of only four tropical fjords in the world, and the last remaining lowland rainforest in Costa Rica.

And if it’s important to you to leave the rainforest as undisturbed by your visit as possible, there is a lodge here that takes pride in protecting this beautiful primeval setting.

Playa Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge, located on Golfo Dulce, not only offers adventure in the rainforest and tropical marine environment, but also opportunities to discover sustainability. They are very committed to putting what they believe into everyday practice.

Guests at Playa Nicuesa can offset their carbon footprints created when flying to Costa Rica by purchasing carbon credits. The lodge has also begun the official process to become a Carbon Neutral Business.

Everyday is an Adventure

Your adventure begins before you get to Playa Nicuesa. The lodge is accessible only by boat and on your journey you’ll notice that Golfo Dulce’s calm, warm waters are perfect for snorkeling, swimming, kayaking and fishing.

Once you arrive you’ll discover the lodge’s back yard is a 165 acre preserve full of exotic wildlife, plants and trees and a network of trails through the rainforest to explore. The region has 13 major ecosystems and 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Playa Nicuesa is in a dream location for nature lovers, adventure sports enthusiasts and environmentalists. Yet the lodge is small enough (it accommodates up to 25 guests) that owners, Michael and Donna Butler, are able to provide visitors with an experience that meets individual interests and goals.

The lodge offers packages built around a wide array of interests and activities, including hiking, deep sea fishing, birdwatching, and yoga practice. There are even nocturnal hikes for those keen on going out into the jungle at night to catch a glimpse of elusive creatures, such as bats, snakes and frogs.

Tomas, the lodge’s animal tracker who was once a hunter but now works to protect wildlife, leads guests out armed with night scopes and flashlights to discover the faces attached to the eyes shining in the dark. Excursions take place both at dusk and in the early morning.

Green Way of Living
It is an understatement to say that Playa Nicuesa’s footprint is small because their lodge buildings are located on less than two percent of the property. The lodge is remote yet accessible, and has been sensitively designed in harmony with the surrounding environment. They have incorporated many green initiatives in both construction and operation.

There are four private cabins and a guest house with open-air baths, canopied beds, and incredible views of the rainforest. Built with recycled materials or wood that naturally fell or was farmed, the cabins and lodge are designed to maximize natural ventilation. Guests are kept comfortable without air conditioning.

The lodge’s electricity is provided by solar power and hot water is heated by on-demand propane. Energy efficient appliances and boat motors are used throughout. Recycling and composting are part of daily operations.

With their own garden and the ocean outside the kitchen door, food at Playa Nicuesa consists of local fresh fruits, vegetables and fish. The menu focuses on local cuisine and uses homegrown chili peppers, lemon grass, red zinger, wild cilantro and ginger for flavoring.

Maybe it’s time for your green dream to come true.

For Information -  http://playanicuesa.com/

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