Sustainable tourism
Sustainable community-based rural ecotourism
Our beginning
The Tigra Rainforest Lodge was created to meet the needs of a market seeking real contact with nature as well as disconnection from daily city life. It provides an experience of closeness to the forest through 12 rooms on platforms with canvas walls, offering visitors a unique experience. Gradually, more staff was incorporated, employing more local people each day, who were trained in the necessary service and hospitality sector, achieving the community impact that was envisioned years before.
Over time, under the vision of founding partners Paul Valenciano and Rainer Stoll, the idea was born to go further, to create not only a sustainable project, but one that would explicitly address pillars they always wanted to work on: economic sustainability, environmental education, social component, and reforestation.
The beginning of a great and unique project in Costa Rica
Once Tigra Rainforest Lodge was created, the need to go further was envisioned, creating La Tigra Forest Reserve, taking advantage of the experience already acquired in reforestation, but also incorporating three fundamental components:
Social
Through the generation of employment and creating connections with other local enterprises
Environmental
Through the reforestation of lands that have been acquired to expand the reserve, and the promotion of sustainable practices through constant environmental education for both adults and children in the area of influence.
Economic sustainability
Creating proposals for resource generation through the sustainable use of natural resources that guarantee the long-term economic sustainability of the reserve
Reserva Bosque La Tigra
La Tigra Forest Reserve consists of an information center, classroom, trails, nursery, and dining area. It is a place to facilitate interactive learning processes for tourists, students, residents, and locals; enabling them to increase their environmental knowledge and create awareness about the value of ecosystems, biodiversity, and nature protection.
THE RESERVE HAS PROMOTED TRAINING PROCESSES FOR GUIDES, TEACHERS, AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY IN GENERAL, SO THAT THE VALUE CHAIN CAN BE EXPANDED BY INCREASING SERVICES OR ITEMS OFFERED TO TOURISM, SUCH AS HANDICRAFTS.
Among the achievements of La Tigra Forest Reserve in collaboration with German Cooperation
- Means have been provided for local residents to access courses to become tour guides, coordinated with the National Learning Institute and the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism Education.
- Initial counts of flora and fauna were conducted, with their respective annual follow-ups.
- A training plan was developed for the adult population on water care, the importance of forests, forest benefits, and environmental sustainability.
Environmental Education
Activities with schools in the area were carried out to promote knowledge of The Reserve and environmental education.
- A curriculum for schools was developed, both for visits to the reserve and for visits made to schools.
- All activities include materials that are used, which work for activities both in the reserve and to bring to schools.
Tourism activities and knowledge transfer
- Tourists who wish to participate in tree planting are given a talk about the project, the sustainability component, and are shown how their contribution positively impacts the environment.
- In the reserve, tourists can take tours that allow them to learn about different species, plants, reforestation (plant a tree), culinary culture (Costa Rican cooking class), and sustainability.
- A program on the sustainable use of biodiversity was successfully developed.
- An initial count of flora and fauna was conducted.
- A camera monitoring system for species is maintained, which allows us to document our species or their return to the reserve area.
- Annual monitoring of flora species is carried out to verify the increase in species.
- There is a sustainable agricultural production area.
Allies
BPM Biodiversity Partnership Mesoamerica
- Ministry of Public Education, through the Schools in the area that benefit from many environmental education programs and the Regional Directorate of San Ramón.
- Costa Rican Tourism Institute: with whom approaches have been made to strengthen the area and promote initiatives in the surroundings.
- National System of Conservation Areas: with whom different programs have been conducted and participated in by invitation or joint work.
- National Learning Institute: a key actor for the area, who can strengthen the development of the area toward tourism and sustainable use of biodiversity.
- These actors have been invited to learn about the project, and efforts have been coordinated to generate better development and execution of certain projects that are vital for the development of the area.
Our Project
These four Biosphere Reserves play a crucial role in promoting sustainable development, protecting biodiversity, and adapting to climate change.
Reserva Bosque La Tigra
Reserva Bosque La Tigra is an outstanding example of sustainable ecotourism and environmental education in Costa Rica. Located in the districts of La Tigra de San Carlos and San Lorenzo de San Ramón, near Arenal Volcano National Park and bordering the Bosque Eterno de los Niños (the largest private nature reserve in the country), it plays a key role in the ecological connectivity of the region.
The 50-hectare tropical forest area of Reserva Bosque La Tigra was created with the goal of establishing a model for sustainable tourism that protects the environment while strengthening the local community. The project was developed through a partnership between the German travel agency travel-to-nature and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) as part of the develoPPP program of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Since the beginning of the project, over 11,000 native trees have been planted to strengthen the ecological connection between Reserva Bosque La Tigra and the Bosque Eterno de los Niños. An in-house tree nursery supports these efforts.
Reforestation and Biodiversity
Education and Research:
The reserve’s biological station serves as a “school of the tropical forest,” offering educational programs for school groups, students, and visitors. Facilities such as classrooms, laboratories, and accommodations enable hands-on learning and research experiences.
The reserve works closely with local communities to create sustainable tourism opportunities. This includes the training of local tourist guides in collaboration with the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA) and the support of eco-friendly start-ups.
Community Development:
Ecotourism Activities:
Visitors can take part in guided hikes, plant native trees, and participate in workshops on traditional crafts and local cuisine. These activities help foster awareness of local biodiversity and culture.
Importance for the Region and Tourism
Reserva Bosque La Tigra serves as a role model for sustainable tourism and nature conservation in Costa Rica — and even worldwide. By combining environmental protection, education, and community development, it contributes to the ecological and economic strengthening of the region. Its close collaboration with local and international partners highlights the potential of such initiatives to serve as a global model for sustainable development. beauty of Costa Rica as you choose from our exclusive packages designed to ignite your wanderlust.
Contact Info
- WHATSAPP: +506 - 8434 - 7118 | +506 - 8446 - 7777
- PHONE NO: 4000 - 0901
- EMAIL: info@latigralodge.com
