SUSTAINABILITY
At the Drake Bay Getaway Resort, our mission is not only to provide our guests with an unforgettable vacation experience, but to also make a positive impact on the world around us. We are committed to the preservation and protection of the stunning Drake Bay jungle and the Pacific Ocean that surround us.
Our philosophy is centered on environmental sustainability, and we strive to be a leader in sustainable tourism development. We believe that it is our responsibility to ensure that our operations have a minimal impact on the environment, and that we actively work to preserve the natural beauty that draws visitors from around the world.
But our commitment to making a positive impact doesn't stop there. We are also dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards in all aspects of our business. We are respectful and proactive in our approach to issues such as sexual harassment, the sexual exploitation of children, wildlife conservation, and illegal substance abuse. We believe that by working together and abiding by these laws and regulations, we can create a brighter future for all.
At the Drake Bay Getaway Resort, we believe that our actions today can shape the world of tomorrow. We invite you to join us in our mission to create a more sustainable, ethical, and compassionate world.
philosophy
vision
Mission
“commitment to sustainable tourism development and
abiding by the provisions of the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT)”
At Drake Bay Getaway Resort, we understand that the beauty of our world lies in its diversity, and it's our responsibility to preserve it for generations to come. We cherish nature as our most valuable asset and have made it our top priority to build a resort that complements and protects it.
We are not just committed to local, national, or international sustainability, but we are dedicated to it. Our resort is located in a protective area, the Osa Peninsula, which is a safe haven for endangered flora and fauna, including the renowned Corcovado National Park and the Cano Island Biological Reserve. We are proud to say that we have publicly denounced the extraction and commercialization of any of the region's precious natural resources.
Our team members are not only passionate about environmental sustainability, but they are also well-trained to educate our guests about the negative impacts of abusing our natural environment. We also promote the local social and cultural traditions of the community, which many of our guests engage with during their stay.
At Drake Bay Getaway Resort, we are not just building a place to rest, but we are creating an experience that allows our guests to connect with nature and leave a positive impact. Join us in this journey of preserving the planet and its breathtaking wonders.
Our hotel's sustainability practices are primarily focused on water usage, energy consumption and waste management including recycling program (organic, non-organic, recyclable and non-recyclable waste):
Water Usage
We use water efficiently. We have a water conservation program that is communicated to the guests and personnel. We have placed a device inside each of our shower heads and sink faucets in order to reduce the water flow. It takes lots of energy to pump, treat, and heat water, so saving water reduces greenhouse gas emissions.
We capture rainwater from our roofs to do our laundry.
We use our own water springs on the property for drinking water and water needs throughout our hotel.
We do not have a pool.
Energy Consumption
Our primary source of electricity is the Costa Rican's power grid (99% renewable energy from five main sources: hydroelectric, geothermal, wind, solar and biomass).
We use LED light bulbs at our resort because they are more energy efficient, durable and more eco-friendly than other lighting technology.
The hot water in our cabins is a combination of natural solar heating and electric power heating.
Unlike most hotels, we do not use air conditioning. Each cabin is kept naturally cooled and ventilated by using Passive Cooling.
We do not have TVs.
We use a natural solar-powered clothes dryer constructed from recyclable materials.
Waste Management
We are a paperless hotel (our hotel's reservation, check-in, and check-out processes are all done digitally).
We have eliminated 99% of single-use plastic throughout our hotel.
We use stainless steel straws in our restaurant.
We offer environmental options for housekeeping services.
We have a back-of-house waste sorting program for organic and non-organic (recyclable and non-recyclable waste such as paper, metal, glass, plastic and more).
We compost all food waste.
We use all natural (plant-based and eco-friendly) shampoo, conditioner, cream and soap in our cabins.
We use stainless steel water bottles and stainless steel cup.
Our septic system uses Bio Digester technology to treat both grey and black water in an environmentally friendly way.
Other Sustainable Practices
We use locally grown food and ingredients from Costa Rica. We have a clear policy which denounces the use of any endangered or vulnerable species, in particular the local seafood, in the preparation of any meals at the resort.
The construction materials used to build our hotel are 90% recyclable and easy to remove without causing damage to our landscape and surrounding jungle. All our constructions are built on metal stilts above the ground. The teak wood used to construct our signature Drake Bay Cafe and eco-luxury cabins was acquired from a sustainable teak production source in Costa Rica. We never cut a single tree on our property or moved any dirt with a tractor to build our resort. In order to further lower our impact on the environment, the majority of our trails are built using a solid adobe mixture of dirt, sand, gravel, and grass. Cement is limited to only high-risk erosion areas and building access for wheelchairs.
Feel free to ask us any questions that you may have about our existing sustainable practices at Drake Bay Getaway Resort. We will be happy to tell you more about our deep commitment to sustainable development and practices.
Our alignment with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals
To maintain the guests' and local community's awareness of environmental sustainability, the resort offers links that provide information on the impact of climate change as a means of ongoing education:
Earth Science Communications Team at NASA
To engage the world with accurate, accessible, and actionable information about our rapidly changing climate, from the global perspective of NASA.
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a global environmental nonprofit working to create a world where people and nature can thrive.
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.