Protecting global water sources

A study by research group Ecosystem Marketplace noted that 80 percent of the world’s countries are facing issues related to threatened water security.

A report released this week finds that more countries are turning to environmental services programs to protect sensitive water sources.

Facing increasing water scarcity, many countries are turning to environmental service payments to help mitigate the effects of climate change and pollution.

From 2008 to 2011, initiatives to protect and restore forests, wetlands and other important ecosystems have doubled in number. The report covers 205 programs around the world, 21 of them in Latin America. Globally, the number of programs has increased by 100 in three years, totaling $8.2 billion in investment, a significantly greater amount than in 2008.

Ecosystem Marketplace analysts noted that investing in programs to protect water at the source, rather than spending on treatment, could result in considerable savings for governments. It also helps to guarantee water security and provide environmental and social benefits to communities.

Another problem Latin Americans face is a general lack of water treatment infrastructure. Coupled with the effects of pollution and climate change, the lack of treatment facilities is converting a region rich in hydrologic resources into one that is highly vulnerable to problems with accessing potable water.

The study notes that China is a global leader in investing in programs to protect hydrologic resources at the source. The Asian giant accounts for 91 percent of global investments in environmental services programs protecting water. Chinese officials, for example, offer new health service benefits for residents in mountainous communities in exchange for better groundwater management, which they say will help improve potable water access.

In the United States, officials in New York chose not to invest heavily in new water treatment facilities, opting instead to implement compensation programs for farmers in the Catskills who agreed to work to reduce pollution in regional lakes, rivers and streams that provide New York City with potable water. Thanks to these efforts, New York had enough drinking water to make it through the recent Hurricane Sandy.

The study also notes that 68 other environmental services programs operate in all of North America.

“The benefits of these hydrologic programs extend well beyond water; they support biodiversity, reduce emissions and provide income to rural families,” said Genevieve Bennett, the report’s lead author.

But private-sector participation in these types of programs remains limited, despite the fact that many companies have reported problems related to water availability. Most of these types of programs are operated by nongovernmental organizations or by governments.

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Why Costa Rica is the Destination of Choice for New Retirees

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Expats have long been attracted to Costa Rica for many reasons; accessibility, safety, low cost of living, beautiful beaches, modern inexpensive health care, some of the best real estate opportunities in Central America, good infrastructure, lush tropical rainforests, ocean, mountain and valley views, weather unparalleled, theaters, art galleries, and so much more.

Currently by some estimates there are more than 150,000 expatriates living full time or part time in Costa Rica and in many of established expat communities throughout the country.

These numerous and growing expat communities have been a major factor in the growth of the Costa Rica real estate market especially in the past 10 years.

In Costa Rica you will find rich coastal areas along both the Central Pacific and Caribbean, metropolitan lifestyle in the Central valley, adventure and biodiversity National Geographic calls the richest in the world.

Costa Rica is a nature-lover’s dream. The country has a very pro-active philosophy towards conservation and its extensive bio-reserves, ensuring that its jungles, with their renowned biodiversity, continue to be home to a truly stunning assortment of species, from birds to butterflies, monkeys to wild cats, and spectacular flora.

The marine sanctuaries of the Caribbean and Pacific oceans and the rich “bio-corridor” of Costa Rica although being a very small country packs in 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Costa Rica the largest middle class of all the Central American countries and as well the fastest developing economy, with a long standing tradition of democracy; this could be the biggest driving factor in the Costa Rica real estate market being consistently attractive for the past 2 decades.

Expatriates from all over the world already living in Costa Rica, enjoy one of the most diverse environments and highest standards of living in Central America.

The Costa Rica life expectancy at birth is one of the world’s highest, topping both the U.S. and the U.K.

Tourist services are extensive and with English as a second language, Costa Ricans consider themselves “cultural cousins” to the USA, making the country very visitor-friendly.

The expat population is expected to see tremendous growth over the coming decade with 10,000 baby boomers retiring per day in North America; many are looking to Costa Rica, “The Jewel of Central America” as a place to call home.

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Costa Rica’s Wildlife Act Banning Sport Hunting .

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The jaguar, tapir, caiman and songbirds are now more protected in Costa Rica, thanks to a new law proposed and driven by its own citizens, banning sport hunting of any species.

Costa Rica, known for its reputation for Eco Tourism, became the first nation on the continent ban sport hunting this week.

The new Wildlife Act is also the first legislation passed by the mechanism of “popular initiative”, it was not submitted to Congress by deputies, but by the citizens themselves.

The rule was brought before the legislature with the initial support of 177,000 signatures collected by the Association for the Preservation of Flora and Fauna (Apreflofas).

According to the National System of Conservation (Sinac), last year 1296 were granted hunting licenses, 81 percent of them to kill or capture songbirds.

In addition, there were 171 hunting licenses and 77 to hunt small mammals.

From 2000 until last year, Costa Rican authorities have extended licenses 28,000 hunting but the new law will only permit hunting for subsistence, scientific research and monitoring of species overpopulation.

Those who hunt animals in Costa Rica will be fined up to $ 3,000 and, depending on the species, may even be sentenced to between two and four months in prison.

The custom of having wild animals as pets such as birds, iguanas, monkeys and raccoons also have to changed with the new legislation, which totally prohibits this practice and sets a fine of between $600 and $1,200.

But the law goes further and also sanctioned the export and trafficking of any species of flora or fauna, while creating a National Registry of Wildlife.

The passage of this law is to Costa Rica a step to preserve its image as environmentally friendly country, the main reason that each year receives more than two million who enjoy Costa Rica’s Eco Tourism.

One issue of concern now is how the 572 Rangers who now watch over 13,286 kilometers of protected land (26% of the national total), can cope with the hunters to enforce the law for Costa Rica that hosts almost 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Posted by Costa Developers

Rent a fractional property to spend less and enjoy more! | Costa Developers

Experience a tranquil and holiday in a luxurious coastal residence and still pay for a fraction of what it costs.

Costa Developers fractional ownership program not only is a great way for homeowners to earn profits while they are back to their usual routines in the US, Canada or anywhere else, it is a tremendous way for anyone looking to visit Costa Rica to enjoy their vacation in ultimate style, privacy and luxury. All they have to do is book the home with our property management and catch a flight down and check in.

Everything needed is right there in the home because each is delightfully decorated and furnished right down to the dishes, towels, sheets and coffee makers; don’t forget your bikini since there is an ample beach club with BBQ, Palapas, and lounge areas surrounded by tropical beauty.

Don’t forget some binoculars as well because it won’t be long before you spot some natural world all around, many of our guests have been thrilled to report seeing toucans, sloths, monkeys, macaws, iguanas, exotic frogs, butterflies and birds.

What’s even better is that all of the homes are located just minutes from Costa Rica’s most privileged beaches and variety of activities such as canopy, whitewater rafting, and tours to rainforest nature preserves, cascading waterfalls etc.

But the best thing about renting a Costa Developers fractional house is that for about the same price of a luxury hotel room, you get enough room to bring your entire family, giving everyone their own privacy and space. And when you return from a long day of sun and fun everyone can enjoy your own shower or bath before heading out again to taste all the flavors of the many restaurants nearby. You’re only job is to relax, chill out and pile on as many adventures as you can fit in to each day here in paradise!

Costa Rica Real Estate | Costa Developers

Living in Costa Rica

Are you considering moving to Costa Rica? 9 Important Points to Life in Costa Rica.

Are you considering moving to Costa Rica? More North Americans are making the move to the tropical highlands or hot coastal lowlands of Costa Rica, and Costa Rica has become the country of choice for the ever growing number of baby boomers seeking new lives, fresh starts, less expensive living and the ultimate eco experience. Life in Costa Rica is an adventure, here are a few points we hope will help.

1. Research your options. Look carefully at the different areas of the country you are considering. Choose your information sources carefully. Talk to as many people as you can who have experience with life in Costa Rica.

2. Visit the country for at least 3 months first. Don’t just come down to Costa Rica for a vacation and then make a snap decision to move. Going back to point #1, an extended stay to learn and acclimate to the culture should be part of your research plan.

3. Choose your neighborhood with care. Look for communities where you will feel comfortable.

4. Recognize things move slower down here. Don’t expect things to work at the same pace the US or Canada. Things just take longer to get done in Latin America. You will have longer waits in the lines for banks or anywhere for that matter.

5. If you planning a business, get help. One highly recommended point if you are planning a business, get help and advice from someone you trust, for legal advice, or corporate identify, a good business consultant will save you thousands of dollars. Costa Developers would be happy to assist you in anything related to this matter. Please contact us to give you more information in info@costadevelopers.com

6. Try to learn about the culture. Don’t make the mistake of just surrounding yourself with your friends; you need to get out and learn what makes the culture tick.

7. Learn the language. Make the effort to learn the language; the locals appreciate your trying and will be much more helpful.

8. Watch out for the con. There are scams down here and many of them prey on the newbie. Most of the scams are actually run by expats. Trust is earned. Do your due diligence on deals, especially real estate deals, where you should get yourself a good real estate consultant.

9. Enjoy the Pura Vida.

We hope these points are helpful if you are planning on living in Costa Rica. If you need any assistance with your adventure from planning to rent to transportation help do not hesitate to contact with costa developers, we will be happy to help you with your new life in Costa Rica.

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Curú National Park The first private wildlife refuge in Costa Rica

Curú National Wildlife Refuge can be found on the southern Nicoya Peninsula of northwestern, Costa Rica, just south of Paquera. Most traveller to the area are in search of Sandy beaches, the surf of Santa Teresa or the very popular tourist destination, Montezuma, and the Peninsula’s primary wildlife park can sometimes get over looked. Curú offers easy access to seeing some of the most sought after species such as White-faced monkeys, Howler monkeys, Spider Monkeys, Scarlet Macaws, White-tailed Deer, Collared Peccary, Coati, Raccoons, Coyotes, Iguanas, and hundreds of species of tropical and migratory birds.

It is an important place to visit as it is Costa Rica’s first private National Wildlife Refuge.

There are 3 different species of monkeys (the mantled howler monkey, white faced monkey and the spider monkey), the American Crocodile, Agouti, Coati, beautiful birds such like woodpeckers, manakins, toucans, herons, hawks; iguanas and squirrels. That is without mentioning the abundance of marine wildlife, including many species of tropical fish, sea turtles, sting rays, and occasional whales.

Posted by Costa Developers.

Mitos ambientales al consumir

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Existen prácticas y creencias, a veces muy arraigadas, que nos hacen pensar que no estamos dañando al ambiente ni afectando nuestro bolsillo, cuando puede ser todo lo contrario.

A continuación, algunas de las más comunes en nuestras casas y sitios de trabajo:

Los equipos eléctricos, si están apagados, no consumen combustible: en realidad existe lo que se conoce como el consumo fantasma, así que una buena práctica es acostumbrarse a desconectarlos cuando los dejamos de usar. No está de más en un país donde abunda la rayería en época lluviosa.

Utilizar madera fomenta la deforestación: esto es falso, ya que si la madera proviene de una plantación forestal o bosque certificado, es garantía de que se sigue un proceso que no daña el ambiente y que incluso apoya a pequeños productores forestales. Hay otros materiales de construcción que, por el contrario, tienen una huella ecológica y de carbono muy alta.

Es más eficiente dejar el aire acondicionado en funcionamiento cuando no se está que apagar la unidad y volver a enfriar el sitio al llegar: es mucho más ineficiente y costoso dejar el aire encendido por horas, que apagarlo cuando no se está usando y volver a enfriar la habitación al regresar. Lo ideal, claro, está, sería utilizar al máximo la ventilación natural o no bajar demasiado la temperatura.

Los mejores detergentes y champús hacen espuma: es equivocado pensar que un producto es más efectivo y limpia más porque hace espuma. Al contrario, muchos suelen dañar gravemente nuestras fuentes de agua. Lo mejor es elegir productos biodegradables.

Las ollas y los sartenes pequeños gastan menos no importa el tamaño del disco de la cocina: esto es falso, ya que si los tamaños de estos recipientes no coinciden con el disco, implican un gasto de energía. Si son más pequeños que el disco, dejan escapar el calor, y si son más grande, retardan el proceso de cocción.

Limpiar la parte trasera del refrigerador no ahorra energía: en realidad sí lo hace, ya que la acumulación de polvo reduce el rendimiento y aumenta el consumo de energía. Por eso se recomienda limpiarla por lo menos tres veces al año.

Dejar un ventilador encendido ayuda a enfriar una habitación: este solo circula el aire y ayuda a las personas a sentirse menos acaloradas pero no influye en la temperatura. Así que si nadie está en la habitación, representa un gasto innecesario de energía.

Un congelador vacío gasta menos energía: al contrario, los alimentos congelados ayudan a conservar el frío, por lo que si no tiene suficientes, llene con agua algunos recipientes e introdúzcalos en el congelador.

Posteado por Costa Developers

A first step toward carbon neutrality

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Environment Ministry officials on Wednesday presented the first phase of Costa Rica’s plan to be completely carbon-neutral by 2021.

Costa Rica is the only tropical country to boast more than half of its territory is covered in forests. Officials plan to convert land used in cattle ranching and coffee farming into more forests by planting 7 million trees in coming years as part of its efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2021.

The environment Minister made public the first phase of the administration’s carbon-neutral strategy, which focuses on reducing emissions in two key sectors: energy and agriculture. Following negotiations with players in both sectors, it appears the government is further along with the former than the latter.

Last week, environment officials and researchers participated in a forum titled “Carbon Neutrality: Utopia or Reality?” They sought to answer the question on everyone’s mind: Is carbon neutrality possible for Costa Rica?

Following that forum, a sense of optimism has spread through the Environment Ministry (MINAET) and the universities participating in the groundbreaking research required to analyze the country’s current emissions and set realistic goals to achieve zero carbon emissions. The ministry is relying on experts at the University of Costa Rica and the National University (UNA) to help design their strategy.

“The numbers in black and white show [carbon neutrality] really is possible for the country. It’s not easy, but it’s possible,” said the executive director of the University of Costa Rica’s Fundecooperación para el Desarrollo Sostenible (Cooperative Fund for Sustainable Development), and a researcher collaborating with MINAET on the carbon-reduction strategy.

Costa Rica currently emits about 14.6 million tons of CO2 annually. By 2021, that number will reach 21.7 million tons, and in order for Costa Rica to reach carbon neutrality, it will have to offset or reduce emissions by 5.8 million tons in the next decade.

Based on data from the World Bank, which calculates the intensity of CO2 released per unit of production in each country, Costa Rica is one of the best countries in terms of CO2 per unit produced. According to Castro, despite economic and population growth, Costa Rica’s CO2 output per unit of production has decreased from 200 kilograms per unit to 170 kg in the past few years.

The country has another tool: its forests. A recent study concluded that 52 percent of Costa Rica is forested, up from 21 percent in 1987 thanks to a series of policies over the decades to invest in forestry conservation. That means the country has a large percentage of new, carbon-capturing forest (31 percent in the past 25 years).

Continuing that trend, the Costa Rican government, in collaboration with the National Forestry Financing Fund, is working with landowners to plant 7 million trees on cattle and coffee farms. The trees eventually will be milled for the national lumber industry and replaced with new forests. Landowners are offered an attractive 6 percent, 25-year credit for the project.

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Costa Cares

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Inter-American Development Bank gives Costa Rica dam project a boost

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Costa Rica is looking to become one of the first nations whose power supply is based entirely on clean and renewable sources of energy like this hydroelectric dam in Pirrís, in Los Santos region.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), which approved $670 million in loans to finance the Reventazón Hydroelectric Dam in June, will now add another $200 million in guaranteed financing to help support Central America’s largest renewable energy project.

More than 90 percent of Costa Rica’s electricity is currently generated from renewable resources.

The Costa Rican Electricity Institute (ICE) and the International Finance Corporation, a private arm of the World Bank, will sponsor the project, which includes the construction of a dam 130 meters tall that will divert water from the Reventazón River near the Caribbean slope town of Siquirres.

When finished, the dam will generate an average of 1,407 gigawatt hours of electricity per year – approximately 10 percent of Costa Rica’s total capacity for electricity generation and enough to power more than half a million homes.

“The successful implementation of the environmental and social elements in this project will provide an important model for hydroelectric projects in Latin America.”

The $200 million approved last week was financed completely by the IDB. Future loans will continue to use this same structure to allow for wider lending options. The trustee will retain limited responsibilities and simultaneously will play the role of borrower, again providing for more flexibility in future lending opportunities.

The International Finance Corporation, together with the IDB and local banks including Banco Popular, Banco Nacional and Banco de Costa Rica, will lend directly to this newly created trust.

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PARQUE DEL AGUA CON MÁS PROTECCIÓN.

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La presidenta de la República, Laura Chinchilla Miranda participó en el acto de entrega del Centro de atención de visitantes del Parque Nacional del Agua, Juan Castro Blanco, que los vecinos llaman la Montaña Sagrada.

Es una edificación ubicada en la entrada del parque, en la comunidad de San José de la Montaña, para evitar la entrada de cazadores de pájaros y otros animales, extractores de plantas y el ingreso de cuadraciclos.

 

La construcción de 363 metros cuadrados servirá también para la investigación y la educación ambiental.

La Presidenta anunció que próximamente el Instituto Costarricense de Turismo y la Municipalidad de San Carlos empezarán las gestiones para la construcción de caminos y un parqueo en el centro ambiental.

El Parque Nacional del Agua, Juan Castro Blanco cuenta con 14.458 hectáreas. Es un lugar de importancia internacional en el marco del Corredor Biológico Mesoamericano.

Es parte integral de los 1100 km² del Corredor Biológico San Juan-La Selva y forma parte de los 207 km² del Corredor Biológico Parque Nacional del Agua – Reserva Biológica Alberto Manuel Brenes. El 60 % del parque está cubierto por bosque primario.

Permite la conservación de recursos como el suelo, agua, biodiversidad, fijación de carbono y riqueza paisajística, así como el abastecimiento de agua a 150 comunidades y sus actividades agropecuarias, industriales, turísticas y generación de proyectos hidroeléctricos.

Una de las mayores riquezas con la que cuenta esta área protegida es la parte hidrológica, proporciona el recurso suficiente para generar energía eléctrica por más de 160 megavatios (12 por ciento de la producción nacional).

También es uno de los principales pulmones que abastecen de aire puro a la región Huetar Norte y el Valle Central.

Un artículo para Costa Developers

28 empresas ofrecen generarle luz al ICE con agua y viento

La convocatoria del Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE) para comprar energía limpia a firmas privadas superó, por mucho, las expectativas de la entidad.  

Entidad realizó concurso para 140 megavatios y ofertas alcanzaron 360 MW,13 empresas se disputan cuota para parques eólicos y 15 para hidroeléctricas.

 Así lo evidencia el reciente concurso hecho por la entidad para adquirir 140 megavatios (MW) de electricidad producida a partir de la fuerza del viento y del agua.

El espacio abierto se distribuyó en 100 MW para energía eólica y 40 MW para hidroeléctrica.

No obstante, la oferta recibida alcanzó los 360 megavatios: 284,5 MW para generación eólica y 75 MW para represas hidroeléctricas.

En el primer caso, 13 compañías compiten por la cuota eólica y otras 15 lo hacen por la hídrica.

Las empresas ofrecen construir pequeños complejos eólicos de entre 9.000 y 20.000 kilovatios de potencia (kW), los cuales, en su mayoría, estarían en Guanacaste.

Mientras, las generadoras a base de agua van desde pequeñas plantas de 770 kW hasta los 13.984 kW en varios puntos del país.

Las recepción de ofertas cerró el pasado 27 de agosto.

La generación a base de agua y viento es más barata y menos contaminante que la producida con combustibles, como es el caso de la planta térmica Garabito del ICE.

Teófilo de la Torre explicó que muy pronto abrirán las ofertas económicas porque aún no saben en qué punto dentro de la banda de tarifas autorizadas por la Aresep, se ubican los proyectos propuestos.

La energía que estas empresas venderán al ICE en el futuro tiene precios fijados por la Autoridad Reguladora de los Servicios Públicos (Aresep) este año.

Para la producción a partir de la fuerza del agua, el costo oscila entre un mínimo de $0,0798 por kWh y un máximo de $0,1363 por kWh.

Entre tanto, para la energía eólica, el mínimo es de $0,0830 por kWh y el máximo $0,1171 por kWh.

“Vamos a escoger aquellas (ofertas) que estén en la parte más baja de la banda”, dijo De la Torre.

El jerarca aseguró que si tienen éxito en este proceso, sacarán a licitación otros 60 megavatios.

Hoy, el sector privado contribuye con un 21% (512 MW) de la capacidad instalada en el país (2.450 MW). 

Sin embargo, la ley le permite elevar esa participación hasta un 30% de todo el potencial (735 MW).

Espera de una década. Este concurso se da tras más de una década de suspensión de los contratos del ICE para compra de energía a nuevas plantas del sector privado.

Para Mario Alvarado, director ejecutivo de la Asociación Costarricense de Productores de Energía (Acope), esto explica por qué se dio una respuesta tan positiva, pese a las trabas de tramitología y a la inseguridad jurídica que aún persiste para estos proyectos.

“Hubo una participación nutrida de interesados porque tenían más de 10 años de no participar y porque la generación privada es competitiva”, añadió Alvarado.

Agregó que, por ejemplo, el costo del kilovatio en la planta hidroeléctrica Pirrís oscila entre $0,21 y $0,22, muy por encima del máximo para generación privada fijado por la Autoridad Reguladora.

Lo que sigue. El camino para ver estos proyectos generando es largo. Una vez que el Instituto realice la escogencia (el mes entrante), se firmará una carta de compromiso y garantía de participación con los empresarios.

A partir de ahí, los interesados tienen un año para cumplir con todos los requisitos necesarios para desarrollar los proyectos. Esto incluye permisos ambientales, municipales y financiamiento.

Según Alvarado, los trámites son tan engorrosos que es difícil que los puedan cumplir en un año.

Una vez superados estos requisitos, las partes firman los contratos y las empresas pueden empezar a desarrollar los proyectos.

Se estima que la etapa constructiva de estas plantas se prolongaría entre 18 meses y 24 meses.

Por tal razón, los nuevos complejos deberían estar generando en el año 2016. 

At Pacific beach, an endless flow of trash

Volunteers from Intel slipped on teal gloves, grabbed large plastic bags and scooped up chunks of debris.

Volunteers from multinational giant Intel clean Playa Guacalillo, a beach on the central Pacific coast that receives trash dumped in the Río Tárcoles and its San José tributaries.

PLAYA GUACALILLO, Puntarenas – In the middle of Costa Rica’s Central Valley flows the Río Virilla. It carries the worst of the city’s filth and the sewage toward the ocean. On its journey, the Virilla joins several other tributaries in forming Río Tarcoles, the most polluted river in Costa Rica. 

The 2,000-square-kilometer Tárcoles River system empties its contents into the Pacific Ocean, and often, all that garbage finds its way back to Costa Rica. 

At Playa Guacalillo, a beach near the mouth of the Tarcoles, Nydía Rodríguez picks up pieces of trash: soda bottles caked in mud, stinking plastic bags and chunks of Styrofoam. Other items, such as washing machines and refrigerators, also appear. Trash collectors won’t take many of the large appliances, so people discard them into the country’s rivers. The waters consume the appliances, spitting them out into Costa Rica’s oceans and onto the shorelines. 

“Costa Rica is known as a conservationist, ecologically friendly country,” Rodríguez says. “But it has another side that’s very dirty.”

Rodríguez leads the 12-year-old Terra Nostra Association, the Costa Rican branch of Ocean Conservancy. The latter organization arranges beach cleanups in some 100 countries each year. The conservancy doesn’t only collect garbage, it also analyzes the contents of what volunteers amass to determine the source of the muck.

For the Río Tárcoles, the problem starts in the capital. Thirty years ago in San José, wastefulness and a lack of education about the consequences of littering resulted in tons of trash being dumped in the Virilla River and other bodies of water around the capital.

Repulsive habits formed as an explosion of plastic products entered the market in the 1980s, Rodríguez says. She filmed a TV show in the ’80s that showed municipal garbage collectors dumping waste into the rivers instead of landfills.  

Laws and regulations have improved since then, but not enough, she says. Recycling programs remain frail, with meager participation. Many recyclable materials wind up somewhere else, such as the beaches on the Pacific coast.

Beneath palm trees and buried in soft sands, trash forms a patchwork across the shoreline. For the last four years, Terra Nostra visited Playa Guacalillo to hold cleanups. In 25 trips to the beach, 30,000 people have participated in the program, removing tons of trash.

Last weekend, approximately 800 volunteers from multinational companies Intel and Coca-Cola and financial institutions BAC Credomatic, Coopenae and Coopemep took part in the cleanup. Volunteers joined municipal employees, local residents and Terra Nostra workers in cleansing the flecks of trash that swathe the beach. 

The beach has not been a popular spot with tourists for decades, but after two days of picking up trash, the area looks presentable. Rodríguez says when the cleanups started in 2008, workers struggled to walk “because you would fall in all the waste.”

Volunteer efforts cover four of Playa Guacalillo’s seven kilometers. The other three kilometers remains as dirty as ever, Rodríguez says.

The main purpose of the Terra Nostra Association is as much about combating ignorance as it is about purging trash from a little-used beach. The program forces participants to take a closer look at manmade damage done to Costa Rica’s environment. 

Last Sunday, 50 volunteers from Intel took part in the program. They slipped on teal gloves, grabbed large plastic bags and scooped up chunks of debris. 

“People really need to understand that when they’re riding [in] a bus or car, throwing garbage out of the window is such a bad idea,” says Patricia Chico, Intel’s community engagement manager.

Intel, the largest exporter in the country, employs 2,800 Costa Ricans. Chico says about six of 10 Intel employees volunteer for the community service programs.

A couple of the companies’ workers, wearing blue shirts, note some of the stranger items they find on the beach: “Syringes,” says one volunteer. Another repeats the name “Ken,” referring to the male counterpart of the iconic Barbie doll.

Chico says she can’t believe the number of soles of shoes she sees: “That’s kind of weird.” 

A table set up on the beach provides hand sanitizer, bottles of water and succulent chunks of watermelon to volunteers. Shifts on the beach last about four hours.

Afterward, a new organization called Coopered, or Waste Collectors of the Pacific Cooperative, sorts refuse from the recyclable and reusable materials. The cooperative salvages and sells the recyclable materials for profit. The midday sun beats on the workers and a stench wells up from the baking trash. After arriving around 8 a.m. that morning, most of the volunteers clear out by noon.  

During the first week of October, the Terra Nostra Association will hold a press conference with the Environment Ministry announcing the results of the cleanup. 

Rodríguez says she hopes the efforts demonstrate how easily this could be avoided if residents threw away or recycled their trash instead of littering.  

A program like this shows people where all their litter ends up, and also reminds people about what used to exist at Playa Guacalillo before all the junk arrived, says Rodríguez, adding, “This beach was divine when it was clean.”

Posted by Costa Developers

 

'Eco-friendly' New Marriott Airport Hotel

Courtyard Marriott has the distinction of being that prestigious chain’s first hotel built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications.

Caribe Hospitality S.A., working with the Marriott hotel chain, has opened a new 127-room hotel in the Mango Park complex on the southern outskirts of Alajuela. 

Officially titled the Courtyard Marriott San José Aeropuerto Alajuela Hotel, the building is on the Francisco J. Orlich radial highway, 1 kilometer north and a five-minute shuttle from Juan Santamaría International Airport, and within easy commuting distance of industrial parks in Alajuela and Heredia.

In keeping with Costa Rica’s eco-friendly tourism orientation, the Courtyard Marriott has the distinction of being that prestigious chain’s first hotel built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) specifications. Strict LEED requirements involve such state-of-the-art innovations as insulating and soundproofing outer walls and ceilings, double-glass windows, solar panels to pre-heat water, recovery and recirculation of air cooled by air conditioning, room key card readers that turn off air conditioning when occupants leave, and sensors that dim 50 percent of hall lights when occupation is low. 

General Manager Marco Quinteros said, “At Marriott we decided to go with LEED standards, by which we project savings of 18 percent on energy consumption and 35 percent on water consumption, as well as up to 5 percent of energy generated from our own renewable sources.

We also implemented a 30 percent local materials usage level in our construction. LEED specifications did increase construction costs, but we expect to more than recover those extra costs through energy savings. And there are non-monetary, indirect benefits, such as reduced contamination and increased guest comfort.”

The Courtyard Marriott San José Aeropuerto Alajuela Hotel will generate direct jobs for 60 Costa Ricans. Caribe Hospitality S.A. has also given the hotel a tropical, outdoor Alajuela flavor in its décor. 

The hotel was officially inaugurated on Sept. 21, in a ceremony presided over by Costa Rican President Laura Chinchilla.

Posted by Costa Developers