Sustainable Luxury
As part of our commitment to offering the very best eco-lodge experience in Costa Rica, El Silencio Lodge & Spa features an array of sustainable programs and initiatives to reduce our environmental footprint and protect and regenerate the vital natural resources of the surrounding cloud forest. El Silencio Lodge & Spa promises a sanctuary where visitors can reconnect with our planet’s inspiring melodies. But our holistic concept of wellness goes further.
We envision a tourism model that protects its stunning natural surroundings, fosters the personal growth of staff, and promotes the development of neighbor communities. Harmonizing the well-being of all stakeholders is key to El Silencio's uplifting experience, fully reflecting Costa Rica’s happiness mantra. Engaging the services of Responsible Business Alliance, El Silencio Lodge & Spa has designed a sustainability model that is perfectly tailored to its natural setting and social context El Silencio Lodge & Spa authentically reflects the cultural legacy and traditions of Sarchí, Zarcero, Naranjo, and other landmark regional towns. More than 95% of our staff is local, imprinting the guest’s experience with the signature hospitality that characterizes our human context. In turn, El Silencio Lodge & Spa gives back through employment opportunities, local purchases, and the growing relationship with its closest neighbor, the Los Bajos del Toro community.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa is proud to hold the maximum Elite Rating in Costa Rica’s Certification of Sustainable Tourism. This initiative, championed by the CostaRican Tourism Board (ICT), is a globally-respected tool to rate, monitor, and guide the country’s tourism industry. Its rigorous evaluation process contemplates water management, energy conservation, waste disposal and recycling, positive relations with surrounding communities, cultural authenticity, and guest safety.
Certification of Sustainable Tourism
El Silencio Lodge & Spa has received Elite-level recognition by Costa Rica’s Certification of Sustainable Tourism (CST) as the government-sponsored program enters a new phase in responsible travel leadership.
Following years of attaining five-leaf certification, El Silencio Lodge has once again earned top distinction in Costa Rica’s newest version of its notable evaluation program. Now fully accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, the country’s revamped CST has earned worldwide validation as one of the industry’s most rigorous and thorough green accreditations.
Earning Elite recognition underscores the success of El Silencio Lodge & Spa’s positive social and environmental stewardship and further highlights the continuity and growing sphere of influence of its outcomes. Sustainability Manager, Francisco Hidalgo expressed enthusiasm and reaffirmed El Silencio’s commitment to remain at the forefront of a brand of hospitality that is rooted in integral forward-looking sustainability. “We are honored and inspired to forge ahead in pursuit of new green goals, including achieving Carbon Neutrality. Our five-year Strategic Plan entails broadening professional development opportunities for the local community, ramping up our organic farm’s production, and setting up renewable energy systems (solar panels & micro hydro-electric plants). The challenges are sizeable, but the solutions entail even larger long-term benefits for all.”
El Silencio Lodge & Spa celebrates receiving the sixth honor in recognition of its environmental stewardship model. This latest award places El Silencio Lodge & Spa as the only luxury destination in Costa Rica to earn Blue Flag status in six categories.
El Silencio Lodge & Spa has been honored with six Ecological Blue Flags in full recognition of its environmental stewardship initiatives. This annual awards program is led by a coalition of Costa Rican government authorities as an incentive to engage volunteer work and local committees in the pursuit of optimal management of water and other natural resources. The overarching goal of The Blue Flag Program is to advance best practices to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.