Happy Earth Day!

I've teamed up with our hotels editor (Erica_D) to take a closer look at green properties around the world and I'd be curious to hear about your eco-lodging experiences.

I've noted several eco-related posts regarding trips to Costa Rica---do you have a favorite eco lodge there? Are there other areas in Mexico or Central America that you think make great destinations for "green" vacations?

I realize travel budgets are tight and staying in green properties often means paying a premium. Has the economy made green travel less of a priority for you---or do you find that some lodges actually offer superior value to non-green options?

Happy Earth Day to you too, Cate.

I don't think you have to stay in some remote lodge (and those are usually pretty expensive) to go eco in Costa Rica. A lot of in-town hotels engage in green practices too. One of my favorites is Arco Iris at Monteverde. In fact, it's in the center of Santa Elena, the small town near Monteverde. The place recycles, it composts, it grows its own organic vegetables, it uses earth-friendly products, and it works actively for the betterment of the local community. It's not Lapa Rios or Bosque del Cabo, but it's doing everything good and green.

Thanks for your thoughts, Jeff. I think the social responsibility aspect is also an important part of a green property.

I've also posted this question about New Zealand and Brazil:
http://www.fodors.com/community/aust...eco-lodges.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...eco-lodges.cfm

Our favorite place is Bosque del Cabo on the Osa Peninsula. We love it because they've bought and restored so much land that I know will never be developed. We've never seen such amazing wildlife as what we saw there.

Yeah, you'll get lots of votes for Bosque del Cabo here. It's a really wonderful place!

Lots of amazing places in CR/CA doing their part...

www.lunalodge.com www.laparios.com 2 of my favs...

While “eco-friendly” and “green” have becorne marketing huzzwords for hotels and resorts, many organizations are establishing rating systems that help tourists determine just how green their prospective destinations really are.

Internationally, The Rainforest Alliance helped to establish a Sustainable Tourism Certification Network, which offers a SmartGuide to Sustainable Travel. The Costa Rica government has established the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program. Lodges, hotels, and resorts can apply for certification based on criteria such as water and electricity use, impact of property on surrounding environment and communities, recycling and reuse policies, and environmental education programs.

Resorts and lodges are often located on the most beautiful Iand a country has to offer. In the case of ecoproperties, an integral part of their operating practices is a commitment to environmental stewardship, with many supporting conservation easements that protect designated Iand. Others establish nature reserves and support the work of national parks.

Guaria de Osa mnaintains ethno-botanical gardens, where it grows and protects native and endangered plants, trees, flowers, and medicinal herbs. The Lapa Rios Rainforest Ecolodge, situated within a private nature reserve adjacent to Costa Rica’s Corcovado National Park and overlooking the Pacific, has worked with both the National Park and The Nature Conservancy to ensure protection for its 1,000-acre property.Because deforestation and irresponsible energy use threatens many of the arcas around these lodges, construction materials for the resort huildings—along with energy choices, products, water sources, and food—are a crucial part of the sustainability equation. Many eco-lodges specifically choose recycled and renewable construction materials and design buildings that utilize nature’s own heating, cooling, and water filtration systems.

Environmentally responsible projects at www.lunalodge.com include a solar-powered, salt-filtered pool with a recycled plastic deck and a new restaurant built with sustainable wood and recycled plastic lumber.Guaria de Osa’s buildings are constructed out of felled wood from windstorrns.

Intelligent building design also assists in regulating indoor temperature. Many eco resorts are off the grid, meaning that they rely on alternative forrns of energy. Lapa Rios, Luna Lodge, run generators for limited electricity. Luna Lodge, which is now converting to a hydroelectric power system, has bio-gas for cooking and low-watt lighting. Guaria de Osa uses solar power,also.

www.guariadeosa.com also good did not post link above...

I feel like the word "eco" before "lodge" is sort of loosely defined and overly used to some degree, so it's always nice to hear about these places and what makes them "eco-friendly".

And Jeff -- It doesn't have to be Bosque del Cabo to be a sweet spot!

Monica_Richards submitted a photo of the view from her room at Bosque del Cabo to our "Show Us Your Costa Rica" contest this past winter. I remember seeing it and just feeling completely compelled to go there---immediately. It's a shot from the deck of the Tucan cabina. I really want to stay there one day. Any other "off the grid" spots with views of the ocean?

Selva Verde lodge: Beautiful grounds, guaranteed sightings of howler monkeys, iguanas, and toucans. Perfect harmony between lodging and the rain forest. It's also highly active in the local community, and offers a wide variety of activities, including free birding tours twice a day.

The Arenal Observatory Lodge is also great for nature, wilderness, and especially wildlife.