Our mission is to combine sustainable tourism with conservation and community development while offering guests the opportunity to experience an untouched tropical rainforest.

1. Minimal impact on the surroundings

• All six miles of trails in Piedras Blancas National Park are situated on one 116-acre plot of primary and secondary rainforest that was saved from logging by Rainforest of the Austrians in 1992. This plot is surrounded by more than 3,000 hectares of untouched primary forest.  
• The construction of our lodge in 1994 was monitored and controlled by the Rainforest Alliance, which submitted written reports about measures against erosion and pollution.
• Our pool is fed by a natural stream and uses neither chemicals nor filter pumps.
• We collect used water in sealed septic tanks with biodegradeable anaerobic filters, after which it is cleaned through a drainage system of rocks and sand.
• We do not use hardwoods from the rainforest.

2. Environmental measures

• We use disposable containers, packing and cans and  give bottles and metal to local people for reuse.
• We produce our own organic vegetables and fruit, marmalade, juices mayonnaise, bread, chocolate and seasoning.
• We separate waste into organic and nonorganic waste and give processed leftover food to our staff to feed their animals.
• We don't use plastic bags in the toilet bins.
• We compost paper and organic waste and use it as fertilizer.
• The kitchen has its own wastewater treatment plant
• We use biodegradable detergents and sun dry our towels under a transparent panel.
• We use energy-saving light bulbs.
• We don't use  artificial bird feeders.
• We don't have pets  and  don't feed the resident caimans.

1. Rainforest protection

• We encourage visitors to purchase symbolic shares for  the Esquinas Rainforest and donate the proceeds to our mother organization Rainforest of the Austrians.
• We provide free accomodation to government and non-government environmental organizations such as MINAET, Fundación Corcovado, Yaguará or  The Nature Conservancy.
• We employ night guards to prevent hunters from entering the forest though our property.
• We show guests films and give lectures about conservation projects in the Esquinas Rainforest and in the Osa Conservation Area.

2. Reforestation

• We have planted 2.334 trees in La Gamba to offset our yearly carbon dioxide emission of 29 tons.
• We encourage guests to purchase „adopt-a tree“ certificates for reforestation projects run by Rainforest of the Austrians and La Gamba Tropical Station.

3. Species protection

• We invite guests to visit an agouti-paca breeding project in La Gamba.
• We hold regular meetings with park functionaries, park rangers and hunters.
• We support the Wildcat Conservation Program Yaguará by installng camera traps on our trails and arranging lectures for our guests.

1. Cooperation with local people

• Except for our office staff, all employees come from the local village of La Gamba.
• We support local craftsmen and indigenous people  by buying or selling their products.
• We support local activities such as dances, fiestas, children’s day or exhibitions.
• We purchase  agricultural products, soaps, shampoos and souvenirs from locals.
• We donate materials to the school and support cultural activities.
• We hod regular meetings with the school committee and the  community association.

2. The La Gamba Fund

• We have created a $200,000 fund for community projects in the town of La Gamba.
• The La Gamba fund has financed a new potable water system for 70 houses in La Gamba and the construction of a health center, a police station, a playground and an office for the town committee.
• The La Gamba fund has renovated the school and the town meeting hall.