- Over 60% of the employees and management are from the Osa Peninsula (#76).

21.2 The hotel offers training to the local community to enhance their job performance at the hotel. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- 1-day each year San José consultants specializing in motivational activities offer a once-a-year training for all staff. The hotel is closed for this event (#77).

- A program entitled the “Programma Educativo” was put into place in 2006. Under this program, employees who wish to pursue further education will be reimbursed for half of the cost of their efforts. This program is intended to enhance both the education and job training of our staff. Additionally, management has requested that a branch of nocturnal education (CINDEA) open in Puerto Jimenez in order to assist with this program. (#78).

- In 2006, guides took part in a training program given by Costa Rican Expeditions (#65).

- Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality, the hotel’s management company, periodically brings an operation expert every 6–8 weeks to train one different department. Some of those classes focus on sustainibility issues, such as hygiene and efficiency in the kitchen as well as increasing knowledge to organic products and the reasons behind their uses. Additionally, Lapa Rios has held exchanges with Lapa Rios employees and employees of other hotels to enhance their own job performance. In 2007, for instance, one of our employees did an exchange with an ecolodge in Montana, USA (#117).

- In 2007, Lapa Rios hosted employees from Banco Nacional in Puerto Jimenez for a training on customer service and the importance of sustainability (135).

- Lapa Rios hosts interns from the Colegio at Puerto Jimenez for periods of up to six months. In the past, we have hired some of these interns for full time work (131)

21.3 The hotel only uses national and/or community people to administrate and manage the hotel. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Only Costa Ricans are hired. Costa Ricans occupy the general manager, administrative manager and assistant manager positions. Administration of Lapa Rios is done from the Osa Peninsula (#76).

21.4 The hotel contributes and supports the area’s human resources to complement its extended tourism business activities. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios hires services from the local community such as: prepared foods (tamales, tortillas, etc.), taxi transfers and technical maintenance (See a sample of local receipts, #79).

- Lapa Rios buys great amounts of supplies in Pto. Jiménez, therefore helping the local community in terms of retail sales (#79, #126).

- Almost 10 area guides (non-staff members) offer high quality services for guests. These tours are not rain forest related but enhance the nature experience for the guests. Among these options: the turtle tour, kayaking, horse back riding, numerous boating and fishing options, etc. This information is included on our tour board or in guestbooks found in every bungalow (#16, pages 11-21).

- Lapa Rios yearly hosts students from the Puerto Jimenez High School for an internship and training. Over the years, Lapa Rios has hired individuals who have completed this training (#131).

21.5 The hotel hires locally trained tourism operators and suppliers Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios is dedicated to hire and train only community members. This mission to hire locally is known in the region, and we try to raise service standards by training contracted, outside operators and suppliers to our guests’ level of expectations. This information is communicated with guests in our guestbooks (#16, pages 11-21) and on our website.

21.6 There are no illegal employees. No staff member is hired and offered sub-standard conditions. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Only nationals are hired. (Exception: The Food Manager has Costa Rican Resident status.)

- All staff are full time employees, hired permanently. They all receive full benefits and many fringe benefits (#76).

21.7 The job opportunities offered at the hotel do not create an undesirable situation for the local community. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Due to high unemployment in the Peninsula, Lapa Rios creates jobs for the unskilled community lacking many options. Community members seek employment regardless if immediate jobs are open.

- Lapa Rios is looked upon as an environmental leader and is considered an economic benefit to the Osa Peninsula community. The ecolodge is one of the largest employers and purchasers in the region. A study conducted by Stanford University confirms this statement (#75).

- Some examples of local companies or community organizations with whom Lapa Rios works:

• Horseback riding
• Turtle tour
• Kayaking tours.
• Flights with locally based charter flight service.
• Boat and fishing trips
• Surf lessons

- All of this information is available at the tour desk, on the website and in guestbooks found in rooms (#16, pages 11-21).

22.2 The hotel’s promotional material informs guests about charitable activities developed for the community. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios developed the La Asociación de Educación, a non-profit foundation responsible to build and maintain the Carbonera School. Local fund raising events are sponsored on the guest tour board. This information is included on our website and in all guestbooks (#16, pages 46-48).

- A section of the tour board includes a section to promote cultural events being held at the Carbonera School or in Pto. Jiménez. Sign up space is provided for guest participation/transfer service. This information is also communicated via cultural and sustainability signs that are changed daily (#70).

- The published ‘La Asociación Wish List’ encourages guests to bring and donate books for the local libraries, as well as to collect educational materials and personal toys for school children. This wishlist is included on the website, the guestbooks (#16, pages 46-48) and in the Carbonera School Journal (found in our library)

- Guests are informed about Lapa Rios contribution to charitable activities done by Women of the Osa and the Asociacion de Educacion and the Asociacion Costarricense para la Conservacion de la Naturaleza (ASCONA) (#73)

- Lapa Rios supported the Tiskita Foundation in their fight against the proposed Granjas Atuneras in the Golfo Dulce. T-shirts, accompanied by an explanation, were being sold in the guestroom (#73)

- Lapa Rios currently sells and supports artistic bags made from recycled plastic bags on the Osa Peninsula (#110)

22.3 The hotel participates actively and contributes to sports, art and cultural activities. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no.

- Lapa Rios donated money to create a locally based Traditional Dance group that performs weekly on Tuesday nights and on special occasions. Lapa Rios paid for costumes and continues to pay the instructor for every performance, including the roundtrip Pto. Jiménez weekly transfers (#70, #132)

- Lapa Rios with the guest-supported La Asociación donates money on an ongoing basis to the Pto. Jiménez High School to purchase musical instruments, sports equipment, etc. Money is also donated to several rural Peninsula schools for ongoing school maintenance and building programs (#73)

- Lapa Rios supports a local soccer team (#114)

- Lapa Rios currently sells and supports artistic bags made from recycled plastic bags on the Osa Peninsula (#110)

22.4 The hotel uses and promotes the use of locally produced products.  Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios supports locally produced furniture made of bamboo made in San Isidro and crafts (placemats, chilero holders, etc.) (#97).

- A number of food items, such as tortillas, are bought in town (#7)

- In general, Lapa Rios tries to buy locally whenever possible. This information is explained in our buying policy (#56)


22.5 The gift shop sells crafts and products made in the local community or by local companies. Weight: 3 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios hosts local artisans a number of times per week to sell their goods (#70).

- A locally owned souvenir shop that sells local crafts and products that our registered guests often visit (often not carrying money when going on town-based tours) assigns their gift shop purchases directly to their rooms. This facilitates purchasing (as many of our guests do not carry money with them on their trips to town). This information is included in our Tour Information Book in the reception

22.6 The hotel and rooms are decorated with arts and crafts or resources that are locally, regionally or nationally produced. Weight: 3 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios uses few decorations because the hotel’s focus is toward the natural surroundings. Instead, Lapa Rios works to bring the natural outdoor environment inside.

- Mosquito nets and upholstery have been locally sewn (#80)

- Borruca masks are displayed in the restaurant with an explanation of their significance (#96)

- Hangers and soap dispensors are all locally made (#97)
Room floor rugs were made from locally died and woven thread by the Boruca indigenous people.

22.7 The hotel promotes national tourism and activities and offers reduced rates for Costa Ricans and its residents. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Citizens and residents are offered greatly reduced prices during the green season (#81).

22.8 The hotel supports a commercial relationship with at least one regional micro-business, whether or not tourism-based. Weight: 3 [ ] yes [ ] no

- See invoices or talk to almost most business owner in Pto. Jiménez (#79).

22.9 The technology, materials and equipment used by the hotel were produced locally or nationally. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios was designed using locally produced renewable natural resources found in the Osa Peninsula. This design goal promotes old growth forests (suiita leaves) with selective harvesting in secondary growth areas (caña and bamboo) (#97)

- Solar panels were built and manufactured in San Jose (#55)


22.10 The hotel regularly hires community people for land or water transfers, in addition to any emergency needs. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Guests’ land transfers from Pto. Jiménez are supplied in Lapa Rios vehicles with assistance by several local taxi services.

- Water transfers are provided by local boat owners.

- Air service is provided by 2 national in-country carriers in addition to a Pto. Jiménez charter service (#79)

- Lapa Rios developed a local group of young people to form their own typical dance group. They perform once a week during the evening at the hotel, as well as for special occassions (#70).

- More and more indigienous food crops and typical Costa Rican and Central American dishes are introduced into the menu (Pejibaye—Camote Soup, Mashed Camote, Mora—Tamarindo sauce with pork chops, chorreadas, Corn cakes with chipotle yogurt sauce, Tico-style cubaces beans with pork, pescado entero frito, casados, arroz con pollo, etc.) (#60).

- A tour to Pto. Jiménez is offered, focusing on historical, social and cultural issues (#16, pages 11-20).

- A tour of the local Carbonera School is offered during the school year, encouraging guests to understand the value of education in rural areas of Costa Rica. Guests are invited to share a personal experience with students. Visiting artists, dancers and athletes have contributed (#16, pages 11-20).

- Guests are encouraged to participate in soccer matches with the Lapa Rios soccer team (#16, pages 11-20)

- A neighbor offers horseback riding tours, the traditional way of getting around in the area (#16, pages 11-20).

- Employees are encouraged to share themselves, their stories and lives with our guests (#42)

- The nature guides discuss local customs while out on tours, talk about local traditions, superstitions and stories about local history and people. The medicine tour is a good example of this custom (#82).

- The Lapa Rios Story provides guests with a wealth of information about the area’s local customs and culture (#41)

- Activities with cooking classes and music nights also enhance and promote local culture (#70).

23.2 The hotel has a designated space in which community organizations may present (with permission) projects of tourism interests. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- The guide area is used for small community gatherings. Every Sunday night, a “Sustainability Discussion” is scheduled, where different representatives of local businesses and nonprofit organizations come to share their stories and projects with guests (#70).

- There is a bulletin board by the kitchen/staff dining area where community projects with staff interest post promotional information.

- In 2004, Lapa Rios hosted the anti-drug program D.A.R.E. and offered it to all the schools in the area. Over 60 kids participated in the program. The graduation was held at the main lodge of the hotel (#91).

- Local school groups are invited to tour Lapa Rios´facilities and private reserve. Presentations are given on the importance of sustainable tourism and conservation (#85)

23.3 The hotel facilities are open to the community to discuss important community issues. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- The guide area is used for small community gatherings. Every Sunday night, a “Sustainability Discussion”is scheduled, where different representatives of local businesses and nonprofit organizations come to share their stories and projects with guests (#70).

- Local school groups are invited to tour Lapa Rios´facilities and private reserve. Presentations are given on the importance of sustainable tourism and conservation (#85)

23.4 The hotel promotes and publicizes cultural activities and local resources.
Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no.

- A section of the tour board includes a section to promote cultural events being held at the Carbonera School or in Pto. Jiménez. Sign up space is provided for guest participation/transfer service. This information is also included in our guestbook (#16, pages 21-25) and through various cultural and sustainability signs posted at the receptions desk (#70).

23.5 The hotel prohibits the use and promotion of sexual commercial activity, prostitution, drug dealing and other social problems. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Employee rules outline no prostitution, drugs or intoxication is permitted at the Lapa Rios project. Non-compliance means loss of privileges to live in staff housing and work in Lapa Rios (#46). This information is also included in our employee sustainability manual (#87).

- The hotel does not work with travel agents or organizations promoting Lapa Rios as a sex-destination.

- Any visitor or registered guests using drugs is asked leave the hotel. If requested by guests to buy drugs or find female companions employees risk job security.

- In 2006, Lapa Rios supported “La Feria regional de Valores” to combat social proglems dealing with drug addiction, alcoholism and violence (#99)

23.6 The hotel has established guidelines that promote equal opportunities and discourage sexual harassment. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Educated, experienced women manage Lapa Rios. Their forthright communication skills empower women on staff and clearly define acceptable boundaries for men. These rules are clearly communicated to all employees in our employee rules (#46) and in our sustainability manuals (#87).

23.7 Promotional hotel signs do not have any cultural, social or environmental impact. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios has few signs: (See road signs) and only includes

• Advertisement at the airport (supports community effort for tourism)
• Sign in front of town office (guest orientation)
• Road sign at the gas station: turn right to Lapa Rios
• Carved wood sign at lodge entrance.

- Dengue fever prevention/training has been supported by management (#98)

- In 2006, General Manager Jorge Arrieta gave a speech to the high schools of Puerto Jimenez and Golfito on the importance of sustainable tourism and thinking critically about tourism and its impacts on the community and environment (#107).

- Lapa Rios spear headed the engineering and staffing for the Carbonera bridge building project, with assistance from all community members (#83).

- In the past, Lapa Rios has hosted two beach clean ups with nearby schools. Lapa Rios has also participated in other environmental activities over the years, including beach clean ups and EARTH DAY as well (#24).

- Lapa Rios has implemented and maintains various trash receptacles in the community (#25). Additionally, in 2007, Lapa Rios hosted its second sustainability event, in which recycling receptacles were placed in the private homes of Puerto Jimenez and recycling pamphlets were handed out. The concept for this event was an idea of the employees (#115)

- Lapa Rios has implemented a healthier menu option for its employees at work. This menu also included nutrition training. A professional nutritionist has also been brought in to evaluate the staff. Private consultations were held to assess the nutritional well being of each member of the staff (#93).

24.3 Plague (mosquitoes) controls use substances and procedures that do not affect guests, workers, neighbors, wildlife or the environment. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios does not fumigate for mosquitoes.

- The hotel does, however, fumigate to preserve its palm roofs. Lapa Rios has thoroughly trained its employees on the safety issues reguarding this fumigation.

25.2 The hotel applies its influence and experience to bring solutions to local infrastructure problems. Weight: 1 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios provides maintenance and logistical support to the Carbonera School. Information about the Carbonera School is communicated in our guestbooks (#16, page 46) and in the Carbonera School Journal located in the library.

- Lapa Rios helped engineer a suspension bridge over the Carbonera River for community and staff use. Hotel employees assisted in the construction (#83).

- The hotel continues to assist other regional schools on their building programs (#26)

- Public road obstructions (fallen trees, landslides, etc.) are removed immediately by the hotel’s maintenance team.

- Lapa Rios keeps the road and beach in the area clean and well maintained. Trash cans have been implemented and continue to be maintained (#1, #25).

- The owners donated 920 acres of the Lapa Rios Reserve to The Nature Conservancy with a cross easement donation to Costa Rica-based CEDARENA, a legal organization promoting land conservation. The land will be protected in perpetuity. The Lewises will pre-pay CEDARENA to monitor the reserve 4-times yearly. The model has now been created for neighbors and other international ecotourism projects to replicate, a means for them to protect their land through conservation (#31).

- In February 2007, Lapa Rios contributed to an activity organized by ASCONA. This activity involved students from La Nueva Hoja in Puerto Jimenez and included environmental education activities. In addition, students from La Nueva Hoja painted the parks´walls and repaired a number of structures in the park area (#108)

- Recently, Lapa Rios has been sending a representative to meetings in Puerto Jimenez on how to combat the issue of the municipal landfill. Lapa Rios has suggested the implementation of a system to monitor and collect methane gas (#102) and plans to work on this issue during the next year (#15)

25.3 The hotel is involved in committees work for community improvement Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Lapa Rios is the driving force behind the Carbonera School and La Asociación de Educación (#16 and #26). Additionally, once the students of Carbonera School graduate, we continue to offer support. We are currently providing the funding for the transportation of three graduates of Carbonera School so that they may attend High School in Puerto Jimenez (#109)

- Lapa Rios invites students from Puerto Jimenez and the surrounding area on sustainability tours and tours of our private reserve and encourages students to be aware of, and avoid, problems in their community(#85). Additionally, Lapa Rios has visited Puerto Jimenez high school to discuss the importance of community awareness and development

- Katie Hennessy, F&B manager, is President of Women of the Osa, a non-profit organization which contributes to the improvement of the local communities. (#21)

- Lapa Rios is currently involved in a committee to solve the problems of the municipal landfill and is proposing the idea of monitoring landfill gas, collecting methane and generating electricity (#102)

- Lapa Rios was on the planning committee for the largest Día de La Tierra celebration ever held in Puerto Jimenez. The event, which hosted residents from all over the Osa Peninsula, focused on environmental education and awareness. Jorge Arrieta, general manager of Lapa Rios, gave a speech on the significance of global warming (#24)

- In 2007, Lapa Rios hosted its second sustainability event, in which recycling receptacles were placed in the private homes of Puerto Jimenez and recycling pamphlets were handed out. The concept for this event was an idea of the employees (#115)

25.4 The hotel supports programs for developing and improving tourism security
Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- The reserve has a long standing relationship with the MINAE staff located in Pto. Jiménez. With this allegiance they now assist Lapa Rios to control hunters and poachers, any trespass problems and act as a re-entry location for captured animals dropped off by neighbors for the hotel staff to resolve (#8)

- Lapa Rios donates $8,200 for an additional park ranger for Corcovado National Park (#27).ç

25.5 The hotel has and respects a code of standard moral ethic. Weight: 3 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Yes, Lapa Rios maintains a strong code of ethic that is communicated with employees and guests staying at Lapa Rios (#52 and #16).

25.6 The hotel executes practical actions to guarantee the security of tourists and employees. Weight: 3 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Upon arrival all tourist receive an orientation where they are warned about the dangers of the rain forest (i.e. look down when you walking, use a flash light at night, do not hike alone, etc.) and safe swimming area (#42, #44).

- There is a forest guard who patrols and maintains the trails in the days and occasionally guards during the night watching for hunters; the other staff member is the night guard, who guards and patrols around the main lodge, near the radio for any emergencies (#8).

- Rural guards are immediately called when inappropriate behavior has to be stopped: drunken visitors needing to be escorted from the property; any missing or suspected stolen items at the hotel the police make an appearance to emphasize the need for honest employees; etc.

- Park guards and MINAE are called upon to resolve issues with hunters using the reserve or when locals are poisoning the river to harvest shrimp.

- 8 of our staff members have been trained with first aid courses given by the Red Cross in June 2003. 2 employees received additional advanced training.

25.7 The hotel has a written contingency plan to deal with natural disasters or emergencies. Weight: 2 [ ] yes [ ] no

- Yes, an emergency plan has been created for the protection of both Lapa Rios guests and employees (#84).

In 2006, Stanford University conducted a study to examine the environmental and socio-economic effects of Lapa Rios on the surrounding community. The majority of these effects came out extremely positively, finding that Lapa Rios employees:

• Have increased income over non-tourism related neighbors
• Have increased access to job training
• Is a job source for local residents
• Is the primary source of income for its permanent employees
• Are happier with their job and income than those not affiliated with tourism
• Have decreased seasonality of income source
• Are receiving higher income over the years
• Are more knowledgeable about environmentally related concepts

• Is striving to support formal primary and secondary education, as well as some of the community projects and community presentations on relevant topics.
• Has significally greater reforestation during the study period (1979-2000) than any other study scale on the peninsula

• Lapa Rios has received awards from the US State Department, Conde Naste Traveler and Travel and Leisure Magazine for its sustainability efforts. Please see our website for a list of awards that we have won.
• Lapa Rios has given presentations on the importance of sustainable tourism practices at Cornell University, Harvard University, the Rainforest Alliance, INCAE and a number of different tourism agencies (#92).
• Lapa Rios has implemented a biogas system. With leftovers from guests plates, we feed a group of pigs. With the fecal matter produced from these pigs, we are able to collect methane gas (a potentially harmful greenhouse gas) and reuse it to cook for our employee kitchen. This system has proved to be extremely successful, and is not only a way to decrease our dependence on non-renewable gas resources but is also a way to reuse a waste product.
• In 2006, Lapa Rios began to implement a healthy menu option for employees along with a presentation on the importance of nutrition. Additionally, a professional nutritionist visited Lapa Rios and gave private consultations to all employees. This program has increased the overall awareness and education of our employees (#93).
• Lapa Rios has just begun to create its first report that discloses the calculation of its carbon footprint, including plans for mitigation and compensation. Lapa Rios hopes to eventually achieve the CNeutral certification given out by Costa Rica´s Committee on Climate Change, and was the first organization in all of Costa Rica to turn in a written report (#121)