Born in a Mixed Wildlife Refuge, Maquenque Eco Lodge starts its operation with a strong commitment to protect and preserve the resources of the area. The conviction of sustainable tourism as a development alternative for the region, promotes the creation of the Lodge and starts a process that seeks to permeate on the community, generating employment sources, business opportunities, protection of natural and scenic resources and welfare social community. Sustainable tourism is emerging as a comprehensive solution to situations that threaten our balance as a community and ecosystem. It is an engine that drives development and far from competing with community resources, enhances and protects the primary objective, where the welfare of these allows the existence of a sustainable tourism development. For Maquenque Eco Lodge, the commitment to sustainability is the basis of our development and daily operation is oriented to economic, environmental and social balance. With your visit, you can enjoy a wonderful experience contact with nature, while contributing to the protection of these ecosystems.
Live Footprint program (Social – Environmental Commitment)
- Maquenque Eco Lodge finances permanently free environmental education for elementary schools and high schools neighbors to Maquenque Wildlife Refuge, in order to increase knowledge, love and care of young people towards the environment.
- Through the Plant a tree program, the customer is given the opportunity compensate CO2 emissions, help strengthen local ecosystems and directly get involved in the fight against climate change.
- Programs for saving water, energy and responsible waste management, ensure responsible and seek to inculcate our visiting customers to everyday practical actions such as recycling, turning off taps and lights.
- Through Maquenque Eco Lodge you can visit the elementary School of Boca Tapada and enrich the visit with a genuine contact with the community and its rising generations, supporting them and if you want participating in environmental education programs.
- As part of the Maquenque experience, it offers a guided forest visit, to enjoy the richness and exuberance of the tropical rainforest and learn the importance of conservation.
- Maquenque Eco Lodge supports and promotes community development projects, social welfare, health promotion and education of neighboring communities.
Looking for the customer to be part of this comprehensive development and enjoy cultural events of the region.
If you want to offset the carbon footprint of your visit, you can do so by donating $12 to the international program for environmental education and conservation projects Sonati, planting a native tree in Maquenque and your commitment to save water and energy on your trip!
Your visit to Maquenque Eco-Lodge contributes to social and environmental development of the area . Thank you!
Rules to visit Conservation Areas
- Pay admission fee and enter using authorized access.
- Respect the rules, working hours and specific restrictions of the visited area.
- No littering of any kind , remove it from the site or place it in the trash.
- Move only in areas of public use, not to invade unauthorized areas.
- No smoking in conservation areas.
- Care for facilities and infrastructure areas.
- Avoid any kind of damage to vegetation, animals and resources.
- Do not feed wild animals.
- Campfires and firewood extraction is prohibited.
- Avoid making a lot of noise, which can upset the natural balance.
- No drugs or alcohol or enter under the influence of them in the area.
- It is not allowed to enter with weapons of any kind.
- Entry is not permitted to areas with pets
- Hunting and archaeological materials extraction is prohibited.
- Fishing is not allowed (exceptions in Article 10 of Law 6084)
- Maintain a respectful and consistent with the moral behavior.
- No commercial activities within the area are allowed.
- Follow park rangers instructions
Let’s plant a tree
We invite you to join our fight to offset GHG gas emissions and their impact on global warming and contribute to the preservation of our resources, planting a tree of native species in our property. Ask our receptionist!
The footprint you leave will be the beginning of a new life!
Sustainable travel
Dear guest, you are within the National Wildlife Refuge Maquenque, where conservation and protection of our natural resources is a pillar for sustainable development of our community of Boca Tapada, at this small town we give a warm welcome and invite you to join our efforts following these recommendations for your trip:
- Add an extra tree to our refuge, participating in our reforestation project.
- Use only the water you need, you can take short showers and close the faucet while brushing and shaving.
- If your towels and sheets are clean, request they are not changed
- Turn off the lights and fan when not in the room and unplug appliances when not in use.
- Take advantage of natural lighting and ventilation whenever possible.
- Use the trash cans outside the restaurant to separate waste properly, in the room the maid will do the separation process.
- Discard the paper and hygiene products in the trash can only because our drainage systems are not designed to process these wastes.
- Do not dispose of chemicals or drugs products in drainage systems , as these affect the biological control system of our drains.
- Help us protect, report any situation of sexual exploitation or harassment detected.
- Visit Boca Tapada the School and enjoy an authentic experience while working with community development .
- Visit the protected areas of our country and be amazed by nature.
- Get local handicrafts , which have not been made ??with endangered species.
- Protect natural resources , do not remove or damage the flora and fauna.
- Do not feed wild animals because it affects the natural balance.
- Take the opportunity to learn more about the culture and lifestyle of the community.
- When possible, participate in cultural activities that occur in the region.
At Maquenque Eco Lodge we appreciate your contribution to our sustainability programs and invite you to learn more about our Sustainable Tourism Certification.
San Carlos history
The lands of what is now San Carlos, began the process of colonization in the mid twentieth century, when the agricultural frontier expanded and migrants from other regions of the country and from other countries in Latin America and Europe arrived to the region.
This cultural diversity has enriched the Sancarleño, according to the writer and professor Adriano Corrales, could be described as hardworking, entrepreneurial, cooperative, supportive, cheerful, very conservative and individualistic.
The name of San Carlos is due to a protective structure erected on the Rio San Juan during the time of the colony, which was given the name of Castillo de San Carlos de Austria. The building is gone, but the name stuck and spread.
San Carlos has traditionally been an agricultural and farming region, which has been commercially developed and now, thanks to its natural wealth and the warmth of its people, is one of the main tourist areas of Costa Rica.
Land of forests, rivers, streams, waterfalls, vast plains, abundant rainfall, complex ecosystems, hot springs and home of the majestic Arenal Volcano. A Costa Rican Canton that holds great treasures, in which even small towns can be seen in rural areas, where cultivating the land and milking a cow are part of the day.