What CST ( Certification in Sustainable Tourism) is all about

CST is a program that seeks to categorize and certify each tourism company according to the degree to which its operations comply to a model of sustainability. The Certification in Sustainable Tourism Program - CST - was designed to differentiate tourism sector businesses based on the degree to which they comply with a sustainable model of natural, cultural and social resource management. CST is regulated by the Costa Rican National Accreditation Commission and consists of a scale of 5 "levels" of sustainable tourism achievement. All hotels in this itinerary count with several " leafs " or levels of sustainable tourism achievement.

You Drive, You Choose… During your experience, you will drive a car from a company that gives back..

As a Costa Rican owned Rental Car Company, Mapache is committed to the maintenance and expansion of Costa Rica's natural treasures. To meet this commitment, Mapache has become 100% Carbon Neutral through the purchases of Carbon Neutral certificates that support environmental efforts that counter balance the emission of green house gases. Their efforts have earned them the “Ecological Blue Flag Award”. This is a prestigious worldwide award given to communities and organizations that meet the strictest guidelines of environmental and social responsibility.

You drive a car, they plant a tree. Mapache’s employees take part in reforestation programs. You rent with Mapache, they use renewable energy sources. Innovations in the management of their energy resources and the optimization of their everyday operations are always evolving. We know you care about the beauty and vitality of Costa Rica. Mapache is there to give back.

Not only is Mapache Carbon Neutral, they also actively support numerous charities, environmental efforts, and responsible growth programs. Some of these are the International Ecotourism Society, the Rainforest Alliance, Ecological Blue Flag Award, National Park Foundation, and many more. Mapache Costa Rica is an active supporter of water preservation, reforestation, renewable energy, and Carbon Neutral practices.

Day 01: Arrival at San José. Private Transfer to Hotel Bougainvillea. Set among 10 acres of lush gardens, the unique and comfortable Hotel Bougainvillea is a place where guests can truly experience the world famous beauty of Costa Rica, just 15 minutes from San José downtown and 20 minutes from the airport. Large and bright rooms harmonize with the tastefully decorated lobby, restaurant, and common areas. Original pieces of Costa Rican art complement our stunning landscaped tropical gardens dominated by tall trees, plentiful flowers, ponds and mountain views.( Sustainability level: 3 )
Day 02: Pick up rental car at hotel lobby. Selfdrive to Puerto Viejo. Cariblue Hotel.  ( Sustainability level: 3 ) Puerto Viejo is the translation to what the historic locals really called this area: "Old Harbor". There's a great calmness in the small town of Puerto Viejo and the rest of the coast. It's nearby surroundings such as Cahuita National Park, Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, beautiful beaches and impressive hiking spots, make Puerto Viejo the epicenter of the community. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a coastal town in the Talamanca Canton in Limón Province. The town is located in southeastern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.
Day 03: Free day at Puerto Viejo. Cariblue Hotel.
Day 04: Selfdrive to Arenal. Arenal Springs Hotel.( Sustainability level: 3 ) The 12,016-hectare Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal lies within the 204,000-hectare Arenal Conservation Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges. Fascinating fauna and flora exist here in amazing quantities making this a prime location for viewing many many different species.
Day 05: Free day at Arenal. Arenal Springs Hotel.
Day 06: Selfdrive to Monteverde. Trapp Family Lodge. ( Sustainability level: 3 ) The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is a very important and popular ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. With its unique cloud canopy, this biological reserve located in Puntarenas province is 6 km east of the town of Santa Elena. Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve is one of the most stunning and breathtaking nature reserves in the entire world. Unlike rainforests, cloud forests usually receive much less rain in comparison. However, because a cloud forest is situated at a higher altitude, it has more humidity and is therefore cloudier than a rainforest. This biological reserve sits at an elevation of between 1,200 m to 1,600 m, and is surrounded by a misty cover that supports a fantastic diversity of flora and fauna. Often creating a surreal environment, this reserve is considered to be among the most exceptional wildlife sanctuaries in the New World Tropics.
Day 07: Free day at Monteverde. Trapp Family Lodge.
Day 08: Selfdrive to Manuel Antonio. Parador Hotel. ( Sustainability level: 4 ) 
Manuel Antonio, on the Pacific Coast with an estuary, mangroves, a lagoon, beaches and winding paths, all this on 638 hectares of land and 55.000 hectares of protected marine environment. Take a walk through the tropical forest and find mosses, ferns, flowers and epiphytes growing thickly on every tree. Throughout the park, you will find the famous wildlife Costa Rica is known for, monkeys, sloths and lots of birds among others.
Day 09 & 10: Free day at Manuel Antonio. Parador Hotel.
Day 11: Selfdrive to Juan Santamaria International Airport. Rental car drop off.