So, for everyone planning to visit Santa Teresa, here are some easy ways to make the most of your visit while being gentle on the environment. 

Plan Your Getaway 

Sustainable travel begins long before you set foot on Santa Teresa’s sandy shores. Planning ahead is a great way to start your eco-friendly adventure on the right note. 

• Travel Smart: To minimize carbon emissions, forgo flights from San Jose, Costa Rica’s main international airport, when traveling to Santa Teresa. You can easily book a ferry online and significantly reduce your carbon footprint. 
• Local Commute: Minimizing your ecological impact by using electric vehicles or public transport to travel in and around Santa Teresa is a great option. 
• Stay in an Eco-Conscious Place: Rent a villa in Costa Rica that is committed to sustainability. Look for places that use renewable energy, serve organic local food, and prioritize waste reduction. 
• Pack Purposefully: Bring eco-friendly essentials like biodegradable toiletries and reusable bottles to mitigate your environmental footprint. Avoid or eliminate the use of single-use plastics. 

Engage in Sustainable Activities 

When you’re on vacation, your chosen activities can seriously impact your environmental footprint.  

Some ways to enjoy Santa Teresa while supporting the conservation of the natural environment are to participate in activities that are mindful of the ecology. 

Joining a beach clean-up drive is a great way to give back to the community you’re enjoying. 

Contributing to cleaning up the local environment makes the place better for you and the next person. Plus, it’s also a great way to connect with like-minded travelers. 

Another popular way to connect deeply with nature is to explore the rich biodiversity around Santa Teresa. A great choice is to join a guided tour that responsibly educates visitors about local ecosystems instead of a commercialized tour emphasizing luxury or comfort. 

Sustainable vacation activities: 

• Choose activities mindful of the local ecosystem. 
• Participate in a beach clean-up drive. 
• Take a guided biodiversity tour. 
• Take a guided wildlife tour.

Explore the Town Responsibly 

Tourism is the main income source in a place like Santa Teresa, Costa Rica. 

Where you spend your money matters, so taking your business to places prioritizing local and sustainable practices will support businesses aligning with your values. 

Shopping and dining at local shops can support the local economy and reduce your ecological impact. 

When you want to dine out, choose restaurants that serve dishes made with organic, locally sourced ingredients. You’ll enjoy a completely different type of cuisine while supporting local agriculture and reducing ‘food miles.’ 

When you shop for souvenirs, choose unique crafts from local artisans over mass-produced souvenirs.  

Here are some tips for shopping and dining out sustainabiliy: 

• Shop and dine at local shops. 
• Choose restaurants serving organic, local dishes. 
• Choose arts and crafts from local artisans. 
• Community businesses and traditional craftsmanship. 

Community and Culture 

In Santa Teresa, you can deepen your travel experience and connection with the local community by engaging with authentic local traditions and community life. 

If you participate in a local festival, the experience will last a lifetime. And the most important advantage is that nothing you do will be ecologically out of place. 

Ask your local hotel staff or tourism offices about cultural events or upcoming festivals. Witnessing these celebrations first-hand can enrich your trip and give a fillip to important community events. 

Additional Tips for Eco-friendly Travel 

Here are some additional tips to consider when exploring the natural areas around Santa Teresa. These tips can help reduce your impact on the surrounding natural treasures. 

• Stick to the Path: Use marked trails to protect flora and fauna. 
• Watch Your Water Use: Take shorter showers and reuse towels. Water conservation is crucial in many parts of Costa Rica. 
• Eliminate Little: Avoid single-use plastics by bringing reusables. 
• Manage Your Waste: Properly sort your waste or, better yet, take it back to town. 
• Respect Wildlife: Observe animals from afar, don’t feed them, and avoid buying products made from endangered species.

Contribute to the Global Effort 

Travelling sustainably in Santa Teresa means enjoying its natural wonders without guilt and preserving ecological wonders for the future.  

By making eco-friendly choices in how you travel, stay, eat, and explore, you can contribute to the global sustainability movement to protect our planet and inspire others to travel sustainably.