Marriott Resorts in Costa Rica Raise the Standard on Sustainability

Surrounded by the steamy jungle of Costa Rica, Conchal Refuge Coordinator Santiago Diaz cracks open a buzzing bee hive, revealing carefully constructed prisms and perfect hexagons packed with honey. Schoolchildren squeal as bees spring from the hive until Diaz demonstrates how the stingless swarm poses no threat.

Designed to enhance pollination and teach locals and visitors about the importance of pollinators, programs like this one at Reserva Conchal Community Resort are more than just another one of Costa Rica’s ecologically-minded programs.

Managed in tandem with a pair of Marriott resorts that sit along the nature reserve’s beachfront, sustainability initiatives like this one demonstrate how even the world’s biggest hospitality brands can have an outsized sustainability impact.

Jewel of Guanacaste

Stretching across 2,300 acres of Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast, Reserva Conchal is a vast protected area located within the province of Guanacaste. It abuts some of the country’s most beautiful beaches, stretching north towards renowned luxury hideaways like Peninsula Papagayo and south towards surf towns like Nicoya, known as one of the world’s few “Blue Zones.” With new resorts, hotels, and villas springing up alongside Guanacaste’s beaches, it’s also the most rapidly growing region in the country, if not all of Latin America.

Despite the growth in the Guanacaste, the protected lands within Reserva Conchal feel untouched.

“A huge puma decided to take a nap directly in front of one of our trail cams a few days ago,” explains Diaz. More than just a fascinating sight to catch on camera, it’s a sign of the health of the ecosystem to have larger predators returning, he explains. “It means there’s plenty for them to eat.” As if on cue, a white-tailed deer darts out of the woods and makes for a river bank.

In addition to his work with bees, Diaz works on several different projects that keep the Reserve a richly diverse sanctuary for Costa Rica’s flora and fauna. A small covered corner near the apiary hides seedlings, young trees bearing everything from avocados and cashews to giant cascading bushels of flowers. Some native species are to be planted in the reserve, though some areas are so stringently protected that reforestation, even of native species, isn’t permitted.

“Many of these seedlings go to local organizations and farms. They request them, and we’re able to show locals how to care for and nourish the tree, which leaves a long impact on the community,” says Diaz.

Marriott Meets Reserva Conchal

Hidden amidst Reserva Conchal, two Marriott resorts crown the best sections of the long, luxurious beachfront that many locals claim to be one of the best in the entire region, if not the country.

On the north end of the beach is The Westin Reserva Conchal, a laid-back, family-friendly haven that perfectly fits the country’s pura vida vibe. Suites clustered in low-rise buildings dot the property, where spacious balconies with rocking chairs look out onto grassy grounds where kids play. Restaurants cluster around pools and beachfront, and a golf course, available to guests at both the resorts in Reserva Conchal, overlooks the ocean.

On the south side of the beach, W Costa Rica feels like a more cosmopolitan, design-forward escape hidden within the jungle. The cliffside spot offers stunning ocean views, stretching all the way across the reserve and beyond.

The W first debuted in 2018 but is still growing, recently adding a number of new residences, many of which are available for vacation rental and a perfect option for larger groups and multi-generational travel.

Part of Reserva Conchal’s appeal, beyond its beautiful beachfront and pristine natural setting, is its location in the heart of Guanacaste. It’s just a short drive from towering volcanoes, the booming beach town of Tamarindo, and plenty more picturesque beaches that dot the coastline.

“Overall, Guanacaste is like a microcosm of Costa Rica,” says Ana Carolina Peraza, Marketing Manager at W Costa Rica. “All of the best of Costa Rica is right here, within just an hour or two. I’d never say don’t visit the rest of the country, but if you want to find a place where you can experience it all at once, Guanacaste is the place to visit.”

Both resorts offer plenty of opportunities for excursions off the property, but Reserva Conchal is itself one of the attractions. From exploring trails crisscrossing the property to participating hands-on in the ethical and environmental programs at the Reserve, it’s a highlight for guests.

Large Scale, Large Impact

As our Reserva Conchal tour concludes, we stop by an expansive greenhouse and garden space run by three local women who spearheaded many of the property’s sustainable cuisine initiatives. We sip fresh juice made from the herbs, fruits, and flowers plucked from the garden bed, which supply the myriad of restaurants across the property. A short walk away, the property’s recyclable waste recovery center is responsible for recycling or reusing a whopping 94% of all the waste produced on the Reserve, saving thousands of tons from landfills every day.

“Many people don’t think this level of sustainability is possible at properties of this size and scale,” says Peraza. “But it absolutely is. There are challenges that come with working on such a large scale, especially when it comes to getting the buy-in and participation of everyone involved in sustainability projects from start to finish. However, the success of these programs is proof that it’s possible to be a positive force in the life of the land and the community.”

There is still plenty more to be done. Sustainability staff explain how they are diligently searching for innovative ways to shave off just a few more percentage points from the amount of waste the property still produces. However, just like the pumas prowling the forested corners of Reserva Conchal, their innovation is a sign of health. It shows just how far Reserva Conchal has already come.

Travel Journalist

Carley Rojas Ávila is a bilingual journalist, editor, and travel advisor. Carley is an expert on all things Latin America, the Caribbean, and Cuba, having lived and worked in four different countries in the region. She is the creator of Home to Havana and Loosely Local.