Costa Rica's eco-resorts are rewriting the rules of luxury travel
Pull up to the sunny grounds of the W Hotel in Costa Rica's Reserva Conchal, and it feels like stepping into the heart of nature — think "Jurassic Park," minus the dinosaurs. The salty breeze from the beach stirs the surrounding forest, underscoring how seamlessly nature is woven into every aspect of life here. The country's natural wonders are always front and center. Here, sustainability isn't just an initiative — it's a way of life. Located on Costa Rica's Pacific coast in the Guanacaste province, Reserva Conchal is 2,300 acres of lush green landscape, hugging white-sand beaches and serving as a community nexus for conservation efforts. Nestled within the grounds of Reserva Conchal is Huerta Najui, an agricultural project focused on empowering and employing local women. Before joining Huerta Najui, Wendy Salazar was focused on caring for her family. Today, as head manager, she grows tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers — ingredients that will soon appear in the kitchens of the W and Westin Costa Rica. "By having our own income, we stopped depending on partners and became more independent women, capable of supporting our families," says Salazar of the team of four. "This project also has a significant environmental impact by generating organic products free of pesticides, which supply part of the needs of onsite hotels." The greenhouse project farms all products by hand, eliminating the need for pesticides, and is run by a group of local women. To minimize barriers to entry, no prior work experience was required when the program began in 2019. The women received training, and today, the Huerta grows all the ingredients used at both the W Costa Rica Reserva Conchal and The Westin Reserva Conchal. We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism One of the greenhouse's most intriguing plants is the clitoria flower, a vibrant bloom native to Southeast Asia. Known for its rich antioxidants and healing benefits, it also…