9 nights 
Flags are clickable
9 nights
Flags are clickable
Costa Rica is hot and that is not without reason. The army was abolished back in 1948. In the late 80’s, only 23% of its surface was covered with forest. Until Alvaro Umana, 34 years old, became the first Minister of Environmental Affairs. The ‘architect of reforestation’ is responsible for the fact that now, in 2023, 56% of the country is green, covered with lush tropical rain forest. The energy supply of Costa Rica has been 99% renewable for the past 8 years. The cherry was put on the cake when the General Assembly of the United Nations declared Costa Rica to be the ‘greenest country in the world’ in September 2019.
The Costa Rican jungle is teeming with wildlife. The best way to describe Costa Rica, is to talk about its fauna. You will find them everywhere. Sloths and monkeys, toucans and parrots, whales and turtles. Besides, Costa Rican nature is often very accessible. With or without a guide. Just make sure that the only footprint you leave, will be the one of your boots.
Costa Rica truly is a little paradise. And it is our responsibility to keep it that way. Living the Green Circle Experience implies that you support our goal to become known as ‘’the most sustainable experience in the greenest country of the world’’. It is up to you to decide if we deserve that claim. One thing is for sure. Costa Rica is….
Pura Vida!
Dear participant to the System Change Leaders Week,
You have decided to form part of an unprecedented event that aims to learn from a country that has paved the path for sustainable development around the globe. There is no better place to get inspired than right here in paradise.
This travel description aims to inform you about your means of transport and the places you will visit. Not all of you will stay with us for the same period of time, but you know yourself at which day you will have to travel back to what hopefully is your own little paradise back home. We will of course make sure you will make it back to the airport on time.
The Green Circle started back in 2014 and ever since, we have evolved into an experience that complies with everything that Costa Rica stands for. Respect, ambition, leadership and of course, sustainability. Both EatThis. and the Green Circle firmly believe that if you have a story to tell, why not have it told by someone else. In this case, one of our clients. Sit down and relax for this sneak preview of your Green Circle Experience!
The Green Circle started with 5 hotels back in 2014. Three of them make part of the System Change Leaders Week. Each Green Circle hotel excels in various ways, but all of them focus on sustainability and all of them have their carbon footprint measured by Green Circle Experience.
As soon as electric mobility started picking up, Green Circle was the first in Costa Rica to offer plug-in hybrid cars (2 Mitsubishi Outlanders). We also started to learn that sustainable mobility is not just about driving an electric vehicle instead of a traditional car. It is also about sharing versus property. The main reason why we started our own carsharing platform, Green Circle Wheels.
This week, all participants will be travelling in 6 of our electric cars that belong to Green Circle Wheels, better known as Nic Jaguar, YouCan, Kermit, Bitzu, Selvita and Deep Blue. Finally, 10 percent of the fee you pay for driving this car, will be donated to the cause that is connected to your car.
Deluxe room
Breakfast Ground transportation
Deluxe room
Breakfast Ground transportation
Hotel Grano de Oro, a founding father of the Green Circle, is a sustainable oasis in the hectic city of San Jose. You'll go back in time when staying in this gorgeous colonial building. The hotel was the family home of one of the most renowned entrepreneurial families in Costa Rica. More than 30 years ago, Eldon and Lori, a Canadian couple, bought the property and turned it into the upscale boutique hotel it is today.
To find more about Grano de Oro click here
Junior Suite
Breakfast
Junior Suite
Breakfast
The mountains of Monteverde, world-famous for its unique cloud forest. Located at 1400 m altitude Monteverde is surrounded by breathtaking landscapes. Monteverde was founded in 1951 by the Quakers, and their commitment to preserving half of their property resulted in today's protected cloud forest.
To find more about Valle Escondido click here
Bungalow
Breakfast
Bungalow
Breakfast
Head deeper into nature. On your way to your final destination near Boca Tapada, you will pass the small village of Pital, surrounded by pineapple plantations. To get to the Maquenque Eco Lodge, you must hop on a boat to cross the river. Getting there is part of the adventure. You will arrive in a peaceful oasis amid overwhelming lush nature.
Upon arrival, it is hard to believe that this place actually exists.
To find more about Maquenque Eco Lodge click here
Suite
Breakfast
Suite
Breakfast
Hacienda la Isla is the place where the Green Circle became a reality back in 2014. Based on the Golden Circle from Simon Sinek, 5 leading hotels and tour operator ‘Edventure’ decided to challenge the status quo in sustainable tourism. Hacienda La Isla is tucked away in a lush piece of rainforest not too far from the main road. The lodge boasts colonial grandeur and warm and welcoming hospitality in breathtaking nature.
To find more about Hacienda La Isla click here
Standard room
Breakfast
Standard room
Breakfast
You will be staying in the family-run Eco Boutique hotel Ave del Paraíso. The Polish/Costa Rican owners have great creative hearts and minds, reflected in the hotel's colorful design and attention to (sustainable) detail. Still, this Green Circle Member hotel is an oasis and space of calm in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. It's located next to the University of Costa Rica, surrounded by a unique green garden where you might spot a sloth.
To find more about Ave del Paraíso click here