Eco Travel Tips from Your Environmentally Friendly Resort

July 28th, 2009

Traveling around the world can offer some of the greatest inspiration to preserve this wonderful gem that we call Earth, but traveling can also be harmful for the unaware eco-consumer.

In an effort to witness all the natural beauty of Central America and its world renowned national parks, make an effort to avoid inadvertent damage. Take these steps from National Geographic’s Traveler for the ultimate guide to sustainable travel:

  • Try booking a stay at an environmentally friendly resort or hotel. Be mindful of the global impacts of resources used; take initiative to find a local eco friendly hotel or even community environmental programs near your lodging.  Visit  LaCocoteraResort.com to read about our environmentally friendly methods and our Green Leaf Certification.
  • Make sure to unplug your home or office when you leave for a vacation. Responsible traveling begins at home! Before you head out, make sure to unplug any appliance that won’t be in use while you’re away, such as computers, phone chargers, televisions, video game players and microwaves. According to Thomas Kostigen, co-author of The Green Book, “as much as 10 percent of the electricity used in your home is wasted energy burned by adapters, chargers, computers and other appliances that we leave plugged in when we’re not using them.”
  • When you are making preparations for your trip, go paperless. Use online resources to plan and book your trip, and only when necessary, print out maps and other materials at home on recycled paper.
  • To lessen the negative impact of your travels - and help ensure optimum positive impact - thoroughly research your destination before you book. Traveling to some destinations during the market-induced high season can increase your overall negative impact, so planning a month earlier or later can be beneficial.
  • Finally, visit during a festival, or schedule your trips in conjunction with vibrant, local celebrations that provide a window into the culture and help support traditional crafts and customs. This helps sustain local economies and cultures. Travelers support the living culture because they spend money on food, lodging, locally made crafts or local events. One of our most popular events at our hotel is the turtle release program, which helps the eco system and supports the culture without inadvertently trampling it.

All these methods are simple and helpful ways to travel better and show respect for the ecosystem both in your own home and all they way across the world.

Barra de Santiago Myth: The Legend of Chasca

July 23rd, 2009

La Cocotera Eco Friendly Resort Estuary

The estuary and mangroves next to our eco friendly resort in Barra de Santiago may have a little more magic than just the chirping of birds and rustling of wildlife. Popular among villagers is a myth called The Legend of Chasca, a tale about the goddess of fishing.

According to the story, Chasca was once a beautiful princess who fell in love with a Prince named Acayet.  When Chasca’s father, Pachacuet, discovered their love affair, he ordered that Prince Acayet be killed.  Devastated by the news of her lover’s death, Chasca threw herself into the waters of La Barra de Santiago, and was never heard from again.  To this day, people  say that Chasca still appears on some nights, sailing in a white canoe and that it is a sign of good fishing conditions. On these nights, the villagers recite these verses:

“Fisherman the moon is out
Unwrap your fishing net
This night is of good fortune
Since the beautiful white canoe is coming,
Fear not, Chasca is good,
There is nobody like Chasca.”

Source: http://elsalvadorturismo.gob.sv/ingles/ahuachapan.htm

You too can paddle through the enchanted waters of Barra de Santiago when you stay at our eco friendly resort. To learn more about La Cocotera and our beachfront accommodations, visit lacocoteraresort.com

Eco Resort Eats: The Food of El Salvador

July 16th, 2009

seafood

The food in El Salvador is hearty and full of soul,  and at La Cocotera eco resort, we know this well.  It may not be the most figure-friendly cuisine, but it definitely has a lot of character.

A typical El Salvadoran diet includes rice, beans and seafood, particularly for those who live on the coast. A variety of traditional dishes are also unique to El Salvador,  including the famous Pupusa, a round corn tortilla stuffed with cheese and other elements, usually refried beans or chicharron (seasoned, fried pork rinds). There are also vegetarian options with ayote (a type of squash), or garlic.

El Salvador cuisine also includes indulgent fare such as fried sliced plantains (platanos), which are commonly served with beans, sour cream and cheese, and sometimes with eggs,  yucca (cassava) root with chicharron, pastelitos de carne (similar to meatloaf), handmade tortillas, or panes con pavo (marinated turkey sandwiches). Panes con pavo is traditionally served with turkey, tomato, and watercress along with cucumber, onion, lettuce, mayonnaise, and mustard.

Other traditional dishes include Yuca frita,  fried yucca served with chicharon or curtido (pickled cabbage, onion and carrot), and panes relleno, a Salvadorean style torta topped with a spicy sauce. Soups and stews are also extremely popular.

At La Cocotera eco resort, you can enjoy fresh El Salvador seafood dishes, freshly squeezed juice and locally grown and roasted coffee, all included in your stay. Meals are prepared in the kitchen daily and are served in the open air rancho adjacent to the pool.

Come enjoy a delicious meal with us at our eco resort in El Salvador!

“Responsible Traveler” Pledge for Eco Resorts and Visitors

June 30th, 2009

A corner stone of our tropical El Salvador eco resort is, of course, a great concern for the environment that is shared by many of the patrons and guests here. Beyond booking an eco-friendly resort for a vacation, an organization called the World Heritage has put together an online Responsible Travel Pledge, a list to help travelers remain mindful during their journey. By signing the Friends of World Heritage, the list hopes to empower others and help preserve the natural and cultural attributes that make places you visit, like El Salvador, unique.

Actions that visitors can take to alleviate any ecological footprint are understated but important. The Responsible Travel Pledge challenges travelers to incorporate three basic tenets when planning a trip and when traveling to a World Heritage site:

  • Discover the natural and cultural beauty of World Heritage sites by learning about the history, customs, folklore, and biodiversity that make them so special.
  • Share their commitment to these sites with hotels, tour operators, and other travel-related entities.
  • Preserve the natural and cultural values of World Heritage sites by following designated trails, respecting local rules and customs, and not removing archaeological or biological treasures.

By signing the Responsible Traveler Pledge, travelers can take small but important steps to preserve  more than 850 places that the international community has recognized as World Heritage sites, and help ensure that these natural and cultural treasures remain for generations to come. Visit www.globalproblems-globalsolutions.org to learn more about World Heritage sites and to sign the Responsible Traveler Pledge.

Eco Tourism: Hiking in El Imposible National Park

June 29th, 2009

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Photo:  Daylife.com

Did you know? El Imposible National Park is so named for the once-treacherous El Imposible Pass, where a steep and narrow gorge between two mountains blocked the route of coffee farmers transporting their coffee by mule-train. In 1968, the government constructed a bridge at El Imposible Pass, opening up transportation from Tacuba to Cara Sucia.

El Imposible National Park is part of the Apaneca–Ilamatepec range of mountains and is located 70 miles west of capital city San Salvador.  The park is a protected natural area offering the largest biological diversity in El Salvador.

The park covers 12,850 acres of tropical mountain forest. More than 1,000 species of plants are found in the park,  as are such endangered animals as the puma, crested black eagle, emerald toucan, aardvark and white-tailed deer. El Imposible is considered one of the most important natural reserves in Central America not only because of its wildlife, but because it is one of the few existing examples of the typical Mesoamerican Pacific coastal rainforests. Access is by hiking and four-wheel-drive vehicle only.

There are 3 major trails in the park: a 1km nature hike, a 6-7km loop into the valley to see a delta of two rivers, and a 8-9km hike to Cerro Leon the highest point in the park.

La Cocotera’s proximity to  El Imposible National Park, make hiking a popular eco tourism activity for our visitors. Reservations and permits for each visitor are required in advance. Call or ask us at the front desk about El Imposible Tours and we’ll be happy to help you!

Planning Your Eco Resort Trip: A Map of Barra de Santiago and Surrounding Areas

June 25th, 2009

La Cocotera Eco Resort is located in the secluded and peaceful little town of Barra de Santiago. It is about an hour and a half drive from San Salvador and is situated right on the beach near the Guatemalan border. In order for prospective guests to get a better idea of where exactly they’ll be staying, we’ve decided to put up a few maps showcasing the area.

The arrival airport destination for those visiting our eco resort is capital city San Salvador. Airlines servicing  San Salvador include: American, United, Continental and TACA, the official airline of El Salvador. TACA (www.taca.com) flies daily non-stop from Los Angeles to San Salvador. Flight time is approximately 4 ½ hours.

Guests can also fly to San Salvador non-stop from most Central American capitals as well as connecting through the U.S. via Miami (2 ½ hours), Dallas (3 ½ hours), Washington, D.C. (4 ½ hours) or New York City (5 hours).

elsalvadormap

Ground transportation from and to San Salvador airport is included in the price of your stay and  it is approximately a 1 hour 45 minute drive. Helicopter and Private Plane transportation from to and from San Salvador airport is available at an additional cost.

barramap

La Cocotera Featured in Explore TACA Magazine

June 20th, 2009

TACA (www.taca.com) , the official airline of El Salvador, featured La Cocotera Resort in their in-flight magazine, Explore. TACA flies to 39 destinations in 22 countries in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean, including daily flights to 9 major U.S. cities. TACA flies daily non-stop from Los Angeles to San Salvador.

This sea turtle and its 11 bowl-mates had been born and raised in La Cocotera Resort & Ecolodge, the first true eco resort effort in El Salvador, and one of the few in Central America that carries the idea of being environmentally conscious through every aspect of its operation. “Part of being ‘eco’ is to not leave such a big footprint on the land,” says Joseph Bruderer-Schwab, founder of the resort. “I feel really proud and good inside, that I [created the resort] that way, with the environment in mind.”

Read the full article here

Eco Resort Nature Activities: Kayaking

June 17th, 2009

kayak

As an eco resort, one of the activities we encourage guests to try is kayaking. Our unique location allows guests to go ocean kayaking, or to take a kayak out and explore the variety of wildlife in the estuary.

Paddle along the coastline and discover beautiful sights and deserted beaches. If you prefer a more mellow adventure, kayak through the mangroves lining the resort and marvel at the majestic volcanic peaks that serve as the backdrop to the resort.

lake-coatepeque

Lake Coatepeque

If you want to make a day trip of it, visit Lake Coatepeque,  a beautiful crater-shaped lake located at the foot of the Santa Ana volcano. At 26 km wide and 120 meters deep, it is one of the region’s largest lakes and is particularly scenic with green slopes rising up 250 to 500 meters on all sides. The island in the center, called Teopan, is said to have been used as a spiritual retreat for ancient Mayan leaders.

Kayak use is included with your stay at La Cocotera Resort. Just ask and we’ll be happy to help you arrange your trip!

La Cocotera Named One of MSNBC’s Top 10 Central American Beach Eco Resorts

May 18th, 2009

La Cocotera is a very secluded place, but it’s beautiful natural surroundings and charming accommodations cannot help but catch the eye of seasoned travelers. MSNBC.com recently published an article on  the Top 10 Central American Beach Escapes, and La Cocotera made the list! Here’s what they had to say:

With tourism so new here, visitors are often treated more like friends of the family. The country’s Balsam Coast is known as a surfers’ paradise, but those seeking solitude should check out the ultra-remote Barra de Santiago, on the northern Pacific coast, a national park with estuaries and mangroves on a broad, tawny sandbar. Inside the park, El Salvador’s first eco resort, La Cocotera Resort & Ecolodge, debuts in style with thatched-roof bungalows set in a stand of coconut palms. In August and September, guests can see thousands of endangered Olive Ridley turtles hatch in the park’s sanctuary and then help release them into the ocean. Getting there entails a complimentary 1.5-hour car transfer from San Salvador or, at an extra cost, a chartered plane or helicopter ride.

Read the full article here!

What is a Turtle Release Program?

May 12th, 2009

turtle release program in central america

Turtle Release programs are a type of wildlife conservation program in which participants can adopt a baby turtle and help release it into the ocean. These types of programs not only help preserve these animals, they’re also a great way to learn about the turtles and their habitat.

At La Cocotera Eco Lodge, guests have the opportunity to take part in this wonderful project. Our Turtle Release Program is for the Olive Ridley turtle, one of the smallest species of sea turtle. It is named for the olive-green color of its heart-shaped shell. Olive Ridley turtles are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The turtles nest on the La Cocotera beach and instead of letting the eggs be eaten, we purchase them from locals and allow them to hatch, raise them and release them. This turtle release program in Central America allows La Cocotera to safely release thousands of Olive Ridley turtles each year. Come experience this wonderful event and set baby turtles free in the ocean!

olivebabies

Want to learn more? We are a proud sponsor of a variety of ecotourism activities including nature tours of local forests, kayak bird tours, and a Species Reintroduction Program for the Scarlet Macaw. Find out more on our Ecotourism page!