Posts Tagged ‘barra de santiago’
Thursday, April 14th, 2011
When you come to La Cocotera Eco Lodge and Resort and stay at our eco resort be sure to go on our “Behind the Scenes Eco Tour.” The staff at our eco resort would be more than happy to show you our different eco processes at La Cocotera Eco Resort. We will show you our biological, not chemical, waste water recycling treatment plant. We will also show you our solar energy capabilities and our ionization pool filtration system.
You can also have the opportunity to participate in our turtle release program. The turtle release program is sponsored by our eco resort and allows hotel guest to aid in safely releasing thousands of newly hatched Olive Ridley turtle into the ocean every year.
Don’t forget about our Species Reintroduction Program. La Cocotera is the proud sponsor ofEl Salvador’s official program to reintroduce the Scarlet Macaw into the country. Guests can learn all about this exciting program and meet people involved in the project. Guests of the eco resort can also see our Scarlet Macaws and the latest edition to our birds, our Yellow-Naped Parrots.
Tags: barra de santiago, behind the scenes eco tour, eco resort, eco resort El Salvador, La Cocotera, olive ridley turtle, Scarlet Macaws, Species Reintroduction Program, turtle release program, yellow-naped parrots
Posted in Eco Travel Tips, Travel Guides, Travel News, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Wednesday, February 16th, 2011
Our eco resort is proud to announce the latest additions to the parrots that we have at our eco resort. We have received two yellow-naped parrots named “Pancho” and “Patricio.” Pancho was given to La Cocotera after he was found in an abandoned house in El Salvador by the police. The police did not know what to do with him so they gave him to La Cocotera. We do not know much about Pancho’s background; but, we can assume that he was taken care of by a few women because he will say women’s names like, “Carmen” and “Maria.” At La Cocotera, we are very impressed by his extensive vocabulary. Patricio is only a baby parrot and Pancho has been teaching him to talk. Pancho, for example, would say, “¡abarra la puerta!” Now, Pancho and Patricio say, “¡abarra la puerta!” which means in English, “open the door.” Patricio was found in the area near La Cocotera as a chick in a nest that had been poached.
Our two new yellow-naped parrots are a great new addition to the Scarlet Macaws that are part of our Species Reintroduction Program. Yellow-naped parrots are endangered. Deforestation of the regions these birds are from along with the illegal removing of the young for pet trade contribute to the decline in numbers of yellow-naped parrots. Yellow-naped parrots are all green when they are young and as they mature they develop the “yellow-nape” on their necks. 
When you’re staying at La Cocotera, be sure to check out the yellow-naped parrots! See if you can even teach the parrots some new words to say, they love to talk!
Tags: barra de santiago, eco resort photos, ecoresort, ecotourism, El Salvador Species Reintroduction, El Salvador tourism, endangered species, La Cocotera, Scarlet Macaws, Species Reintroduction Program, talking parrot, things to do in El Salvador, yellow-naped parrots
Posted in Activities & Events, La Cocotera Updates, Travel News | 1 Comment »
Monday, December 20th, 2010
During the holiday season, taking a vacation to a tropical destination and staying in an eco resort is a great alternative to a “white Christmas.” Instead of being cold and surrounded by snow, why not go to El Salvador and have a relaxing trip on the beach and feel the sand in between your toes. While staying at an eco resort in El Salvador, you can enjoy fresh local food and there are a wide range of activities that you can do.
For breakfast, La Cocotera provides a delicious breakfast buffet. The breakfast buffet includes: fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, French pastries and breads, locally grown and roasted coffee and fresh juice. El Salvador is a major coffee producing country in the world and you will be able to taste how truly delicious it is when you able to consume El Salvadorian coffee at the source. Lunch and dinner is prepared with all fresh ingredients and local fresh fish and seafood are available daily. You can eat poolside in the open air dining area and enjoy the ocean breeze. The restaurant is has beautiful scenery and has a nice backdrop of coconut, mango, and almond trees that have inhabited the area for years and produce an abundance of fruit.
The Barra de Santiago is a nice relaxing beach in El Salvador. While you are staying at La Cocotera and on the beach, you will feel like you are in your own tropical paradise. The Barra de Santiago is a great place to go surfing in El Salvador because the beach is not crowded and you can surf without competing for a wave. You can also kayak, water ski, and go fishing.
Spending your holiday in a warm tropical paradise like El Salvador definitely beats the cold and snow and La Cocotera would love to have you for the holiday season. So when you are thinking about how to spend your vacation, why not go to El Salvador and stay at an ecoresort?
Tags: barra de santiago, beaches in El Salvador, eco activities, eco friendly resort, eco lodge, eco lodge in central america, eco resort, eco travel blog, ecoresort, El Salvador travel, environmentally friendly resort, kayaking el salvador, surfing in Central America, surfing in el salvador, things to do in El Salvador
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Wednesday, November 24th, 2010
La Cocotera Eco Resort
El Salvador is the perfect destination for any nature lover seeking an eco-friendly travel experience. Staying at an eco resort and lodge in El Salvador is the first step to your ecotourism experience in El Salvador. La Cocotera was built following the “green leaf” system utilized by the Certification Sustainable Tourism (CST). Our goal at La Cocotera was to build a resort that our guests would find luxurious at no expense to the environment or residents. La Cocotera allows you to have a place to stay in El Salvador and be a tourist without damaging the environment while you are visiting.
At La Cocotera, we built an eco resort that seeks to try to minimize the impact that conventional tourism has on the environment. We attempt to reduce the negative environmental impact by using solar energy, energy saving light bulbs, biological (not chemical) waste water recycling treatment, environmentally safe shampoos, soaps, and all cleaning supplies, ionization pool filtration, and recycling of plastics, paper, and glass.
The Barra de Santiago is an excellent location for bird watching. La Cocotera is part of El Salvador’s official program to reintroduce Scarlet Macaws into the country. Scarlet Macaws have been extinct in El Salvador for the last fifty years. While bird watching in El Salvador and staying at an eco resort, you can learn more about the Scarlet Macaw program and ask questions to the people involved while they are staying at our eco resort.
We also have an Olive Ridley turtle release program. In the Olive Ridley turtle release program, we buy turtle eggs that would otherwise be sold to be eaten, allow the eggs to hatch, raise the turtles, and then release the Olive Ridley turtles into the Pacific Ocean. The conservation of the Olive Ridley turtles is a serious concern and we are so pleased that at our eco resort we can help the Olive Ridley turtles.
Tags: barra de santiago, Certification Sustainable Tourism, eco friendly travel, eco resort, ecotourism, El Salvador travel, Scarlet Macaws, Species Reintroduction Program, things to do in El Salvador
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Friday, November 12th, 2010
Barra de Santiago, El Salvador
There are many things to do in El Salvador; however, surfing in El Salvador has become increasingly popular in recent years. For one thing, the beaches in El Salvador are not crowded making surfing in El Salvador a nice tranquil surfing location. The best time to surf in El Salvador is during March to October when swells can reach 10 feet; however, surfing in El Salvador is remarkable year round.
El Salvador is set facing south so the country is arguably one the best place for waves in Central America for south swells. The right hand point waves are a dream for any surfer. There are over 200 miles of beaches in El Salvador which means that there are many possible places to surf in El Salvador. La Libertad and El Sunzal are probably some of the more well-known El Salvadorian beaches, but Barra de Santiago should not be overlooked at all.
At Barra de Santiago, you can look forward to consistent surfing in El Salvador year round. The sandy beaches at Barra de Santiago provide for a nice beach break rather than the point breaks at some of the other beaches in El Salvador. Whether you are an experienced surfer or have never surfed before and just want to try it, surfing in El Salvador is something that you should experience. While surfing is near the top of the list of things to do in El Salvador, at Barra de Santiago there are many things to do.
When you are staying at an eco resort in El Salvador, there are a variety of things to do when you maybe want to take a break from surfing but don’t want leave the beach. There is year round fishing in El Salvador which can provide for a relaxing experience. You can also kayak, sail, and water ski.
Tags: barra de santiago, beaches in El Salvador, Central America travel, eco activities, eco friendly resort, eco resort, eco travel blog, El Salvador Beachfront Hotel, El Salvador hotel, El Salvador travel, environmentally friendly resort, green travel, kayaking el salvador, surfing, surfing in Central America, surfing in el salvador, surfing location, things to do in El Salvador
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Monday, July 19th, 2010
From popular beaches such as El Sunzal and El Tamarindo to lesser known spots like La Barra de Santiago, such ideal locations, have made surfing in El Salvador a must for the surfing enthusiast to the novice surfer. If you are looking for warm, tropical weather, unspoiled beaches and challenging waves, then El Salvador has everything you need.
The beautiful beaches and favorable geographical location of El Salvador’s long stretch of Pacific coastline provide some of the world’s best areas for surfing. With mostly vacant waters, El Salvador’s beaches are not only the perfect place to catch a wave, but to soak up the sun and explore the natural surroundings in serenity.
For the longest wave in El Salvador that’s perfect for both long and short boards, try El Sunzal. The waves are big and surfers are often found spending their time here. In fact, many wave seekers refer to El Salvador’s coast as a “surfer’s heaven.” The coast to the west of El Sunzal has many beach breaks and a few river mouths, and it enjoys some of the most consistent surf in the country of El Salvador.
El Salvador has a dry season (November - April) and a wet season (May-October). While the wet season is characteristic of rain, there is also plenty of sunshine and the biggest surf. Waves up to 8-12 ft are not uncommon! The dry season offers beautiful sunny weather and calmer waves, with more consistent surf. Depending on what kind of vacation you prefer, either season may have just the perks you’re looking for.
Experienced surfers may want to check out Barra de Santiago. It is a small coastal village with deserted beaches and consistent year round surf. Beginners can go down the beach towards village where the waves are much softer. When you’re not surfing, you can explore the estuary, observe the local wildlife or just enjoy the gentle breeze.
At just a short five hour flight from Los Angeles, surfing in El Salvador is well within reach for west coasters and a worthy vacation destination for those coming from farther away. At La Cocotera eco resort, you are only a few steps from the beach. Just roll out of bed, grab your surf board and go! Other water activities are also readily available, including kayaking through the Barra de Santiago estuary. La Cocotera is an all-inclusive resort, so leave the accommodations and meals up to us, and we’ll leave the surfing to you.
Tags: barra de santiago, beaches in El Salvador, eco friendly resort, eco lodge in central america, el salvador, environmentally friendly resort, kayaking, kayaking el salvador, surfing, surfing in Central America, surfing in el salvador, things to do in El Salvador
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Friday, October 16th, 2009
Olive Ridley Turtle
One of the great advantages of ecotourism is having the opportunity to witness the wonders of nature first hand. Just one of the many unique and amazing animals that reside in our little area of El Salvador is the Olive Ridley sea turtle. If you are lucky, you may be able to see this sea turtle on the Barra de Santiago beach.
Olive Ridley turtles get their name from the coloring of their heart-shaped shell, which starts out grey when they first hatch, but becomes olive green once the turtles are adults. Olive Ridley turtles are one of the smallest species of sea turtle, with adults reaching 2 to 2.5 feet in length and weighing 80 to 110 pounds.
Female Olive Ridleys have a remarkable way of nesting that sets them apart from other animals. Large groups of turtles gather off shore, then simultaneously come ashore to nest and lay their eggs. The nesting rush is known as an “arribada”, which is Spanish for “arrival”. During these arribadas, hundreds to thousands of females come ashore to lay their eggs.
The Olive Ridley turtle’s conservation status is threatened, which means it is likely to become endangered unless the circumstances threatening its survival and reproduction improve. In breeding populations on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, the Olive Ridley turtle is endangered. The main cause of the historical decline of the Olive Ridley sea turtle is the collection of eggs and killing of adults on nesting beaches.
Olive Ridley Turtles
At La Cocotera Eco Resort, we sponsor a turtle release program that allows guests to participate in the release of baby Olive Ridley turtles into the Pacific ocean. Our eco lodge aims to promote ecotourism and inspire guests to help preserve our natural environment. We purchase the eggs from locals and raise them until they are ready to be released. If you would like to learn more about our eco resort and the turtle release program, contact us at info [at] lacocoteraresort.com
Tags: barra de santiago, eco lodge, eco resort, ecotourism, el salvador, Olive Ridley sea turtle, turtle release program
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Tuesday, October 6th, 2009
El Salvador is slowly earning a reputation as the ideal place for sun, surf and peaceful solitude. Travel to this tropical area is on the rise as word gets out about ideal surfing conditions, unique wildlife, beautiful beaches and captivating culture. For those who seek a travel experience a little bit off the beaten path, but with the trimmings of a picturesque beach vacation, La Cocotera ecolodge should be your first stop. In her article for the Travel Section of The New York Times Online, Bonnie Tsui dotes on the charm and beauty of El Salvador:
“A lingering reputation of El Salvador as a war-torn place has kept many foreign visitors at bay, but the country’s beaches, volcanic craters, pristine cloud forests and bird sanctuaries are setting it up to be the next Costa Rica, without the crowds. Authentic local experiences abound: rustic roadside stands everywhere sell pupusas, the country’s famous corn tortillas, usually filled with gooey cheese and refried beans. Out on the water, seasoned oyster divers, their floats and nets bobbing on the surface, are ready to chat between trips down to the rocky seabed.”
Like any area that experiences a spike in travel, big hotels have begun to sprout. By traveling to smaller coastal villages such as Barra de Santiago, you will experience the same El Salvador that Tsui describes. With waves that are mellow but challenging, mouth-watering local fare, friendly local people and plenty of opportunity for nature exploration, staying at an El Salvador ecolodge is a travel experience you don’t want to miss.
Read the full article on El Salvador travel at travel.nytimes.com
Tags: barra de santiago, ecolodge, ecotourism, el salvador, El Salvador travel, New York Times Travel
Posted in La Cocotera Updates, Travel News | 1 Comment »
Friday, September 4th, 2009
Traveling green doesn’t just mean staying at an ecolodge or turning off the lights when you leave your bungalow, you can pack green too! Here are some tips on what to bring to our El Salvador beachfront ecolodge and how to keep it eco-friendly.
El Salvador has a tropical climate with two seasons: verano, or dry season (November to April), and invierno, or wet season (May to October). Rainfall during this time is usually a single downpour during the day or night with the rest of the day being sunny. The year round average air temperature is between 70 ° - 90 ° F (or 21 ° – 32 ° C), with the hottest months typically being March and April.
Remember to bring lightweight, waterproof outerwear if you plan to travel during the wet season. To keep things wet/dry while you are out and about on excursions, such as a tour of El Imposible National Park, simply re-use old plastic bags as containers.
Pack light! Barra de Santiago is a tropical area so you don’t need to bring any heavy clothes. Packing lighter will lighten the load for you and for all your transportation vehicles. Bring a mix of long and short sleeve shirts for hot days and cooler nights. Instead of denim, which can be heavy and uncomfortable in the humidity and heat, opt for breathable materials for shorts and pants.
If you plan to embark on any eco tours, remember to bring hiking and/or walking shoes along with your beach shoes. On a similar note, bringing a day travel bag for hikes or eco tours is a great way to keep the essentials (sunscreen, water bottle, etc.) with you as you explore the area.
At La Cocotera, we encourage our guests to explore the wonderful natural area surrounding the ecolodge, from the ocean to the estuary to the mangroves. While you’re out and about, it’s a good idea to wear bug repellent. Many repellents products contain harsh chemical ingredients that are bad for the environment and for you. Look for non-chemical repellents, or better yet, make your own! Good herbs that repel mosquitoes include basil, eucalyptus, cloves, geranium, peppermint, rosemary and lemon balm (citronella). You can make your own repellent by combining 10 drops essential oil (see list of herbs, above, for choices) 2 tablespoons vegetable oil. Combine the ingredients in a glass jar; stir to blend. Dab a few drops on your skin or clothing.
Tags: barra de santiago, eco friendly travel, eco tours, Eco Travel Tips, ecolodge, el salvador packing list, green packing list, green travel
Posted in Eco Travel Tips | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
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
Tags: barra de santiago, eco friendly resort, ecotourism, goddess of fishing, Legend of Chasca
Posted in Arts & Culture | No Comments »
