Posts Tagged ‘green travel’

Things to do in El Salvador: Surfing in El Salvador

Friday, November 12th, 2010

Barra de Santiago, El Salvador

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.

El Salvador Ecotourism: Ruta de las Flores

Tuesday, October 5th, 2010

During the months of October through February the flowers are blooming on the Ruta de las Flores, or “Route of the Flowers.” The road, which is located near our eco resort, gets its name from the white flowers that blossom on coffee plants that are in region. The “Route” through its 36 kilometer road will take you through El Salvador’s coffee growing region and links five towns together where locals have kept their traditions and culture very much alive.

In the town of Nahuizalco, you will be able to admire the beautiful hand-crafted furniture and enjoy the night market that is illuminated by oil lamps, lanterns, and candles. Juayúa offers one of the largest food and artisan festivals where you will be amazed at the variety of local and international food that you can eat. A notable black Christ statue is located in Juayúa at La Iglesia del Cristo Negro or “Black Christ Church.”

Apaneca has two lagoons, Laguna Verde or Green Lagoon and Laguna de las Ninfas or “Nymphs Lagoon,” which provides for stunning landscapes. You can soar over Apaneca through forests while getting a bird’s eye view of the area with an Apaneca Zip Line Tour.

Every weekend in Salcoatitán, you can enjoy a large selection of food in front of the colonial church of San Miguel Arcángel. El Salvador’s first coffee plantation was located in Salcoatitán. Be sure to check out the local art galleries and eco-art.

The “Route” ends with the village of Concepción de Ataco. Concepción de Ataco is rich in history as it dates back to pre-Columbian times. There are viewpoints where you can gaze at the town and its surroundings. While driving, there are multiple viewpoints where you will be able to pull over and enjoy the scenic views that El Salvador has to offer. La Cocotera’s closeness to Ruta de las Flores makes this a must do activity for any eco-friendly traveler.

Traveling Green: Ecolodge Packing Tips

Friday, September 4th, 2009

beach-hammocks

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.

Being Environmentally Friendly: How to Travel Green

Monday, April 27th, 2009

bungalow-view-biker

Eco travel is a phrase that has been tossed around in travel blogs and recent travel news, but what does it really mean? While you don’t have to forfeit all  worldly possessions, there are plenty of little changes that you can make to do your part and travel green. Here are few tips on How to Travel Green:

  • Take fewer, longer trips. Save all of your vacation time  for one big trip a year, rather than several small ones throughout.
  • Choose destinations with easy access to other areas so you get the most out of your trip.  You’ll  save money, meet more local people, and get a lot of exploring and learning done all in one trip.
  • If you need to get around at your destination, use public transportation, walk, or even bike whenever possible.
  • When renting a car, choose the smallest vehicle that can comfortably accommodate you and your travel party, or rent a hybrid.
  • Stay at an eco friendly resort
  • Take an eco tour - learn about the local people and  natural environment
  • Recycle in your hotel room -   many hotels have begun implementing a linen re-use program. You can contribute to the green movement not only by reusing linens and sheets, but by saving your recyclable trash too. Leave a note for the housekeeping staff so they know not to wash your linens.
  • If possible, unplug everything in your hotel room to conserve energy.
  • Use your own toiletries instead of the provided ones.
  • Keep your showers short, and shut off the water while you’re brushing your teeth.
  • When you leave the room, turn off the air conditioning, heat, television, lights or any other electric devices.

La Cocotera -  Environmentally Friendly Resort in El Salvador

La Cocotera was built following the “green leaf” system utilized by the Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST). Our hotel features:

  • Solar energy
  • Energy saving light bulbs/ kinesthetic power flashlights
  • Biological (not chemical) waste water recycling treatment plant
  • Environmentally safe products, shampoos and soaps
  • All cleaning products are environmentally safe
  • Recycling of plastics, paper and glass
  • Ionization pool filtration

La Cocotera also offers ecotourism opportunities such as a Turtle Release program and nature tours. To learn more, visit our Ecotourism Page!