La Ecoalbergue

Apparently, one can´t throw a rock in this part of the world without hitting an ecolodge. Ecotravel is the result of the demand for a certain kind of travel which is more sustainable and carries less negative impact than traditional tourism. Traditional tourism inherently has its problems such as over-development, cultural appropriation and transformation, and the exploitation of labor and resources. Certain travelers, my self included, try to find a way to combine their desire to see the world with their desire to protect what they are seeing from exploitation. While ecotravel is growing in popularity and there are many organizations which collect and disseminate information about this form of travel, one can slap the word "eco" in front of anything they want, insuring that you encounter a wide range of "eco" lodges on your journey. I´ve stayed at fully sustainable, smart, and effective ecolodges, I´ve stayed at places that focus a bit more on adventure travel or nature rather than social issues, and I´ve stayed at places whose extent of eco-friendliness is a sign reminding you to not leave the water running while you brush your teeth. There is even an ecolodge in Nicaragua where you can stay guilt-free for a mere $US400 a night.

That said, I thought I´d share my experience at La Finca Esperanza Verde, a shining example of sustainable tourism. Started as a sister city project between San Ramon, Nicaragua and Durham, North Carolina by a retired architecht and social justice activist, the finca is a coffee plantation which houses a guest lodge. In the midst of Nica´s "ruta de café," this fair-trade organic coffee is grown and harvested by workers from the local communities of Yucul and San Ramon. High up in the mountains, the lodge boasts a breathtaking view of mountains and rain forest as far as you can see. Guests of the lodge stay in rustic, yet lovely cabins and are served three home-cooked meals a day. There is hiking, horseback riding, a mariposaria (butterfly house), camping, cooking classes, and lots of wildlife. During harvest season guests can volunteer to help, learning about the organic coffee growing process. All profits from the coffee and the lodge go back into the San Ramon community. The project has built two schools and a library so far. All of the employees are from the community as well. The lodge is solar powered and has its own water filtration system...you can drink from the taps. The finca hosts educational seminars for kids and other local coffee growers. In addition to staying at the lodge, the organization will set you up with a homestay in San Ramon so that you might learn a bit about Nica culture. My stay at the finca was definately one of the highlights of my trip and by far the best example of ecotravel that I have experienced. This hasn´t gone unnoticed as the lodge is nationally and internationally recognized. I´ll post a link to the San Ramon/Durham project for anyone who is interested in hearing more.

I hope that ecotravel continues to grow in popularity and I would be especially pleased to see it become more common place in my own country.

Thanks to my cousin Francesca for recommending that I visit the finca!