If you’re drawn to eco friendly resorts in Costa Rica, then chances are, you care deeply about your environmental impact, even (and perhaps especially!) while traveling.
You recycle. You seek out responsible experiences. You conserve water and energy. But it’s not quite enough in this day and age. And that leaves you dreaming of a vacation that does more than just pamper you – one that gives back. But you’re wondering if it is all just a dream: Can you travel not just sustainably, but in a way that leaves a positive impact?
The short answer: yes! At Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, that’s exactly what we offer. Here, luxury lives in harmony with Costa Rica’s lush biodiversity, and your stay really can help make a difference.
Hacienda Pinilla isn’t just a luxury resort community – it’s part of a vital conservation corridor on the Nicoya Peninsula. Located along Costa Rica’s sun-drenched North Pacific coast, our 4,500-acre gated community encompasses rare tropical dry forest, wildlife refuges, mangroves, estuaries, and three miles of pristine beaches. We share this land with monkeys, deer, anteaters, iguanas, and some of the most endangered sea turtles on Earth.
And from the bottom of our hearts, we believe that true luxury includes protecting the natural world that surrounds us. Here’s how you can join us:
Eco-Travel 101: Mitigating Your Impact
Before you even step off the plane in Liberia, Costa Rica, you can take meaningful steps to reduce your environmental impact.
We won’t get into all the details – you’re probably familiar with most of them already – but mitigating your travel footprint starts with simple, widely adopted practices: offsetting the carbon emissions of your flight,choosing nonstop routes, and packing light. Once you arrive, you can opt for low-impact ground transportation, support local businesses, and stay longer in one place to reduce the effects of overtourism.
The key lies in conscious travel. Costa Rica is one of the world’s leading destinations for regenerative travel – the kind of tourism that doesn’t just sustain, but actively benefits local communities and ecosystems. By staying at eco friendly resorts in Costa Rica, supporting community-led conservation, and respecting the natural rhythms of this place, you’re helping to shift travel from a burden to a blessing.
Eco Friendly Resorts in Costa Rica: What It Means at Hacienda Pinilla
This isn’t true everywhere but at Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, “eco-friendly” isn’t just a buzz phrase – it’s a philosophy. It means that we prioritize sustainability in everything we do: from how we build and maintain our properties, to how we interact with the land and wildlife, to how we welcome and educate our guests.
At Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, we work hand-in-hand with local conservation organizations to support reforestation, beach cleanup efforts, turtle conservation, and sustainable development practices. And we invite you to be a part of it. Whether you’re helping release baby sea turtles into the wild, planting native trees, or simply choosing a solar-powered villa, your stay here supports something greater than yourself.
A Sanctuary Within: Our Blue Flag Beaches & Audubon-Certified Golf Course
At Hacienda Pinilla, we believe that change begins from within.
That’s one of the reasons why we’re so proud to be home to not one, but three Blue Flag beaches – Playa Avellanas, Playa Langosta, and Playa Mansita. The Blue Flag Ecological Program is one of Costa Rica’s most respected environmental certifications, awarded only to beaches that meet stringent standards for water quality, safety, education, and environmental stewardship. When you stroll our sands, you’re experiencing some of the cleanest, most carefully protected coastline in the country.
And did you know? Hacienda Pinilla’s 18-hole championship golf course is a certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary. This means we use eco-conscious landscaping practices, water conservation techniques, and wildlife-friendly management to create a course that supports both sport and species. Native vegetation, wetland habitats, and migratory bird routes – plus the occasional croc trap (true story!) – are all preserved within the course design, creating a rare and inspiring example of luxury that aligns with sustainability.
Turtle Conservation Costa Rica: Witness the Magic of an Arribada
One of the most awe-inspiring wildlife events on Earth happens just south of Hacienda Pinilla, at Playa Ostional: the arribada. This mass nesting phenomenon sees thousands of olive ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) come ashore over a few magical, often moonlit nights to lay their eggs. If you’re lucky enough to witness it, you won’t just be watching a natural wonder – you’ll be staring straight into the heart of turtle conservation Costa Rica.
These gentle marine giants are classified as vulnerable – although certain populations and nesting sites are officially classified as endangered – and their survival depends on our responsible action. At Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, we work with certified guides and local organizations to promote safe, ethical turtle watching experiences. And at nearby Playa Avellanas and Playa Langosta, you can sometimes witness solitary turtle nesting in the moonlight – quiet, personal moments of wonder that will stay with you for a lifetime.
Learn more: Turtle Watching: Costa Rica Turtle Nesting – Where To Go & When
How You Can Help Protect Sea Turtles in Hacienda Pinilla
If you visit between May and November, you may be able to participate in a turtle conservation project. Local NGOs like PRETOMA and community groups organize beach patrols, hatchling releases, and nest monitoring sessions. As a guest, you’re welcome to join in – just ask our concierge, and we’ll connect you with a certified, eco-responsible group.
What you do during your visit matters, too. Simple actions like avoiding flash photography, wearing dark clothing on turtle tours, and never touching turtles or hatchlings can make a huge difference.
Reforestation & Rare Habitat Restoration in Guanacaste
While sea turtles get a lot of the spotlight, Costa Rica’s biodiversity is equally dependent on our forests. Hacienda Pinilla sits within one of the world’s rarest ecosystems: the tropical dry forest, which once stretched across the entire Pacific region of Costa Rica. Today, it’s among the most endangered ecosystems on the planet.
That’s why reforestation matters. Over the past decades, local conservation organizations have worked tirelessly to protect remaining dry forest and replant native species. At Hacienda Pinilla, we support these efforts through our own landscaping with diverse native species, the protection of green spaces, and partnerships with reforestation projects.
If you’re interested in getting your hands dirty (and your heart full), we can connect you with nearby tree-planting initiatives. These projects often focus on native species that support wildlife habitat and restore ecological balance. Planting even one tree can be a powerful act of hope!
Wildlife Watching & Citizen Science
One of the best ways to support conservation? Fall in love with the wild things. As you explore Hacienda Pinilla, keep your eyes open: Howler monkeys swing through the trees. White-tailed deer (Costa Rica’s national animal!) graze at dusk. Iguanas laze in the sun. And white-nosed coatis – long-nosed, raccoon-like mammals – wander curiously across the trails.
If you’re the curious type, consider becoming a citizen scientist during your stay. Apps like iNaturalist (all species) and eBird or Merlin (bird species) let you identify and log wildlife sightings, which contributes valuable data to global conservation efforts. Bonus points if you’re here during an official count, which happen a few times a year!
This kind of engagement is one of the reasons eco friendly resorts in Costa Rica are so special: they turn travelers into stewards of the land.
Beach Cleanups: Tiny Actions, Big Impact
Plastic pollution is a growing threat to Costa Rica’s (and the world’s) oceans and beaches. But you can be part of the solution. At Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, we organize beach cleanups and encourage our guests to join in. You don’t need to do much – or even wait for an official beach cleanup day: just grab a bag, take a walk, and help us keep our coastline clean.
Even if you’re not able to attend a scheduled cleanup, you can always make a difference. Bring a reusable water bottle. Say no to single-use plastics. Pick up trash when you see it. These may seem like small actions, but they help protect sea turtles, marine life, and the breathtaking beaches we all love.
Your Stay Makes a Difference
When you choose to vacation at Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, you’re not just selecting one of the most luxurious and eco friendly resorts in Costa Rica; you’re supporting a way of life that honors nature, protects biodiversity, and gives back to the land.
You can sleep in elegant, solar-powered villas. You’ll eat fresh, locally sourced cuisine. You’ll explore a coastline where conservation and comfort go hand-in-hand. And if you choose to get involved – by joining a turtle patrol, planting a tree, or simply learning more about Costa Rica’s ecosystems – your vacation will be more than a break from everyday life. It will be part of something meaningful.
From turtle conservation Costa Rica to reforestation efforts in Guanacaste, we’re proud to be part of a growing movement toward responsible luxury.
Spotlight on: Villa Alegria
6 Bedrooms | 6 Baths | 17 Guests
Introducing Villa Alegria, a luxurious retreat with a mini climbing wall, heated jacuzzi for 10, an expansive pool, and a fitness room, just a 5-minute walk to the beach!
Another beautiful example of sustainable luxury, the villa is fully solar-powered, allowing it to operate with minimal impact on the environment. The design prioritizes energy efficiency, from its construction materials to its use of renewable energy sources, ensuring a luxurious experience that aligns with the eco-conscious values we hold dear.
Step into a sanctuary that transcends the definition of a home: Casa Alegria (the Home of Joy) is a total retreat, where unforgettable moments are curated and crafted. Graciously accommodating up to 17 guests, the villa’s pièce de résistance is its colossal pool. This is not your average pool; it’s a veritable aquatic kingdom that includes a 3x3m heated Jacuzzi capable of hosting at least 10 people, creating a complete and private pool party experience. But the marvels don’t end there…
At Villa Alegria, each master bedroom boasts a breathtaking pool view and its own balcony or petite terrace. Imagine waking up, sliding open the door, and immersing yourself in a paradise right at your feet. For our youngest guests, the children’s bedroom transforms into a play haven with three bunk beds, a mini climbing wall, and a mezzanine for epic sleepover adventures.
Villa Alegria isn’t merely a home; it’s a lifestyle. Staying at Villa Alegria means enjoying the beauty of Costa Rica without compromising your commitment to sustainability.
Need Help Traveling Responsibly to Costa Rica?
Did you know that when you book adventure, adrenaline, and the best trip to Costa Rica with Luxury Villas Hacienda Pinilla, you gain access to our full concierge services?
When you book, we’ll get in touch to help you plan all the details of your stay. Our job is to get to know you, so we can help you plan the trip of your dreams. Whether you just need help arranging transportation or would like a full itinerary – everything from your airport shuttle to a full trip’s worth of activities, private chef services, and golf cart rental – we’re happy to help.
Even better, our concierge services are always free. So, why wait? Get in touch and let’s get started!