By Christabelle…
Lace up those sneakers and head down to Costa Rica for the third-annual Lapathon Jungle Run, a fundraising event that supports the needs of local schools in the Osa Peninsula.
As a project of the highly-sustainable Lapa Rios Rainforest Ecolodge, this year’s 18-km run is limited to 300 participants and will take place on May 1, 2011 in Costa Rica’s Osa Peninsula. Cost to register is $20, with all funds raised going to fulfill infrastructure needs of local schools. Winners (first to finish and most pledges earned) will receive free nights and meals at one of the six Earth-friendly Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality resorts in Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
“This is the third time we’ve held this wildly-successful event,” said Hans Pfister, CEO and principle of Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality. “In 2009, funds raised went towards equipping the region’s only ambulance with supplies and, in 2010, we helped to build a classroom for children with learning disabilities. All our resorts participate in programs like the Lapathon to help our environment, community and people – we like to think we’re doing our bit to make our corner of the Earth just a little better.”
Created in the ’90s under the philosophy that “a rainforest left standing was worth more than cut down,” Lapa Rios is set on a private nature reserve, spread over 1,000-acres of Central America’s last remaining lowland tropical rainforest. Over the years, Lapa Rios has been recognized for its Earth-saving ways by Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, TripAdvisor, National Geographic and many more.
To sign up for the third-annual Lapathon Jungle Run, visit www.laparios.com/lapathon
Another major May initiative for Lapa Rios is the 2011 Wildcat Research and Conservation Experience – a package that allows guests the opportunity to get involved with jaguar, puma and wildcat conservation efforts. The experience is available year-round (based on researcher availability) and, during the low season (May 1 – Oct. 31, 2011), starts at $270 USD per person per night (based on double occupancy) to $370 USD per person per night (based on single occupancy). Package highlights include:
- Briefing with project directors, Aida Bustamante and Ricardo Moreno, on the status of the wildcat research and conservation program on the Osa Peninsula.
- Setting up and checking heat sensor triggered cameras in the Lapa Rios wildlife reserve, cameras used to monitor the movement of jaguar, puma and other wildlife in the reserve and the Osa Peninsula.
- Hiking into the rainforest and helping to collect wildcat footprints in the rainforest.
- Learning how to conduct an analysis of the wild cats’ diets in the rainforest.
- Working alongside locals – some used to be hunters but are not actively involved in the conservation of the wildlife, flora and fauna of the Osa Peninsula.
- Participating in talks given at local schools, community groups and hotels about the wildlife conservation program.
- Setting up and testing a program that monitors the movement of peccaries (medium sized, wild pig-like mammals) with the help of GPS collars.
Special rates and promotions at Lapa Rios:
April 25 – Aug. 25, 2011: buy a Lapa Rios or family package and get an additional night for free; buy five nights and pay for only four.
June 15 – Sept. 15, 2011: kids stay and eat free.
Aug. 26 – Nov. 20, 2011: buy three nights and pay for only two.
April 25 – Nov. 20, 2011: book a honeymoon package and get an extra night for free.
About Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality
Cayuga Sustainable Hospitality develops and manages hotels, lodges and other tourism related
projects in Latin America and the Caribbean that are committed to the four Ps of sustainability
– people, planet, profit and place. It offers solutions and expertise to tourism operators looking to enhance their performance in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. As well,
Cayuga provides expert responsible travel advice, including full itinerary suggestions for
families, adventurers and honeymooners. For more information, visit www.cayugaonline.com.
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