GSTC Member Península Papagayo released its 2025 Legacy Book, a publication that presents its environmental and community initiatives and invites guests to participate. The document brings together conservation actions, community outreach programs, and educational activities, and explains how visitors can engage through experiences or contributions linked to nature protection and social development in the surrounding region.
The Legacy Book sets out an approach that connects environmental protection with community support and frames guest participation as part of this work. It outlines programs related to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, education, healthcare, food security, and carbon offset actions, and presents different ways for visitors to become involved through hands-on activities, learning opportunities, or donations.
Natural Environment and Biodiversity
The publication explains how Península Papagayo works to understand and protect biodiversity through monitoring species diversity and abundance and restoring degraded habitats to support wildlife. Several conservation efforts are presented as experiences that guests can join.
Visitors can participate in shore-based coral planting activities or support the initiative through donations that contribute to coral nursery care and biological monitoring.
The Legacy Book also introduces experiences linked to mangrove ecosystems and protected forest areas. A mangrove exploration activity is presented as supporting research in the Palmares Estuary. Wildlife-related programs include guided tours focused on observing monkey populations, which are associated with partnerships that support habitat protection and the construction of monkey bridges. There is also a night walk experience at Tapir Valley, a private reserve and rewilding project focused on biodiversity conservation and forest regeneration. In addition, the publication includes a schedule of biodiversity talks throughout the year, led by scientists and conservation professionals, covering topics such as coral restoration, insects, marine species, wildlife conservation, and forest ecosystems.
Community Programs
The Legacy Book also highlights long-standing community outreach activities delivered through the ‘Creciendo Juntos’ program, which has been operating since the early 2000s and focuses on improving access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities in nearby communities.
Education initiatives include support for public schools through infrastructure improvements, teacher training, and the provision of school supplies and textbooks. The publication also presents the ‘Books for All’ campaign, which supplies textbooks to students in local schools to improve learning conditions.
Healthcare programs are described through the operation of medical clinics serving local populations. These clinics provide consultations, preventive care, and school-based health education related to nutrition and mental well-being.
Food security and income generation are addressed through its Home Gardens initiative. This program supports families in growing produce at home through training, seeds, and basic equipment. The publication explains that surplus produce can be sold, contributing to household income while supporting sustainable farming practices.
The Legacy Book also presents community immersion experiences, including traditional dance, mural painting, school visits, and sports activities. These experiences are presented as ways for visitors to connect with local families and contribute to community programs.
Engagement and Learning Opportunities for Visitors
In addition to environmental and community initiatives, the Legacy Book describes opportunities for visitors to learn about these programs through talks, guided experiences, and meetings with sustainability leadership. These activities allow guests to understand the destination’s environmental and social initiatives and explore ways to support them during their stay.
