Poas Volcano Lodge initiated the process for the ‘Programa Bandera Azul Ecologica’ in the local area. banderaazulecologica. As a result, and with the support of the Lodge, Varablanca has been awarded the ‘Blue Flag’ Certificate for sustainability for the last 13 years. As a business we have had run a community based reforestation programme with the local school and college since 1998 and have planted over 200 trees per year. With our support, the local ASADA (water supplier) has been awarded 6 Stars with a special ‘Sello de Calidad Sanitaria’ certificate.

Most recently we have supported and spearheaded a new rural cooperative which was launched last year - Cooperativa de Turismo Rural Varablanca, with the aim to develop local and rural tourism activities at grass roots.