First Recration Park in Jaco

The first Recreation Park for the citizens of Jaco was inaugurated last July 2009.
And Best western Jaco Beach Hotel donated the plants that adorned one of the gardens areas in the park.

Best Western Jaco and Canal 7 Triatlon de Las sonrisas

Channel 7 celebrated the fundraising campaign for terminally ill children in order for them to have a better quality of life in The Best western Jaco Beach Hotel.
The fundraising took place at the beach infront of the Hotel, consisted In an organization of a triathlon were Costarican´s celebrities participated.

Many locals from to Jaco´s town attended too, the event also have the presence of the Mayor of Jaco.

Best Western Jaco Beach was visited by Centro Diurno Quebrada Ganado

Best Western Jaco Beach informed Travel Agencies about CST

Best Western Jaco Beach Hotel have an outreach program for Trave Agencies that want to know
about the CST program performed in the hotel and all the sustainability programas information.

Best Western Jaco participated at Beach Cleaning Sep 25th

Hotel Best Western Jaco participated at the Beach Cleaning event september 25th.
This important event was organized by Terra Nostra and Jaco´s Committee of Bandera Azul
this Beach Cleaning program was made at all the Costa Rica´s beaches the same day.

Hotel Best Western Jaco and Hermosa National Refuge Sep 15th 2009

THE BESTE WESTERN JACO BEACH WANTS TO HELP THE PLAYA HERMOSA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE AND BECOMES ONE OF ITS MAIN SUPPORTERS.
The Playa Hermosa National Wildlife Refuge is located in the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, in the Southern part of Hermosa Beach, directly south of Jacó Beach. Was established in 1998 and its main purpose is to protect the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle, Greens and the rare Hawksbill. The Refuge cover 44 ha of land surface, the beach extend for 12 km. Playa Hermosa Refuge lacks basic infrastructure, Basic equipment ; requires more protection personnel (park rangers), requires greater staffing during the turtle season,it does not count with expanded public services (electricity and telephone), expansion of its land surface and publishing of education and information materials for those visiting this beautiful wildlife refuge.
For this purpose, the Hotel has initiated a fundraising campaign of $1 to get funds, materials and equipment, to cover the current basic needs of the Refuge.
If our guest want to help us in protecting and consolidating this project they can contact the front desk.

Jairo Perez to the World Junior Championships

The Quiksilver World Junior Surf Championships will be held in France from May 24th to June 1st. One of the competitors is our lifeguard and friend Jairo Perez.

Jairo definitely has reasons to be one of the favorites: two times national champion, Central American champion, winner of the last stage of the Latinamerican Circuit, and winner of the "Revelacion del Año" award of the Latinamerican Surf Association in 2007.

Although not many people know Jairo Perez, this teenager from Jaco has been called "the small giant of Latinamerica", and has competed and beat experienced surfers such as Diego Naranjo, Manuel Selman, Gary Saavedra, and even world's number 13 Diego Cadena from Mexico.

Jairo is one of the best representatives of any sport in Costa Rica. Since he was very young he was called to become the future of surf for our country, since he was twelve years old had become the national championship in his category. It was not a coincidence when the Al Dia newspaper said "the kid that trained the waves" in 2005.

This is the best moment in the young career of Jairo, and it is also the best moment for Costaricans to join and support our team. Good luck to Costa Rica's junior team in the World Championships in France!!!

http://isaworldchamp.com/

Jaco is awarded with the Community Blue Flag

On March 29th Jaco was awarded with the Community Blue Flag (Bandera Azul Comunitaria). This award recognizes the great efforts and achievements that the community of Jaco has had in terms of protecting the environment

The Blue Flag Program started in 1996. It has the objective of “establishing an incentive to encourage local committees that get involved in beach and community development that promote the protection and conservation of water resources and the environment”

Some of the efforts that were recognized by the Blue Flag were:

-Beach cleaning
-Water treatment
-Quality of the ocean water
-Quality of the water for consumption
-Lifeguard programs
-Tourist information signs
-Availability of garbage bins
-Zoning and Regulatory Plan

Congratulations to Doña Sonia Alvarado, president of the Blue Flag Committee, and to all the community of Jaco for this great achievement!!

http://www.aya.go.cr/informacion/laboratorio/banderaazul/index.php

Artisan Fishing Tour

A new Ecotourism initiative in Garabito
Seeks to promote the Artisan Fishing in Tárcoles

Starting this year, CoopeTárcoles R.L. has opened its doors to visitors interested in learning more and experiencing the art of artisan fishing. The visitors have the opportunity to be special guests of real fishermen of Tárcoles, and to learn about their culture, lives, techniques and stories. The tours or guided visits range from going out to the sea with the local fishermen, to living the experience of collecting mollusks at the beach. It is a great opportunity to have a unique and authentic experience, and learn more about the region and its culture.

The idea of developing ecotourism in Tárcoles started from a strategic alliance and agreement between CoopeTárcoles R.L., Coopesolidar R.L. , and the Best Western Jacó Beach Hotel. Although the project hopes to gain a share of the tourism development that is occurring in the area, the main objective is to promote (a) the conservation of the unique and authentic cultural and natural appeal of Tárcoles, and (b) the benefit of all the community. In other words, to create a sustainable business model, that guarantees that artisan fishing and tourism will last for many years to come.

In the words of CoopeTárcoles president, Danilo Morales, “If we do not take care and protect our macaws, pelicans, fish species, and more importantly our artisan fishing culture, the visitors will not have any reason to visit us in the future”.

Tárcoles is a village that practically has not received any benefits from the tourism development in the Central Pacific region. Nevertheless, it is an area that preserves some of the cultural roots of the region. And, if successful, ecotourism will be able to produce benefits such as: additional sources of income, opportunities for businesses related to tourism, training, personal development, and a better quality of life for the community.

More information about the project is available at:

http://www.consorcioporlamar.com/index_en.html

Contacts: David Chacón, CoopeTárcoles, telephone 6370210

Patricia Madrigal, CoopeSoliDar at 2250959.

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We Obtained 4 Leafs of Sustainability

On November 6th the Best Western Jaco Beach received the Level 4 of the Sustainable Tourism Certificate (CST). At this moment there are only two hotels of more than 100 rooms to have received level 4 or higher according to the CST, which means a high degree of commitment with the environment, nature and community.

Some of the initiatives and programs that the Best Western Jaco Beach has implemented are the water and energy saving programs, the recycling plan, and the responsible purchasing plan.

The hotel has also actively participated in community organizations such as the Central Pacific Chamber of Commerce, the Blue Flag Committee and the Tourist Care Program.

Additionally the hotel has organized or implemented programs such as Campaign against the Prostitution, the event Por Un Mejor Jacó, and a university scholarship program for local students.

During the next weeks we will be posting more information about the various sustainability programs that have been implemented in the Hotel.