Have you ever imagined a place in absolute harmony with nature? A hidden place where time stopped more than 100 years ago. That’s El Lugar... a place located at the heart of the rainforest in Costa Rica. On this land, we are creating a resort with the target of preserving and caring for the invaluable treasures of the Earth.
El Lugar is a resort, a national park, and an invitation to what is truly possible to create in the world and on the planet. It expands over 1.200 acres and is located in Sarapiquí, about two hours from San Jose.
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When planning El Lugar, we created space between the buildings and throughout the resort. Space is rare and valuable. Space is actually what mankind requires to start living in communion with earth… Go here to read about 6 other ways this project is different.
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The moment you take your first step on the untouched piece of land called El Lugar, you will be able to sense the presence, aliveness, and contribution of this land. Would you like to come and experience the magic for yourself?
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Thousands of species, animals and plants live on Earth. We all share this beautiful planet, and yet most of us don’t treat it as our home. Human beings are supposed to be the most intelligent creatures living on planet Earth. How then is it possible that we seem set on destroying it?
What if now is the time to change the way we care for our planet? Not just in empty promises and bold declarations, but by actions and choices. A way that will allow us to change tracks and create a future where we can thrive, not just survive.
The El Lugar project started 2017 with the idea of showing what it is possible to create together with the land, and as stewards of the Earth. We would like to inspire people all around the world to start making choices today that that honors our planet. Choices that can ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy it the same way we do – or with a little luck, even more.
Claudia Cano found this piece of land after searching for a possible location for a resort all over Costa Rica. As soon as she arrived at El Lugar, she knew this was the place.
El Lugar is an eco-resort, located in Sarapiquí, about two hours northeast of San José, in the northern lowlands. It is 1.200 acres of pristine, luscious and intensely nurturing land. There are two different plots, one on either side of the Puerto Viejo River.
In El Lugar there are more than 600 trees of 73 different species.
As part of the strong commitment to preserving the land as it is, a group of experts has designed El Lugar in a way that no hill will be leveled-off, keeping the magic and the charm of the scenery for future generations.
El Lugar will be built in ways to take advantage of the most pleasant natural breeze available in the area. This will reduce the use of air conditioning systems and contribute to energy efficiency.
All buildings on El Lugar will be built on pylons using the latest technologies to build without sealing the land with concrete. This will allow the rainwater to run freely on the land keeping the natural drainage that for centuries has been feeding the lakes and river at El Lugar.
Using cutting-edge technologies, El Lugar will have a natural sewage system using the latest developments in Green Technology. The roots of different kinds of plants and flowers will replace the use of chemicals during the entire process of sewage treatment.
El Lugar will get its electricity through batteries that are recharged by solar energy. The greatest benefit of this is a high level of energy efficiency, allowing the use of nearly all of the electricity produced.
When planning El Lugar, we created space between the buildings and throughout the resort. Space is the one thing that people give up to live in cities. Space is rare and valuable. Space is what mankind actually requires to live in communion with the Earth.
El Lugar has two main areas, plot 1 and plot 2. Plot 1 is an untouched piece of land that will be protected within El Lugar. It’s currently providing pasture for the cattle farm and is largely undeveloped. Big parts are undisturbed jungle and rainforest, teeming with wildlife – monkeys, birds, tapirs, ocelots, sloths, lizards and tree frogs. This plot is as yet untouched by the modern world and offers a unique opportunity to perceive and receive the power of nature in your body and being, as the incredible contribution it can be to mankind.
Plot 2 is the 150 hectares or 370 acres on the north side of the river, which is currently where the farm buildings and family homestead are located. This Plot is the area that is currently developed as a resort. This land has only been used for cattle breeding and farming for the last 80 yrs. Fertilizers or pesticides have never been used on the farm. Below you can see a map of plot 2.
