BlackBook Dispatch In August, Costa Rican president Carlos Alvarado Quesada signed a law establishing the sloth as his country’s new national symbol. A lethargic treehugger might at first seem an unlikely ambassador for a nation known for highadrenaline action sports and adventures. But Costa Rica also has a softer side, one that emphasises slow, small and sustainable development – and is spawning a new wave of eco-resorts throughout the country. “The government has done a great job of protecting the environment,” says James McBride, the pioneering hotelier who worked with American entrepreneur Chris Burch to create Indonesia’s revered Nihi Sumba, and now the upcoming Nihi Santo Tomas (nihi.com) on Costa Rica’s northwestern coast. “There’s an influx of global players coming into Costa Rica right now, and they’re all built around nature and a healthy lifestyle.” Both admirable and ambitious, Costa Rica’s environmental efforts include having nearly 30 per cent of its territory under some form of protection and 98 per cent of its energy generated from renewable sources. The country is targeting zero carbon emissions by 2050, and by the end of this year, it aims to become the world’s first nation to phase out single-use plastics entirely. This commitment to conservation appeals to developers like McBride, who was drawn to Costa Rica’s unique combination of wilderness, security and Left: the majestic scenery surrounding the forthcoming Nihi Santo Tomas; the resort’s co-founder, James McBride (left) accessibility. “Our tagline is ‘On the Edge of Wildness’,” he says. “The beauty of this edge of wildness is that it’s only two-and-a-half hours from Miami, and it’s stable and safe.” Just a 30-minute drive from the international airport in Liberia, Nihi Santo Tomas is set within a 1,400ha farm on a wild stretch along the Gulf of Papagayo.› Lush forest meets the Pacific at the future site of Nihi Santo Tomas in the province of Guanacaste PHOTOS FROM TOP: PEDRO ARCE, COOURTESY JAMES McBRIDE, PEDRO ARCE 14 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM PLEASE CHECK THE LATEST GOVERNMENT ADVICE BEFORE BOOKING TRAVEL OR DEPARTING ON ANY TRIP
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