Innovación y experiencias auténticas marcan los 34 años de Horizontes Nature Tours en el turismo de Costa Rica

Horizontes Nature Tours: 34 Years of Sustainable Travel in Costa Rica

Horizontes Nature Tours celebrated 34 years last month, providing tourists with unforgettable experiences throughout Costa Rica. Always at the forefront of the Costa Rican tourism industry, Horizontes Tours remains at the pinnacle of innovation, quality, social responsibility, and unique tours in Costa Rica.

“We opened 34 years ago, in 1984, created by two women who loved ecotourism. The company’s love for nature and respect for cultures have always been present,” said Federico Solano, Marketing Director of Horizontes Tours. “We always seek to do new things and create new products. Horizontes is about authentic experiences rather than mass tourism.”

Pioneering Sustainable Tourism

For example, Horizontes Nature Tours helped develop community-based rural tourism in the spectacular Osa Peninsula region of Costa Rica, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity, through the creation of the Caminos de Osa program. The Horizontes Barefoot Luxury collection features 20 of the agency’s favorite hotels and unique activities in Costa Rica.

Travelers can enjoy moments like torchlight dinners on a beach by the jungle or in a tropical garden, a hot air balloon ride over the Arenal Volcano, or a picnic basket with local wine and cheese, and snacks at an impromptu sunset stop during a guided tour. Barefoot Luxury Tours includes adventures like:

Island Chiquita: Combining the excitement of camping with the comforts and services of a beach hotel, Isla Chiquita was created to offer travelers and adventurers a deep connection with the land, ocean, cuisine, and lifestyle of the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica.

“Our clients like to learn, and they appreciate unique experiences,” Federico noted. “Our company began working with recognized university groups in the United States that were interested in researching Costa Rica’s biodiversity. Today, we have a strong offering of academic travel programs for universities and high schools.”

Clean Energy Tour in Costa Rica

Horizontes recently began offering a Clean Energy Tour in Costa Rica, guided by Costa Rican energy expert Rodolfo Vanderlatt. Costa Rica is known worldwide for producing nearly 100% of its energy from renewable sources. The country is also the leading producer of wind energy in Central America and ranks third in Latin America in geothermal capacity.

The new three-day tour visits Costa Rica’s hydroelectric and geothermal plants, as well as areas with wind turbines, solar energy production, and biomass. Over the past three decades, Horizontes Nature Tours has been driving sustainability before the concept became popular. They were the first tour operators to receive the highest 5-leaf ratings in Costa Rica’s Sustainable Tourism Certification (CST) program.

Foundation for Sustainability

In addition, Horizontes opened a private foundation in 2009 dedicated to sustainable environmental and social projects. “We are passionate about life in all its forms; therefore, we develop projects that promote love and respect for it. Our foundation was created as a result of Horizontes Nature Tours’ responsibility and commitment to Costa Rica. Our purpose is to raise funds for projects that can help improve the quality of life of our people and our environment,” the company’s information states.

Foundation Horizontes projects include tree planting, recycling, and community volunteering. One of their main programs is “Mujeres con Futuro,” which provides training to 1,200 women from impoverished areas of Costa Rica in personal leadership, financial education, and entrepreneurship. One thing tourists can be sure of when traveling with Horizontes Nature Tours is that it is one of the best travel agencies in Costa Rica and has never lost sight of its mission over the years:

“We motivate the enjoyment, fulfillment, and personal discovery of our guests through responsibly designed and operated travel programs that provide meaningful experiences with the nature and people of Costa Rica.”