The Harmony Hotel is located in the sleepy town of Nosara, located on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. The Harmony Hotel is the perfect combination of low-key luxury, nature, wellness and sustainability.
Situated on the Guiones beach in Nosara, Costa Rica (a spot well renowned for its beautiful surroundings and impressive surf), the Harmony Hotel is an excellent place for guests to unwind, relax and get in tune with their natural rhythm. With comfortable rooms, excellent dining, melodies mixed with the sound of the ocean, a perfect beach, and various activities available, we guarantee you will fall in love with Harmony as well.
The Harmony Hotel is located in the sleepy town of Nosara, located on the Nicoya Peninsula of Costa Rica. The Harmony Hotel is the perfect combination of low-key luxury, nature, wellness and sustainability.
Situated on the Guiones beach in Nosara, Costa Rica (a spot well renowned for its beautiful surroundings and impressive surf), the Harmony Hotel is an excellent place for guests to unwind, relax and get in tune with their natural rhythm. With comfortable rooms, excellent dining, melodies mixed with the sound of the ocean, a perfect beach, and various activities available, we guarantee you will fall in love with Harmony as well.The Harmony hotel has ten “Cocos” rooms (standard rooms) located along both sides of the swimming pool and central garden. They have a private deck towards the back with an outdoor shower, hammocks and rocking chairs. 15 bungalows of considerably larger size contain a wooden deck built around them, along with rocking chairs and hammocks.
The Harmony hotel has ten “Cocos” rooms (standard rooms) located along both sides of the swimming pool and central garden. They have a private deck towards the back with an outdoor shower, hammocks and rocking chairs. 15 bungalows of considerably larger size contain a wooden deck built around them, along with rocking chairs and hammocks.
The Harmony Hotel is a working example of how sustainability can be applied in a truly stylish and modern way, supporting local communities and embracing environmental building techniques, while simultaneously attracting (and thereby influencing) a crowd of individuals who may not normally be interested in supporting sustainable tourism. The key to the Harmony Hotel’s success as a sustainable tourism operation is the way that sustainability and community development seamlessly blend in with the hotel’s smart and tasteful design and operation; guests who come away from the Harmony Hotel leave more aware of sustainability issues and, as a result, more willing to make smarter, more responsible travel decisions and more apt to contribute to the sustainable development in their own communities back home.
Harmony Hotel – Eco Rating: Overall Eco Score: 4.4
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Energy – Level 4: Strong Conservation with Expanding Renewables
What’s done well:
Harmony Hotel has made excellent progress in energy efficiency. The resort uses natural light and air circulation, solar water heating, and energy-efficient appliances. Linens are changed only when requested, clothes are air-dried, and lights are switched off when not in use. Low-wattage bulbs, handwashing dishes, and minimizing fossil-fuel machinery further reduce energy demand.
What’s missing:
Currently, around 5% of the lodge’s energy comes from renewable sources (solar and biodiesel generator), while the majority still comes from the public utility. To reach Level 5, increasing renewable energy use and adopting formal policies with measurable energy targets would strengthen long-term sustainability..
Water – Level 4: Responsible Management with Natural Treatment
What’s done well:
Water conservation is a clear focus. The resort uses low-flow fixtures, chlorine-free pool treatment, and biodegradable detergents. Guests can choose when to have towels and linens changed. Importantly, freshwater comes from a spring and is treated naturally with salt and UV light. Wastewater is safely managed with septic tanks and a treatment plant.
What’s missing:
Low-water-use toilets and wipeable table mats could further reduce consumption. Rainwater collection or gray water reuse would also make the system even more sustainable.
Recycling & Waste – Level 5: Comprehensive and Effective
What’s done well:
Waste reduction practices are excellent. The resort recycles paper, glass, plastic, and aluminum, composts organic matter, and uses biodegradable cleaning products. Durable service items replace disposables, and fresh, local goods are purchased in bulk to cut packaging waste. Bottled water is avoided, and emissions from vehicles and equipment are minimized.
What’s missing:
The only area not yet achieved is operating a completely zero-waste kitchen, which would further enhance this already outstanding system.
Land & Nature Conservation – Level 4: Protecting the Local Environment
What’s done well:
Harmony Hotel has taken significant steps to safeguard its surroundings. Tree removal was minimized during construction, plant-based pesticides are used, and external lighting is kept low to protect wildlife. Biodegradable cleaning products further reduce impact.
What’s missing:
Creating an organic garden and undertaking additional habitat preservation projects would strengthen conservation efforts and help the resort reach the highest level.
Community – Level 5: Deep Commitment and Local Impact
What’s done well:
The hotel stands out in its community engagement. All staff are local, all goods are purchased locally, and most income is reinvested in the area. Staff receive fair wages, health insurance, and social security. Educational programs benefit both staff and guests, and sustainable transport is provided for employees.
What’s missing:
While nearly every box is ticked, future opportunities could include formalizing additional community support projects.
Land & Nature Conservation – Level 4: Protecting the Local Environment
Community – Level 5: Deep Commitment and Local Impact
Key Achievements & Future Plans
Most important eco achievement:
The hotel has implemented the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST) program and is working toward achieving the highest five-leaf rating.
Future plans:
Planned initiatives include donating 5% of hotel sales to community projects, developing an onsite orchard for organic food production, and creating a native plant nursery.
? Harmony Hotel shows strong leadership in sustainability, with impressive community engagement and waste management. By expanding renewable energy, water reuse, and conservation projects, it is well on its way to becoming an even stronger eco-leader.
Harmony Hotel is the perfect combination of low-key luxury, nature, wellness and sustainability. Situated on the Guiones beach in Nosara, Costa Rica (a spot well renowned for its beautiful surroundings and impressive surf), the Harmony Hotel is an excellent place for guests to unwind, relax, get in tune with their natural rhythm and contribute positively to the local community of Nosara.
In Tune with Nature
The Harmony Hotel works diligently to preserve the natural environment surrounding Guiones as well as showcase sustainable development and tourism in a down-to-earth style. Some of our work in protecting the pristine natural areas of the Harmony Hotel on the property itself includes:
Permaculture-inspired landscape design
The use of biodegradable cleaning products and personal care items for both guests and employees
The preference for native plants in our gardens
Worm-powered composting systems
Organic, vegetarian food offerings
Solar panels to heat hot water on property
Extensive recycling programs and waste management
Chlorine-free pool cleaning systems
Eco Rating/Butterfly Club
Community Development
The Harmony Hotel truly treasures the Nosara community and looks to give back in meaningful ways to ensure the preservation and sustainable development of its natural resources. Some of our work to preserve the local communities of Nosara includes:
A policy of hiring and training local residents for positions at all levels of hotel operation
Supporting local efforts to enhance environmental awareness, including assisting in recycling initiatives, beach clean ups and much more
Purchasing from local suppliers whose practices are aligned with ours, including organic certified, locally grown coffee
Eco Rating/Butterfly Club
Working with local schools to improve infrastructure and enhance environmental education and responsibility. Members of the Harmony staff volunteers offer mentorship, experiential learning, and career exploration in areas ranging from language to computer literacy.
Supporting the Blue Flag certification, an eco-sensitive label that recognizes sustainable beach development through strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental education and management, safety and more. Playa Guiones has received it for three years now thanks to the Nosara Civic Association and participation of the businesses residing on it.
Aiding in the Arribadas of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Program, a non-profit initiative designed to help the community improve the sea turtles’ habitat and curtail the poaching of their eggs.
Achieving the Highest of Standards
Eco Rating/Butterfly ClubThe Harmony Hotel is currently in the process of being certified by the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST). This rigorous certification system, administered by the Costa Rican ministry of tourism, awards hotels with a sustainability rating of “leaves” based on a scale of one to five that is similar to the Mobile Star evaluation of hotel services. We at the Harmony Hotel are expecting to receive a very high rating in our evaluation this
For more information on sustainability at the Harmony Hotel, click their web site link.
Name of property
The Harmony Hotel
Person completing this form
Millay Kogan
Position
Sustainability Coordinator
Address of property
Playa Guiones, Costa Rica
Country
Costa Rica
Phone number including country code and area code
(506)2682-4114
Web site
Type of property
Ecolodge
Number of rooms or cottages
25
Maximum number of guests
52
Eco memberships
Member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) and the Costa Rican Association of Ecotourism (CANAECO)
Eco ratings, certifications, awards
Soon to be rated by Costa Rica´s Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST)
Eco Rating at Eco Tropical Resorts: 4.4 out of 5.
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