Country: Nicaragua

Organization: Finca Esperanza Verde

Website: www.fincaesperanzaverde.org

Project Description:

A beautiful ecolodge high in the mountains near Matagalpa, Nicaragua; built on a reclaimed coffee farm. Rainforest tours, butterfly propogation, interactive coffee farm all run on solar and hydro power.

's Story:
Yes, the lodge is beautiful, the rainforest walks are delightful, the coffee is wonderful. BUT what really captured me is that the staff are all locals; profits are used to support projects in near-by villages; "tours" include homestays in San Ramon, promoting a cottage industry (literally) and supporting the local economy. And of course the ecolodge is powered "off-the-grid".