Costa Rica's Certification for Sustainable Tourism
The CST Standard is a recognition of the excellent management of companies and organizations that actively work to mitigate the impacts resulting from their operation. The certification enhances the strengthening of social, cultural, environmental, economic and development work in tourist destinations.
Our Programs
Organic Blue Flag National Program The award is a badge that is given annually, it rewards the effort and voluntary work of the members of the registered beach committees. The program promotes competition and community organization for the benefit of present and future generations.
It is established as an incentive to promote the organization of local committees and their integrality, with the purpose of seeking conservation and development, in accordance with the protection of natural resources, the implementation of actions to face climate change, the search for better hygienic-sanitary conditions and the improvement of public health of the inhabitants of Costa Rica.
Code of Conduct The Code of Conduct Program for the Protection of Children and Adolescents against Commercial Sexual Exploitation associated with Travel and Tourism (ESCNNA-VT), is a responsible tourism initiative of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) that is framed from the very essence of the sustainable tourism model promoted by Costa Rica.
Tourism for All People Launched in 2018 by the ICT, the Social Tourism with Integrity Program (PTSI) promoted the universal right to leisure and tourism for people in vulnerable conditions. Based on principles of inclusion, accessibility and sustainability, the program provided tourist experiences to hundreds of people through alliances with more than 36 public and private sector organizations, positively impacting the country's seven provinces. In 2023, the ICT evolved this effort with the launch of the Tourism for All People Program (TpTP), strengthening its institutional participation and expanding the scope of inclusive tourism.
Red Sofia The program promotes gender equality in the tourism industry, encourages the entry and pleasant permanence of tourists in the destination. It was born within the framework of an institutional support agreement between the Costa Rican Institute of Tourism (ICT) and the National Institute of Women (INAMU), it is also closely linked to the Sustainable Development Goal No. 5, which seeks gender equality to build a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world.
Tu-MoDeLo It is the result of a public-private partnership between Fundecooperación, the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), local tourism associations, institutions and private sector partners; who work together, demonstrating that the Costa Rican tourism industry is an engine of local welfare in agricultural communities, by generating employment and socioeconomic growth that improves the lives of communities vulnerable to climate change.
#####Resources Technical Workshops Certification Process Impact of CST