What to know about living in the jungle.
At Cocovivo, daily interactions with the jungle, the ocean, and its inhabitants keep us in awe of the nature around us. We're here to help guests become part of this wild environment - while maintaining a high level of comfort and fun.
Take Into Consideration
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We may have 5 stars on AirBnB and TripAdvisor, but this is not a 5 stars resort
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Isla San Cristobal is remote, no roads - everything is a boat ride away
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We rely on solar panels are rainwater catchment for our electricity and water! Please use consciously
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We live in the jungle. This means wildlife of all kinds, including spiders, scorpions, and snakes. Its unlikely to encounter these creatures but people with phobias should be warned.
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Chitras (no-see-ums) are predictable pests. They come out at dawn and dusk, please bring reef safe bug repellent or coconut oil to prevent skin irritation.
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The temperature in Bocas del Toro is hot and humid all year round!
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Allergy alert: Two dogs live at CocoVivo.
How we're helping the planet:
Our goal is to acknowledge and decrease human impact on the earth and the ocean and to find a healthy role in our eco-system. Our energy is generated from solar panels, our water is collected from the rain, and our waste is composted.
1.
Solar Power
Our electricity is generated by the solar panels. Solar modules use light energy (photons) from the sun to generate electricity, which is called 'the photovoltaic effect'. Ghost-charging phones/laptops can highly impact our electricity system, so please remember to unplug or electronic devices when not charging them. We do have great Wifi, but we suggest turning everything off, and immersing yourself in the wilderness!
2.
Rain Water Supply
Most of the water that comes out of the tap at CocoVivo is rain water collected from the rooftop of the Hill House. We store the water in 6 huge tanks at the top of 'The Hill' for ultimate water pressure on the water front. That's 2500 Gallons of water when the rains are generous. Though we rarely run out, and we do have a natural spring as back up, we ask our guests to consider their water usage while taking a shower, brushing their teeth or doing the dishes since we aim to minimize waste. We use this water for cooking or coffee only after bringing it to a boil first. Purified drinking water is imported to the island via recycle- able bottles.
3.
Composting Toilet
The composting toilet is the cleanest and most ecologically friendly way of getting rid of human waste. The toilet is built an appropriate distance from the water in order not to damage the precious reef. We hope this explains the long (ish) walk to the loo.
4.
Biodegradable Products
Most shampoos and soaps contain chemicals like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and other damaging toxins. Although they help clean your hair and skin, they are extremely toxic to marine life when released in waterways. As we would like to protect our reef and the high variety of sea animals, please consider what you are putting on your skin, in your hair, and down the drain. Perks and trades for Dr. Bronner's!
5.
Recycling
Mass consumerism and breathtaking amounts of packaging are the sad reality of our modern society. It doesn't take a scientist to see the resulting pollution, poisoning and destruction of existing ecosystems. Panamanian recycling programs are not advanced enough to support the use of plastic bottles and aluminum cans. To minimize waste and protect the environment please do not bring canned or plastic containers of drinks- we sell bottled pop and beer on site in refundable glass bottles- for market value.