Pura Osa
In short
- A business receives the seal only if it meets all six criteria.
- It is free, it cannot be bought and it is reviewed every year.
- It is our own recommendation seal, not an official certification.
The six criteria
| Criterion | What we look for | What we ask |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Local roots | Owners or managers from Osa, or a real, demonstrable benefit to the community. Foreign-owned businesses can qualify if all the other criteria are met. | We ask who owns and runs it and for examples of community benefit. |
| 2. Fair local jobs | Most of the staff come from Osa communities, are paid at least the legal minimum, are registered with the CCSS and covered by the INS workers’ compensation policy. | Number of staff, how many are local, proof of CCSS and INS. |
| 3. Local purchases | Food, crafts, transport and services are bought from local producers and suppliers whenever they exist. | Three examples of local suppliers. |
| 4. Care for nature | No feeding, touching or handling of wildlife; no sale of wildlife products; rules of SINAC and the whale-watching regulation respected; waste separated; water and energy used with care. | What it does with waste, water and energy, and its wildlife rules for guests. |
| 5. Honest information | Real prices and photos, no promise of sightings, clear cancellation terms and no exaggerated environmental claims. | Its website, price list and cancellation policy. |
| 6. Legal and safe | Municipal license, Tourism Board (ICT) declaration when it applies, licensed guides and boat captains, and safety equipment for guests. | Copies of permits and licenses. |
Foreign-owned businesses can qualify. What counts is the real benefit to the community, not the nationality of the owner.
How the process works
| Step | What happens |
|---|---|
| Apply | Write to [email protected] with the name of the business, the location, who runs it and a short description. |
| Send documents | Permits, CCSS and INS proof and answers to the questions in the table above. |
| Visit or video call | We meet the owner and see the place, in person or by video. |
| Decision | If every criterion is met, the business receives the seal and a recommendation page. If not, we say what is missing. |
| Yearly review | We check again every year and respond to well-founded complaints at any time. |
Our commitments
- Recommended places do not pay to appear, and the seal is never sold.
- If we earn a commission from a booking link, we say so on the page.
- We can remove the seal if a business stops meeting the criteria.
Looking for where to put the seal into practice as a traveler? Start with our guide to regenerative travel and where to stay.
Frequently asked questions
Is the origin seal an official certification?
No. It is Pura Osa’s own recommendation seal, based on public criteria. It does not replace official programs such as the Tourism Board’s CST or the Blue Flag, which we value and encourage.
Does a business pay to get the seal?
No. There is no fee to apply, to receive the seal or to keep it, and it is not for sale. Recommended places do not pay to appear.
Can a foreign-owned business receive it?
Yes, if it meets every criterion. What counts is real local benefit: jobs from the community, local purchases, care for nature and honest information. The owner’s nationality does not decide.
What happens if a business stops meeting the criteria?
The seal is reviewed every year and can be removed at any time if we receive a well-founded complaint or find a breach. We tell the business first and give it a chance to respond.
How long does the process take?
Usually a few weeks: first contact, documents, a visit or video call, and a decision. We do not promise dates, because we want to do it carefully.
Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, Pura Osa may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Recommendations are not paid. Prices, hours and schedules change; always confirm locally.