ECO AMIGABLE
Dry toilets
An Eco-Friendly Solution in the Heart of the Sea
Many guests are surprised the first time they visit our bathrooms, and it’s normal for a few laughs to accompany the discovery. Why? Because here, in the heart of the sea, we’ve chosen an eco-friendly solution: dry toilets, also known as composting latrines.
The concept is simple and sustainable. Instead of using water, we ask you to follow two easy steps: urinate in the hole marked #1, and for solid waste (#2), simply cover it with a mixture of lime and sawdust. This process helps to naturally decompose the waste.
We collect these ‘creations’ daily and transport them to Tintipán Island, where we have a composting system. There, we turn this waste into compost, closing the cycle in an environmentally respectful way.
Our commitment to sustainability is essential to preserving the natural beauty that surrounds us. Thank you for being part of this initiative!
Showers
A Shower with History and Awareness
In the past, our showers were the old-fashioned style, using buckets, which added a touch of adventure in true Robinson Crusoe style. While this charm had its appeal, we understand that comfort is also important. That’s why we’ve upgraded our facilities, and we now have regular showers. However, due to limited resources, usage time is restricted to 3 minutes.
Water on our island is a precious and limited resource. On Tintipán Island, we store up to 100,000 liters of rainwater in two large tanks. While that may seem like a lot, it’s not when you consider daily usage. Our house consumes approximately 1,000 liters of water each day, which is transported by boat every night and carefully stored.
Your cooperation is essential to help preserve this limited resource so that everyone can continue to enjoy the beauty and tranquility that surrounds us.
Drinking Water
A Vital Resource in the House
In our House, drinking water is an essential and highly valued resource, especially in an environment like ours, surrounded by the sea. To ensure we always have clean and safe water for consumption, as well as for food and beverage preparation, we’ve implemented a state-of-the-art desalination system.
This desalination process uses reverse osmosis technology. Through this system, seawater is carefully filtered to remove salt and other impurities, transforming it into high-quality drinking water. This water is then used in our kitchen to prepare the food and beverages you enjoy during your stay.
Our commitment to sustainability is fundamental, and producing our own drinking water is a crucial part of this effort. Thanks to this system, we not only guarantee the quality of the water we consume, but also reduce our environmental impact by minimizing our dependence on external resources.
Waste Management
Commitment to Sustainability in the House
At the House, we are deeply committed to sustainability and responsible waste management. We separate our waste as best as possible to minimize our environmental impact. Once a month, a large boat passes by the islands to collect all the waste from the area, taking it to the mainland for final disposal.
As for the organic waste generated in our kitchen and bar, we make the most of it. This waste is used in our composting system, where it’s transformed into compost that enriches the soil and supports the sustainability of our surroundings.
We also repurpose glass bottles from the bar, turning them into bricks and decorative elements that beautify our spaces. With aluminum cans, we’ve initiated a project in collaboration with locals and other hostels to collect as many as possible and send them to the mainland for recycling. The funds from the sale of recycled aluminum will go towards a community project: building a new soccer field for our local team on Islote.
Our approach to waste management not only contributes to environmental preservation but also strengthens the community, creating a positive impact that extends beyond our doors.
Commitment to Community and Sustainability
A Deep Connection with Our Environment
At Casa en el Agua, we are deeply proud of our team, composed of cheerful, hardworking natives, most of whom come from the Islote de Santa Cruz, with some from the mainland. Our goal goes beyond offering a unique experience to our guests; we also aim to create a positive impact on the lives of local communities through joint efforts and Ethno-tourism.
Since its inception, Casa en el Agua has created valuable job opportunities for local residents, significantly improving their quality of life, including access to quality healthcare services. However, our commitment doesn’t stop there. We strive to learn from our community’s ancestral knowledge while educating them on marine life conservation and mangrove preservation, in collaboration with the National Park.
National Park
A Treasure of Biodiversity and Conservation
Casa en el Agua is located in the San Bernardo Islands, part of the impressive Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo Natural National Park, a biodiversity treasure established in 1977 that spans 1,200 km². This park protects the largest, most diverse, and developed coral reef along the Caribbean coast of Colombia, making it a vital sanctuary for marine life.
The park is home not only to 170 species of fish, 52 types of coral, and 25 varieties of sponges—creating an underwater rainbow of colors—but also to a rich flora of mangroves and seagrass beds essential for ecosystem health.
The primary mission of the Corales del Rosario and San Bernardo Natural National Park is to protect these valuable marine ecosystems, especially the corals and the species inhabiting depths of up to 30 meters. Conserving this environment is crucial to preserving the area’s biodiversity and natural beauty, ensuring these wonders continue to exist for future generations.
National Parks of Colombia plays a fundamental role in protecting this area, working tirelessly to minimize the environmental impact that tourism may have on this fragile ecosystem. Their efforts are essential in ensuring tourism in the region is sustainable and respects the delicate natural balance.
At Casa en el Agua, we are committed to being part of these efforts, promoting responsible tourism practices and educating our visitors on the importance of conservation. As you enjoy this paradise, we invite you to join us in protecting this unique environment, so it remains a haven for marine life and a model of environmental conservation.