Perched on the hillside where the rainforest meets the Caribbean Sea, Castara Retreats offers 17 treehouse-style eco-lodges, each designed in harmony with the surrounding landscape. The resort’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond architecture—it is a living-in-the-landscape experience where guests are immersed in nature while supporting a community-driven tourism model.
For the second consecutive year, Castara Retreats has been awarded Green Key certification, reaffirming its commitment to regenerative tourism and sustainable hospitality in the Caribbean.
As part of the Green Key recertification celebrations, team members and guests took part in a commemorative herb planting activity, using compost generated from Castara Retreats’ own sustainability efforts. These fresh, locally grown herbs and ingredients bring vibrant, nourishing flavours to Caribbean Kitchen, the resort’s in-house restaurant, where dishes are made from scratch with care and a commitment to sustainability. Guests and team members also explored the resort’s evolving butterfly garden, a biodiversity initiative designed to support pollinators and native plant life, reinforcing Castara Retreats’ dedication to conservation.
Speaking at the event, Director of Green T&T, Willard P. Harris, praised Castara Retreats for setting a high standard in sustainable hospitality:
“At the very core of Castara Retreats’ triumph lies a visionary sustainability policy and a brilliantly crafted action plan. These are not mere documents, but the very heartbeat of your operation, guiding every decision with purpose and passion.”
Harris further highlighted the resort’s deep integration with the Castara community:
“What truly makes Castara Retreats a shining star in the tourism industry is your profound connection to the local community. You have woven yourselves into the very fabric of Castara, ensuring that the fruits of sustainable tourism nourish the entire region. This is not just business; this is a beautiful symbiosis of commerce and community.”
Maisha Oben, General Manager of Castara Retreats, expressed pride in the team’s efforts to maintain and strengthen the resort’s sustainability:
“This recognition is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our team. The journey to being recertified was not easy, but with every step, we stayed true to our ethos—respecting nature, integrating sustainability into every action, and reinforcing our responsibility to both our guests and the local community. Let us continue this journey to be an exemplar for Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean.”
The resort’s next steps include expanding its sustainable initiatives, deepening its conservation efforts, and continuing to foster meaningful connections with the local community.
About Castara Retreats
Nestled in the heart of Castara, Tobago, Castara Retreats is an eco-boutique resort designed for guests to "live in the landscape." Its 17 treehouse-style, self-catering lodges blend rustic luxury with a deep commitment to sustainability, creating a seamless connection to nature.
With a vision to be a regional leader in sustainable hospitality, Castara Retreats is shaping a resilient, prosperous, and inclusive model for tourism. The resort actively uplifts local culture, protects the environment, and supports sustainable economic growth, fostering a “community of practice” that shares in the transformative power of responsible travel.
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