Isolation
The territory is reached through rustic rainforest trails rather than conventional roads.
BÖËNA ARTICLE
Clean Water, Shared Future
A Solar-Powered Water System for the Nairi-Awari Indigenous Reserve
In a remote Cabécar territory near Pacuare Lodge, access to safe drinking water required a solution adapted to isolation, limited infrastructure and the realities of rainforest life. The answer was a solar-powered purification system designed to serve the Nairi-Awari community.
01 — A Remote Community
Life in the Nairi-Awari Indigenous Territory
Nairi-Awari is part of the Cabécar Indigenous people of Costa Rica and is located on the mountain slopes of the country’s Central Caribbean region.
The community is home to approximately 120 people and remains relatively isolated, with agriculture serving as one of its principal activities.
120
Approximate community population
2 hrs
Walking distance from Pacuare Lodge
0
Connection to the electrical grid
2022
Year the system was installed
Its location, language barriers and limited employment opportunities can make access to infrastructure and essential resources especially difficult.
Limited Infrastructure
The absence of electricity required an independent energy solution.
Access to Resources
Distance and economic limitations make essential systems more difficult to obtain.
Community Resilience
Local families continue to sustain their culture and livelihoods within the territory.
02 — A Long-Term Commitment
From Community Support to a Concrete Solution
Pacuare Lodge has worked for more than a decade to find practical ways of supporting nearby communities.
Through the Conservation Support Fee and the contribution of guests, the lodge was able to finance and coordinate the installation of a water purification system for Nairi-Awari.
Installed on September 2, 2022
The project was designed to improve access to quality drinking water while operating independently from the national electricity grid.
03 — How the System Works
Solar Energy, Filtration and Ultraviolet Purification
The system combines renewable energy, water storage, pre-filtration and ultraviolet treatment in a structure designed for local conditions.
Solar Generation
Two solar panels installed on the roof generate energy for the purification equipment.
Battery Storage
Two batteries store electricity so the system can continue operating after sunset.
Dual Filtration
Water from two tanks passes through two filters before entering the purifier.
UV Treatment
An ultraviolet lamp completes the purification process and has an estimated one-year useful life.
04 — Built for Continued Use
Investment Beyond the Initial Installation
The technology had already been tested at Pacuare Lodge before being implemented in the reserve.
The system requires monthly maintenance, which forms part of the ongoing commitment associated with the project.
Project Investment
The purification system cost USD 5,473.30, excluding the human resources and labor invested in constructing the required infrastructure.
05 — Voices From Nairi-Awari
What Access to Clean Water Means
Three community members who also collaborate with Pacuare Lodge shared what the project represented for their families and neighbors.
“Very happy, it is important for the community. The community already knows, they are very happy.”
Siveriano Barquero“We are proud, we benefit from the installation of clean drinking water. Amazed by the technology and incredibly grateful.”
Erick Morales“Our community is grateful to Böëna Lodges, thank you very much.”
Aidol Pérez and Family06 — Regenerative Tourism in Practice
Supporting Health, Dignity and Community Well-Being
Providing access to clean water creates an impact that extends beyond the system itself. It contributes to health, household well-being and greater security for the families who depend on it.
The initiative also reflects a broader vision of tourism: one in which guests, lodges and neighboring communities are connected through shared responsibility and practical action.
A Contribution That Flows Beyond the Lodge
The water purification system at Nairi-Awari demonstrates how a carefully designed project can respond to a specific local need.
Powered by sunlight and sustained through long-term maintenance, it represents a direct investment in the health and future of a community closely connected to Pacuare Lodge.