Hey ocean lovers! 🌊✨

Did you know that taking a seashell home from the beach can impact the ecosystem more than you might think? Each shell left on the shore plays a role in protecting marine life, providing shelter, and contributing to the natural balance of our oceans. That’s why Cervecería Costa Rica and Imperial—the beer of Costa Rica—launched an inspiring program called De Vuelta a Casa (“Back to Home”).

Let’s dive into how this initiative is making waves for our coastal ecosystems and how you can be part of the movement!

What Is De Vuelta a Casa?

De Vuelta a Casa is a sustainability initiative that focuses on returning collected seashells to their original habitats along Costa Rica’s stunning coastline. Whether they were picked up as souvenirs, decorations, or simply admired for their beauty, shells are being returned to the places they belong to help restore marine ecosystems.

This isn’t just a feel-good project—it’s an effort rooted in conservation science. Seashells play a vital role in coastal habitats, helping to regulate nutrient cycles, protect shores from erosion, and provide shelter for small organisms like crabs and fish.

How Does It Work?

Here’s the magic of the De Vuelta a Casa program:

  1. Collection Points:
    Imperial has set up special collection stations where people can drop off seashells they’ve taken from beaches over the years. It’s like a “second chance” for these shells to return to the wild.
  2. Cleaning & Preparation:
    The collected shells are carefully cleaned and prepared to ensure they’re safe to return to the ocean. This step is essential to avoid introducing contaminants into marine habitats.
  3. Reintegration into Nature:
    Once the shells are ready, they’re returned to the beaches where they belong, helping to restore balance to the ecosystem.

Why Does This Matter?

While it might seem harmless to take a single shell, over time and on a large scale, this practice can have serious consequences. Without shells, shorelines lose a layer of natural protection, and marine life can struggle to find the homes they need to thrive.

By returning these shells, De Vuelta a Casa is giving nature a much-needed boost and promoting sustainable tourism—a win for the environment and for Costa Rica’s future.

How You Can Help

Want to be part of this impactful initiative? Here’s how you can get involved:

  1. Drop Off Your Shells:
    If you’ve got shells at home that you’ve collected from Costa Rica’s beaches, it’s time to bring them back! Look for De Vuelta a Casa collection points near you, which are conveniently located across the country.
  2. Spread the Word:
    Share the importance of leaving shells where they belong. Talk to your friends, family, and fellow travelers about how small actions can make a big difference.
  3. Choose Sustainable Travel:
    When you visit Costa Rica’s beaches, admire the shells, take pictures, but leave them where they are. This helps keep the natural balance intact for generations to come.

A Toast to Costa Rica’s Beaches

De Vuelta a Casa is another shining example of Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainability and conservation. With Imperial leading the charge, we can all raise a glass (preferably of a refreshing Imperial) to healthier beaches and thriving marine ecosystems.

So, let’s celebrate the beauty of Costa Rica the right way—by giving back to the environment that makes this country so special. Learn more about the program at Imperial’s De Vuelta a Casa website and be part of the movement for change.

Cheers to pura vida and protecting our oceans! 🌊🍻

— The Xturi Team