CST is a program that seeks to categorize and certify each tourism company according to the degree to which its operations comply to a model of sustainability. To this effect, four fundamental aspects are evaluated: Physical- biological parameters , service Management, External client, socio-economic environment.

Costa Rica is worldwide known as a leader in the field of sustainable tourism and it marked its leadership by creating the CST program. This program was created as an answer to the global challenge of making the tourism industry more sustainable.

The fundamental purpose of the CST is precisely to convert the concept of sustainability into something real, practical and necessary in the context of the country’s tourism competitiveness, to improve the way in which natural and social resources are used, participation is encouraged with active in local communities, and provide new support for the competitiveness of the business sector.

To measure the company’s commitment to sustainability, there are levels, the CST establishes a scale of 0 to 5 and in which each number indicates the relative position of the company in terms of sustainability. Obtaining Level 5, means a company considered as exemplary in terms of sustainability.