We received some very exciting news in June: after a long and rigorous journey, we had joined the ranks as a Certified B Corporation! We are so excited to be joining this notable global community of businesses around the world (that we have admired for so long) using business as a force for good.
We are also thrilled to be in this process (because it is, after all, a journey) whereby we will work to improve the impact we have on all of our stakeholders: people, planet, and profit alike.
In This Article
- What is a B Corp™?
- Some interesting stats
- Viva Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism
- What does all of this mean?
- Supporting Other B Corps
- Thank You to Our Wonderful Community
What is a B Corp™?
Certified B Corporations (B Corps for short) are for-profit companies that have been verified by a non-profit organization as meeting the highest standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.
The certifying non-profit depends on the region that the company is located in: B Lab for North American companies, Sistema B for Latin American companies, etc.
Businesses that achieve B Corp certification work hard to balance profit with purpose, and use their economic success to benefit workers, communities, and the planet alike.
Some interesting stats
We love information, so here are a few fun stats to contextualize this certification. As a newly minted member, we are:
- One of nearly 11,000 in the world representing over 100 nations and 163 industries
- One of 18 Certified B Corp companies in Costa Rica
- One of 88 B Corp Certified travel agencies globally
- Joining during the 20th anniversary of the B Corp movement
Viva Adventures’ commitment to responsible tourism
For us at Viva Adventures, becoming a Certified B Corp is both an affirmation and advancement of our commitment to responsible travel. We are happy to celebrate this moment (and the work it took to get here), and we are excited by the extensive opportunities for “leveling up” that, by virtue of having a seat at the table, will arise.
Tara started the company in 2012 as a way to support rural and small tourism business owners, contribute to responsible community development by providing never before deployed opportunities, and sharing these amazing experiences with an audience that might not otherwise find them.
The company has shifted and evolved over the years, yet those principles remain true today. What has changed is the scale of what we’re able to prove, not just promise: every homestay, every local guide, every small business we partner with in Costa Rica is now part of a model that’s been independently verified rather than just self-described. That distinction matters to us, and we hope it matters to you too.
What does all of this mean?
In practical terms, this certification touches nearly every corner of how we operate, not just the marketing language on our website. It means our labor practices, our environmental footprint, our governance, and our community impact were all assessed against a rigorous, third-party standard, not something we wrote ourselves.
For the groups that travel with us, it means the “responsible travel” language isn’t just a phrase we like using; it’s something we’re now accountable to, on a recurring basis, in front of an outside body. Recertification isn’t a one-time hoop; B Corps are required to reassess every three (and soon to be five) years, which means this is less of a finish line and more of a standard we’ve committed to holding ourselves to, indefinitely.
It also means we’ve joined a community that pushes each other. Being one of only 18 B Corps in Costa Rica, and one of 88 travel agencies certified worldwide, puts us in a small, tight-knit group of businesses that are constantly comparing notes, sharing practices, and raising the bar for what responsible tourism can look like, especially in a country whose ecosystems and communities depend on tourism being done right.
Supporting Other B Corps
There are companies in this movement that you have definitely already heard of, a few notable examples are Patagonia, Warby Parker, Seventh Generation, Kickstarter, and The Body Shop.
As a consumer of products and services, you can choose responsibly by opting to support B Corp Companies. After all, as modern consumers we cast a vote every single time that we spend our money. We have the power to support and uplift companies that are doing more than just making money or staying in their lane. Rather, they are working hard to help create a more just and equitable world for both today and future generations.
Here is the full list of companies, searchable by location, industry, size, or ownership style (women-, minority-, family-owned, etc.). Next time you need to buy shoes, hire a web designer, find healthy snacks — look first to the B Corp directory to see what is out there. Whether you shop online or want to see if there are any active B Corporations in your town, the directory can help!
Thank You to Our Wonderful Community
To our amazing team, customers, and stakeholders — this milestone would not have been possible without your support in helping us put people, planet, and purpose above profit.
And to the students, professors, and universities who’ve traveled with us over the years: every trip you’ve taken, every community you’ve shown up for with curiosity and respect, has been part of building the track record that got us here. This certification is as much yours as it is ours.
Pura vida, and here’s to the next three years (and the ones after that).
