Ecotourism and sustainable development in costa rica. In order to increase the likelihood that ecotourism achieves goals of sustainable development in costa rica, all of the key actors must to begin to take more proactive measures in order to ensure that ecotourism is carefully planned and implemented. Globally we are witnessing growing environmental destruction, particularly to the natural resource bases of underdeveloped countries. Rather than using a single driverguide as a trip escort, which many companies do, a highly trained nat hab expedition leader personally escorts your group from start to finish. The slogan of that time the garden of the americas already demonstrated a willingness to develop ecological tourism. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the honors in the major program in international and global studies in the college of sciences and in the burnett honors college at the university of central florida orlando, florida. Costa rica is so much more than just a little country in central america. Located in northwestern costa rica approximately 120 km north of puntarenas. Its greatest benefits in the social, economic, environmental and cultural areas have helped put the little country of costa rica onto the international map awareness setting costa rica as a worldwide leader.
Many believe this trend stems from a book that was published in the late 1980s by f. During the 60s and early 70s thousands were exported for biomedical research and the pet trade. Private land holdings are often too small and disconnected to have a large impact on biodiversity or to provide ecosystem services e. Tourism is one of costa rica s most important businesses, and they are blessed to contain all the key ingredients of the perfect tourist destination. With 28 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges and scores more protected nature reserves, costa rica offers so much to see and do that planning a trip on your own can be overwhelming. An examination of ecotourism patterns within costa rica and kenya reveals differential magnitudes across an array of relevant criteria. The lsu agleadership class xiii experienced the rainforests on the arenal hanging bridges and.
The figure below shows costa ricas relative strengths and weaknesses in wellbeing with reference to both the. Costa rica, a small central american country with approximately 3. The rainforest package at the multi awardwinning lapa rios lodge, overlooking the pacific ocean, for instance, costs around. Costa rica is a central american country with a land area of 51,100 sq km and a. In the 1960s costa rica warily became aware that tourism could be an important source of income. Journal of ecotourism social and environmental effects of.
By the early 1990s, ecotourism had propelled foreign visits to become the countrys leading export and costa rica remains today a major ecotourism destination honey, 2008. Study findings were mixed regarding ecotourism s effectiveness as a conservation and community. Ensuring excellent ecotourism, costa rica has devoted an estimated 26% of its land to national parks, wildlife reserves and protected lands. Ecotourism costa rica the impacts on three guides it is hard to deny that ecotourism has benefited the nation of costa rica in a great number of ways. Its greatest benefits in the social, economic, environmental and cultural areas have helped put the little country of costa rica onto the international map awareness setting costa rica as a worldwide leader and a success story of how ecotourism can positively impact a whole country as long as it is done properly, at an early stage of.
Auch arbeitet costa rica daran, diese naturschatze fur nachfolgende generationen. The osa peninsula is the last remaining section of costa rica s pacific coast where ecotourism is the dominant economic activity. The capital, san jose, is in a valley with dormant volcanoes on either side. Over 173,000 were sent to the us alone between 1968 and 1972. Conservation strategies, protected areas, and ecotourism. Ecotourism provides an impactful firsthand experience about sustainable living and ecofriendly practices. It covers much of the rectangle defined by the coordinates 1044 1106n and 8515 8600w. The country is flanked by a pacific 1103 kilometers as well as caribbean coastline 255 kilometers and consists of 12 life zones. More than onequarter of costa rica is considered to fall under some form of protected status, and costa rica has become a worldrenowned ecotourism destination because of its extensive protected areas. Costa rica map printable pdf download click the image for a larger version or download the free printable pdf map here. Ecotourism in costa rica sustainable eco travel vacations. Ecotourism has more promise for achieving sustainability than alternative types of land use such as agriculture, cattle grazing, logging, or mass tourism. The country is among many developing nations that look to ecotourism.
What are the benefits of ecotourism for local communities. This has formed the base for its highly successful and. It therefore offers a unique possibility to ground test the economic, social and environmental impacts of ecotourism. Ecotourism impacts in the nicoya peninsula, costa rica. Its 500 acres of private cloud forest reserve are flanked by the juan castro blanco national park and the poas volcano. Boasting 22 national parks, 10 wildlife reserves, 12 biological reserves, and 8 forest reserves, costa rica has become the embodiment of successful ecotourism as it strives to share its incredibly rich biodiversity with visitors while both conserving the natural beauty of these spectacular landscapes and improving the wellbeing of its native inhabitants. Costa ricas forest law recognizes four environmental services provided by forest ecosystems. Sustainable travel and ecotourism in costa rica frommers. With over 300000 national park visits per year, costa rica is among the worlds first eco travel destinations. Along with crest staff and study coordinators laura driscoll, william durham, martha honey and carter hunt, these students spend hundreds of hours in and around puerto jimenez and drake bay, soliciting and conducting interviews, and assisting with the challenges of data entry and analysis. Heres how to experience the best ecotourism costa rica has to offer. Biodiverstiy and tourism in costa rica march, 2001 6 1.
Tas report high percentage interested in giving back. Costa rica has virtually become the poster child for ecotourism as it is the most ecologically diverse country in the world, and environmental conservation is part of the national identity. According to the costa rica tourism board, costa rica also placed second in the list of preferred destination spots around the world and was therefore awarded the. Ecotourism in costa rica is a robust industry because the country was one of the earliest adopters of connecting naturewildlife conservation with responsible travel costa rica has been ranked among the worlds best ecotourism. Just watching the mists roll over the dense forests is a subtle thrill, but the addons around here sweeten the deal. Ecotourism in costa rica is a robust industry because the country was one of the earliest adopters of connecting naturewildlife conservation with responsible travel costa rica has been ranked among the worlds best ecotourism destinations on more than one occasion, and became the first country in the americas to ban hunting in 2012. We support local, environmental, social and conservations projects within the community. Costa rica is currently on track to be one of the most sustainable countries in the world its working to become the first carbonneutral country by 2020 but this hasnt always been the case.
Brief description of each indigenous people in costa rica. This report describes the achievements of the costa rican economy during the last decades. Program of payments for ecological services in costa rica. It combines low cost and easy accessibility with a stable government and a friendly exchange rate. Entrepreneurs and the cocreation of ecotourism in costa rica. Which tools and techniques were used in order to develop to one of the most popular destinations for sustainable tourism. In the 1997 christmas bird count, local birders at. An introduction to environmental issues in costa rica. Nov 10, 2008 a video interview clip i put together on my travel study trip to costa rica we asked visitors what does ecotourism mean to you. This paper, based on a comparative study in costa rica, explores some of these issues. Whether or not ecotourism in costa rica will prove to be sustainable in the longterm remains to be seen. Costa rica, known as the poster child of ecotourism, is one of the top 20 countries on the planet with regards to biodiversity the amount of exotic species you will see out there is mind blowing. Whos department of mental health and substance abuse msd. Summary of the socioeconomic situation in costa rica1.
The growth of ecotourism in costa rica has been greatly facilitated by the presence of institutions such as the organization for tropical studies ots and the institute for biodiversity inbio, which helped to create costa rica. Despite of the still present menace of deforestation, costa rica has a fairly good environmental record. A study published in the journal of the national academy of sciences reveals that ecotourism has improved the quality of life of costa ricans living in areas close to parks and protected areas by 16%. Costa rica is a central american country with a land area of 51,100 sq km and a population of nearly 3. Without the market demand and political support for environmental protection, currently protected areas may have fallen to the demands of farming, logging, or mining industries long ago. By the early 1990s, costa rica became known as the poster child of ecotourism.
The rise of ecotourism in costa rica javis travel blog. Proyecto asis is an organization that offers spanish classes, volunteer and cultural immersion programs in the arenal area of costa rica. Costa rica is considered one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Whitethroated capuchin mono cara blanca, mono cariblanco cebus capucinus size. Costa rica is ranked as one of the top ecofriendly destinations in the world, with 25 percent of the land protected or conserved. Other exemplary operators include costa rica expeditions, 22570766 and costa rica sun tours tel 8662716263 in the u. Environmental impacts and management emily mckeone, b. Costa rica s advantage was its foresight in preserving and protecting large areas of land for multiple uses. Costa rica maps visit costa rica costa rica tourism official. In costa rica, ecotourism s popularity led to the creation of several national parks and reserves, which established a protected wildlife corridor see references 1. Places like ecuador, nepal, madagascar, and costa rica. In costa rica the primary threat is habitat loss from deforestation.
The experience of the preserve is also put in the context of costa rican. While the history of the preserve is somewhat unique, the analysis of visitation, financial, ecological and economic factors provides a convincing case that tourism at the preserve is sustainable. Costa rica is a small central american nation that has gained an international reputation as a leader in environmental conservation. And costa rica s ecotourism is made up of not only responsible choices, but bucketlistworthy experiences.
In some cases, ecotourism provides sustainable economic growth for countries. For more than three decades, however, nat hab has been guiding guests through costa ricas natural wonders. The human development index places it as a highlevel country. Whatever type of person you are we have everything you need and want. Despite of the still present menace of deforestation, costa rica. Within the last two decades costa rica has become an extremely popular ecotourism destination and in 1992 was named the number one ecotourism destination by the u. Magnitude of ecotourism in costa rica and kenya sciencedirect. Ecotourism in costa rica is one of the key activities of the tourism industry in the country. Ecotourism in costa rica costa rica national parks don. Costa rica secretariat of the convention on biological diversity. Braucht man einen internationalen fuhrerschein, um in costa rica zu fahren. Take a walk on the wild side spot costa rica animals in the wild. Costa rica case study food and agriculture organization of the.
The paper discusses the sustainability of the monteverde cloud forest preserve in the context of costa rican ecotourism. The trend continued and today the costa rican park system includes 70 entities and protects over 3,221,000 acres 1,303,492 ha. In costa rica, where spotting wildlife in the forest requires finely honed skills, top naturalist guides are of the utmost importance. Costa rica s push towards ecotourism began with the establishment of the cabo blanco national reserve in 1963 and the first national parks in 1971. Along with the cheaper ones, there are some of the worlds most opulent and expensive options. Costa ricas push towards ecotourism began with the establishment of the cabo blanco national reserve in 1963 and the first national parks in 1971. While elsewhere in costa rica, other models of tourism such as allinclusive resorts.
Costa rica is considered one of the worlds most biodiverse regions in the world. September 2009 598 john rutter an ecotourism case study. The array of flora and fauna, the lively cities, striking beaches, active volcanoes, water sports, canopy tours, national parks, wetlands, the sounds. Silencio, spanish for silence, is befitting of a destination where. If measured in terms of specialized accommodations, visits by specialist ecotourists, direct social and economic impact, activity space, or government investment, ecotourism is a relatively minor activity.
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