Beautiful Costa Rica & Ecotourism

#Costa_Rica_Ecotourism

Ecotourism is a growing plus an important sector of the economy here in Costa Rica
 The government has done its part by protecting 25% of the area with 29 National Parks for all of us to enjoy.

 Now it will cost you for tours
 But some things are just worth spending on and if you are about helping the Earth as 4% of this planets biodiversity is here
So even though it is a small country, it carries a huge impact on the Global Stage

Everything is Eco these days but lets remember the original meaning of it;

Ecotourism immerses travelers into natural areas
 So for example in Costa Rica
you will see tropical forests which are dry, wet and rain types
This will create an environmental awareness through our sense of sight, smell, hearing plus touch

Costa Rica push towards ecotourism started with the establishment of the Cabo Blanco National Reserve in 1963, then the first of its National Parks in 1971

That trend continued and today the countries park system covers 3,221,000 acres which is 30% of its territory marked for conservation
Making it one of the highest ratios in the world

Costa Rica has the highest density of plant and animal species on Earth because of its interoceanic plus intercontinental location

 Also the fact of it being an isthmus
 Which many species migrated here during that geological time period and stayed

 

So besides the famous butterflies of Costa Rica (1,200 species) there are also 850 bird, 237 mammal, 1260 tree, 1200 orchid and 361 reptile / amphibian species of each    

Costa Rica has a tropical climate that extends across extreme variations in altitude and covers countless ecosystems

As i am walking the Zen Gardens  i am reminded this was not always the case

Thankfully the country reversed its mindset of cutting down forests for agriculture and cattle in the mid 1900s (which was the standard practice for Central America at this time) 

The government then formed the Park System as they realized tourists are willing to pay to experience the wonders of their nature

Not all Eco-activities involve looking at plants in Costa Rica;

A) Rafting down rivers as you identify coastal birds
B) Whale watching on the Pacific Ocean
C) Riding horses on the plains of the Central Valley

The government estimates that 50% of international visitors consider themselves ecotourists

Now with these large numbers some parks are putting on a cap for per day entrants
For example;
 Monteverde is 200 and Manuel Antonio is at 800 
So plan ahead 

The landscape here is diverse;
 Rainforests, Volcanoes, Beaches, Wetlands and Caves 

All of this in an area of  62,000 square kilometers or 24,000 square miles
( think the size of West Virginia, which is the only the 41st largest state in the USA)

During your Guided Tour

 You may learn of the medical uses of the tropical plants, distinguish between the calls of a bellbird or toucan, maybe point out the root system of a balsa tree
So yes, worth it to pay for tours in this country

There are Ecolodges that are intentionally isolated which uses solar and wind power
Now these are less fancy plus have fewer amenities than traditional resorts
 but what better way to experience nature in Costa Rica

The park system protects some 500,000 species of plants and animals
 which again is 4% of the worlds total biodiversity

Local artist and my friend Allan Murillos stunning work that captures the raw beauty of his country onto his canvas   
  https://www.instagram.com/amurillo.art/