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#CostaRicaEcotourism 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 you are helping an area that contains 4% of the worlds biodiversity So even though it is a small country, it carries a huge impact on the Global Stage .jpg) Understanding The Word Everything is Eco these days but lets remember the original meaning of it; Ecotourism immerses travelers into natural areas So for one example in Costa Rica You will see tropical forests which are dry, wet plus of rain types This will create an environmental awareness through our sense of sight, smell, hearing and touch  The Beginnings 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 continues today, as 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 .jpg) Special Place Costa Rica has the highest density of plant and animal species on Earth because of its interoceanic plus intercontinental location Biological Bridge With its unique geographic position as a land bridge connecting North and South America it allowed species from both continents to mix, contributing significantly to its biodiversity |
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Butterflies A) They have taste receptors on their feet, which helps them identify host plants plus suitable food sources B) The wings are covered in thousands of microscopic scales (like i fish) So the oil from human fingers can damage these delicate scales, so best not to handle them C) Costa Rica is the largest exporter in the world of butterflies for live exhibits D) An abundance of our friends is a good sign of a healthy and balanced local ecosystem E) The Blue Morpho was declared a national symbol of the country and its image is on the $50,000 dollar bill |
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Tropical Climate It extends across extreme variations in altitude and covers countless ecosystems For Example; The Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park It has been described by National Geographic as the "most biologically intense place of earth" due to its 13 major ecosystems plus high concentrations of rare species |
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Zen Gardens I am reminded this was not always the case Change In Policy Thankfully the country reversed its mindset of cutting down forests for agriculture and cattle (which was the standard practice for Central America at this time) As in the 1980s the forest cover in Costa Rica dropped to just 21%, but thanks to pioneering programs such as paying landowners to preserve the trees, the coverage has since doubled to over 50% Park System The government realized tourists are willing to pay to experience the wonders of their nature |
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Other Eco-Activities A) Rafting down rivers flowing through rainforests plus canyons; as you see toucans, ospreys, monkeys and sloths (National Geographic has rated the Pacuare River as one of the top 10 most scenic rivers in the world) B) Humpback Whales coming from both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres to the Pacific coast to breed C) Riding horses on the plains of the Central Valley to see jungles, waterfalls and pastures D) Nocturnal Wonders of the rainforest at night, with creatures like the red-eyed tree frog, bats and wild ocelots. Many National Parks have guided night tours to experience this hidden ecosystem |
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.jpg) Tourist Limits Now with 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 Other Rules A) No touching or feeding wildlife, plus (really do i need to mention this😏) NO Selfies with the animals B) Guides are mandatory for some parks due to the dense or challenging terrain C) Stay on the marked trails to protect the delicate ecosystems plus for your safety D) Certain parks do not allow plastic bottles, cans or food |
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Diverse Landscape Rainforests, Volcanoes, Beaches, Wetlands and Caves West Virginia Size All of this in an area of 62,000 square kilometers or 24,000 square miles |
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Guided Tour Perks You may learn of the medical uses of the tropical plants, distinguish between the calls of a bellbird or toucan, maybe even point out the root system of a balsa tree So yes, worth it to pay for tours in this country |
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Ecolodges They 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 Facts A) Some are so remote like Pacuare Lodge you can only access it by white-water rafting which adds a way cool element to your journey B) At Lapa Rios Ecolodge the food scraps are fed to the local pigs, then the biogas produced from the pig waste is captured and used to operate the staff kitchen C) Drinking water from one lodge is harvested from the on-site banana trees D) Zip-Lines are the mode of transport around some properties ( the original use of this) E) Maquenque location offers deluxe treehouses 10 meters (30 feet) to have a very unique wildlife viewing experience F) La Kukula are built on abandoned cocoa or banana plantations, which also are actively reforesting the land themselves KeyTip The government has a Certificate of Sustainable Tourism (CST) Program that helps travelers identify which are genuinely sustainable Hotels or Lodges Plus at some locations guests can participate in educational tours and tree-planting programs |
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The Park System It protects some 500,000 species of plants and animals which again is 4% of the worlds total biodiversity Interesting Animal Facts A) Sloths; are surprisingly good swimmers but only come down from the treetops to use the bathroom once a week, which unfortunately accounts for a large number of their fatalities B) Howler Monkeys; are the loudest land animals in the Americas with their calls can be heard up to 5kms ( 3 miles) away and generally at dawn C) Jesus Christ Lizard; can run across the surface of water on its hind legs at speeds of 1.5 meters (5 feet) per second due to the specialized scales on its toes D) Scarlet Macaws; are highly intelligent birds that mate for life and so that is why you seen them always flying in pairs or small family groups E) The Glass Frog; it has a translucent belly allowing you to see its internal organs F) Hummingbirds; very high metabolism which requires it to drink more than their body weight in nectar everyday |
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Plant Facts A) Strangler Fig; it grows around the host tree, eventually "strangling" it and then takes its place in the forest B) Guanacaste; its the National Tree known for its massive umbrella-shape canopy C) Leafcutter Ants; are industrious farmers who cut the leaves to grow an edible fungus in their underground colonies |
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| Allan Murillos Local artist and my friend with his stunning work that captures the raw beauty of his country onto a canvas https://www.instagram.com/amurillo.art/ |
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