Ecotourism - Costa Rica (tropical rainforest)

Copy summarised

Location

Monteverde, Costa Rice

What is ecotourism?

Tourism in natural surroundings that has a reduced impact on the environment and supports conservation efforts

Costa Rica background info

• Hugely popular tourist destination - millions of visitors each year

• Wants to be the leading carbon neutral country

• Has untouched forests, beaches, and immense biodiversity

Monteverde background info (popular tourist destination)

• Home to a cloud forest

• Spans 10,500 hectares

• 3,000 Costa Rican plants

• 400 species of birds

Why ecotourism?

* Protecting the wildlife + their habitat

Ecotourism in Monteverde

• Tourists given information about specific trails and pathways to walk on

• Still gives tourists thorough view of forest without damaging local environment

Posters in Monteverde to help tourists

• respect wildlife by not touching or feeding animals

• limit noise by keeping mobile phones on vibration mode

• do not use flash photography anywhere

Importance of education in Monteverde

• local Santa Elena High School inspires students from a young age about the importance of the reserve

• Integrate learning about ecology of the reserve into curriculum

• hopes that children may gain eco-tourism related jobs

Ecotourism ‘lodges’

• Rainwater collected on roofs and used for toilets and showers

• Buildings fit between trees in the forest - no old trees destroyed

• Natural light and ventilation minimise energy use

• Only biodegradable soap, detergents and shampoo

Ecotourism activities

• yoga and meditation

• horseback riding

• white-water rafting

• walking and hiking

Successes of ecotourism

• Still attracts 250,000 tourists a year - very important for local economy

• Exciting destination for tourists

• Harmonious relationship maintained between people and wildlife

Flaws of ecotourism

• Increasing number of tourists - more accommodation and facilities, therefore loss of land

• Although hotels and lodges are built to be environmentally friendly, some environmental damage occurs