When planning a trip to Costa Rica, the last thing on your mind is ecotourism – all you want to do is visit a beautiful country, soak up the sun and the sights and relax until it’s time to go home. However, ecotourism in Costa Rica plays a huge role, and understanding it may help you better appreciate and enjoy this delightful country when you visit.
The International Ecotourism Society defines ecotourism as, “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people.”
In other words, ecotourism is the practice of tourism (this means you and other visitors) in protected, natural environments, having little impact on these environments (this means not disturbing the balance of nature), all while boosting the economy.
So, what exactly does ecotourism have to do with your Costa Rican vacation? If it wasn’t for ecotourism, Costa Rica would not have so much protected land for you to enjoy.
Costa Rica has more than one quarter of its lands protected – this means much more natural beauty for you to absorb during your trip. Without ecotourism, Costa Rica could have gone the way of other developed countries and demolished its natural environment in favor of high-rises and hotels.
Due to ecotourism, you can lie on the pristine beaches, stroll through the jungles, witness native wildlife in its natural habitat, and completely immerse yourself in the culture and natural beauty of Costa Rica.
