Costa Rica

• Ecotourism is the responsible travel to natural areas that protects the environment and sustains the well-being of the local people
• Monteverde is a popular tropical rainforest tourist attraction with 250,000 tourists a year
• ecotourism at monteverde

  • number of tourists controlled
  • only allowed on certain paths
  • cannot feed/touch animals
  • must limit noise
• community programmes

  • local Santa Elena High School teaches students from a young age the importance of Monteverde
  • hands-on experience with the forest creates a strong sense of conservation
  • develop skills to gain eco-tourism related jobs
• accommodation

  • no heavy machinery
  • built on small scale
  • hotel only employs locals
  • consults with local community about developments
  • timber from afforestation projects
  • natural light maximissed
  • biodegradable shampoo and conditioner
• activities

  • zip line across a bit of the canopy
  • yoga, mediation, horse riding
• successes and flaws

  • tourism boosts local economy
  • tourism generates $5.6 million a year at Monteverde
  • increase in tourism means more accommodation is being built