Finding the Best Ecotourism Tours in Costa Rica

In Costa Rica, sustainable tourism is a booming business. With more than 25 percent of the country’s land dedicated to national parks and various protected areas, sustainable tourism is one of the areas in which the country excels. The demand for ecotourism tours in Costa Rica has been growing over the past several years, making it one of the world’s leading examples of this type of tourism. Tour operators like Gondwana Ecotours offer eco-friendly packages to tourists interested in both sustainable travel and amazing adventures!

What Is Ecotourism?

Ecotourism has been growing in popularity among travelers who want to minimize their impact on the natural environment, while still having an incredible vacation experience. This mode of travel aims to minimize environmental impact and can benefit local communities, in Costa Rica as well as other destinations. Ecotourism often involves an educational component and invites travelers to interact with people in the communities they are visiting.

The goals of ecotourism tours in Costa Rica are simple:

• Conserve the environment: Ecotourism strives to reduce ecological impact in all areas.
• Improve local communities: Ecotourism can help local people become independent and improve their financial situation.
• Educate: Ecotourism involves sharing knowledge and understanding with visitors, staff, and the visited communities.

In Costa Rica, sustainable tourism often includes activities such as:

• Hiking
• Camping
• Birdwatching
• Surfing
• Visiting a national park

Ecotourism tours in Costa Rica can have many benefits for the environment, local communities, and the local ecosystem. For many people, embarking on a small group tour with a travel company that specializes in sustainable travel, like Gondwana Ecotours, is a compelling and responsible way to explore new places.

Leave No Trace in Costa Rica: Sustainable Tourism Tips

Costa Rica is a pioneer in ecotourism. One of the ideas that fueled this movement was the “leave no trace” philosophy. “Leave no trace” refers to a set of outdoor ethics and principles designed to minimize human impact on the natural environment while enjoying the outdoors. Simply put, “leave no trace” strives to leave a place as it was before it was visited – or even better. In Costa Rica, sustainable tourism has gravitated toward this idea, helping to preserve natural ecosystems by minimizing damage caused by outdoor activities like hiking, camping, and fishing.

Ecotourism tours in Costa Rica operate with three simple ideas in mind. They are:

• Leave the environment as you found it, or better.
• Don't pick plants or collect souvenirs without permission.
• Observe local customs and learn a few phrases in their language.

In short, take only pictures and leave only footprints on your journey!

What Are the 7 Principles of Leave No Trace?

In Costa Rica, sustainable tourism had become a key component of the tourism industry by 1990. This was seen as a means to conserve natural areas throughout the country, and to provide an incentive for natural resource conservation to industries that may have previously done more harm than good to the environment. As ecotourism grew in popularity, so did the vast network of protected areas in Costa Rica. Without the rise of sustainable tourism in Costa Rica, these incredible natural preserves might have fallen prey to the demands of the logging or mining industries.

But how does ecotourism work? The popular travel option shows off the country’s natural wonders, while generating jobs for local people and revenue for the economy, all while encouraging the preservation of sensitive ecosystems through the seven principles of “Leave no Trace.” These seven principles, which can be applied globally, are:

• Plan ahead and prepare.
• Travel and camp on durable surfaces.
• Dispose of waste properly.
• Leave what you find.
• Minimize campfire impacts.
• Respect wildlife.
• Be considerate of other visitors.

Additionally, before traveling abroad, be mindful of researching local customs and regulations. A good tour operator can help guide you through the intricacies of sustainable travel in a foreign country, and help you be a good steward of the environment by selecting public transportation during group travel, taking the tour group to support local businesses, helping you minimize your impact on natural environments that are visited, and educating you about local traditions, dress codes, and practices.

Costa Rica and Ecotourism

Worldwide, tourism is a $500 billion-a-year industry, making up about 11 percent of the world’s economy. However, much of the money generated by tourism rarely is funneled back into local communities or the local economy. Ecotourism, however, has expanded local job markets, allowing local communities and schools to benefit from the tourism dollars that are generated by travelers. In Costa Rica, sustainable tourism has exploded, due in large part to the country’s amazing natural wonders and its inviting atmosphere!

Explore Costa Rica with Gondwana Ecotours

Ecotourism tours in Costa Rica are gaining popularity due to the extraordinary biodiversity of the country. Costa Rica is divided into 30 national parks, 19 wildlife refuges, 8 biological reserves, and a series of protected areas that offer tourists the opportunity to see wildlife, enjoy pristine beaches, and experience the epic heights of a cloud forest. Booking a small group tour with Gondwana Ecotours is a great way to explore this amazing country. Gondwana’s carefully curated tour includes:

• A visit to a family-owned farm tour on the outskirts of Arenal National Park.
• An afternoon spent in the quaint town of La Fortuna, where you can explore local shops, restaurants, and churches.
• A trip to the lava fields surrounding Arenal Volcano.
• A full-day tour of the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park, which is home to some of the world’s rarest wildlife including jaguars, peccaries, tapirs, 450 bird species, and nearly 700 plant and tree species.
• A boat tour of Cano Island, where you can see marine life like whales, dolphins, and sea turtles.

As a bonus, travelers can add on a “pre-trip” adventure at Tortuguero National Park, where they can enjoy freshwater canals, wetlands, and forests. Knowledgeable guides will help you search for toucans, monkeys, caimans, sloths, and otters while hiking, kayaking, and boating on the adventure of a lifetime, too!

Travel in Sustainable Style with Gondwana Ecotours

In Costa Rica, sustainable tourism is a way for locals to show off “Pura Vida,” the country’s laid-back philosophy of living. Pura Vida emphasizes living in the moment, being grateful, and finding joy in the simple things. When you travel with Gondwana Ecotours, Pura Vida is more than just a phrase – it’s a way of life, and travel. So, what are you waiting for? Book one of the best ecotourism tours in Costa Rica with Gondwana Ecotours today!