There are a variety of words used to describe travel these days: Eco, Sustainable, Green, Adventure and Cultural are a few. Costa Rica could very well fit into all these categories and it is one of the most biologically diverse nations on the entire planet.

That’s why millions of tourists have and continue to visit Costa Rica to explore some of the last completely unspoiled natural habitats in the world.

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This small yet amazingly diverse democratic nation covers only 1/10,000th of the world’s surface, approximately 200 miles long by 70 miles wide and yet it is home to more climate zones and different species of plants and animals than most countries in the world. Costa Rica:

  • Hosts 11 distinct climate zones, while the much larger United States hosts only nine climate zones.
  • Protects 27 percent of its total territory: there are currently more than 75 designated protected areas in Costa Rica.
  • Is home to more than 850 bird species; 10% of all known bird species on Earth (the U.S. and Canada combined have less than half that number), 5,000 different species of grasshoppers, 160 known amphibians, 220 reptiles and 10 percent of all known butterflies (Corcovado National Park alone has at least 220 different species).
  • In Costa Rica, you’ll find high-elevation cloud forests, deserted white and black-sand beaches, lowland rain forests, mysterious mangrove swamps, dense green forests, protected marine areas, expansive wetlands and just about everything in between.

Combine this incredible biodiversity with Costa Rica’s progressive policies on environmental protection and sustainable eco-tourism in the National Parks System, and it’s not hard to see why Costa Rica is so popular with eco-friendly tourists.

When you visit Costa Rica, you’ll find that there are many exhilarating ways to explore its outstanding natural beauty. Let’s define a few of the tourism categories that are offered to international travelers:

Eco/Sustainable /Green tourism: Any form of tourism that does not reduce the availability of resources and does not inhibit future travelers from enjoying the same experience. If the presence of large numbers of tourists disturbs an animal’s mating patterns so that there are fewer of that species in the future then that visit was not sustainable.

The Ecotourism Society defines Eco-tourism as “responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people”.

Green tourism is often associated with eco-tourism and sustainable tourism. More accurately, described as “any activity or facility operating in an environmentally friendly fashion”. A lodge with composting toilets, gray water system, and solar powered lighting is probably “green”.

There are varying degrees of “greenness”; an awareness of where resources are coming from and where wastes are going is at the heart of the idea.

Here in Costa Rica these destinations and activities are definitely green, environmentally friendly and sustainable:

  • Walking amid palm trees, orchids, primitive ferns and an incredible variety of wildlife at the Rara Avis Rainforest Reserve.
  • Observing the monkeys while listening to the sounds of the rainforest and ocean waves at La Leona Eco Lodge Tent Camp.
  • Bird watching for hummingbirds, scarlet macaws, toucans, kingfishers, trogons, and even the resplendent quetzal in the Braulio Carrillo National Park.
  • Scuba diving or snorkeling amongst thousands of colorful tropical fish and vivid coral reefs surrounding Santa Elenas Bahia Murcielago and Catalina Islands.
  • Swimming in the warm tropical waters at Playa Bonita in Limon, Manuel Antonio National Park, Playa Cocles and alongside dozens of other pristine, unspoiled stretches of coastline.
  • Hiking through the Corcovado National Park, a lush green coastal rainforest and one of Costa Rica’s best places to encounter parrots, crocodiles, caimans, toucans, kingfishers, iguanas, and lizards.
  • Kayaking down the Sarapiqui River, in the Pacific Ocean or in the Caribbean Sea can be environmentally sustainable if the participants observe responsible methods.

Adventure Travel: Most dictionaries define adventures similarly: “unusual experiences including some level of risk and uncertainty”. Adventure travel includes the idea of risk and often times some unconventional means of transport. There is sometimes a distinction made between “Soft” and “Hard” adventures.

Soft adventures have a lower level of risk, greater comfort in accommodations and are less physically rigorous. Hard adventures often have very basic facilities, higher risk factors and greater physical challenges, such as:

  • Whitewater rafting down the exhilarating and adrenaline-pumping, Class III-IV sections of the Reventazon and Pacuare Rivers.
  • Mountain biking in the pristine Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula is a good example of Adventure Tourism.
  • Sportfishing for tuna, marlin or swordfish off the Pacific Coasts of Quepos, Golfito or Flamingo and snook and tarpon at Barra del Colorado on the Atlantic Coast.
  • Horseback riding on the beach at sunset in Samara, Montezuma or many other ideal locations.
  • Surfing world-class waves at Playa Naranjo, one of the best breaks in the country, Puerto Viejo, one of the few legitimate “big waves” in Costa Rica and at Playa Pavones, one of the longest left points in the world.

Cultural Tourism: Interacting with and observing unique cultures is the focus of this style of trip. The concept of learning from other cultures to broaden ones perspective is usually a core value. An artisan showing you how to weave a tapestry and learning from them about their traditional dress would be a form of cultural tourism.

Buying crafts in the market with no more interaction than the exchange of money does not provide the insight into another culture that is the central theme of cultural tourism.

To begin a cultural trip in Costa Rica, the capital of San Jose is the place to discover the Tico culture. You can check out some of the unique architecture and contemporary art in the Parque Central and Parque Espana. The parks provide a welcome scene of greenery to hard cobblestone and cement pavement of the busy streets of San Jose and they also are often host to a number of music festivals and events throughout the year.

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Not to miss is the National Theatre of Costa Rica, located in the central section of San Jose. Construction began in 1891, and it opened to the public on October 21, 1897, with a performance of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe’s Faust.

The National Theatre stood as a cultural asset of the country during a time when coffee exports were a source of its success. It presents high quality performances with national as well as international artists. The building is considered the finest historical buildings in the capital and it is known for its exquisite interior with lavish furnishings.

Constructed in the late 19th century, when San Jose’s population was only around 19,000 people, the theatre presented many private performances. The front of the theatre features statues of Calderón de la Barca and Ludwig van Beethoven. The inside features the mural; Allegory of Coffee and Bananas by Milanese artist Aleardo Villa.

As well as having performances several times a week, the theatre is a tourist attraction. Performances by the National Symphonic Orchestra take place as part of orchestra’s regular season, and include both Costa Rican and foreign composers.

As is custom when touring a new city or country make sure you visit Costa Rica’s abundant national museums. The National Museum of Costa Rica and the Museum of Pre-Colombian Gold is a great chance to peer back into indigenous and colonial history of the nation. The National Museum houses Costa Rica’s world-renown and mysterious stone spheres that were created thousands of years ago by indigenous Costa Ricans.

The museum also has a fine collection of indigenous art work, jewelry and ceremonial tables. The Museum of Pre-Colombian Gold contains beautiful intricate designs of gold statues and jewelry that would make even the most talented gold crafters envious.

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Costa Rica’s Regions – All of the above types of tourism are available throughout Costa Rica and the following regions are where you can find these diverse activities and destinations:

  1. The Central Valley – Unlike the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the Central Valley of Costa Rica lies at an elevation of 3,000 to 5,000 feet and has the cool temperatures to prove it. In the Central Valley you’ll find the capital of San Jose as well as many small towns well-known for their beauty and charm. Expat residents with second homes in the central valley enjoy going to art galleries, handicraft shops, boutiques, bars, restaurants, flower, fruit and vegetable markets and friendly village churches.
  2. The Pacific Coast – Spectacular ocean views, gorgeous beaches, world-class surfing, sport fishing, bird watching, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, and horseback riding make the Pacific Coast a prime attraction for adventuresome tourists. And remarkably, there are still places along the Pacific Coast that aren’t overcrowded. In fact, you can still find small fishing villages and stretches of beach that may remind you of a completely wild tropical island. That’s because there are several national parks and wildlife preserves nearby that are home to dozens of exotic animals, including leatherback turtles come ashore to lay their eggs.

  3. The Caribbean Coast – For many decades, tourists have been attracted to the Caribbean Coast, where you can enjoy superb surfing, sport fishing, and opportunities to get a close-up look at nature in an area where tropical rainforests extend to the white-sand beaches. The Caribbean Coast is also home to several wildlife refuges and parks, including the Tortuguero National Park, where turtles go to nest.
  4. The Southern Nicoya Peninsula – Long a secret in Costa Rica, the Southern Nicoya Peninsula is home to a small but thriving community of artists, actors, singers, writers, celebrities, models, musicians, and other creative visionaries that have made this undiscovered paradise their new home away from home. It’s also home to the Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco, Costa Rica’s oldest protected piece of land – and the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curu, which includes a great variety of wildlife and if you’re lucky, you may see deer, monkeys, and wildcats roaming through the forests.
  5. The Osa Peninsula – This is an area of incredible biological diversity and quite different from the Costa Rican mainland. In fact, it’s probably unlike any place you’ll ever see in your life. It has an extraordinary number of species found nowhere else on Earth. Quite simply, it’s simply one of the most pristine and awe-inspiring natural wonders ever discovered. It’s like Blue Lagoon in Jurassic Park.

Clearly many types of travel are available here in Costa Rica. What one person calls eco tourism another calls sustainable. The main distinction between these terms is the motives and ethics behind them.

Even with it’s limited financial resources, Costa Rica makes great effort to;

  • Honors and values its culture and heritage
  • Protects its natural environment
  • Assists the local economies in all regions
  • Preserves it its resources for future generations

So when you travel to Costa Rica, remember to bring your camera, sunscreen, hiking shoes, swimsuit, and your sense of adventure. You’ll be happy you did!

Costa Rica Homebuilder Tom Rosenberger

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Written by VIP Member Tom Rosenberger of CostaRicaHomebuilder.com With more than 25 years of homebuilding experience, 15 of which have been in Costa Rica, construction consultant Tom Rosenberger knows the ins and outs of building and remodeling a home in the Central Valley area of Costa Rica. You can contact Tom using his Contact Us page here.

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