Hi! After a month of inactivity on my blog, I’m back with a new article. This time I decided to share with you a piece of my life, telling you briefly about my last Eco-friendly trip! Loving nature very much, my husband and I have decided to organize a trip in the name of ecotourism in Costa Rica. Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world for biodiversity. Even though it represents only 0.03% of the world’s surface area, this country contains nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity.
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Gabi
What Ecotourism is?
According to Wikipedia, Ecotourism means “responsible travel to natural areas, conserving the environment, and improving the well-being of the local people” (read more here).
During our whole trip, we weren’t alone. We have not rented cars or improvised our holiday. We relied on a tour with professional local guides to discover and respect this country as much as possible. On this trip, we not only visited amazing parks and saw wild animals but also visited local realities. These, thanks to ecotourism, have managed to get up after catastrophic events such as volcanic eruptions or strong earthquakes.
Ecotourism in Costa Rica: Best 3 places to visit
Costa Rica is a world heritage site of flora and fauna. Unfortunately, 2 weeks are not enough to visit it all because there is so much to see and discover. What I feel like sharing are those places that I visited and that impressed me for their grandeur and beauty.
Costa Rica makes you realize how nature is everything. It shows you how beautiful it is in its colors and shades and that it does not deserve to be mistreated by humans with deforestation and pollution.
1. Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero Park is located north of the Caribbean coast. It is a protected area consisting of canals surrounded by rainforest. It is possible to reach Tortughero only by boat or plane. Here you can feel the real contact with nature. No traffic, no internet (at least for me), just nature around. Here I recommend the night tour. During our tour, the guide turned off the engines of the boat and asked to turn off all the lights in our possession. For a few minutes, it was just us and nature. Immersed in a silence full of life and illuminated only by moonbeams. Fantastic!
2. Santa Elena Cloud Forest
The cloud forest of Santa. Elena is located in the region of Guanacaste, a central mountainous area of Costa Rica. Its name refers precisely to the clouds that form due to the arrival of the humid trade winds from the Caribbean.
3. Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is located on the Pacific coast. The number of species observed is impressive! Sloths, monkeys, bats, birds and many more! Don’t bring food with you because the Capuchin monkeys might steal it from you! The trail ends at the beach, with its very hot oceanic waters! Bring your bath suit so you don’t miss it!
Activities you shouldn’t miss in Costa Rica
Bogarin Trail in La Fortuna is a Must. Book this activity with the guide, Giovanni. He is the one who has transformed what 20 years ago was a marshy area in the present jungle! With him, you will see a huge amount of wild animals also thanks to his ability to talk to them!! Read his interview in The New York Times to learn more!
Ecotourism and educational work in the rainforest in Santa Elena. Among the most rewarding activities is certainly having helped in the reforestation program, helping Monteverde’s researchers to plant new trees. The tour, we were part of, allowed us to give our help for a day. It was a fantastic experience, even if short! Read here for more information.
Packing list for Costa Rica Vacation
- Raincoat or Light Waterproof Jacket
- Hiking Boots
- Sun Cream SPF 50 High Protection (against UVA and UVB)
- Mosquito Repellent
- Sunglasses
- Water Shoes
- Rash Guard Shirt (the sun is strong, and the protective cream may not be enough! Better avoid sunburn!)
- Costa Rica (Travel Guide)
Conclusion
This has been my experience and my trip to Costa Rica! A magnificent nation, helpful and good people, healthy food, lots of coffee! 🙂 absolutely a trip to recommend.
And you have already made an “Eco-trip”? What do you recommend? I am curious to know what your destinations have been.
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Gabi
I really need an ecotourism vacation now. In Malaysia, we have interesting spots for ecotourism too. Tq for sharing about Costa Rica’s ecotourism.
I haven’t visited Costa Rica yet. I’ve heard about the cloud forest. Can’t wait to see it in person.
Great article. Love the pics. Costa Rica looks beautiful.
Manuel Antonio National Park is such a special place! I am so glad I was able to visit and am glad it made your list!
Great to see that this is starting to take off in many destinations around the world – I’m all for this!
Costa Rica looks incredible! What an amazing place.
Costa Rica is on my bucket list! All these spots sound like so much fun!
Such a beautiful country! The cloud forest in particular is awe-inspiring. Sounds like an amazing time! ❤