Ecotourism in Costa Rica

Cocos Island is a prime ecotourism destination in Costa Rica. A World Heritage Site, ranked among the top 77 nominees for the New 7 Wonders of Nature.[1]

Ecotourism is a key component of the tourism industry in Costa Rica. By the early 1990s, Costa Rica became known as the poster child of ecotourism.[2] The country is among many developing nations that look to ecotourism as a way of cashing in on the growing demand for this popular trend of travel.[3]

Ecotourism draws many tourists to visit the extensive national parks and protected areas around the country. Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism, and the country is recognized as one of the few with true ecotourism.[2] While Costa Rica has gained immense popularity for its development of a successful, yet environmentally friendly, ecotourism industry, environmentalists and economists alike debate whether an economy centered on tourism produces more good than harm.[4]

  1. ^ "THE TOP 77". New7Wonders. Archived from the original on 2009-07-10. Retrieved 2009-07-10. This is the list of the Top 77 nominees eligible for consideration by the Panel of Experts, that by July 21, 2009 will select the 28 Official Finalist Candidates.
  2. ^ a b Honey, Martha (1999). Ecotourism and Sustainable Development: Who Owns Paradise?. Island Press; 1 edition, Washington, D.C. pp. 128–181. ISBN 978-1-55963-582-0. Chapter 5. Costa Rica: On the Beaten Path
  3. ^ Dasenbrock, Julie (2002-02-01). "The Pros and Cons of Ecotourism in Costa Rica". TED Case Study Template. Archived from the original on 2013-01-27. Retrieved 2013-02-12.
  4. ^ McArthur, Sarah (2021-06-20). "Ecotourism in Costa Rica - Plan a Sustainable Trip". Retrieved 2023-10-10.