Costa Rica is a study in contrasts. In the last decade Costa Rica has become an immensely popular tourism destination, known for its stunning scenery, abundant natural resources and diverse wildlife. With its extensive network of national parks, Costa Rica is at the forefront of the international conservation movement and has become synonymous with "ecotourism": socially responsible travel that theoretically conserves the environment while improving the welfare of local people. With this reputation, it is not surprising that tourism has become Costa Rica's most important source of revenue.
Unfortunately, the country's heavy reliance on tourism has resulted in serious social and environmental problems; the extensive development of natural areas for tourism has caused the destruction of ecosystems and the displacement of local people whose livelihood depended on those natural resources. The government's insistence on attracting foreign investors has promoted unrestrained development of beach resorts and real estate projects. This, in turn, has produced conflicts over land and water resources with peasants and local communities. The sexual exploitation of local women and children constitutes yet another distressing repercussion of Costa Rica's unregulated tourist industry. This county's natural wealth, ironically, has also led to other environmentally destructive ventures. Oil exploration threatens to destroy fragile coastal ecosystems. Multinational fruit companies and US corporate backed cattle industries are responsible for a deforestation rate in Costa Rica second to none. The government's open doors policy to foreign investors promotes bioprospecting and the spread of genetically modified crops, activities that not only place the country's biodiversity in danger but also affect the local communities' health.
Join Global Exchange as we explore the advantages and disadvantages of a tourism-based economy. As we travel across this naturally rich and strikingly beautiful country, we will examine the social and environmental problems facing Costa Ricans and meet the important players who are creating sustainable solutions. The local solutions to these challenges will inspire our action and involvement with these issues.
Program Highlights:
- Visit the active Poas Volcano and hike through its cloud forest.
- Enjoy the beaches of Manuel Antonio National Park in the Central Pacific.
- Learn about local efforts to create a biological corridor, linking Manuel Antonio National Park to other parks and reserves, to protect the squirrel monkey, a species in danger of extinction.
- Meet with women community activists in the Manuel Antonio National Park area and learn about their proposed alternatives to counteract negative impacts of the tourist industry.
- Learn how the conservation efforts of local Costa Ricans and Quaker immigrants led to the creation of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
- Hike and enjoy a canopy tour through the Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve.
- Learn what local youth activists are doing to promote community- based alternative tourism projects in the Tenorio Volcano area.
- Take a boat ride around Culebra Bay and learn about the environmental and social impacts of large-scale beach resorts and real estate development on the Northern Pacific Coast.
- Meet with grassroots organizations and locals unified in an effort to preserve their natural resources (such as water at risk from large scale resort hotel development) and promoting solutions to regulate tourist development.
- Learn about popular resistance against the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) and examine the repercussions that this treaty will have for campesinos, workers, women, indigenous people, the environment, and the very sovereignty of the country.
- Meet with activists fighting against bioprospecting ventures of transnational pharmaceutical corporations.
- Examine the implications of genetically modified organisms (GMO's) on local farmers as well as on consumer's health.
- Visit a GMO cotton plantation project and learn about the environmental and economic implications of GMO imports.
Cost: $1575
Price Includes:
- Double-room accommodations; on-ground transportation including airport pick-up and drop-off; Global Exchange bilingual trip leader; preparatory reading and orientation materials; admission and fees to all program activities; two meals a day (breakfast and dinner).
- NOT INCLUDED: airfare, airport departure taxes, lunches, tips, and personal expenses. Single rooms are available for an additional $200.
- Please note: participants should arrive and depart from the San Jose International Airport. All Global Exchange participants who arrive and depart on scheduled trip dates are guaranteed airport transportation. Please notify program coordinator with special travel arrangements.
How to Register:
To secure your space on this trip, please submit your registration form and a deposit of $200 two months before departure. A late fee of $50 will be applied for late registration. Deposits are non-refundable but transferable for up to one year toward the cost of another tour. Payments by check, Mastercard or Visa are welcome.This trip will be as diverse as possible in terms of race, age and life experiences. We strongly urge people of color to apply. A limited number of partial scholarships are available for low-income applicants.
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