Eco tourism in Costa Rica takes many forms, is enjoyed or experienced differently, affects people in different ways, and produces different societal consequences-some obvious, some not. And, indeed, the very word "eco tourism" brings different images to mind in different people.
For many travelers, Costa Rica eco tourism is about enjoying and experiencing Costa Rica's biological diversity. This little country comprises only about 1/10,000 of the world's land surface (the size of West Virginia) yet, unbelievably, nearly one of every five species of plant and animal on the globe are found in Costa Rica. The country has more kinds of butterflies than in all of the countries on the entire African continent put together. Costa Rica has recorded almost 900 different kinds of birds, nearly as many as are in the continental United States. The world's largest Green Sea Turtle preserve has been created off the Caribbean Coast at Tortuguero National Park. 35% of the world's different species of whales and porpoises (cetaceans) are found in its offshore waters. Humpback whales from Antarctica travel thousands of miles north to Costa Rica every year while Arctic humpbacks swim thousands of miles south to the very same waters. For that reason, Costa Rica has the longest humpback viewing season anywhere. Corcovado National Park is just 20 miles long and some 8 miles wide but, according to National Geographic, is "the most biologically intense place" on the globe. Tens of thousands of persons visit Costa Rica annually to see or experience these kinds of things. I call them "vacation eco tourists."
However, ecotourism in Costa Rica is considerably more diverse and broad in scope than whale watching, taking a Costa Rica photography tour, hiking tropical jungles, or most of the usual tourist activities. And, though I bet you have never heard of it, few places exemplify that diversity of Costa Rica eco tourism experience better than the Tirimbina Rainforest Center.
The Tirimbina Rainforest Center sits on about 345 hectares, or 850 acres, of primary rain forest. This is the original rain forest that covered 99% of Central America when Christopher Columbus explored its Caribbean coast in 1502. Indeed, when you visit primary rain forest you will literally see trees that have been around since Columbus' es time. Unfortunately, over the following five centuries, burning and logging decimated most of the Central American rain forests. Today, only vestiges of this important resource remain.
The Tirimbina Rainforest Center's life story goes back to 1960 when a fellow named Robert Hunter arrived in Costa Rica from the U.S. to work for the Inter-American Institute for Science and Agriculture. He bought the land today occupied by the Center and set about preserving it. Mr. Hunter invited other scientists and researchers to visit. One of those researchers was Dr. Allen Young of the Milwaukee Public Museum, an internationally known and acclaimed expert on rain forests and cacao cultivation. He, and others like him, who have visited the Center over the last 40 years belong to a distinct group I like to think of as "research eco tourists."
Dr. Young 's fascination with Tirimbina carried over to the Milwaukee Public Museum itself. In 1986, it created a permanent exhibit about the tropical rain forest that it called "Exploring Life on Earth." Over the next several decades hundreds of thousands of children, men, and women visited the Tirimbina exhibit as "virtual eco tourists" and their increasing awareness of the importance--and fragility-of rain forests have contributed to tropical forest preservation demands by the public. The Museum bought the Tirimbina Rainforest Center and managed it until its 2006 sale to a Milwaukee nonprofit called the Pura Vida Foundation. Today, the Center belongs to a Costa Rica nonprofit organization, the Asociacion Tirimbina Para La Conservacion, Investigacion y Educacion.
I recommend visiting the Tirimbina Rainforest Center if you are any of the following: (a) A scientist or researcher interested in rain forest biology; i.e., a tropical "research eco tourist." The Center is a working rain forest research facility which has hosted many national and international projects over the years. A lot of doctorate research, graduate study, and museum projects have also taken place here; (b) A college student looking for a unique study abroad opportunity. Beginning Spring Semester 2010, Ball State University of Indianapolis will initiate a new Study Abroad in Costa Rica program directly from the Tirimbina Rainforest Center. College students will get college credits and live with local families. Though the program is modeled after two very popular Ball State study abroad programs in London and Australia, this study abroad opportunity will have a uniquely Costa Rica flavor for each "student eco tourist"; or (c) Intrigued about seeing or visiting a real working tropical forest research center that also provides educational and family activities like hikes through primary rainforest over five miles of trails; a frog tour; a bat tour; a bird tour; a night tour, and even a chocolate tour. There is an aerial tram and boat tour, too, plus a large number of optional activities (visit the Tirimbina Rainforest Center web page for a list). The Center has overnight accommodations and a restaurant on site for "family ecotourists."
Although it has been known to the tropical forest research community for over 40 years, Tirimbina Rainforest Center is only visited by 8,000 Costa Rica eco tourists a year. It is off the beaten path but if if you are planning to travel to Costa Rica, give the Center serious consideration if you are interested in eco tourism in Costa Rica.
About the Author:
Victor C. Krumm writes about tropical Costa Rica in his acclaimed Costa Rica Vacations site. Wondering what to do if you vacation in Costa Rica?Visit here for Things to Do In Costa Rica
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