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People often ask me to define ecotourism or to describe the difference between an ecolodge and any other lodge.

My opinion is that ecotourism differs from regular tourism in that true ecotourism businesses have goals outside making money like contributing to the conservation of land and the development of sustainable local economies.

I recently met Nina van Toulon.  Nina and her two daughters are trying to get an ecolodge going on Flores, Indonesia. Flores is three islands west of Java.

Because of its geologic history, Indonesia is one of the most biological and ecological diverse regions on the planet. Over the years however, uncontrolled development and political corruption has had a devastating impact on Indonesia’s natural resources. Diverse forests have been cleared for palm plantations and a once vibrant reef system continues to be over fished with nets and incredibly, bombs.

Indonesia has always been a fairly popular tourist destination. The people are very friendly, the weather is nice and it’s fairly cheap.

Flores is also popular with tourists. Being home to the famed Komodo Dragon, Flores maintains a fairly consistent flow of visitors.

Nina bought land on Flores in 2010. Her property is next to Komodo National Park, which is also a marine protected area. Her plan is to build a main house that will have room for plenty of volunteers and about 10 individual rooms.

Nina loves the bay and its wildlife and wants to help protect the waters around Flores. One of her goals is to set up an LMMA or a Locally Managed Marine Area. LMMA’s are an area of land and sea managed by the people who live there, use it for fishing, tourism and who care about their own environment.

In a recent evaluation of the coral reef situation worldwide is stated that LMMA’s have a higher success rate regarding the local coral situation than a Marine Protected Area, I guess that locals taking their own responsibility works better than governments regulating from above.

Another one of her goals is to get the local communities to start looking at things from a ‘greener’ perspective and to look at their island as an eco-island, and one the rest of Indonesia will look at as an example of sustainable development.

Plastic waste is a huge problem in Asia. A huge percentage of people rely on bottled water and recycling is not considered a high priority. However, on Flores, Nina met Stefan Rafael who has started the plastic-man institute. Their hope is to help curve the amount of garbage that comes with development.

As Flores develops they want to have standards in place that will reduce the amount of garbage created and consult with developers on behalf of building hotels and resorts that are in harmony with nature and non-exploitive.

In June of 2012, Nina wants to have a conference on Flores and discuss creating a sustainable future for the people that call Flores home.

There will be planned four blocks of sessions with the following four main topics:
* energy alternatives and water management

* advantages for the environment long term and economical benefits

* issues related to environmental conditions and ways to improve

* various community-based models for resource management and conservation, related to sustainable farming/fishing/forest conservation/coral rehabilitation/waste management

Nina is looking to network with people involved in sustainable development and environmental protection who may want to contribute and assist Flores in making sound and sustainable decisions as they go forward.

If you have experience in sustainable building, reef protection/rehabilitation or fund raising, please contact Nina van Toulon at nina@antiqueexpress.com.

One thing I love about ecotourism and the ecolodges that take it serious is the fact you can have a wonderful nature experience and not sacrifice all the comforts of home.

Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge sits on a 165-acre private nature reserve next to the pristine waters of the Golfo Dulce in southern Costa Rica. The lodge also borders Piedras Blancas National Park. Piedras National Park is approximately 35,000 acres and was established in 1992 as an extension of Corcovado National Park..

Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge offers a number of different ecotours. Kayaking up the Esquinas River was my favorite. The tour leaves just after sunrise. Kayaks are towed behind boats as you travel from the lodge to the river. Early in the morning the waters of the Golfo Dulce are calm and beautiful, increasing your chances to see dolphins and other marine wildlife.

After a delicious breakfast, the real fun begins. The Esquinas River is a calm and hearty river. The lower portions are all mangrove. I find mangrove forests fascinating. They help protect shorelines from erosion and provide habitat for a variety of fish and wildlife.

Guests are also welcome to Kayak in the protected waters of the Golfo Dulce. What’s beautiful about this is the fact that there is still some lowland-tropical rainforest left in southern Costa Rica. And along the Golfo Dulce, it comes  all the way down to the beach.

There’s very little development along this portion of the gulf and views are stunning. Looking up at the different shapes and shades of green is an easy way to see some of the 100s of different types of trees in Piedras Blancas National Park.

There are also a number of rainforest related ecotours guests can take. The preserve and Piedras Blancas National Park are only accessible by boat so your chances of seeing another person is slight. However, your chances of seeing a diverse array of wildlife is really quite good.

Nicuesa is great for birding. They’ve cataloged 250 species on their preserve. Well maintained trails and great guides ensure you’ll see a variety of beautiful birds while at Nicuesa.

The lodge itself is built out of 19 different types of wood. No trees were cut in the actual construction of the lodge. Much of it had previously fallen on the property. The rest came from a tree farm.  Guests are welcome to take a free sustainability tour to learn about everything Nicuesa is doing to be sustainable and a true example of ecotourism.

Everyone eats together at the long table in the main lodge. Guests, staff, owners, all at the same table. It’s great. You get to know your guides, the staff and fascinating people from all over the world.

It’s a very relaxed and comfortable place to be. After a while you get into the ebb and flow of the day and things happen. No need for agendas, clocks or schedules.

When you’re at Nicuesa, it all comes to you.

Watch a video on Nicuesa Rainforest Lodge.

Ecotourism is very popular in Costa Rica. When I first started researching ecolodges in Costa Rica for my ecolodge travel guide, one name kept coming up. Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge and Lodge.

Hacienda Baru is a 330 hectare (815 acre) refuge on Costa Rica’s southern Pacific Coast. The refuge protects land from sea level up to the nearby mountain ridges offering visitors a diversity of bio-regions to explore. The environmental diversity at Hacienda Baru makes it perfect for birders and families interested in ecotourism.

Hacienda Baru is managed by author and naturalist, Jack Ewing. Jack’s book ‘Monkeys Are Made Of Chocolate’ is a great look at the many symbiotic relationships going on in the rainforests that makes them the biological wonders they are.

Jack’s desire to help protect the rainforest helped transform land that was once rice and cattle pasture to one of the most successful ecotourism projects in Costa Rica. Jack works tirelessly on his quest to connect parks and preserves with each other via biological corridors. This approach is good for ecotourism and good for local economies. Jack says it best, ‘if you want to protect the rainforest, it must be profitable for local economies.’

Hacienda Baru employs up to 40 people depending upon the season. Many of them are some of the best guides I’ve ever worked with.

The morning bird tours are incredible. Seven kilometers of well maintained trails provide birding opportunities like few I have seen. All the guides have the high-powered scopes. They know what they’re doing and their ability to see things we cannot, makes it easy to see a variety of birds.

They also offer guided forest walks and canopy tours. Our favorite tour was ‘the flight of the tucan.’

It’s a zip-line tour that starts at the top ridge and zigzags down to the bottom traversing valleys and streams. There are 8 lines. One of which lands in a tree stand. The tour is designed to emulate the flight of the chestnut-mandibled toucan.

Another popular eco tour they offer is ‘a night in the jungle.’ Experienced and bilingual guides take you to their comfortable jungle tent where you can enjoy the sunset, a night hike or just relax on the veranda and listen to sounds of the forest. The diversity of bird songs we heard while there left me constantly flipping through my guide book. Fortunately, the guides knew them all. Hacienda Baru understands education plays an important role in ecotourism.

Guests stay in one of 6 cabins. They’re roomy, comfortable and safe. Each has 2 bedrooms and can sleep 5 comfortably. They’re also very affordable for families looking to enjoy great ecotourism activities without breaking the bank. Since the last time I was there, they’ve built six new cabins surrounding their new pool. The cabins also access 3 kilometers of beach trail.

I’ve been to Costa Rica many times. I think about it all the time when I’m not there. The guides, the food, the trails and the sunsets I’ve enjoyed at Hacienda Baru are a few of the many reason I keep returning.

I realize ecotourism has become a big buzz word, but the fact remains that when done correctly, ecotourism is a great approach to any Costa Rica vacation.

Watch this beautiful video about ecotourism at Hacienda Baru.

I first got turned onto the concept of ecotourism on southern Costa Rica‘s Osa Peninsula. The year was 1999. My friend Johnny and I had just walked through Cocovado National Park. While in the park we met local guide, Mike Boston. I told him I wanted to produce a documentary about ecotourism in Costa Rica. We kept talking and soon he had a list of people he thought I should meet.

A couple days later, we were riding through Puerto Jimenez when Mike said to me, “Mitch, everyone you need to meet is sitting at that table.”

12 years later I can’t remember everyone at the table but I do remember two. Joel and Belen Stewart. They operate el remanso, an ecolodge on the Osa Peninsula.

Joel and Belen met on the Greenpeace boat, Rainbow Warrior. They have been fighting on behalf of healthy environments most of their lives. I believe they started el remanso in the early 90s.

After explaining my desire to produce a piece on the ecotourism industry in Costa Rica, Joel and Belen invited us out to their lodge. We were excited. Neither Johnny and I had ever been to an ecolodge and I was excited to hear more about this thing they called ecotourism.

We spent most of that afternoon just talking. Talking about how ecotourism can contribute to the conservation of land and to the development of sustainable, local economies. Talking about the importance of creating a biological corridor that would connect Corcovado National Park with Matapalo and eventually with the mainland of Costa Rica. Note: Corcovado National Park is on the Osa Peninsula. Corcovado is incredibly diverse biologically. If corridors aren’t created, there is the risk of genetic isolation which can obviously be devastating to the isolated populations.

The next morning, I wanted to do an interview with Joel. He suggested we do it in one of his tree stands,,,130 feet up. They use what is called ascenders to climb the trees. It looks harder than it is and it’s an easy way to get you up to where the life in the rainforest lives. In the canopy.

Being in the canopy increases your understanding for the diversity and fragility of rainforest ecosystems.

Joel explained how different trees use different methods of pollination and seed dispersal to maintain forest health. We could also imagine for ourselves what would happen if the forest became fragmented and the problems that would create for the animals that call the forest home.

Joel explained ecolodges help conserve land by buying large tracts of land and using the lodge to help pay for the land. Many of the ecolodges on the Osa Peninsula own and protect large tracts of land which are enjoyed by the guests.

Private reserves offer a couple advantages. The fact they’re private usually means only their guests have access. This keeps the crowds down and the potential to see wildlife up. Another thing, and I can’t say enough about these guys, are the guides the lodges employ. They have the ability to see things we cannot and they’re always happy to show off their country.

I have heard some complain about the exclusive nature of ecolodges. Example, Instead of using local taxi services, many lodges pick up their clients at the airport and drive them to the lodges.

In their defense, I would say that the people they employ, the land they help protect and their over-all positive influence to the local region, off-sets the exclusive nature of their offerings. Because of their very nature, ecolodges tend to be fairly remote. Shuttling clients around can be a little complicated as roads can be rough and travel time can be long. Something many guests are really not interested in doing while on vacation. There is also the issue of trying to reduce our carbon footprints while vacationing.

I do however, encourage people to visit local communities when possible. It will only enhance your experience.

Ecotourism is a wonderful approach to any successful Costa Rica vacation. If you are considering a Costa Rica vacation, consider staying at lodges versus the big chain hotels. Your money will be better spent and you’ll probably learn more than you ever thought possible while on vacation.

Since our first stay at El Remanso, I have visited many ecolodges and I have seen how ecotourism can play an important role in protecting land and people.

Here is a link to a video about el remanso ecolodge. Enjoy.

One of the things I like most about visiting ecolodges in Costa Rica is walking their many trails and seeing the diversity of plant and wildlife that only exists in equatorial latitudes.

Tiskita has over 15 kilometers of trails going through 800 acres of fruit orchard, secondary rainforest and primary rainforest. There are over 120 different fruit trees in the orchard. Many of which have grown too big to harvest and have basically become food for the animals.

Tiskita Jungle Lodge is owned by Peter and Lisbeth Aspinall and opened for business in 1978. I would guess that Tiskita is one of the first ecotourism projects in Costa Rica. Over the past 30 years, Peter has planted 1000s of trees and the animals have returned to land had once been cleared for pasture.

Peter is from Costa Rica and is the proverbial ‘walking dictionary’ when it comes to local flora and faunal. Walking the trails with him and Lisbeth is a real treat something all guests at Tiskita take advantage of shall the opportunity arise.

During one of our walks we were shooting b-roll for their video segment when we came upon a recently created light gap. Peter explained there are many ways to create a light gap. Wind storms knock over trees. Lightning can cause a tree to fall. As can rotting roots often caused by fungi that lives on the damp forest floor.

Lights gaps are important for forest health as they give rise to trees and plants who have been lying dormant on the forest floor waiting for their chance to contribute to the over all diversity and health of the forest.

What I found fascinating were the vines that had come down with the tree and were now strung about the area. One of the vines was stretched quite tight from the weight and was now serving as a bridge which a 3-toed sloth was using for what we presumed to be the first time.

 

During low-tide, Tiskita offers a wonderful eco tour to the tide pools that are a short walk from the lodge. Luis, Tiskita guide, is very knowledgeable about the diversity of you life that shows itself only when the tide is out.

 

 

 

After the day’s activities there is a wonderful pool to cool off and relax in. Delicious, home cooked meals are served in the spacious and comfortable ranchero.

If you are interested in ecotourism and Costa Rica, you owe it to yourself to check out Tiskit Jungle Lodge.

Watch the Tiskita Jungle Lodge Video.

“Did you hear that,” my good buddy Johnny asked. “Did I hear that! It sound like a freaking freight train on steroids.” I said wondering what in the heck a train would be doing in the middle of the rainforest. “Let’s get some sleep and we’ll ask a ranger in the morning.” Johnny manlyly replied. “Sleep? We’ll see.” I thought as I hoped the body didn’t match the voice.

We had just arrived at the Los Patos Ranger Station in Corcovado National Park. Day 1 of a 4 day tour that some lady on the plane had told us would be the time of our life. Night had fallen and we were setting up the tent we had rented from the same station we got our park permit from. And it was no North Face. Fortunately, there was a tent stand to keep us off the ground.

I woke the next morning feeling grateful. Grateful it was morning and grateful Johnny knew Spanish so a couple rainforest greenhorns from Idaho could find out what nearly sent us scurrying up the nearest tree we could find last night.

The answer. Black Howler Monkeys. I felt relieved knowing what it was and just as I was about to ask if the body matched the voice, we were greeted with another. We ducked our heads thinking the sky was surely falling. The rangers erupted in laughter pointing out a howler monkey up in a tree. We could hardly see it. I think they’re around 2 feet tall on a good day.

I always have a video camera with me and as soon as I knew the forest wasn’t going to swallow me whole, I started rolling tape. This impressed the rangers and before we knew we it they we showing us how they stored water, grew fruit, cared for their horses. All was right in the world.

After a leisurely soak in the stream complete w/beautiful waterfall, we began walking to the next forest station. A mere 15 miles away. Literally as soon as we exited the property and was closing the gate, it began to rain. The two greenhorns from Idaho were about to learn why they call the rainforest, the rainforest.

Our plan was to spend our time in Corcovado shooting a pilot for the travel channel we knew they would bite on. But as the rain fell, the trails became mud and our feet became mush. Our documentary would have to wait for now. It was so beautiful.

We walked all day on sensory overload. The size of the trees with their huge buttresses. The sounds of the forest and the way it ebbs and flows. The fact we were actually in Corcovado.

At last we arrived we arrived at the Sirena Ranger Station. The heart of Corcovado. Now all we had to do was painstakingly walk across the airstrip where some tourists had gathered on a deck without looking like a couple of, well, greenhorns from Idaho.

 After a delicious dinner of crackers, refried beans, can corn and tuna fish we found out that most of the people there had similar stories. The pain eased.

The next day was spent exploring the incredible forest surrounding the ranger station. We canoed up rio sirena and got burnt to a crisp.

Day 3 found us sitting on the deck pondering how were going to do the 15 mile walk out with backs the color of cherry filling.

It was then we noticed we noticed this guy about 105 pounds and 5’6 walking up the airstrip. We knew he hadn’t come the direction we had and having some understanding of where we were, I had to ask. He told me he had walked in the way we were to walk out the following day. We introduced ourselves. He name is Mike Boston and to this day he remains a very good friend. He continued telling us he had some clients flying in but he prefers the walk. It’s approximately 15 miles. Much of it is on a hot beach and he was hardly sweating. Amazing.

As we continued talking, it became apparent Mike Boston was not your typical forest guide. He’s an encyclopedia on reptiles, loves crocodiles and is from Ireland. Eventually, he invited us to hike out with him and his clients the next night. Hiking at night has its advantages and disadvantages in the rainforest. Definitely cooler but definitely harder to see. As the trail meandered from the beach to the forest, to the beach to the forest for mile after beautiful mile, we both began to feel we were experiencing something special. We were on the road. Traveling together again. Meeting great people and doing exactly what we wanted to be doing.

We saw our first Baird Tapir on that hike. Albeit for a few brief seconds but we had seen our first gentle giant of the forest. Cool.

At some point late in the night, we arrived at the Lookout Inn. Terry the owner had walked out with us and invited us to stay. The beer was cold. Our bodies fried. Our faces smiling.

The lady on the plane was right. It was the time of our lives.

Here’s a great video documenting a day in the life of Corcovado National Park.

“Are you sure this will work?” I asked nervously before putting my camera, uh-uhm, my friends humidity-sensors-through-the-roof camera into the oven in hopes of a more productive tomorrow. “Yes I’m sure” Lana replied adding another video crew had recently been there and after all, ‘that’s what they did.’. “OK. Here goes. Medium-well please.” What seemed like an eternity was only a few seconds and the camera was fine. “Phew.”

I was in Costa Rica finishing the filming for my first dvd project, Costa Rica – Protecting The Web Of Life.’ I had met Lana previously and was excited she wanted me to see Luna Lodge. It only takes one visit to Luna Lodge before you’re sharing Lana’s passion in wanting to see it protected for the animals that call it home.

Luna Lodge is as close as you can get to Corcovado National Park without actually being inside the park. Lana built Luna Lodge knowing she was in a special spot and took steps ensuring that neither the forest, nor the animals would suffer as a result of her presence. In fact, I would argue, practices like poaching and hunting are likely reduced as a result of ecotourism. Many of the lodges I know of in Costa Rica employ former gold miners and hunters. They know the forest better than anyone and make great forest guides, boat captains and even chefs. And through this sustainable employment and ecotourism they realize there is more money in live wildlife than dead wildlife.

Guests stay in one of 8 immaculate, thatch roof bungalows. Tall roofs and windows take advantage of the gentle breeze coming up the canyon from the Pacific. There are two double beds in each bungalow and the bathrooms come with their own garden making a nice segue to the rainforest outside.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meals are served in the large yet sustainably built rancho. The roof is made from a material called palmex. Palmex is plastic imitation of suita, which is a type of palm whose leaves are used in tropical roofing. This material mimics the original thatch roof but eliminates the need to harvest suita and lasts much longer.

Lana loves to do yoga and has built an amazing yoga platform where yoga is done daily. She also hosts a number of retreats. Visit her website at lunalodge.com to learn more.

Luna Lodge offers a variety of different eco tours. From venturing into the amazing Corcovado National Park, visiting waterfalls, riding horses along an uncrowded beach or bird watching, there is never a shortage of activities to enjoy.

Lana has turned Luna Lodge into a wonderful example of how ecotourism can have a positive impact. She has worked tirelessly creating a place that does not intrude upon but instead compliments nature.

We have two videos on sustainabletv.org featuring Luna Lodge.

Luna Lodge Profile

Costa Rica – White Hawk Project

 

For the next couple weeks, I’ll be posting a series articles related to ecotourism in Costa Rica. We’ll look at a number of different ecolodges, what they’re doing on behalf of social and environmental conservation and what visitors can expect.

Over the past 10 years, I have been to Costa Rica many times producing video segments on their ecotourism industry.  All my Costa Rica videos are now on sustainabletv.org under the ecotourism category.

Costa Rica is a beautiful country. With a little planning and knowledge, satisfying everyone’s expectations should be easy.

Ecotourism in Costa Rica has become hugely popular with those looking for wonderful nature experiences while helping contribute to local economies.

Ecotourism revolves around the concept that it is possible to take a vacation which immerses you in nature, is both entertaining and educational while being economically beneficial to the local community.

There are many ways to approach a Costa Rica vacation that is both environmentally rich and socially responsible. One thing to look for is the involvement of the owners of the places you’ll be staying.

Lana Wedmore owns and operates the Luna Lodge. Luna Lodge is located at the end of the road overlooking the Carate River Valley and Corcovado National Park. Lana has poured everything she has into Luna Lodge and her place is now one of the most popular lodges on the Osa Peninsula.

The Carate River was once rich with gold and many miners still live in the valley. It’s a history drenched in rum and folk lore and is worth exploring. The area is now basically 12 different farms. All of which are for sale.

Lana’s ‘Whitehawk Project’ seeks to raise private monies in hopes of purchasing the properties and protecting them from development.

What makes these properties ecologically important is their proximity to Corcovado National Park. Corcovado National Park lies on the southern tip of the Osa Peninsula and has been called one of the most biological intense places on the planet. Threatened species lie the Jaguar, Puma, Tapir and Scarlet Macaw still thrive in Corcovado National Park.

What concerns Lana and many others is the potential for biological isolation. Costa Rica has more than 30 reserves, preserves, national parks etc protecting approximately 25% of the country. However many, if not all, of these preserves exist as isolated islands and are not connected to each other via biological corridors. If different species cannot interact, inbreeding can occur and the results can be catastrophic.

Lana and many others are trying to complete a corridor that would go from Corcovado National Park to Matapalo. Matapalo is a community of sorts about 30 miles from Corcovado. There are a few ecolodges in the area who collectively are helping protect 1000s of acres of rainforest and are also contributing to this important corridor.

50% of the world’s biological diversity lies within 10 degrees north and south of the equator. The fact 2.5% of that is found on the Osa Peninsula should make completing these corridors and protecting species diversity a high priority for Costa Rica. Especially so when you look at the energy put into their green marketing.

However, with the current state of international affairs, the fact is the government simply can’t afford it. That is why those of us who love and care about the Osa and the world, she all thank people like Lana for what they’re trying to do. If you want to get involved, visit her at lunalodge.com

Lana’s love for this area is evident. She sincerely wants to see it protected for others to enjoy. But more importantly, she wants to protect it for the animals.

Learn more about Luna Lodge and her efforts on sustainabletv.org

http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=px2u06ob&catid=15166

http://mediasuite.multicastmedia.com/player.php?v=uujrqndg&catid=15166

Vista del Valle is located 30 minutes from the international airport in San Jose and is the perfect place to begin and end your Costa Rica vacation.

The elevation at Vista del Valle is approximately 2300 feet and the region is known for producing some of Costa Rica’s best coffee.

The accommodations consist of a number of small, comfortable cottages. They’ve very private and walking the botanical gardens are a wonderful way to get to know Costa Rica.

Owners Michael and Joanna Bresnan have been in Costa Rica for forty plus years. They love Costa Rica and want Costa Rica to become a model of sustainability for the rest of us to follow. They’re setting the example through their numerous sustainability programs.

To learn more about Vista del Valle, watch their video segment on stv.

Costa Rica is an amazing country. Both socially and environmentally, Costa Rica has a lot to offer today’s nature traveler. Costa Rica is also great for family vacations. The amount and diversity of wildlife in Costa Rica is enough to make even the most connected kids, put away their e-device of the day and actually look up.

There are four types of monkeys in Costa Rica; Squirrel monkeys, Spider monkeys, White-Faced or Capuchins and Howlers. Over 800 species of birds have been documented along with more than 1000 different species of trees. Scientists are continually adding to the mind-boggling number of different plant species.

Ecolodges are great places to stay for families looking for true nature experiences. Ecolodges tend to be in fairly remote regions which is good for wildlife viewing. Ecolodges also tend to employ their own on-site guides who are very knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna making stays both entertaining and educational. Ecolodges also contribute to local economies by employing people and encouraging their guests to visit local communities during their stay.

If you are interested in a Costa Rica vacation, watch some of the ecolodge video segments we have under the ecotourism category on sustainabletv.org.