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Eco Tourism in Costa Rica!
Costa Rica eco tourism continues to grow in popularity! You can now enjoy one of the most bio diverse countries on mother earth and do it in an environmentally friendly way. The government of Costa Rica has taken the lead in preserving and protecting large areas of the country. Costa Rica has six prime habitats from tropical rain forests to mangrove swamps. In the mid-1980s, Costa Rica eco tourism began as a way to stop deforestation and to generate needed foreign exchange for the economy. Now, more than one fourth of the country is protected in national parks and wild life preserves. 
As travelers become more aware of the impact that man has on the environment they are looking for ways to reduce their "human footprint" on nature.Costa Rica has more than twelve eco systems and has produced one of the largest varieties of fauna and flora on the planet. There are 850 different bird species in Costa Rica. It has 600 different kinds of butterflies, 200 species of mammals ranging from cota mundis to ocelots. There are more than 150 different kinds of reptiles, to include iguanas and alligators. In addition,there are over a 1,000 species of orchids in Costa Rica's rain forests. Located in Central America, Costa Rica is north of the country of Panama and the famous Panama Canal. It borders Nicaragua, to the north. To the west is the Pacific Ocean and on the east is the Caribbean Sea. The country is divided by a backbone of volcanoes and mountains. Costa Rica has four distinct mountain ranges. There are also about seven active volcanoes plus twelve or more that are dormant or extinct. Earth tremors and small earthquakes are felt in the country from time to time. As you can imagine, there is much to do and see in this tropical paradise. From hiking through a "cloud forest" located high in the mountains to strolling along a sunny ocean beach to observe sea turtles burying their eggs in the sand. Go snorkeling on one of
Costa Rica's beaches
and observe the variety of marine life living just off shore. Go mountain biking in one of Costa Rica's many tropical rain forests.
See wildlife that is unique to this part of the world. You will soon be able to identify the unique sound of "howler" monkeys as you pass close to their tree top habitat. Also, visit beautiful botanical gardens and take time to observe exotic birds and photograph rainbow colored flowers. Plan on staying at an eco hotel or in the home of a local family. Learn more about the culture and people of this beautiful Central American country. Help build the local economy and preserve this treasure trove of natural wonders. Costa Rica eco tourism is continuing to expand as government, hotel owners and other tourist related enterprises work together to help protect the environment and strengthen the economic conditions of the local people. 
The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT), along with other governmental agencies have developed the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST). This program certifies tourism companies compliance with performance standards set to protect and preserve the environment. There are five levels or "leafs" from one to five; with "five leaves" being the highest. You can do your part by taking an eco vacation to Costa Rica and helping to support this area of such unique bio-diversity by becoming an "eco tourist"!
Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel
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