CategoriesBlog By ipacheco

Cities seek to green up to mitigate climate change

The Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) agglomerates 42% of the Costa Rican population, throughout 164 districts in 31 cantons. For sure, this is the largest urban area in Costa Rica, the center of the national infrastructure and government. However, when thinking about its main characteristics, urban planning is not usually among the prominent concepts, with all that it entails.

Green spaces in cities, such as parks, not only offer recreation and scenic beauty, they also provide environmental services such as noise and pollutant damping, thermal regulation, and are even refuges for birds and insects. (Credits: Carlos Andrés Méndez / File)

 

This lack of planning contributes and intensifies the consequences of climate change, co-responsible for heat islands and resulting in problems such as the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), reduction of green areas or air, river or soil pollution.

To contextualize the magnitude of the problem, last year it was recorded that the average temperature of the GAM reached 43°C due to the gray infrastructure, with San José, Flores, Belén, Heredia and Tibás as the hottest cantons. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), together with the C40 Climate Leadership Group, warned about the growing trend of heat waves in cities, described as “the silent killers of change climate”.

Likewise, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) determined that urban green areas play a fundamental role in the development of microbes responsible for maintaining ecosystem functions, such as pollutant filtration or carbon dioxide treatment. carbon. In this way, parks, gardens, and even sidewalks are invaluable for their contributions as recreation areas, temperature regulators, and pollution inhibitors.

With all this in mind, Costa Rica as a country represents greater difficulties due to chaos in urban planning or a transport sector that generated 42% of national emissions in 2017, with San José, Alajuela, Heredia and Cartago leading that ranking.

“Costa Rica, for 40 years, made an investment in creating institutionality and environmental policy, but always focused on the rural area. 70% of Costa Ricans live in the GAM or in province capitals, where there is no environmental institutionality and, in a poorly planned urban space, citizens are strongly threatened. A city that does not obey a growth projection, based on urban planning studies, will be more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change,” said Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, executive director of the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

As a result of this, the GAM —as well as some provincial capital cities— are working on greening and restoring the urban landscape with three projects for the health and development of the country.

The normalized vegetation index in the GAM shows a lower average than in previous years, something that is directly associated with the rise in temperature. (Credits: Giancarlo Pucci / UNDP CR)

Interlace Project

The Interlace project: Recovering urban ecosystems is funded by the European Union and promoted by the Union of Local Governments (UNGL) with the aim of enabling and equipping cities to restore and rehabilitate their urban ecosystems.

The approach is based on the “nature-places-people” connection, which promotes the creation of green areas and the recovery of degraded ecosystems that allow that “interlace” between people and the natural environment, all with a view to August 2024, which is the date the initiative will end.

The Interlace project involves six European and Latin American cities, including the María Aguilar Interurban Biological Corridor (CBIMA), which represents 2% of the GAM with 29% of the green area and includes the cantons of Alajuelita, Curridabat, La Union, Montes de Oca and San José.

“It is a very enriching experience for everyone and at the same time a challenge because, although it is true that there are common points in environmental issues between Latin American and European cities, cities also have different governance models, as well as resources and priorities that they allow us to learn from each other and that make Interlace products personified for each city”, commented Marcela Gutiérrez, coordinator of the project and academic at the Center for General Studies of the National University (UNA).

The initiative also recognizes the impact on people’s mental health, especially in the limitation of spaces for physical activity and social interaction. For this reason, during the Latin American event “Cities for Nature”, eight Costa Rican municipalities (San José, Goicoechea, Alajuelita, La Unión, Oreamuno, Moravia, Desamparados and San Rafael de Heredia) signed the commitment letter “Sustainable and habitable cities for urban environments: promoting the restoration of urban ecosystems”, aimed at these objectives of more livable, resilient and inclusive cities.

“Studies carried out at the CBIMA indicate high temperatures in public schools in the GAM, which is a factor of green injustice. Children learning under these conditions have compromised their cognitive functions, which conditions the teaching and learning process. Green patios, orchards, gardens, urban forests, tree-lined sidewalks and boulevards, or green roofs and walls are just a few instruments,” Gutiérrez added when asked about the rising temperatures.

Tevu Project

Announced in March this year, the Transition to an Urban Green Economy and Generation of Global Environmental Benefits (TEVU) project promotes urban planning focused on adaptation to climate change. It is financed by the GEF, led by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and executed by the Organization for Tropical Studies (OET).

The project brings together 20 cantons that will receive direct investments and has a project board with representation from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Housing and Human Settlements (MIVAH), the National Institute of Housing and Urbanism (INVU), the National Institute of Women (Inamu) and other civil society organizations.

“The current economic model does not recognize planetary limits and does not reflect all negative externalities. An example is the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which measures the value and growth of the economy without reflecting that we pollute rivers, deforest forests, fill the sea with plastic, etc. It’s also a linear model: you take a resource, process it, and produce a product with lots of waste. We must move towards a system where everything is optimized, recycled and reusable. It is not a utopia, but rather an effort that the United Nations sustainable development goals aim at,” Rodríguez added.

For this task, there are three other fundamental sections within the TEVU: improving the urban landscape through greening, promoting the circular economy in businesses and reducing GHG emissions in cities. For the latter, the idea of ​​the electric train is considered the “main catalyst for better public transport, more efficient mobility and a significant reduction in emissions”.

“The Government has not buried any plan for an electric train that helps decarbonization objectives,” Rodríguez explained. “They come with a new project that will be adjusted, since there is an understanding among Costa Ricans that depending on fossil fuels from abroad generates a great economic impact and that, if we have a totally renewable electrical matrix, the logical thing is to move towards a system more efficient transport”, he concluded.

The 20 participating cantons of the GAM are: Alajuela, Alajuelita, Barva, Belén, Cartago, Curridabat, Desamparados, Flores, Goicoechea, Heredia, La Unión, Montes de Oca, Oreamuno, Paraíso, San José, San Pablo, San Rafael, Santa Barbara, Santo Domingo and Tibas.

Replacing over-mature trees or exotic species without affecting sidewalks, pipes or other infrastructure is another challenge for the projects. (Credits: Fabricio Cerna / CCECR)

 

San José: the city and the landscape

The Cultural Center of Spain in Costa Rica (CCECR), with a cultural and artistic approach to the environment, wants the capital to live up to the image of the country as a leader against climate change and to make it the first green city in Latin America. This concept would be directed by the Spanish critics and curators Ricardo Ramón Jarne and Blanca de la Torre.

The process consists of three axes and the long-term idea is to comply with Costa Rica’s Carbon Neutrality Country Program, as well as to create a Country Brand where San José becomes recognized for its communion with nature.

Jarne, also director of the CCECR, stated that: “green areas are the lungs of the city. 80% of the green of San José are private gardens, many of old houses subject to patrimonial protection. If the Heritage Law does not improve, those houses that are the history of the city will disappear and, with them, their gardens. The center of the city, which should be its historical and artistic reference, is turning into a huge parking lot”.

Also, as with other projects, the transportation sector is of special concern for this initiative. “The entire city is tailored to the car and not to the citizen. We live in jails, the car is a mobile jail that lives continuously in the dams and then we arrive at our houses full of bars that become the stable jail. Is this the life we ​​want?” Jarne asked.

Finally, as a measure to promote green architecture, the CCECR will give away two San José – Madrid – San José air tickets to whoever has the best green fence in the city, this as part of the first axis of the project where it is intended to hide the bars with species climbers or vines that improve the external image of the city and provide security with respect to pollution.

Urban restauration

In this way, Costa Rica currently has several projects aimed at urban restoration, the greening of cities and, above all, mitigation and adaptation to climate change.

These projects are joined by other similar ones, such as the Ciudad Verde initiative —launched by MINAE just over two months ago— which makes three digital tools available to citizens to guide individual efforts and thus get the most out of services ecosystems provided by nature.

Ultimately, ecosystems, biodiversity and human beings must increasingly adjust to a planet subjected to climate change.

“Costa Rica should not take steps back on these issues because it could lose world leadership and there it would lose a lot of international prestige. This country is expected to lead and generate new proposals to combat climate change from all areas in these catastrophic times that we are living in,” Jarne stated.

 

From: https://www.ucr.ac.cr/noticias/2020/11/10/fauna-silvestre-en-cautiverio-un-mal-innecesario.html

CategoriesBlog By ipacheco

Wildlife in captivity: an unnecessary evil

Whether they are exotic or native wild species, their management in captivity entails a great human responsibility to guarantee the well-being of the animals.

In the 1980s, drug trafficker Pablo Escobar imported three or four hippos from the United States for his private zoo. Today, four decades later, the Colombian authorities estimate that there are —out of control— between 65 and 80 specimens of this native African species in the country.

When Escobar died in 1993, his farm was left in ruins and some of the exotic animals that the cocaine kingpin kept in captivity had to be sought refuge. However, no Colombian zoo wanted to take care of the hippos, which can weigh up to three tons and are very aggressive.

Several cases of invasive alien species have been documented around the world, which, like hippos, can unbalance entire ecosystems. These intruders become veritable pests, consuming prey that lack defenses against them or displacing native competitors. Most are introduced by humans.

In Costa Rica, the populations of the southern Caribbean have been dealing for more than ten years with the invasion of the lionfish (Pterois volitans), native to the Indian Ocean and famous for its voracious eating habits. Its presence means a threat to marine species of commercial value that inhabit the coasts of Limón, such as lobsters, shrimps and snappers.

Recently, the public debate on the reproduction and existence of more than 300 exotic animals in an exhibition site in Liberia, Guanacaste, aroused the interest of some sectors, which were concerned about the management and risks involved in the possession of foreign species.

Specialists from different branches of biology and veterinary medicine, from the University of Costa Rica (UCR) and the National University (UNA), warned in a digital discussion that exotic species constitute a great risk for the conservation of native biodiversity .

Costa Rica, a country that lives on ecotourism, should focus on caring for native species, since they are the ones that foreign tourists come to observe. In addition, many of them are in danger of extinction. To ensure the survival of their populations, it is a priority to protect their natural habitats.

Animal Welfare

In the world, there are more and more voices that disapprove of the confinement of wild animals in zoos or other places, for commercial and exhibition purposes.

Gilbert Alvarado Barboza, a professor at the UCR School of Biology, believes that the practice of using animals as display objects should remain in the past, due to the effects that this causes them.

“The era of entertainment and selfies with animals must cease to exist,” insisted the researcher.

According to scientists, welfare and respect for the animal as an individual must prevail. The modern concept of well-being defines a series of conditions to achieve a satisfactory state (see box).

In this regard, there is still a lot of education so that humans learn to behave when we are in front of an animal, from knowing that it should not be fed to giving it its space.

Life in captivity causes a change in the natural behavior of animals, since the artificial environment deprives them of certain strategies to reproduce or even learn from their parents how to survive.

 

 

Tourists come to Costa Rica to observe native wild species and not exotic species. Therefore, the protection of our animals and their habitats must be prioritized. Photo by Laura Rodriguez. Sloth, Guápiles

 

 

“The species in a natural way, in their wild environment, can choose their partner, as we human beings do. There are a series of courtships and behaviors around reproduction, which often have to be deprived in captivity,” said Laura Porras Murillo, a biologist at UNA’s International Institute for Conservation and Management of Wildlife (Icomvis).
However, the existence of wildlife management centers created for ex situ conservation purposes (outside their natural environment) or for the rescue of animals that would otherwise die is necessary.

“Reproduction must be done with very clear objectives, there must be studies that justify it and a very well structured program with professionals who manage it,” Porras explained.

Management sites have to comply with certain guidelines established in national and international legislation to provide the best quality of life for animals. For example, feeding criteria, preventive medicine and, in general, trained personnel to be able to adequately care for these animals.

In reality this is not the case. There are places with good management and others that work without a defined purpose. Therefore, it is up to the State and its technical entities to establish standardized protocols for the treatment of animals in captivity throughout the country.

Likewise, it is urgent to set limits to the centers that exhibit exotic species, otherwise the situation can get out of hand, as happened in Colombia. This does not imply that the animals have to be euthanized, the experts emphasized.

Delicate handling

The treatment of species in captivity is a complex responsibility that encompasses many aspects, even more so when dealing with exotic species.

The first thing to keep in mind is that animals outside their natural environment cannot perform the functions for which they have evolved for millions of years. Among them, the dispersal of pollen or seeds, the control of pests and diseases, and maintaining the balance of ecosystems, among others.

Therefore, the artificial environment that is generated in captivity does not contribute to perpetuating the species over time, as has been scientifically proven.

“Animals that have remained in captivity for many years or their entire lives have cognitive difficulties that do not allow them to adapt successfully in the wild,” said veterinarian Marta Cordero Salas, manager of the Las Pumas Rescue Center, located in Cañas. , Guanacaste.

Native species: are all those that live naturally within our territory.

A second very important aspect to consider is that the lack of relationship of individuals in captivity with others of their species causes them depression and stress, which weakens them and makes them get sick and even die.

In addition, from the genetic point of view, the reproduction of wild fauna in captivity must be carried out with great care, since there could be inbreeding or reproduction between related animals. This, over many generations, causes defects and diseases.

As the UNA biologist pointed out, even in those cases in which you want to repopulate a group that is declining, you must have scientific criteria to choose certain individuals. For example, knowing where they come from, their state of health and their genetic origin, aspects that are often difficult to determine.

Gustavo Gutiérrez Espeleta, a genetics specialist at the UCR School of Biology, remarked that “the argument of reproducing in captivity to avoid extinction is not true. This does not contribute to the survival of the species, because they are reproducing among few individuals, and that implies a deterioration of their genetics in the future.”



Turtle Parque Zoológico Zoo Ave


It is the physical and mental state of an animal in relation to the conditions in which it lives and dies.

This concept includes the five freedoms, enunciated in 1965, and are the responsibility of human beings.

According to those freedoms, animals have the right to live:

-Free from hunger, thirst and malnutrition.

-Free from fear and anguish.

-Free of physical and thermal discomfort.

-Free from pain, injury and disease.

-Free to manifest their natural behavior.

Source: World Organization for Animal Health.


From: https://www.ucr.ac.cr/noticias/2020/11/10/fauna-silvestre-en-cautiverio-un-mal-innecesario.html

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
How To Travel With A Baby
        

                

            
If you have done much traveling in your life, chances are you have been on a flight when someone’s baby has cried most of the way. This experience makes traveling with a baby a daunting experience. Having said that, this is no reason to shy away from taking a trip with your little one. While there are no guarantees that your baby will be happy the entire time, there are steps that you can take to help stack the odds in your favor. We want you to keep traveling, and of course you need to travel with your loved ones, no matter how small they are!


Travel tips from elemento natural
Travel tips from Elemento Natural


Seat Selection


There are a couple of things to consider when planning your trip, and seat selection is one of them. If you are nursing, you might want to go for the window seat. On a relative basis, the window seat will give you the most privacy. On the other end of the spectrum, the aisle seat provides practically no privacy. However, this seat can be nice if you need to get up frequently to change your little one’s diapers. Regardless of which seat you choose, there are trade offs. So, think through your priorities before booking your flight.


Travel tips from elemento natural
Travel tips from Elemento Natural


What To Bring On The Trip


In general, it’s a good idea to travel fairly light since you will be carrying your little one around. That said, there are a few things that you should definitely bring along. Entertainment, food, and diapering supplies all come to mind.


For entertainment, a couple of choice books can be a great start. A lot of babies love story time, and they generally don’t mind repeating the same story a few times. A stuffed animal or rattle wouldn’t hurt either.


If you’re little one is eating solids, you’ll want to bring some food. The key is to pack something that travels well, and isn’t too messy. Think something along the lines of dry cereal.


As for diaper supplies, it’s good to have just a little more than you think you will need. You do want to try and travel light. But, the last thing you want is to run out of diapers when a blowout happens. Besides, given how common flight delays are, you just never know how long your travel day will be.


Travel tips from elemento natural
Travel tips from Elemento Natural


What To Leave Behind


There is definitely a benefit to traveling light. So try to just bring the necessities. For example, unless you plan on doing a ton of walking on your trip, I would recommend leaving the stroller behind. Instead, bring a baby carrier, which is much lighter and more compact.


If you can make arrangements to borrow or rent a bassinet and car seat, this will save you the trouble of lugging them through the airport. That in turn might make for an easier trip.


Final Thoughts


While it can be intimidating to plan a trip with a baby, people do it all the time. Part of the key is getting into the right frame of mind. Yes, it might be a long and challenging day. But, eventually, you will reach your destination. When you do, you might just find that the journey was worth it.


By Ryan Howard, from SmartParentAdvice, a site that provides parenting advice for moms and dads. 


Ryan writes about all of the different ups and downs of parenting, provides solutions to common challenges, and reviews products that parents need to purchase for babies and toddlers.

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
Costa Rica´s untamed wildlife!
        

                

            
Costa Rica is well known for its wildlife and its biological diversity. National Geographic has highlighted that fact many times, even by qualifying our Corcovado National Park as one of the best National Parks in the world. Now, NatGeo Wild created another great audiovisual material called “Untamed Costa Rica”. Released on November 30, there are six chapters, telling the stories of various species that live in our forests. Filipe DeAndrade was the film maker in charge of this natural masterpiece: he traveled through Costa Rica documenting a series of examples of how our wildlife deserves to be the center of the attention for all these travelers that visit Costa Rica.


You can watch the whole series in the link below!




The video is a must-see! In it you will witness the ‘arribadas’, the mass nesting of the Kemp’s ridleys sea turtles in Guanacaste, how the jaguars influences their nesting, and the high risk that the newborn turtles run on their way to the sea. But also the struggle for the survival of hummingbirds or white-faced monkeys when competing for the food, not only for themselves but also for their little ones. Then you can watch the intimate mating ritual of tree frogs and poison dart frogs; or finally how the sharks hunt in the darkness of the reefs in Costa Rica’s natural gem, the Coco’s Island.


Visit Costa Rica! Come for the wildlife…but also for the beaches, the people, the fun!

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
Experiencing Costa Rican Culture and History in San Jose
        

                

            
When people talk about Costa Rica they’re used to be fascinated by its nature and environment.


In fact there are lots of more things to discover like history, tradition and habits of the original people.


If you are interested in getting into that side of Costa Rica, you should probably visit the center of San Jose where you find lots of museums. That is if you dont have enough time to visit the indigenous communities in the rural side of the country.


Especially the following ones are very recommended:


    

  • Museo Nacional de Costa Rica (National Museum of Costa Rica)
    • 

  • Museo de Arte y Diseño contemporáneo (Museum of Modern Art)
    • 

  • Museo de Oro (Museum of Gold)
    • 

  • Museo de Jade (Jade Museum)
    • 



 Are you particularly keen on learning something about the history of Costa Rica? Then the National Museum might be the right place for you.


Visit Costa Rica National Museum
Visit Costa Rica National Museum


It presents Costa Rican history in a unique, interesting and innovative way from the beginning on to our life today. Especially kids will love it, as there is a huge place where you can watch butterflies right next to the entrance of the museum.


The exhibition starts with the original life of native people from Costa Rica. Watching some ancient houses and implements you get to know about their daily habits and the esthetic art they integrated in it.


After that part, you are going to learn about the long history of colonization which started in 15th century and lasted until the 19th century. Different aspects as such as religion, wars and relations to Spain are shown in many different halls you are going to pass.


At the end of the exposition you will be introduced to politics of the last 100 years and the situation of the country nowadays.


If you are more into creative things, the Art Museum is a nice place to go even if you don’t have much time. As it is a small exhibition, the visit takes about 15-20 minutes.


You will watch different kind of art, for example old advertisements, comics and modern art of various artists.


Visit Costa Rica Art Museum
Visit Costa Rica Art Museum


Upstairs you will be introduced to an exposition that changes from time to time. In August 2018 it was about football related to the World Cup.


Another commendable museum is “The museum of Gold” right next to the National Theatre.


That place shows the different types of coins Costa Rica had in the past years and how it changed by the independence of Spain. Did you know that the first coin was minted in 1825 in a professional mint called “Ingenia los Horcones”?


Visit Costa Rica Museum of Gold
Visit Costa Rica Museum of Gold


If you feel like getting deeper into this matter, give it a chance and go visit that interesting museum!


Moreover, you’re going to see different jewelry and many pre-columbean goods made of gold at the end of your visit. You will be told which meaning the different figures and objects had for them and in which area they where found.


You’ll probably like “El Museo de Jade“ if you enjoyed “El Museo de Oro“.


This one is situated right next to the National Museum and offers a huge range of jade stones from the pre-Columbian period. They show how people carved the stones and how they used them in their daily life.


Visit Cost Rica Jade Museum
Visit Cost Rica Jade Museum


As the museum was built in 2014 it is very modern and possesses many different devices to explain and show the work with jade. Therefore, you can also bring your kids, as processes are described in a simple way, suitable for children and in an interactive manner.


Furthermore, they have an exposition of “La Isla De Coco”, which is a beautiful and protected island in the Pacific Ocean. In this part of the museum they show some videos about sea animals and how ecologists try to save them from plastic pollution.


Visit Cost Rica Jade Museum
Visit Cost Rica Jade Museum


Last but not least I suggest you to go to these beautiful places if you have got some time in the capital San Jose. It is a really nice experience besides the incredible nature Costa Rica offers, so you’ll probably miss something important if you don’t go there!


Enjoy your stay and Pura Vida! 😊


By Natalie Rosenau from Germany

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
Tips and tricks about sea turtle watching in Costa Rica
        

                

            
Costa Rica is a great destination if you want to watch sea turtles nesting or hatching. This is definitely a lifetime experience, one of those things you must do at least once in your life; although you will never get tired of it, no matter how many times you witness this wonder of nature. Costa Rica presents a combination of factors that play in your favor for turtle watching: it has a vast coastline both on the Pacific and the Caribbean side and it has 5 species of the 7 that exist in the planet. For the traveler, this means that there are many seasons, species and beaches that can be chosen to cross this milestone from your ‘must-do things before I die’ list.


Elemento Natural wants to give you a few tips and tricks to make this happen for you: we know it is not easy for a traveler and an explorer to include all the things they want to do, in a time-constrained itinerary, so with these pointers you will improve your chances to watch sea turtles in Costa Rica.


1. Choose your destination and season accordingly: remember there are several species that nest in our beaches, so you need to know where, when and who! Meaning what beach you will visit so you can figure out lodging, tour and accommodations; what is the right season for nesting and/or for hatchings; and what species you will have the opportunity to see. Visit our blog for more information on species, nesting areas and seasons!


Sea turtle watching Costa Rica
Sea turtle watching Costa Rica


 


2. It is really important that you book a tour, since most of the nesting beaches are patrolled by local guides or volunteers working for a Non-Profit, the National Parks, etc. So you can’t really go by yourself. Plus you need to keep in mind that all sea turtle species are endangered, so it is a sensitive activity that needs to be regulated.


3. Now you have booked a trip to a turtle nesting beach at the right time, and a guided tour to go look for them. So you need to dress for the occasion, and plan accordingly: wear long dark pants and long sleeve dark shirt. Dark is necessary to avoid any colors that might distract or interrupt the arrival of the turtle to the nesting site; and long pants and shirt is necessary because there are usually mosquitoes and it is not recommended to use insect repellent because the strong odor might also interfere with the turtle. Flashlights are not allowed, and if light is needed your guide will have a red light lamp or flashlight.


Sea turtle watching Costa Rica
Sea turtle watching Costa Rica


 


4. Now, you are ready to go turtle watching: manage your expectations and anxiety, remember this is a natural event and that sea turtles are endangered, so it might happen that during your time at the beach, no turtles will arrive. Just as possible as the chance that you will see more than one, or that you will see one when you just get to the beach, or when you are about to leave, you finally see one coming out of the ocean!


 


Sea turtle watching Costa Rica
Sea turtle watching Costa Rica


 


So, we hope this information will help you plan your sea turtle watching experience in Costa Rica, and that when you go you have the great opportunity to witness the amazing natural phenomenon!


#TravelWithElemento

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
5 easy steps to make a responsible and sustainable trip
        

                

            
We are sure you have heard about sustainability in tourism. You might even be an enthusiast responsible traveler, or maybe you just wonder what it is about!  We would like to give you 5 easy steps to make your travel sustainable and responsible: just 5 actions you can take with little effort that will transform the lives of the communities you visit, and will greatly benefit the environment!


1. Eco-tourism is, by definition, an active type of tourism: include visits to national parks and natural areas, with local guides. Spending time in nature will boost your energy and the guide´s educated eye will find so many different details that you wouldn’t see on your own. Remember, enjoy without destroying or interfering: just watch! Or as the popular saying goes, take only pictures and leave only footprints.


Sustainable and responsible travel
Visit a natural park


2. You probably do this at home, and you should not stop when you travel. Minimize your waste: reuse and recycle every time! Never leave the trash behind you, especially if you are visiting natural areas. Make sure you properly dispose the trash you generate. Bring your own bottle to refill with water, eat in restaurants and avoid the extra packaging of the ‘to-go’ food, avoid using straws to drink, come up with your own ideas to make a positive contribution!


3. Support the local business when you travel: buy their products, try their food, learn their culture! By trying the local food and beverages, your trip will become more authentic! In the end, tourism is a great opportunity to channel your spending in the most responsible way: as much as you can, buy locally made goods and hire local services.


Sustainable and responsible travel
Hire a local guide


4. Make sure that the company you hire to plan your vacation is really “eco driven” and committed to nature preservation and to benefit as many local actors as possible. When you hire a responsible travel company, they will become your partner, making your trip sustainable and you won’t even notice.


5. Make an educational experience out of your travels: don’t assume locals speak your language: learn and speak as much of their language as possible to interact with local communities. Engage with local communities as much as possible to learn about their culture and history, share yours being respectful and polite at all times. Always share stories with each other!


Sustainable and responsible travel
Share stories


Finally, tell this to your friends: if you like it, preach it! Being responsible in your travels is easy and fun!


#TravelWithElemento

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
Top 5 things to do during September and October in Costa Rica
        

                

            
Did you know that during September and October there is a dry season in Costa Rica? Those two months are the rainiest in the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast, but are the driest of the year in the Caribbean side.


A good time to travel Western Costa Rica indeed! Most would say, let’s go to Puerto Viejo in the South Caribbean! But keep in mind that the nice weather will not only be on the Caribbean coast, but also on all of the regions that are influenced by it! So, we will give you the top 5 things to do in Costa Rica during those two months!


1. Go rafting! The best rivers for rafting in Costa Rica run on the Caribbean slope! So you will have nice sunny days and good levels of water in the river for a fun-filled adventure.


Travel blog Visit Costa Rica, go rafting
Visit Costa Rica, go rafting


2. Visit Tortuguero: the canals and its wildlife are breathtaking, you will have sunny beautiful days but also it coincides with the green sea turtle nesting season. You can’t miss that amazing natural show!


3. Well, yes go to the beach, visit Puerto Viejo or Cahuita! It is a perfect and festive time to travel the south Caribbean. And of course, a nice get-away to Bocas del Toro in Panamá falls right into this category!


Travel blog Gandoca, South Caribbean Costa Rica
Gandoca, South Caribbean Costa Rica (photo credits: visitcostarica.com)


4. Visit Sarapiquí: it might not be so popular but it definitely is a nature lover paradise. Miles of tropical rainforest, rivers and waterfalls for water sports and adventures and a very fertile soil that provides the perfect environment for agro-tourism.


5. Go the the Arenal Volcano: yes, its weather is influenced by the Caribbean too, so it is a good opportunity to do all the fun outdoor activities and enjoy the spectacular view of this conic shaped volcano.


Travel blog Visit Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica
Visit Arenal Volcano, Costa Rica


There are many traveler attractions in Costa Rica, and there is a good time to enjoy them all!


#TravelWithElemento

        

            








	
    

                

                        

                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
Whale watching season in Costa Rica´s South Pacific
        

                

            
In recent times the arrival of the humpback whale to our pacific coast has received a lot of attention.   Even though the whales have always been there, now it’s very common that the tourists go south in September to watch this enormous mammal. There is a good quantity of cetacean species that swim in our oceans, but the humpback whale is one that comes very close to the shore, so it becomes easier to spot. Also, their visit from the cold water of the far north and south of the planet, happens so they can breed and mate. When the calf is born, it needs warm water to keep the energy while it begins the discovery of this world!


This is why we would like to give you some tips on how to make the best out of your whale watching experience!


Whale watching season in Costa Rica
Whale watching season in Costa Rica


First of all, be aware that there are two seasons when whales come to breed: the north hemisphere residents visit from February to May, and from July to November the south residents come up to our shore.  The population in the south is bigger, therefore this season is better for whale watching.  In any month between August, September or October you will have a great chance of finding them.


We recommend two places to go whale watching: the one that is closer to the Central Valley is the Ballena Marine National Park. However if you have more time, a visit to Caño Island from Drake Bay is ideal! Of course, there are other options, for example if you visit the island from Sierpe ori f you visit Ballena from the Central Pacific.


Whale watching season in Costa Rica
Whale Tail shaped Ballena Marine National Park


If you decide to visit Ballena National Park, then we recommend a 2-day trip, even though you could make it in one day if you don’t mind going back to San José totally exhausted.  Take your first day to drive to the South Pacific and lodge in any of the sustainable lodges from Dominical to Ventanas (you want to be near Ballena National Park).  In the second day you can take the half-day tour, watch them in the bay, navigate near the shore to learn more about the national park and swim in the warm and wildlife abundant water of the Pacific Ocean.  One thing to keep in mind is that Uvita organizes the Whale Festival during September, and you can get pretty good prices, although the tour is shorter and the tourists arrive massively.


Another recommendation is to make sure you hire a responsible tour operator: remember that this activity must be performed in such a way that the animal will not feel stressed and that the tourist is safe at all times.  It is highly recommendable that you have a guide well versed in cetacean biology and ecology so you can have a richer experience.


Whale watching season in Costa Rica
Whale watching season in Costa Rica


During the tour focus on watching the animal and enjoying the experience, rather than taking pictures – especially if this is your first time.  If you are lucky enough so the whale starts jumping, splashing and performing other tricks, it all happens so fast that you will not enjoy the show if you are trying to get the perfect picture.


This is a very unique experience, enjoy it to its fullest! We recommend that you do it at least once in your life!


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                CategoriesBlog By ipacheco            


            
Visiting the rainforest during the rainy season…what you must know!
        

                

            
Well, if you want to see the rainforest, you can surely expect to see some rain, right? In Costa Rica, as well as other tropical areas of Central America, we do have a marked rainy season from May to November. However, with nature you can never know how rainy it will be, so here are some general ‘good to know’ facts about our rainy season!


Blog Elemento Natural Costa Rica
Rainbows are more common during the rainy season


    

  • The temperature does not vary greatly with the rainy season. It tends to be cooler than the dry season, but it will not be a game changer for your vacation.
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  • Rainy season as most people know it, goes from May to November…but the Caribbean side does not follow that rule! In fact, the driest months over there are September and October!
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  • The typical day during the rainy season has a sunny beautiful morning and showers in the afternoon and/or night: that gives you plenty of time to do you outdoor activities first and chill later!
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Nice mornings are very common during rainy season


    

  • You can even save a few bucks taking advantage of the green season discounts that many hotels and tour operators offer!
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  • You can have several straight days with no rain, even during the rainy season; as you can have a rainy day during the dry season!
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  • As expected, everything is lush and green! Even the tropical dry forest will be green, and animals love it as well!
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  • The sky tends to be cloudy, but when the sun goes out, even for just a moment, you will witness a spectacular and colorful landscape that will yield unbelievable pictures of your vacations!
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  • A hike in the rain can be healthier for you: the air is cleaner and fresher and the sound and smell of the rain has a calming effect on people.
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Blog Elemento Natural Costa Rica
Hiking the rainforest is healthy


Rain should not stop you from traveling and enjoying nature! It’s just part of the experience of visiting a tropical paradise…that’s why we say that the perfect time to visit Costa Rica is always NOW!


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