from $1,650* per person	10 Days	July
Comfort accommodations		Exertion level: 3
Operator: Global Exchange Reality Tours		12 people max

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 door 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.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 door 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.