In 2006, Meghan Casey and her husband Davis Azofeifa purchased Chilamate Jungle Private Reserve, a 52-acre (21-hectare) reserve in Costa Rica's San Juan-La Selva Biological Corridor founded by Don Lindley Lumsden and his family in the 1940s. Together, Meghan and Davis built the Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat, a Rainforest Alliance Verified™ sustainable lodge.

Visitors to Chilamate can enjoy rafting, canopy exploration, horseback riding, zip-lining, mountain biking, kayaking, safari boat tours, sport fishing, swimming and more. We spoke with Casey about the reserve, home to 500 bird species, 300 tree species, and nearly 140 mammal species.

Question: How did you and your husband come to own the property?

Casey: In 2006, just after the birth of our daughter, my husband and I were trying to come up with a family project that would make a conservation difference in the area. One day, we were walking by the river and decided to explore a little farther than usual. We came across some people who turned out to be caretakers of the property. They let us look around and we asked if the owner was selling. A few days later, we got a call from Don Lumsden's daughter, who was then in charge of the reserve. She had been having trouble maintaining it, but had refused to sell because she wanted the next owner to be someone from Sarapiqui (as my husband is) who was committed to protecting the land.

Question: What are you doing to manage the retreat with an eye toward sustainability?

Casey: As soon as we started [building the lodge], we got the Rainforest Alliance's manual for best tourism practices. We also attended a number of [Rainforest Alliance] training sessions. We learned even more when Rainforest Alliance verification program auditors came to our property and gave us some great advice about improvements we could make.

Question: Tell us about some of their most valuable suggestions.

Casey: While my husband and I have always been committed to sustainability, we were not exactly business people. When the auditors came the first time, we had no computer, no website, no written materials and no real business plan. They gave us ideas for the business side of our project. They helped us develop a sustainability plan and a mission statement, and they told us that we needed to keep track of everything we were doing in terms of our work in conservation with the local community.

Question: What other sustainable business practices have you adopted?

Casey: We exclusively use biodegradable soaps and cleaning products, and we have solar panels that provide much of our electricity. We use live bacteria to clean the plumbing system. All of our organic waste is composted and we recycle everything we can. My husband is also really creative about devising eco-friendly alternatives. For example, he built a system of diverting rainwater for showers and toilets.

Question: Has doing all this helped your business to thrive financially?

Casey: Yes, purchasing waste wood and recycled materials from local businesses brings costs down significantly. In addition, our commitment to conservation appeals to visitors.

Question: How does Chilamate support the local community?

Casey: We support our neighbors' businesses whenever we can. We have a place close by where we buy cheese, eggs, milk, chicken and even fish. We also recommend that our guests go on tours with local companies.

In addition, Chilamate Rainforest Eco Retreat facilitates a program with Earth University and about 60 families in our community who run small farming operations. We meet periodically, and the farmers learn how to integrate affordable sustainable practices into their everyday farming.

We also give discounts to guests who make a donation to the community, do service days or support the community in some way.

Question: What's next for Chilamate?

Casey: We'd love to expand our reserve so that more of the region's biodiversity can be protected. We also want our neighbors, the smallholder farmers, to be able to continue their work; it's not easy for them to sustain themselves.

Question: Any highlights from your time managing the lodge and reserve?

Casey: When we first got here, I kept meeting kids and parents who had never even been in the rainforest before. I am proud to say that today there is not a single child in any of the three closest schools who has not visited us. This year, we're developing a program in the local schools so that students of every grade can come to the reserve at least once a year and experience walking through a rainforest.

This entry was posted on February 4, 2014 at 1:30 PM and has received 467 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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By Thomas Enderlin

As the Costa Rican tourism industry continues to take off, one of the biggest challenges rural communities face is finding a balance between the conservation of traditional ways of life and the need for economic growth. A visionary new agrotourism project in the Dota region of Costa Rica--developed by a group of community leaders and Vancouver Island University--helps rural communities establish financial security, protect the environment and conserve their traditions.

The project is centered on a multi-day trail, known informally as the Los Santos EcoTrail. Descending through the Dota region before arriving at the Pacific Ocean in the city of Quepos, the trail links a handful of small coffee farming communities and homestays. Currently, five Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farms are directly involved in the Los Santos EcoTrail project, with many others indirectly benefiting from the gradual growth of community-based ecotourism in the area.

The Dota region is world famous for its top quality coffee production. Here, Rainforest Alliance certification is helping to improve farming practices while reducing environmental impacts and providing economic and social benefits. But volatile coffee market swings and erratic climate patterns make economic diversification an important attribute in the region--and local communities are achieving this critical diversification through small-scale tourism enterprises connected to the Los Santos EcoTrail.

"We really believe in this project, and we are doing this for the future of our children," one community representative explained. "We love our rural way of life, and don't want to see that disappear."

With increasing demands for adventure and culinary tourism and an upswing of consumers interested in purchasing products featuring the Rainforest Alliance Certified seal, projects like the Los Santos EcoTrail will provide opportunities for travelers to take their commitments one step further. These immersive vacations can provide a more direct connection to the origins of certified ingredients while demonstrating how farm and forestry certification benefits local rural communities and biodiversity.

On the trail, visitors also learn how local communities have survived off the land for generations. The people of Providencia still grind their shade grown coffee by hand. The people of Naranjillo let guests test their skills processing sugar cane into juice and crude molasses. Elsewhere along the journey, visitors are invited to make tortillas, learn traditional dances, and make artisanal crafts.

This model of diversified local economics is the future of sustainability. The Rainforest Alliance is currently exploring other agriculture and forestry landscapes that could benefit from small-scale sustainable agrotourism projects so that consumers can have an opportunity to travel to the places where their coffee, tea, and chocolate originate.

For more information on unique agrotourism opportunities, visit the Heart of Gold website.

Thomas Enderlin has a background in conservation, sustainable tourism, commodity trading and agriculture. He is currently based in San José, Costa Rica, where he divides his time as a project consultant, adventure travel guide, photographer, writer and cactus cultivator.

This entry was posted on January 7, 2014 at 1:03 PM and has received 1074 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Do you want to see the beautiful Mexican Caribbean? Perhaps watch whales in the Pacific near the wonderful Baja California peninsula? Or learn about the rich and varied culture of the country by visiting rural destinations and archaeological sites? Mexico has all this and much more to offer. Better yet, most of these places have sustainable accommodation options to suit the needs of every tourist.

Since 2005, the Rainforest Alliance has been promoting sustainable tourism in Mexico, primarily as an active member of the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI). Also, there are now 81 tourism companies active in the Rainforest Alliance verification program in Mexico, ranging from small hotels to large resorts, mainly in Mexico City and the Mexican Caribbean. These companies recently received the S Distinction awarded by the Mexican Secretariat of Tourism (SECTUR) to companies committed to sustainability practices.

The Rainforest Alliance has been working with the AMResorts hotel chain to improve the sustainability performance of its hotels in Mexico. AMResorts has six luxury hotel brands with 32 properties in Mexico, Jamaica, Curacao, and the Dominican Republic that cater to all kinds of guests, from young families and newlyweds on honeymoons to adventure travelers.

Thanks to this collaboration, AMResorts has made impressive investments in a number of wildlife conservation programs and enterprises designed to benefit local communities. For example, Dreams Puerto Vallarta Resort & Spa has released more than 300,000 sea turtle hatchlings through its Dreaming of Freedom habitat protection program. Dreams Puerto Aventuras Resort & Spa provides space in its gift shop where the neighboring Maya community sells artisanal products such as jellies and honeys. At Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, staff are motivated to start their own businesses selling services to the resort, such as car washes, barber shops, and convenience stores.

More than 10,000 of AMResort's employees in Mexico are receiving online training in best management practices for sustainable tourism so that they themselves become agents of change in the hotels, as well as in their homes and communities. This training will be extended to other Mexican companies verified by the Rainforest Alliance.

The Rainforest Alliance is also working with the Mexican government's Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) to promote sustainable tourism practices among small and medium-sized ecotourism businesses, mainly in rural communities, which can apply for certification under their national standard. These small businesses are found throughout the country, from the Vizcaino Reserve in Baja California Sur to the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve on the Yucatan Peninsula. All offer varied and invaluable natural and cultural wealth and are key to preserving traditional Mexican cultures and valuable ecosystems. Moreover, these small businesses are the main or only source of income for these communities and families.

To date, the Rainforest Alliance has assessed the sustainable performance of nearly 40 tourism businesses in 11 ecotourism circuits in Mexico, and has trained about 94 people from 35 companies on planning and sustainable management of their businesses and ecosystems. As a result, businesses not only improved their practices, but some of them also became Rainforest Alliance Verified^TM , which means that they met the Rainforest Alliance's standards for sustainable tourism businesses.

The next time you visit Mexico be sure to look for businesses – whether small rural inns, medium-size hotels, or luxury resorts – with the seal of the Mexican Ecotourism Standards, the S Distinction, or the Rainforest Alliance Verified^TM mark. We make it easy for you – you can find a list of them on SustainableTrip.org!

This entry was posted on September 18, 2013 at 3:26 PM and has received 1011 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Can one of the highest quality hotels in the world also be one of the most sustainable? The answer is yes. Pacuare Lodge, in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, is proof that hotels can offer world-class accommodations in the heart of the rainforest while being an excellent ally of local communities and the environment. For this reason, Pacuare Lodge was awarded our Making a Difference recognition this month.

Roberto Fernández, founder and general manager of Pacuare Lodge, tells us about the lodge's history and their ambitious efforts to become a global benchmark of sustainability.

Question: Where did you get the idea to create Pacuare Lodge?

Fernández: More than 25 years ago, tour companies were offering expeditions on the turbulent waters of the Pacuare River, but the trips were limited to one night of camping and two days on the river. The first time I rafted the river, I was so impressed by its scenic beauty and natural wealth that I decided to create the first rafting company that was purely Costa Rican, without any international corporate ownership.

Later came the idea of opening a high-quality lodge in this exceptional destination. We acquired a small property and embarked on the adventure of building in a place with challenging geographical conditions and no road access.

Q: What makes this area so special and unique?

Fernández: The Pacuare River and its surroundings represent one of the most valuable and beautiful ecosystems in the country! The river forms the northern boundary of Central America's largest cluster of protected areas, national parks, and indigenous and private reserves, and it is considered one of the top 10 rivers for rafting in the world.

Q: Pacuare Lodge has been featured in dozens of international publications and was named by National Geographic as one of the 25 best lodges in the world. What can tourists expect when they stay in one of the world's best lodges?

Fernández: They can expect a truly unique travel experience! To reach Pacuare Lodge, visitors must raft down a wild river of incomparable natural beauty winding through a stunning tropical rainforest. When they arrive, they will find a lodge built with care and attention to detail that is simple yet sophisticated and run by a team renowned for its authenticity, warmth, and passion. Our mission is to provide the best in everything we do.

Q: Can you name three of the top experiences for tourists at Pacuare Lodge?

Fernández:: First is the journey there: venturing down one of the world's most scenic rivers by raft to reach Pacuare Lodge. Then, the stay at the lodge is an experience in itself. Our facilities are magnificently designed and decorated in the middle of a jungle that is beyond description.

Finally, do not miss having dinner in "the nest," a platform set 65 feet high in a kapok (ceiba) tree that offers wonderful views of the rainforest canopy. Your evening is completed with a meal that has been recognized for its quality and innovation.

Q: The UNWTO also named Pacuare Lodge as an example of sustainability in the world. What has your hotel done to earn this recognition?

Fernández: We strive to have a positive impact on the environment and on social and cultural issues. We began with a property of only 35 acres, and now we have 840 acres of forest that we are protecting. We support conservation projects like a jaguar monitoring program on our property.

Since our beginning, we've actively involved local communities so that our work would benefit them directly. Today, 100% of the lodge's workforce comes from the Nairi Awari indigenous reserve and the nearby communities of Santa Marta, Linda Vista, Turrialba, and Bajo del Tigre.

We are also very proud of our environmental education program in the schools of eight communities near the Pacuare River basin. Some 800 children have seen environmental education presentations given by our staff on topics such as ecosystem stewardship, proper use of water, and waste management. We've also established collection centers for waste management and disposal, a program for reforestation of native species, and projects for painting murals and maintaining infrastructure.

Q: How have these efforts influenced community development?

Fernández: The first person we hired was a resident of the nearby community of Bajo del Tigre, and he was the most well-known hunter in the area. We hoped that providing local employment opportunities in nature tourism and giving environmental presentations would promote a different attitude towards conservation in the community.

Well, our first employee went from being a poacher to a protector of the environment! He set an example that was crucial in getting other residents of the area to change some of their deeply rooted bad practices. Hunting in the area has dropped considerably because students take the message about caring for wildlife home to their parents.

Providing local employment has had other benefits: according to a socioeconomic survey of the community, 67% of the local population employed in the tourism industry works for Pacuare Lodge, where they earn fair wages, full social security benefits, and constant training. We also support small businesses in the community by purchasing food, candles, tours, , photography, and other tourist services.

Q: Many initiatives for conservation and sustainability – such as acquiring 840 acres of forest for protection – represent major investments. How do these investments benefit the hotel?

Fernández:: We don't think about how acquiring more land for conservation or developing programs for jaguars, howler monkeys, or environmental education will benefit us. Our aim with these investments is to return a little of what we receive to the community. We embrace this commitment with joy and enthusiasm. We are motivated because we can see how our contributions promote positive cultural changes.

Q: What is your number one recommendation to other hotels that are starting down the path to sustainability?

Fernández: Everything starts at home! Sustainability is a lifestyle; it is not a fad or a strategy for self-promotion, is something that you believe in and live, through specific actions. Those who decide to take this path must be convinced that sustainability is an essential part of life.

Q: How can guests get involved in your efforts for sustainability?

Fernández: They can donate digital cameras to the jaguar program, provide educational materials or sporting goods for local children, or make specific donations to nearby schools and community projects.

Q: What plans does the Pacuare Lodge have to remain one of the best and most sustainable hotels in the world?

Fernández: We will engage in continuous innovation, facilitate training for employees, and work closely with neighboring communities. We know that staying current and being better each day is a constant challenge that requires investing time and resources, but that's what excites us!

This entry was posted on September 4, 2013 at 7:58 PM and has received 1334 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Did you know that Latin America is home to more than 64 species of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, representing 75% of the world's 86 known species of cetaceans? For this reason, the region has become a favorite destination for tourists who want to see and interact with these amazing species.

Whale watching tourism generates about $300 million of revenue annually and benefits some 91 communities in 18 Latin American countries. As a result,many coastal communities have chosen this more environmentally-friendly economic alternative to fishing or irresponsible marine resource exploitation.

The number of companies offering sustainable whale watching excursions has grown significantly in recent years. Travelers can hire tour companies that respect environmental legislation and have certifications and verifications of their sustainability, and in some cases, special responsible marine tourism certificates. On SustainableTrip.org, you can find a list of these companies.

Today we invite you to experience five of the best destinations in Latin America for watching whales and other cetaceans:

1. Baja California, Mexico

The waters of Baja California and the Sea of Cortéz are the best place for spotting the famous gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus). The peninsula has saltwater lagoons surrounded by desert where the gray whales come to mate and give birth in full view of spectators. The best season for whale spotting in Baja California is from January to April, but during the rest of the year you can also see blue whales and sperm whales.

2. Bahía Ballena, Costa Rica

The southern Pacific region of the country has important habitat for humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae). These creatures migrate twice a year (from late December to late April and from July to September) to the warm waters of the bay to mate and calve. To protect this valuable site, the government of Costa Rica created Ballena Marine Park, a sanctuary for these and the other marine species such as common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, manta rays, and hammerhead sharks.

3. Praia do Rosa, Brazil

Brazil is the leading tourist destination in South America for marine mammal watching, receiving 167,107 observers each year. It also had record whale spotting in 2011, with 11,500 documented sightings. Praia do Rosa, a beautiful beach in the southern Atlantic part of the country, receives southern right whales (Eubalaena australis) every year from June to November. These animals delight tourists with magnificent jumps that reveal up to 75% of their bodies.

4. Chiloé-Corcovado, Chile

The Chiloé Island and the Corcovado Gulf area in southern Chile has the largest concentration of blue whales (Balaenoptera musculus) in the southern hemisphere. It is one of the richest coastal habitats in South America, which is why these giant whales come here to satisfy their formidable dietary requirements of two to eight tons of krill per day. Blue whales stay in Chile from December to April.

5. Valdés Peninsula, Argentina

This site is considered the mecca for whale watchers because it is where the largest breeding population of southern right whales congregates, with an estimated 4,000 individuals arriving every year. Other marine species are also common on the peninsula, such as orcas (killer whales), sea lions, elephant seals, and penguins. Thanks to its natural riches, it has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The peak sighting season is from July to December.

This entry was posted on August 7, 2013 at 3:24 PM and has received 1916 views. There are currently 2 comments. Print this entry.

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The beauty of the colorful and stunning scarlet macaws (Ara macao) is such that even the Maya and the Aztecs equated them with the deities of fire and sun. These ancient peoples used their image in various artistic works and adorned themselves with the macaw's striking feathers.

Unfortunately, the scarlet macaw's beauty has now put it in danger. They live in tropical rainforests from southeastern Mexico to central Bolivia, and in many countries they are endangered due to the loss of their habitat from deforestation and indiscriminate hunting for the illegal pet trade.

This photo is from a tour with Costa Rican Trails. Around 1,000 scarlet macaws live in Costa Rica today, and there are many protected areas and organizations dedicated to their protection. Be sure to always book your trips with sustainable tourism businesses so you can rest easy, knowing that you're contributing to the conservation of these and other beautiful wildlife species!

This entry was posted on July 26, 2013 at 1:37 PM and has received 837 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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Swiss Travel is one of Costa Rica's leading travel and destination management agencies. For over forty years, Swiss Travel has taken on the task of promoting tourism in Cost Rica and, even more importantly, it has worked to make the industry grow responsibly beside nature and local communities. In recognition of its efforts, this Rainforest Alliance Verified and CST certified company is the recipient of this month's "Making a Difference" award.

Swiss Travel marketing manager José Pablo Salas details the efforts Swiss Travel has made to become a sustainable company and how that has benefited them.

Question: How did Swiss Travel begin?

Salas: Swiss Travel Service began in 1972, focusing on inbound tourism for Costa Rica. We were pioneers in a virtually unknown industry, where the word "tourism" was not common. Nationals traveled to certain destinations that were nearby and popular, but it was difficult to find foreign tourists like we do today. Hotel accommodations in the country were very poor and we didn't have the technology or the marketing tools that are available now, but we believed in Costa Rica's potential.

Q: In those years, the concept of sustainable tourism was very new. What motivated Swiss Travel to be a responsible tour operator?

S: The concept of sustainable tourism was virtually unknown at the time, but it has always been essential for Swiss Travel to develop activities that care for the environment where we invite our customers. These locations are our main asset, and our commitment to conserve it has been a factor that makes us stand out. Ensuring responsible and sustainable tourism is an effort that fills us with pride and satisfaction because this is how we contribute to the country's development and help current and future generations to enjoy the natural beauty of our country.

Q: How would you describe your approach to sustainable tourism?

S: We focus on implementing best business practices based on the three pillars of sustainable tourism: the environment, the economic context, and the sociocultural setting of the organization. These best practices are reflected in every action the company takes, both in its workforce and with all the parties involved in our activities. For our efforts, we obtained the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST), a Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) program, as well as Rainforest Alliance Verification, which have permeated throughout our company.

Q: What are some of your most outstanding sustainability initiatives?

S: We've developed operating manuals, policies, and procedures to ensure respect for the environment. These cover all of the company's activities and involve guides, drivers, plant personnel, and the tourists themselves.

For example, we have reduced paper usage by over 50 percent thanks to policies for saving and efficiently using resources, and our vehicle fleet follows strict maintenance standards to prevent pollution. We have tried to go the extra mile, turning ourselves into one of the few (if not the only) tour operator in the country that has a sewage and gray water treatment plant and submits operational reports to the Ministry of Health, ensuring the proper disposal of our liquid wastes. We also have a fully-equipped collection center at our facilities to ensure strict control of solid waste.

In collaboration with agencies, institutions, and other private businesses, we help promote the conservation of protected areas and assist diverse communities and programs with environmental protection and social development. The initiative we are most proud of is a reforestation program near Palo Verde National Park and the Tenorio Miravalles Biological Corridor in Guanacaste, developed in conjunction with the Allies Against Climate Change Program and the Ministry of Public Education, which has declared the area in the public interest. The program involves local schoolchildren in awareness-raising activities, environmental education, and reforestation with native species.

Q: How do you help communities foster tourism while conserving natural and cultural wealth?

S: Swiss Travel operates throughout the country with different communities that have different needs. Therefore, our strategy is to listen to their needs first and then propose joint projects together. In our experience, the initiatives that arise from this are truly sustainable over time. For example, we have ongoing activities that involve our cruise ship groups and the surrounding communities, where we support fairs that promote their cultural treasures, traditional costumes, art, local food, crafts, and more.

We also make donations to various social and environmental causes and we encourage our customers and intermediary businesses to make donations or collaborate with local communities or NGOs.

Q: Is it difficult for a company as large and diversified as Swiss Travel to maintain its sustainable performance in different areas?

S: It involves a lot of effort and the implementation of management systems for continuing improvement that require us to have ongoing assessments, rigid controls, and readjustment whenever necessary. This requires major documentation, systems for additional information, and constant updates in this area and about the newest options in the markets.

Q: Why is it important for the company to have CST certification and Rainforest Alliance Verification?

S: It's relatively easy to say that a company is "green" or "eco"; the difficult part is proving it. These verifications and certifications provide significant backing for the transparency of the business and the best practices it carries out.

Q: What are the benefits of being a sustainable company and have a "green" image?

S: We receive many benefits, such as higher efficiency in our processes, more orderly documentation, and better economic performance (positive cost-benefit impact) thanks to our optimization of resource use. This has also led to greater engagement and environmental awareness among our collaborators as we establish better relations with the community and create partnerships that, together with a greater understanding of the immediate and national environment, better prepare us to respond to risks and uncertainties of all kinds. In addition, this image allows us to be more competitive because we can offer differentiated products.

This entry was posted on June 25, 2013 at 3:15 PM and has received 541 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

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One of the biggest tourist attractions of the Dominican Republic and the other countries of the Caribbean is the natural coral reefs. Reef ecosystems, which occupy about 11% of the Dominican Republic's coastline, offer opportunities to explore rich marine biodiversity through activities such as snorkeling, diving, and, more recently, exploring coral gardens.

Coral gardening is a new activity that minimizes reef ecosystem degradation and its negative impact on marine life. It consists of developing underwater coral nurseries, using primarily rare and endangered coral species, and then transplanting them to degraded reefs in order to protect them and improve their health. Consequently, deteriorated coral reefs can again attract marine life and balance the surrounding ecosystem.

In the Dominican Republic, the creation of coral gardens is being promoted to tourists thanks to the project "Coral Gardening to Support Reef Conservation," developed by the Multilateral Investment Fund and the Puntacana Ecological Foundation (FEPC) since 2012.

This project aims to merge sun-and-sand tourism with elements of conservation, education, and culture. Tourists interested in participating in coral gardening visit local communities and take a tour that allows them to observe and even participate in the entire process of creating, maintaining, and expanding the coral nurseries. This process begins with the collection of material from existing coral colonies.

Snorkelers dive underwater to carefully extract the precious coral, transport it to underwater nurseries, and secure it to frames made of rope and metal. When the corals in the nurseries grow, tissue fragments are pruned and a team transplants them to the degraded reefs. In the Dominican Republic, tourists can work with two species of endangered and eye-catching corals: staghorn coral (Acropora cervicornis) and elkhorn coral (Acropora palmata).

Currently, Puntacana has the largest coral garden program in the Dominican Republic and the Caribbean. The FEPC has also created nurseries in Punta Rusia, Sosúa, and La Caleta National Underwater Park.

For communities in these tourist destinations, coral gardening means more income from the arrival of more tourists. In addition to those who come for the beautiful beaches, coral gardens also enhance scientific, academic, and volunteer tourism. Residents are also benefiting from new job opportunities in the development of coral gardens and indirect revenue from services such as transportation, food, and guided tours.

This project is expected to grow in coming years to stimulate the sustainable development of other tourism communities in the Dominican Republic while continuing to support the restoration of coral reefs threatened by climate change and human activities such as unsustainable urban and coastal tourism development, overfishing, overharvesting of marine species, and irresponsible recreational diving.

To learn more about this project please visit the Puntacana Ecological Foundation.

This entry was posted on April 2, 2013 at 6:50 AM and has received 1303 views. There are currently 1 comments. Print this entry.

There are a few places in the world that promise unique experiences for lovers of diving, snorkeling, and marine life, and one of them is on the Caribbean coasts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras: the magnificent Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System.

The Mesoamerican Reef is the second largest reef in the world (after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia) and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, extending approximately 625 miles (1,000 kilometers) from the Yucatan Peninsula in Mexico to the Bay Islands on the northern coast of Honduras.

Throughout this reef system are vast expanses of coastal wetlands, seagrass pastures, lagoons, mangrove forests, beaches, and dunes. These ecosystems are home to a rich biodiversity that includes 65 species of stony corals, 350 species of mollusks, more than 500 species of fish, and one of the largest manatee populations in the world. In addition, on the reef and in its surroundings live many endangered species such as leatherback sea turtles, West Indian manatees, black coral, and marine crocodiles, and seasonally it is also home to the largest aggregation of whale sharks worldwide.

This rich biodiversity and the beauty of the landscapes created by the reef's ecosystems make it a great tourist attraction. An estimated one in five people living on Caribbean coastlines is employed in tourism, an industry that is among the primary sources of income in these countries.

For starters, travelers can enjoy beautiful, fine white sand beaches that are products of the disintegrated remains of corals, calcareous algae, and other reef organisms. Tourists can also explore the coastal wetlands and mangroves of this reef, which serve as the nursery for many species of fish and provide an excellent opportunity to observe wildlife on canoeing and kayaking excursions.

However, scuba diving is the way that tourists can best experience the reef in all of its splendor. The warm, shallow, crystal clear waters of the coast bordering the Mesoamerican Reef offer impressive visibility of the hundreds of multicolored fish, turtles, manatees, and other marine species, as well as many types of coral.

Cancun, the Riviera Maya, and Costa Maya are some of Mexico's most popular sites for diving. In Belize, the biggest attraction is the Blue Hole; considered one of the top 10 dive sites in the world, it is located in Lighthouse Atoll and consists of a system of underwater caves and passages with stalactite formations dating to the last ice age. On the Caribbean side of Guatemala, the port of Livingston is popular for diving directly offshore and in the nearby Belize Cays. Finally, Honduras boasts sites such as Tela, Cayos Cochinos, Puerto Cortes and the Bay Islands (Roatán, Guanaja and Utila).

Sadly, the Mesoamerican Reef faces major threats caused by pollution, over exploitation of resources, and uncontrolled coastal development, among others. For this reason, and because of its immense importance for wildlife and the economy, the countries near the reef have created several national parks and protected areas to help conserve it. Some of these are Cozumel Reefs National Park, the Belize Barrier Reef, Hol Chan Marine Reserve, the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, and the Cayos Cochinos Marine Park.

Similarly, initiatives such as the Mesoamerican Reef Tourism Initiative (MARTI) and several community projects aim to implement best sustainable tourism practices to reduce the negative impact of tourism activities on the wonderful Mesoamerican Reef.

If you want to experience the reef responsibly, search our listing for sustainable hotels and tour operators on the Caribbean coast of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala and Honduras.

This entry was posted on November 13, 2012 at 12:28 PM and has received 972 views. There are currently 0 comments. Print this entry.

The magnificent resplendent quetzal is a creature of legends. This spectacular bird played an important role in Mesoamerican mythology; it was worshipped by the Aztecs and Mayas as the god of the air and closely associated with Quetzalcoatl, the powerful god of creation. For many years, it was believed that they could not be held in captivity, for a resplendent quetzal would usually kill itself soon after being caged – which led to its becoming a traditional symbol of liberty and freedom.

Today, the resplendent quetzal is the national bird of Guatemala. Travelers can find them living in the cloud forests of Central America, singing their soft and mellow call. The resplendent quetzal is threatened throughout its range, due primarily to deforestation.

For a list of sustainable birdwatching destinations in Central America, click here.

This entry was posted on October 23, 2012 at 1:38 PM and has received 1489 views. There are currently 3 comments. Print this entry.