Following the Six Principles of EcoTourism

1. Minimize Impact2. Build environmental and cul-

tural awareness and respect.3. Provide positive experience

for both visitors and hosts.4. Provide direct financial ben-

efits for conservation.5. Provide financial benefits and empowerment for local

people.6. Raise sensitivity to host

countries’ political, environ-mental, and social climate.

5. CASEM, the Cooperativa de Artesanas de Santa Ele-na y Monteverde, is a non-profit artisan cooperative. A great place to shop as the procceds go to enhancing the economic and social well-being of local women artists.

4. Directly invest in conservation by visiting a na-tional park. Poás Volcano National Park is a great stop without starying too far from San Jose. Lake Poás pictured below.

1. Touring the Monteverde In-stitute you can learn of vairous ways they are minimizing their impact, and how you can do the same.

3. Take a boat tour of the Pesca Responsable sustainable fishery program.

2. Learn more about family owned organic coffee farms at La Bella Tica

6. Don’t forget humans are part of the environment! Learn about local political and socaial issues at the Sustainability Demonstration Center in Guacimal.