Respect for communities and the environment is a core Vesatours value. We're convinced that our guests, in choosing responsible operators and adhering to a few key guidelines, are ensuring themselves a win-win vacation experience that surpasses all others in terms of fun, satisfaction, cultural immersion and memories. We've included a few specific suggestions for Costa Rica that travellers might like to keep in mind; for a more general list, see The International Ecotourism Society at www.ecotourism.org.
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Walk the Walk with us
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Stay on the not - so-beaten track. Trails not only keep you from getting lost, they localize and minimize the impact travellers have on the environment. Most are designed to maximize your experience; if you stick to them, there's no telling what wonder will be around the corner.
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Animals in Costa Rica are wild. Misguided travellers who offer food put animals at risk by interfering with their natural wariness of humans (the backpack-raiding monkeys at Manuel Antonio are a case in point) and can actually make them sick. Resist the temptation!
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Everything has its place. And that's not always on your mantel. It's illegal to take anything out of national parks, and inhabitants of other areas would much prefer you left things intact as well. A digital picture will last longer and it's easier to e-mail…
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Keeping the water cycle clean. Not all areas in Costa Rica have efficient water-treatment systems. Try to bring biodegradable soaps and shampoos.
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One person's endangered species is another person's tourist trap. Selling turtle eggs is illegal, with the exception of a sanctioned harvest in Ostional; it's best to steer clear. Tortoiseshell products generally made from the endangered hawksbill turtle; animal skins; corals; or orchids (except those grown commercially) are other souvenirs to avoid. Many environmental groups in Costa Rica sell beautiful – and responsible – keepsakes.
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Costa Rica's landfills don't get a vacation. When travelling, for convenience sake, it's easy to forget the three “Rs” that have probably been instilled in your life at home: reduce, reuse, and recycle – in that order. You – and Costa Rica – will feel better if you stay diligent.
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Double your money. Conscientious travellers often would like to give back to Costa Rica, and it's much appreciated. In donating to a recognized group, your money will have much more effect than donations to individuals will. Vesatours can direct you to a number of community organizations.
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Get into the spirit. Doing some background reading on the Costa Rican culture will help you respect and enjoy the culture than much more. And you'll be amazed how quickly any well-intentioned attempt at saying a few Spanish words will draw a smile.
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You may also like to know that Vesatours:
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Promotes high-quality community projects by including them on tours
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Uses local guides
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Contribute to communities or facilitate donations from clients which are willing to give.
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Promotes the use of local products and services
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Is an active member of the World Wildlife Fund and The Fundación Neotrópica.
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Works towards better recycling programs
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Supports Tropical-Forest Bat Conservation Programs
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Active Member of “The Code of Conduct “against Children and Adolescents from Commercial Sexual Exploitation in the Tourism Industry.
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We work actively with Rainforest Alliance Org in environmentally-sensitive areas encouraging best practices in within the travel industry
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We are a certified tour operator with the CST (Certification of Sustainable Tourism) which vigour our commitment with our communities, our people and biodiversity.
The Code of Conduct is an initiative of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) and ECPAT International developed by the countries of origin as well as the tourist destinations. It seeks the participation and promise of the tourist industry to disesteem and sanction the commercial sexual exploitation of children and adolescents associated with travel and tourism.
Active Member of “The Code of Conduct “against Children and Adolescents from Commercial Sexual Exploitation in Tourism.
The code of conduct is a project of the tourist industry that is supported by the Paniamor Foundation in conjunction with the Costa Rican Association of Operators of Tourism (ACOT), the Costa Rican Association of Professionals in Tourism (ACOPROT) and World Vision Costa Rica funded by Fundecooperación.As part of the promise of the tourist sector to contribute to the betterment of the quality of life in the population in general and the protection of the fundamental rights of childhood and adolescence in particular, in August 2003 the project of the Code of Conduct for the protection of children and adolescents from commercial sexual exploitation in travel and tourism in Costa Rica was started.
For additional information on this issue please refer to www.thecode.org
