Before applying to Plus3 and attending the pre-departure sessions, I did not realize how dedicated to sustainability the country is and how central it is to their culture of tourism and the way the country operates. From preserving ecosystems and habitats to farming pineapple, bananas, and coffee sustainably, these efforts leave a large impact on the country as a whole. Because the country’s economy is centered on tourism and produce, they are able to offer even more by doing it sustainably.

I used to think of Costa Rica as a place where people go for spring or summer break, which they do, but the country is competing against destinations like Cabo, the Bahamas, and Cancun. Their sustainability initiatives are, interestingly enough, an incentive for travelers to choose Costa Rica over those alternatives. Many of these initiatives are centered on reforestation and restoring the lush jungles and ecosystems that were displaced or destroyed in the past. A large part of this is that people come to Costa Rica for its natural beauty, and the country is actively working to preserve and restore it.

Building on that, their Certificate for Sustainable Tourism (CST) incentivizes hotels and tour operators to follow sustainability guidelines in order to earn certification. By advertising these certifications to travelers, the hope is that people will choose the more sustainable options, creating a positive ripple effect where hotels and tours are all striving to attain a CST. A majority of these initiatives are targeted at travel and tourism because that is where the economy is rooted.

I am most excited to explore the culture when we are in Costa Rica and to experience all of the activities we have scheduled. From the food, to the hikes, to the tours of plantations, farms, and businesses, I am looking forward to all of it!