Today was a great way to start the adventure in Costa Rica. The stops today showed me how integrated the environment and its byproducts are integrated into the overall economy of Costa Rica. The strawberry farm, Poás Volcano, and La Paz Waterfall Gardens all depended on land, climate, and natural resources to attract visitors or produce goods. This, by virtue, seems sustainable to me because if the economy depends on nature and its byproducts to survive, then it is in Costa Rica’s best interest to invest and protect the environment. For example, La Paz Waterfall Gardens stood out because it turned Costa Rica’s waterfalls, rainforest, wildlife, and scenery into an experience that tourists are willing to pay for. In other words, the value of the environment has a direct relationship with the business model of La Paz.

What stood out to me is that even though it is clear that La Paz is meant as a business, it is clear that they care for the animals and the environment. The toucans were all animals that were protected from illegal poachers who kept them as pets. They saved the environment and then made sure they were safe while making a business out of them. The trails, gardens, and animal exhibits made nature feel protected and organized rather than damaged. Still, it gave me some pause because once nature becomes a tourist attraction, it can become easy to treat it like a product instead of a living ecosystem. Overall, La Paz felt like a sustainable relationship between land and commerce, but it shows you that it is more profitable to care about the environment to continue their business.