Rainforest Alliance Gives Stamp of Sustainable Approval to Costa Rica’s Rainforest Adventures
Two of Rainforest Adventures’ ecotourism parks, Costa Rica Pacific and Costa Rica Atlantic, got top marks from Rainforest Alliance, undergoing verification and receiving the highest rating possible.
Over the years, Rainforest Alliance has worked with a number of tourism businesses, helping operators improve their environmental, social and economic practices. To be verified by Rainforest Alliance, tourism-centric companies must meet a strict set of requirements, including creating (with the Alliance) a sustainable management plan and undergoing an on-site verification visit to evaluate practices.
Rainforest Alliance’s standard for tourism operations has been recognized by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, an organization that fosters worldwide sustainable tourism by adopting universal principles; compiling, adapting and creating tools and training needed to engage in sustainable tourism practices; and increasing the demand for sustainable tourism products and services.
With six parks located in the Central American and Caribbean region, Rainforest Adventures was one of the world’s first ecotourism operators. Today, after 18 years of continued success, the parks offer explorers of all ages adrenaline-inducing activities (such as jungle ziplines and aerial tram adventures); themed, naturalist-led tours (such as bird watching and family-oriented); and the chance to check out educational and wildlife exhibitions (such as the butterfly and frog garden or the Serpentarium, a snake display) – all in safe, fun and bio-diverse environments.
In addition to being verified by Rainforest Alliance, the Costa Rica Pacific and Atlantic parks have earned Costa Rica’s Certification for Sustainable Tourism, and the Atlantic park also received word that it maintained its 100 per cent score and four star rating ( highest possible) by Costa Rica’s Blue Flag Ecological program in 2012. The Pacific park is expected to achieve the same recognition shortly.
