SUMMARY OF SITE VISIT: ECOTOURISM 1

SUMMARY REPORT OF SITE VISIT: ECOTOURISM

Guide: Enid Chaverri

Rapporteurs: Carolina Mauri, Lawrence Pratt, and Neil Emmott

1 INTRODUCTION 2 SARAPIQUIS ECOLODGE

The “Centro Neotrópico The architecture of the project is

SarapiquiS” is a relatively new effort to cre- inspired by the indigenous pre-Columbian
ate a place for further conservation of construction techniques of the region. The
nature and eco-development, in combina- round palenques (or ranchos) are covered
tion with sustainable tourism. It was recog- by a traditional thatched roof of palm
nized as an important effort, and was offi- leaves. The palenque structure is central to
cially name a Public Interest Project” by the the SarapiquíS concept: the story of nature
Costa Rican Government in 1997. The and its relation to mankind.
Center is an integrated ecotourism destina- The ecolodge consists of four
tion featuring lodging, meals, nature palenque structures. Three contain guest
reserve, museum, botanical gardens, an rooms, and the fourth is the central building
on-site archaeological excavation, and a with the lobby, restaurant, bar, gourmet cof-
number of other interesting features. fee bar, photo gallery, administration, and
The SarapiquiS complex is located gift shop.
at the border of the Tirimbina Biological The three guest units are divided
Reserve in La Virgen de Sarapiquí, 85 kilo- into eight spacious and deluxe rooms,
meters from San Jose. On this side of the jointed within the turret reaching an impres-
foothills of the Cordillera Central mountain sive height of 18 meters. All the units are
range, the Sarapiqui River flows past the located in the gardens and orchards of the
towns and villages of the Sarapiqui region, property. Many of the rooms have an out-
creating a superb riverine corridor for a standing view of the rainforest canopy;
diversity of wildlife. For centuries, and per- while others are nestled in the gardens.
haps millennia, this region has been home
to a number of different indigenous peo- 3 TIRIMBINA BIOLOGICAL RESERVE
ples. More recently, this area has seen fair-
ly rapid growth in environmentally oriented The Tirimbina Biological Reserve is
tourism. The rich wildlife, relatively intact key to the entire concept of the Centro
ecosystems and accessibility to tourists Neotrópico Sarapiqui.
from different points in the country have The 300-hectare Tirimbina Biological
made it an important “ecotourism” destina- Reserve is one of the last remaining stands
tion. of mid-elevation, premontane rainforest in
Centro Neotrópico Sarapiquís, is northeastern Costa Rica. The reserve is
modeled on a pre-Colombian village, and teeming with the diversity of botanical and
was designed and developed as an eco- zoological species characteristic of such
model project using ecological sustainable ecosystems, and provides an important
technologies (solar energy, use of local nat- component of the biological corredors that
ural materials, and an innovative wetland link habitats for regional wildlife. Tirimbina
waste-water treatment installation, etc…) has been the site of numerous biological
research projects and serves as a living
laboratory for study, as well as an accessi-
2 SIXTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND ENFORCEMENT

ble day trip from different parts of the coun- covered.

try. The Park has been developed in
An island with lush tropical vegeta- close coordination with Costa Rican
tion lies between Centro Neotrópico National Museum.
SarapiquiS and the Tirimbina Biological Four major themes are exhibited in
Reserve in the middle of the Sarapiquí the park :
River. Varying in size with the volume of the • Theme 1 : 15th century Costa Rica:
water rushing off the Barva volcano water- Reconstruction of housing, streets and
shed, this island offers an easily navigated marketplaces of the indigenous village
introduction to a tropical forest ecosystem
• Theme 2 : Pre-Columbian Stone
through a self-guided tour. The river itself is
Sculptures
a rich and vital corridor for tropical wildlife.
A 260m long suspension bridge connects • Theme 3 : Pre-Columbian Burial Field.
the Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS to the Excavation site in process including
Tirimbina Reserve. “casita” of archaeologist with exhibition
Several trails cross the reserve for of tools, materials, etc…
access by researchers and visitors. These • Theme 4 : Petroglyphs. Reconstruction
trails approach areas of high interest for of a rocky landscape with petroglyphs.
wildlife watching or viewing highlights of Extensive information is provided
rainforest biodiversity. Because it is a pro- all along the trails in the park. Landscape
tected area, they are designed to create the Foundation Belgium, owner of the Centro
least negative impact possible on delicate Neotropico, has had on staff since May
ecosystems. The company of a trained nat- 2000 two very skilled Costa Rican archae-
uralist or other staff member of Centro ologists: Anayency Herrera for the excava-
Neotrópico SarapiquíS is required, except tion of the tombs, and Javier Artavia for the
for researchers with permits.
reconstruction of the 15th century village,.
Centro Neotrópico SarapiquíS
All the works has been done under super-
offers field based education in nature histo-
vision of the National Museum of Costa
ry for adults and children, emphasizing the
Rica.
interrelatedness of individual systems and
species in the natural word. The Tirimbina
5 RAINFOREST MUSEUM
Biological Reserve is a place for illumina-
tion of some of the mysteries of the rainfor-
est and for experiencing the innate A 1000 m2 museum will be open-
response of humans to wildness and natu- ing in April 2002. It will be the largest on-
ral beauty. site-museum of rainforest ecology and pre-
Columbian history of Central America and
4 ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK “ALMA will include a 60-seat theater A dynamic
ATA” and contemporary audio and visual con-
cept that makes use of state-of-the-art
The Park “Alma Ata” at the Centro technology and presentation techniques
Neotropico SarapiquiS is the first archaeo- will present the main themes of the muse-
logical park of its kind in Costa Rica. The um
Park is set in the orange orchard of Centro • Biodiversity
Neotropico SarapiquiS, where in October • Sounds of the rainforest
1999, a large exquisite Pre-Columbian
• Pre-Columbian cultures
tomb field of at least 600 years old was dis- • Conservation
 SUMMARY OF SITE VISIT: ECOTOURISM 3

• The endangered rainforest ed here to prepare a microclimate for later

woody species of a higher biological inter-
6 SARAPIQUIS GARDENS est. Special attention is paid to woody
species of the Rubiaceae and Acanthaceae
The gardens of Centro Neotrópico as research collections will be used in
SarapiquíS are designed to demonstrate major research projects of the National
and to reflect the richness of the rainforest. Botanic Garden of Belgium. Part of the land
They also link several aspects of Centro is used for wastewater treatment and purifi-
Neotrópico. It is an introduction to the cations plants using living plants.
Tirimbina Forest, illustrating topics present-
ed in the SarapiquíS Museum, and also an 7 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS AND
education in botany and horticulture. The ISSUES
Gardens are comprised of four distinct ele-
ments: • Ecotourism in general generates income
• Plants of historical or economic value, that helps protect endangered ecosys-
including medicinal and edible. tems. This is certainly the case in Costa
• Tropical plants both ornamental and vital Rica. Forest and other sensitive habitat
to wildlife. that would have been destroyed for agri-
cultural use remains intact due to the
• Natural botanical succession.
value they provide to the tourism sector.
• Reforestation of agricultural land, as a Today, Costa Rica receives more than
transition to the Tirimbina rainforest 1.1 million tourist per year. Nearly all
Each element is expressed by a come with the expectation of seeing
different design: nature and participating in a “natural”
• The first garden is formal, with several experience in the wild. In response to
specific themes. It is easily accessible for this demand, there has been a rapid
casual visits or study. growth in tourism infrastructure (particu-
larly hotels and lodges). Increased
• Around the main building, gardens are
demand places increased pressure on
less formal, with an emphasis on plants
remaining habitat. How should Costa
attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.
Rica or other countries take advantage
• In the old orange orchard, the natural of demand for protected habitat to build
succession of epiphytes, orchids, ferns healthy tourism industries (that create
and other genera demonstrate a lesson jobs, income and educational opportuni-
in tropical ecology. ties for needy rural communities), while
The orchard remains in use, however still maintaining the integrity of the
no longer with an emphasis on production. resources tourists want to visit?
Grass continues to be mowed, however
• Centro Neotropico SarapiquiS is but one
epiphytism will have full freedom to devel-
model being used. Is it a good model? In
op (orchids, ferns, etc), eventually destroy-
what ways yes, and in what ways no?
ing the orchard in a natural way, but giving
during those years a splendid opportunity
to explain ecology.
The portion of land on the flood-
plain below the buildings is partially culti-
vated for food and is partially under refor-
estation. Fast - growing species are plant-