ecotourism
The strength of the Arenal project is that it is a balance between
conservation in protected areas and environmental sensitive efforts
to improve the livelihoods of local communities.
For example, the World Wildlife Fund Canada with the Canadian
International Development Agency sponsored three community run
eco-lodges in the Arenal region.
La
Catarata Lodge
La Catarata ecotourism Lodge is operated by the Association for
the Environment and Sustainable Development of Zeta Trece Community
(ASPROADES) in the city of La Fortuna. This association was formed
by farmers who decided to make sustainable use of the natural
resources and beauties of the region like the Arenal Volcano,
the most active volcano in Costa Rica.
.
Ecoverde
Lodge
Located near the Santa Elena Biological Reserve, on the road
to Tilarán, was created by the Ecological Association of
Los Olivos (AELOM). It wanted to improve the quality of life of
its members as well as the community´s.
Heliconia
Lodge
Located near the Tenorio Volcano, in Bijagua it is run by the
Agricultural Farmers Association of Bijagua (ABIPA). It was created
in order to improve their economic conditions and at the same
time to diversify their income sources. The rational use and conservation
of natural resources is the main goal of the Association.
