Sustainability of the "Pure Life" in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is all about ecotourism and the “Pure Life,” but how sustainable is it, really?

It's been more than a decade since the World Tourism Organization (WTO) defined sustainable tourism as managing all resources in such a way that economic and social needs are fulfilled while maintaining cultural integrity and biological diversity.

Costa Rica has successfully marketed itself as a leader in going green. The country prides itself on its trailblazing efforts to set aside areas for conservation and establish a strong network of national parks, nature reserves and conservation areas.

In addition, Costa Rica has a stable democratic government with no army, a pleasant year-round climate, and is considered one of the happiest countries in the world.

It has one of the highest standards of living, the largest middle class, the best public health care system and public education through the university level, and the highest literacy rate in Latin America.

Plus, Costa Rica plans to be a carbon neutral country by the time it marks its bicentennial celebration in 2021.Costa Rica is not far from this goal — it already gets 98 percent of its electricity from renewable resources (mainly hydropower, but also geothermal, wind, solar, and biomass). The only fossil fuel the country utilizes is diesel. Costa Rica’s President Luis Guillermo Solis proclaimed “...it’s the constitutional right of the people to enjoy a clean environment.”

However, many visitors question if it’s just green washing or a real, authentic part of Costa Rican culture to be environmentally conscious.

I’m happy to say, the younger generation in Costa Rica is truly embracing the concept of conservation and local schools and children regularly organize and participate in pro-environment activities.

Additionally, the private sector in Costa Rica has also recognized the economic benefits of streamlining business practices and many have jumped on the sustainability bandwagon. Desafio Adventure Company, for example, turned 25 years old this year and is not only considered the pioneer of adventure in the Arenal Volcano area, but also the pioneer of environmental education.

We have a long history of consistently organizing a variety of conservation activities such as river clean-ups, school recycling programs, and tree planting, as well as promoting socially and culturally responsible tours.

Every year we for the past 15 years Desafio has promoted its Desafio RETO RECICLAJE where we select 3 local schools from rural areas outside of La Fortuna to compete against one another for a month to see which school collects the most recyclable material.

The winning school gets a school party with games, contests, food and other treats. The schools love it and the communities do, too, because the children are more conscience of abandoned waste materials and collect them and turn them in for the contest. The initiative helps clean up neighborhoods and helps in the fight against mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and zika.

We have also worked hard to get our workers, visitors, and local community involved and engaged because we recognize that the full involvement of local communities in tourism not only benefits them and the environment, but also improves the quality of our tourism projects.

That’s why we invite clients to participate in the Desafio Adopt a Tree program, an initiative that allows them to plant trees with local youth along strategic biological corridors and rainforest areas.

Desafio also has several tours that help clients get up close and personal with Costa Rican culture and ecological restoration programs, such as our Costa Rican Traditions Cooking Class and organic farm tours. By partaking in activities like these, clients experience the authentic “Pure Life” of Costa Rica firsthand.

Visit the Desafio Adventure Company webpage for more information or @DesafioCR on your favorite social media sites.

Kids tell Mom and Dad where to go... (on vacation in Costa Rica!)

Kids tell Mom & Dad where to go... (on vacation in Costa Rica!) 

And now they're bringing Grandma and Grandpa, too!

by Christine Krishnan

My daughter is getting to that age where she is becoming increasingly aware of a place called Disneyland. The constant TV commercials she sees about vacations to Disneyland are probably to blame, but it's interesting how influenced I suddenly feel about my daughter's enthusiasm for us to plan a family vacation around her wide-eyed suggestions.

It is no surprise that studies have proven kids have a big say in where mom and dad decide to take the family. Preferred Hotel Group says "...40 percent of kids 'actively participate in or influence' vacation planning, specifically with respect to daily activities (77 percent) and deciding which destinations to visit (62 percent). Almost half (49 percent) of all multigenerational travelers say their grandchildren influence the selection of the hotel or resort."

However, the Baby Boomer generation is footing the bill for these multigenerational vacations and we have definitely seen that trend here in Costa Rica.

Our average age of active adventurers has increased even to the extent we increased the age recommendations on some of our high-intensity tours like rafting and canyoning in Costa Rica -- and the older participants are generally in better health and more-adventurous than ever before and join the grandkids on many of the adventures.

Adventure tourism overall is becoming very fashionable. Some of the reality TV shows and documentaries sponsored by Disney and other companies are now involving family-based adventures in what they film here in Costa Rica. Travelers know that because we live such a fast-paced life, we often do not have enough time to spend with our children and grandchildren and develop a sense of guilt. A customized Costa Rica vacation is an ideal way to bring the family back together.

Awhile back, we helped with the production of a show called "Are We There Yet World Adventures" that portrayed a young sister and brother team conquering the world -- they braved the Whitewater and Wildlife rapids of the Río Balsa in Costa Rica with us. The producers told us "shows like this really benefit the Costa Rican Tourism Board because Costa Rica is so family-friendly and when children see our show, they are going to be begging mom and dad to take them rafting in Costa Rica!"

But we recognize not everyone in the family wants a lot of adventure, so we even have found ways for grandpa and grandma to come along for fun, without getting in harm's way. 

For example, although it's a bumpy drive on our Jungle Limos up to the Lost Canyon, we have had older folks come along for the ride and watch the younger generation get ready for canyoning and then stay behind at our Lost Canyon Headquarters up in the rainforest to do birding and get photos of our friendly wild pizote that visits up there. They sit back and relax, have a nice warm cup of coffee, read a book while the rest of the group is out in the wilderness descending 200-ft waterfalls and having the time of their lives. When the rest of the family comes out of the Lost Canyon, everyone then gets together to have lunch together. 

Another example is our Stand Up Paddling on Lake Arenal with the Desafío Adventure Boat. Clients come with the whole family for a fun time out on Costa Rica's largest fresh water lake. Some members take a lesson on how to do Stand Up Paddling and paddle out to an isolated, deserted island while the others sit back and enjoy the ride on the boat.

What's interesting for us is that many of our Millennial and Generation X travelers have come to Costa Rica and done activities with us and then come back to Costa Rica and bring more family members, such as their parents and children with them the next time for a multi-generational travel experience. 

The number of grandparents is on the rise so we have seen that multigenerational travel is also growing. It is estimated that grandparents will account for nearly one-in-three adults by 2020 and are expected to work longer, have higher incomes, and spend more on travel than ever before. A recent study showed that nearly 35 percent of grandparents took a trip with their grandchildren in 2014. Here at Desafío, we also have found some of the best hotels in Costa Rica that are now catering to multi-generational travel and providing larger accommodations like villas and multi-bedroom suites that are more suitable for multigenerational groups.

So, when you're ready to start planning your trip to Costa Rica and your children and their grandparents are pitching you ideas, we are here to customize your Costa Rica Vacation to make it the most memorable, multigenerational vacation ever!

Take the Edge Off in the Lost Canyon in Costa Rica

by Christine Krishnan of Desafio Adventure Company

We all know too well that anxious, gnawing feeling we get in our gut from time to time. That uneasy, stressed-out sensation – too much work, not enough time, pulled in too many directions, deadlines – you’re on the edge…

Here in Costa Rica, we’re experts at helping you “take the edge off” by doing some of the world’s coolest, newest adventure tours.

Just imagine yourself going off the edge and rappelling down a 150-foot tropical waterfall and exploring a pristine, isolated canyon surrounded by deep rainforest.

Come and Take the Edge Off and do the Lost Canyon Adventures canyoning in Arenal Costa Rica! 

This is one of Costa Rica’s hottest, most-unique, high-end adventures: Canyoning in the Lost Canyon with 4 tropical waterfalls, canyon hiking, downclimbing, rappelling waterfalls, guided rappels and river tracing.

“This is the best thing I have ever done!” Jill Anderson of Toronto said. “I felt very safe, the scenery was beautiful, lunch was delicious and our Desafio guides were great!”

Check out our Video of the Lost Canyon Canyoning - Desafio's Lost Canyon Adventures video.

The sport of canyoneering or canyoning reportedly got its start in Europe, New Zealand and Australia, but has become all the rage in the Southwestern part of the United States, such as in the expansive desert canyons of California, Utah and Arizona. My first canyoning experience was when I was guiding trips in the US and and I would take my clients through Antelope Canyon on Navajo Tribal land.

The term "canyoneering" or "canyoning" is not easily-defined. Near the Arenal Volcano, Desafio Adventure Company’s Lost Canyon Adventures canyoning tour combines canyon hiking down a deep, narrow slot canyon, using mountain climbing techniques and scrambling with rappelling down beautiful, tropical waterfalls and finishing off with guided rappels that resemble a swift zipline maneuver.

“When we first explored and found the Lost Canyon, we had one goal: combine an exciting and original adventure with showing off Costa Rica’s extraordinarily isolated and pristine primary rainforests,” explained Suresh Krishnan, owner of Desafio Adventure Company who is celebrating over 25 years in the adventure business in Costa Rica.

“Of all of the adventure activities I’ve helped launch in the Northern Zone of Costa Rica, this is definitely one of my favorites,” Krishnan said. But Krishnan didn't stop there. He just launched his MOST EXTREME adventure ever: Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping. Gravity Falls Waterfall Jumping in Costa Rica.

Desafio Adventure Company knows you have limited time on your vacation and you have to take advantage of the maximum of your time – get unstressed – do the things you always dreamt of doing and then return home to brag about it! 

You can also combine the Lost Canyon with other fun adventures such as rafting on the Rio Balsa for the MAMBO COMBO or combine the Lost canyon with the Sarapiqui River Rafting for the Super Mambo Combo.
So… why not take the edge off with Desafio Adventure Company in Costa Rica?

What to bring:

For an adventure in the Lost Canyon, Desafio Adventure Company recommends you bring secure shoes (tennis shoes, Keen or Teva-style,) clothes to get wet in & change of clothes for after the tour, plus a big smile and a sense of adventure,.

What's included:

Transport to and from your hotel is provided plus professional, very fun, bilingual guides; high-quality, brand-name equipment; gloves & water. And you get treated to a buffet of tropical fruit and the famous Desafio home-cooked “Rainforest Lunch” and local drinks.

Departures:

The Lost Canyon Adventures canyoning in Arenal Costa Rica tour leaves every day from the Desafio headquarters in downtown La Fortuna at 7:30am, 10:00am and 1:00pm. The Lost Canyon Adventure takes about 4 hours and is recommended for ages 13-65 (private tours or extra guides available for families with children under 13.)