Page 80 - NOMADS_NO1_2015

At this point you should know that in Costa Rica you will not be seeing nature, like at the zoo or in Central Park, while visiting you will be a part of nature. In fact, you will be a very small part of nature. Think about all of the house plants and animals you have ever seen in your life, supersized. It has been reported that Costa Rica is .003% of the Earth’s surface, but contains 4% of the Earth’s biodiversity. In practical terms, that means that you will be awestruck by the number of animal species, plants and vegetation that are within arm’s reach. Costa Rica is also topographically abundant. The country has several volcanoes, vast rainforests, and an incredible array of mountains, waterfalls, black sand beaches, and primary forests (thousands of acres of land that has never been cut down by man). I feel that the adjective awesome is usually overused, but in the case of Costa Rica’s biodiversity, the real definition of the word is applicable.
Fortunately, the Costa Rican government is aware of the country’s gifts and has taken protective measures.
Twenty five percent of Costa Rica has been designated as national parks throughout the country. The national tourism board has spearheaded eco-tourism and sustainable tourism initiatives for hotels and tour operators. In the grand scheme of things, you will not find outrageously large hotels but instead many small boutique hotels that have implemented sustainable eco-practices that regulate their use of water, chemicals and energy.
79