Travelers can make a big impact on the communities they visit. We recommend the following responsible tourism practices to make your experience richer and your impact a positive one!

• Culture: Research your holiday destination and its culture in advance. Understanding some of the language, local customs, and expected behaviors for travelers can make your experience more comfortable and your presence more welcome.

• Reservations & Purchases: Choose responsible products, hotels, tour operators and travel agents by researching their business practices and certifications by recognized programs.

• Transportation: Try alternative modes of transportation, including by foot, bus, bicycle, boat, train or other mode of mass transportation. Where available, off-set your carbon emissions through local programs that support environmental conservation.

• Sexual Exploitation: Sexual exploitation of minors is a crime in Costa Rica punishable with up to 16 years of prison.

• Bargaining: Keep in mind that many vendors’ livelihoods depend on tourism and sales made to visitors. Pay a fair price for negotiable items, and try to “bargain up”, not “bargain down”.

• Natural Resources & Landscapes: Use water sparingly and avoid practices that contaminate the local water supply or bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and oceans. Absolutely do not litter, this includes throwing out cigarette butts and recycling whenever possible.

• Wildlife explorations: Observe wildlife from an adequate distance. Binoculars, spotting scopes, or telephoto lenses give the best up-close view of animals and allow you to observe the animal ́s natural behavior.

• Reflection: After your holiday experience, reflect on what you learned about the people and places visited, as well as about yourself. Share these experiences and insights with others.