Ecotourism in Pacuare Reserve: a journey of conservation and active science

At Pacuare Reserve, ecotourism is much more than just a visit to nature. It is an invitation to immerse yourself in the heart of conservation and science. Here, every visitor has the opportunity to not only contemplate the natural beauty, but also to actively participate in efforts that protect and study our ecosystems. This approach allows us to offer unique and transformative experiences, where the connection with nature becomes a vital collaboration for its preservation.

The adventure begins before arriving at the Reserve, as all visitors must cross the beautiful canals surrounded by tropical forest to reach the site. Photo: Batsú Estudio

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that goes beyond passive observation of nature. It is based on four fundamental pillars:

1.Enjoyment and contemplation of nature:

Visitors enjoy close contact with nature, observing and admiring the flora and fauna in their natural environment.

2. Respect for traditional cultures and conservation:

It promotes respect for local cultures and actively contributes to the conservation of natural areas, helping to preserve these environments for future generations.

3. Community benefits and local employment generation:

Ecotourism creates jobs and economic benefits for local communities, supporting sustainable development.

4. Environmental responsibility and sustainability:

The aim is to minimize the negative impact on the environment and promote sustainable practices that ensure the long-term well-being of local populations and ecosystems.

At Pacuare Reserve, these principles guide our activities and the type of experiences we offer, particularly in the areas of scientific and educational ecotourism.

“It was more than I thought it would be. All the people who worked here were phenomenal and gave us very good and unforgettable experiences. I will recommend it to anyone who wants to visit. I thank you all for giving us an amazing experience.” Becky Walleen, visitor

Ecotourism at Pacuare Reserve

Scientific ecotourism

At Pacuare Reserve, visitors can become scientists for a few days. They participate in censuses and field research activities, where they observe and study species such as sea turtles, monkeys, felines and birds under strict research protocols.

"The ecotourism we practice here at Pacuare Reserve goes beyond admiration and contemplation; it is an active collaboration with conservation and science. Visitors not only observe but also participate in the collection of data that will be used for publications, findings, and fundraising for conservation," explains Esteban Lobo, Coordinator of Reservations and Community Outreach at Pacuare Reserve.

All research activities are conducted under strict protocols to minimize interference with the natural environment and to ensure the accuracy and relevance of the data collected.

All Pacuare Reserve visitors actively participate in data collection for the site's research programs. Photo: EPI Costa Rica

Educational ecotourism

Educational ecotourism focuses on environmental observation and interpretation. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the diversity of species and natural phenomena that inhabit the Reserve, guided by field assistants who translate scientific terms into a language accessible to all.

Environmental education is provided to visitors, helping them understand the importance of conservation and the challenges facing ecosystems. Likewise, wildlife viewing is conducted in a way that minimizes the impact on species and their habitats.

"We guarantee that people are receiving an environmental education process, from life cycles with everything that has to do with sea turtles to the rigorousness with which the research process is carried out," says Claudio Quesada, Research and Conservation Coordinator of the Pacuare Reserve.

"This was our best experience in Costa Rica by far. Everyone working at the reserve was very friendly and helpful. Our guide, Eder, was very knowledgeable and showed us lots of flora and fauna during our forest walk and boat tour. We didn't get a chance to see any nesting turtles during our stay, but we did see some hatchlings and it was a great experience to learn more about turtles and what they do here." Angela Chen, visitor

Environmental education is one of the pillars of ecotourism at Pacuare Reserve. Photo: Batsú Estudio

Minimal impact and conservation at Pacuare Reserve

To ensure that the visit has as little impact as possible, we implement various monitoring strategies and programs:

- Conservation strategies: We have specific programs for the protection of key species such as sea turtles, monkeys, felines and agami herons.

- Research permits: We operate under SINAC (National System of Conservation Areas) permits that guarantee that our practices are sustainable and respect the integrity of the species.

- Protocols and rules: We have strict rules designed to protect the environment, such as the use of red lights at night and the prohibition of selfies with animals.

Esteban Lobo stresses the importance of these rules: "When we explain that no photos can be taken with the turtles, for example, it's not just an arbitrary rule; it's part of a broader campaign like ‘Stop Animal Selfies’ that promotes not only the integrity of the species but also a respectful relationship between us and wildlife."

The Stop Animal Selfies campaign, of which the Reserve is a part, is an initiative promoted by the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT), together with non-governmental organizations and private companies in the tourism sector, which seeks to eliminate cruel or inappropriate selfies with wild animals and raise awareness about the risks and negative effects of these practices. In this article you can learn more about our participation in the campaign.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP4BTwEoefY&ab_channel=CostaRicaSilvestre

Protocols in the reserve are strict, based on research and real conservation needs. Clear limits on carrying capacity and the number of visitors allowed in certain areas are respected to minimize impact on wildlife, such as the agami nesting colony. (Here you can see the Agami Heron Observation Protocol)

"We are very happy to come to a place where protecting biodiversity is clearly the most important thing, and not making money from tourists or animals or plants. We are happy that our stay here can help the development of Pacuare and all the efforts that all the people here make." Stephanie Ferchaud, visitor

Positive impacts of ecotourism

Visitors contribute significantly to the data collection effort, providing valuable observations that may be overlooked by researchers due to familiarity with the environment. This constant flow of new observers enriches the quality and quantity of data collected.

"I loved my stay here at the reserve, all the volunteers and staff were incredibly welcoming and open to teaching and everyone was excited to share their experience. I came here mainly to see the leatherbacks, but I was also able to have a wonderful experience making connections with wonderful people."  Austin Gonzalez, visitante

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-XR0a5Mg4s&ab_channel=PacuareReserve

Inspiration for the future

Every visit to Pacuare Reserve is an opportunity to learn, contribute and connect deeply with nature. By getting involved in our conservation and research activities, visitors not only take away unforgettable memories, but also leave a positive footprint in the preservation of our ecosystems.

If you are interested in living this transformative experience and contributing to conservation, we invite you to learn more about our lodging options and activities at https://www.pacuarereserve.org/lodging

You may also be interested in:

• Pacuare Reserve joins Stop Animal Selfies campaign to protect wildlife

• 5 Signs Pacuare Reserve is your ultimate travel destination