Ecología y finanzas

El efecto multiplicador de un bosque tropical nuboso

30 de abril de 2012 por Katiana Murillo

Quien ha tenido la oportunidad de conocer la Reserva Biológica Bosque Nuboso Monteverde (RBBNM) sabe lo que se siente internarse en sus 13 kilómetros de senderos inundados de lianas, musgos, helechos y bromelias; respirar ese aire fresco que aviva el ánimo; ir tras la pista del quetzal; descubrir arroyos y cascadas de aguas límpidas o simplemente dejarse envolver por su magia sobrecogedora.
La reserva de bosque tropical nuboso más famosa del mundo y una de las áreas silvestres protegidas privadas más importantes de Costa Rica cumple sus 40 años en 2012. Nació en 1972 gracias al aporte de 328 ha de bosques donados al Centro Científico Tropical (CCT) por la comunidad cuáquera de Monteverde, la primera en identificar el valor de estos bosques mágicos, ubicados en  la parte alta de la Cordillera de Tilarán.
Actualmente cuenta con un total de 4025 ha de bosque nuboso protegido, cuya extensión se compró mediante donaciones impulsadas en su momento y a las que respondieron miles de costarricenses y extranjeros.  El CCT, que constituye la ONG ambiental más antigua del país con cincuenta años, está a cargo de su administración.
La gran biodiversidad de la RBBNM es innegable: alberga cuatro diferentes zonas de vida y cuenta con más de 130 especies de mamíferos, 500 especies de aves, 120 especies de anfibios y reptiles y más de 3000 especies de plantas, incluyendo alrededor de 500 diferentes tipos de orquídeas.  Como parte de su vida silvestre se encuentra el jaguar, el pájaro campana, el ocelote, el tapir y su ave más famosa, el resplandesciente quetzal.

Sin embargo, esta biodiversidad es solo el punto de partida para un efecto multiplicador que la existencia de la reserva ha generado desde el punto de vista ambiental, social y financiero. En los últimos diez años, la RBBNM ha recibido un promedio de 70 mil visitantes al año (tanto nacionales y residentes como extranjeros pagan más de dos veces aquí que en las áreas silvestres de propiedad estatal, lo que ha fortalecido su sostenibilidad financiera).
Este ingreso económico aportado por los visitantes por el derecho de admisión, compra de artesanías, uso del restaurante y el albergue de montaña, servicios con los que también cuenta la reserva, llega anualmente en promedio a 1.4 millones de dólares, si bien la crisis financiera internacional ha disminuido la visitación y los ingresos en los últimos tres años.
Según sostiene Carlos Hernández, Gerente de la RBBNM, el 70% de los ingresos totales son invertidos en el manejo del área silvestre protegida y sus programas, como investigación y educación ambiental, y el otro 30% es utilizado por el Centro Científico Tropical en el manejo de otras 3 reservas que se encuentran en diferentes sitios del país, así como en otros proyectos. Por lo tanto, el 100% de los recursos generados por la RBBNM son reinvertidos en conservación. Incluso la reserva está generando actualmente un importante aporte en investigación sobre el efecto del cambio climático en los ecosistemas de bosque tropical nuboso.
Pero a lo largo de estos 40 años, gracias a la visitación en los primeros años de investigadores y naturalistas y en los últimos 20 años de todo tipo de turista, las comunidades de Santa Elena, Monteverde y otras aledañas fueron desarrollando servicios y facilidades así como diferentes atractivos turísticos para los miles de visitantes que arriban a la zona, la gran mayoría atraídos por la reserva.
De esta manera,  se fue ampliando el número de hoteles, restaurantes y sitios de aventura y con ellos la extensión de servicios públicos como agua potable, electricidad, servicios bancarios y comercios en general. Con esto se ha posibilitado una mejor calidad de vida para los residentes de la zona y un gran efecto multiplicador, ya que se estima que hasta un 95% se dedican a alguna actividad relacionada con el turismo.
Si quiere apoyar a la reserva y contribuir a su efecto multiplicador, tome un fin de semana de su tiempo o piense en ella para su próxima vacación. Le aseguro que vale la pena.

 Fuente: http://www.elfinancierocr.com/blog/sostenible/

Investment

OKAY Industries invests $1.5 million in Costa Rica plant

 

Posted: Monday, April 16, 2012 - By Tico Times

OKAY becomes the third company in the medical supplies sector to launch operations during the first quarter of 2012.

Okay Industries Inc., a company that specializes in the production of high-precision metal components for the medical supplies industry, last week inaugurated a $1.5 million, 1,400 square-meter plant in Costa Rica. The new facility – the company’s first plant outside the United States – is located in Free Trade Zone Z, in the province of Alajuela, north of San José.
“Today, we have 41 [international] companies operating in Costa Rica with more than 122 different products that are being exported to 73 destinations in the Americas, Asia, Oceania and Europe,” Foreign Trade Minister Anabel González said. “We will continue consolidating our country’s prestige as a leader in the medical supplies industry on an international scale.”
Okay Industries President Jason Howey said the decision to start operations in Costa Rica was a result of the stability the country offers investors, the strong medical-device industry that already operates here, and the availability of highly educated workers.

Contiki Vacations Welcomes Costa Rica and Ecuador/Galapagos as Exciting New Destinations in 2012-2014 Latin America Brochure

Youth tour operator offers 11 itineraries throughout Mexico, Costa Rica, Ecuador/Galapagos, and South America 

 

Anaheim, CA (PRWEB) April 16, 2012

Building upon the success of last year’s inaugural South America program, Contiki Vacations - the worldwide leader in fun travel packages for 18-35’s - is thrilled to introduce the addition of hot spots Costa Rica and Ecuador to its lineup for the 2012-2014 Latin America brochure, which also features Mexico as well. The brochure is available in print and online at http://www.contiki.com/brochures.
Contiki now offers 11 itineraries across six countries in Latin America and increased their departures across all trips in the program – an easy decision to make after the initial South America program sold out months before its first tour departure.
The newly added 11-day Galapagos & Ecuador tour and the 12-day Costa Rica Unplugged tour give travelers more life-changing adventures to experience, including:

•     A Galapagos BBQ feast – one of the best in the country
•     Ride on the world-famous Devil’s Nose Train, one of Ecuador’s famous attractions
•     Sunset cruises in Tortuguero, Costa Rica
•     Rafting, canopy zip-lining, canyoneering, or abseiling in Costa Rica’s Sarapiqui Rainforest
•     Special stays at the Sarapiqui Rainforest Lodge or the Jungle Lodge in Tortugero

“Contiki continues to evolve by listening to our fans and fellow travelers and delivering the destinations that excite them and the experiences they crave,” said Greg Fischbein, President of Contiki Vacations. “It’s fitting to introduce Costa Rica and Ecuador/Galapagos in this all-new Latin America program, especially after the success of our inaugural launch of South America.”
Each Contiki tour averages 30 passengers, an intimate small group experience that is large enough to meet plenty of other travelers. Each itinerary includes land-only transportation and internal flights, accommodation, breakfast daily and many other meals, sightseeing tours of all major areas, and the services of an experienced Contiki crew and professional driver, plus an English-speaking local guide. Travelers can book these trips immediately, with the first tours running in November 2012. For more information, visit http://www.contiki.com.
About Contiki
Contiki has inspired 18 – 35 year olds to travel to the world’s most fantastic destinations for 50 years. The trips are hassle-free and include the perfect mix of sightseeing, culture and free time. Travelers can choose from over 200 itineraries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, South America, & the USA. For more information, please visit http://www.Contiki.com

 

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Great getaways: Costa Rica, Turkish cruise, Cognac and a summer sale

Costa Rica

Journeys of Distinction has an "Early Bird Saver" offer on a range of worldwide escorted tours. One example is the 11-day trip to Costa Rica, which visits several national parks, for £1,955 per person. It departs on 6 October with Iberia flights from Heathrow via Madrid and includes B&B in jungle lodges and guesthouses. Sale ends 30 April. (Jod.uk.com)

Turkish cruise

This summer, navigate the bays and caves of Turkey's Lycian coast on a traditional gulet boat for £899 per person. The week-long cruise with Exodus includes all meals, activities such as kayaking and visits to several archaeological sites. Flights are with Thomson from Gatwick to Dalaman on either 9 July or 27 August. (Exodus.co.uk)

Cognac

Kirker Holidays has a three-night trip to the vineyards of Cognac for £418 per person. It includes B&B at Le Logis du Paradis, a beautiful former distillery in the Charente Valley, along with BA flights from Gatwick to Bordeaux, and car hire for the duration. The deal is valid for departures up until 27 April. (Kirkerholidays.com)

Golfito

Golfito: A bustling natural town

Mon, Mar 1, 2010

Golfito is a port town that lies in the Puntarenas Province on the southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, which is close to the border of Panama. The town is located on a narrow strip of land that could be found between the eponymous bay and a hill. The town offers some of the major attractions worth visiting along with great experiences of shopping, and other sightseeing areas. When Golfito is a town in Costa Rica, you can assume how much it has to offer to the tourists.

Costa Rica is one of the major tourist destinations in the world. The town of Golfito is best known for its surfing activity. Many surfers from far areas visit Golfito to enjoy and try this activity. The town of Golfito is known as the gateway to the newest attraction Eco-Lodges in Costa Rica. Eco-Lodges are all about the small hotel or lodge that merges into its environment by providing visitors a chance to see the natural areas of it. It tries to make smallest amount of impact to the environment. Golfito has been opened as a Duty Free Zone by the Costa Rican Government just to bring the city back into the life.

Earlier, the town of Golfito was bustling as a banana port. It mainly serves as a departure point for tourists who pass from the beach resorts towards the north or south direction. The town of Golfito also attracts sport fishers who dock their vessels and enjoy beer drinking and tale telling. Tourists not only enjoy the settings of the town, but also enjoy the backdrop forest of Golfito as well. The picturesque backdrop is a captivating place worth exploring. If you are planning to visit the Golfito town, then do not miss to visit the Refugio Nacional de Fauna Sivestre Golfito that offers wonderful picturesque backdrop. More over it invites tourists to experience its many harboring species of flora and fauna.

For accommodation, you have wonderful Eco Lodges waiting for you to come and stay. Golfito’s forests, oceans, and environment are at one side and its nature tourism or Eco Lodges are on other side. This will give you a great opportunity to stay, rest, and enjoy. The best way to explore the nature and surroundings of Golfito is to take a beautiful 30 minutes boat ride. This will give you immense pleasure and breathtaking nature. To boost the economy of Golfito, the government of Costa Rica has built a duty free facility in the northern part of Golfito.

So, you can enjoy the duty free shopping in a wide variety. The shopping center draws Ticos from all over the country who rushes here to enjoy and experience the 24-hour tax-free shopping sprees. Head to the Pavones and across the gulf at Cabo Matapalo where you will get many surfers enjoying the waves. You can reach to the Pavones through Golfito Domestic Airport or else you can even drive down to Golfito and continue towards south. This will take at least one to one and a half hours.

Golfito is an ideal destination that offers activities, sightseeing opportunities and other attractions to the tourists. So be a part of Golfito and make a memorable time of your life.

What is the Living Costs in Costa Rica?

Tags: Cost of Living in Costa Rica, Costs in Costa Rica, Live in Costa Rica, Living Costs in Costa Rica, Living in Costa Rica

The living cost in Costa Rica has numerous advantages. The sheer variety of activities available for enjoyment and the spectacular sights you can visit throughout the country make life here a constant adventure. If you add this to the availability of modern conveniences, many large malls to choose from, excellent cultural activities, an exciting nightlife and superb medical services all with a low cost of living in Costa Rica. With all of the above, you can begin to understand why so many people have chosen to live, work, and retire in Costa Rica.
One of the aspects I enjoy most about life in Jaco Beach is the low cost of living in Costa Rica which allows your dollar to stretch much further. This gives you purchasing power for services and luxuries that would be much too expensive to afford in the U.S., Canada, or Europe. I will give you a glimpse of the living costs in Costa Rica in this article, so you can compare what these costs are here with the costs of your hometown. The cost of living in San Jose Costa Rica is amongst the lowest of any in Latin America. Overall, the costs are about 30% less compared to those of North America, especially for services such as telephone, electricity, water, and domestic/maintenance services, as well as the cost of dining out and visits to the movies.
If you add this to Costa Rica’s mild weather, which eliminates the need for cooling and heating, you would really appreciate the cost savings you could have living here.

Living Costs in Costa Rica

Maid Service- $1.75 – $2.50 per hour
Ticket to see a movie in a modern theater – $5
Minimum price to see a cultural event at the National Theater – $8
Ticket to see a First Division Soccer Team Match – $12
An excellent steak dinner in a good restaurant – less than $20
Basic home phone service – $7 per month (base rate)
Cellular phone service through ICE – $7 per month (base rate)
Basic cable TV service – $27 per month
ADSL internet home service – $26 per month
Men’s haircut & shampoo at luxury barbershops – $15
Men’s haircut at local barbershop – $5.25
La Nacion, Costa Rica’s leading daily newspaper – $0.35
A bottle of Coca Cola (reusable glass bottle) – $0.60
A bottle of Coca Cola (disposable plastic bottle) – $1.00
Fresh Ahi Tuna – Approximately $3.60 per pound
Fresh Mahi Mahi – Approximately $3.50 per pound
A pound of beans – $0.70 per pound
A pound of rice – $0.50 per pound
A bottle of Imperial beer – $0.85
1/2 Gallon of Orange Juice – $2.25
1/2 Gallon of Milk – $1.40
5 Gallon Tank of Purified Water – $3.50
American Style Rib Eye Steak (local grocery store) – Approximately $5.00 per lb
A pack of local cigarettes – $0.87
Bus ride from downtown San Jose to Escazu – $0.55
Bus ride from San Jose to Jaco Beach (60 miles) – $3.57
Taxi any where in Jaco – $0.75 – $3.00
Suzuki ATV-Eiger 500cc with trailer – $7,000
Harley Davidson 1200 Nighster – $14,300
Harley Davidson Custom Classic – $10,100
2007 Honda CR-V 4×2 SUV – $26,900
2005 KIA Rio 4 door compact – $7,850
2007 Toyota Prado (6 cyl) Diesel 4×4 – $33,600 (fully loaded)
While some imported manufactured items such as appliances, TV’s, computers, and vehicles are more expensive but these are items you do not purchase every month or every year. However, your daily and recurring monthly expenses are much cheaper here and you can also enjoy a higher standard of living in Costa Rica, a country that has most of the comforts of living found in North America and Europe. When you can have a full-time maid for $200 per month and/or a driver for $400 per month, your lifestyle experiences a significant transformation. Taking everything into consideration; great year-round climate, the friendly people of Costa Rica, political stability, a relatively low crime rate, a truly peaceful country which has no military, and low living costs in Costa Rica, it’s a wonder you are not living here already!

Related Content

How elections work in Costa Rica

506 TicoPost

How elections work in Costa Rica

By Chrissie Long Tico Times Staff | clong@ticotimes.net

Who can vote? Any citizen 18 years old or older and present in the country during the time of the election can vote. There is no absentee voting in Costa Rica. The voter must show his or her cédula, or national identification card. How do I vote? You can find out where your polling station is by visiting www.tse.go.cr and clicking on the Dónde Votar tab. You will be prompted to enter your name or cédula number. Polls are open between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. How are legislators elected? There are no direct elections of legislators in Costa Rica. Instead, lawmakers in the country's 57-seat Legislative Assembly are decided according to the number of votes cast for each party. The country is divided into seven provinces, each with a predetermined number of seats in the legislature: San José (20), Alajuela (11), Cartago (7), Heredia (5), Guanacaste (4), Puntarenas (5). Voters select among the competing parties and the percentage of votes those parties receive determines which candidates – preselected by the parties – will fill the regional seats. How are presidential candidates selected? Each party selects its candidate either through an internal election in which all party delegates vote or through a primary election. Both the National Liberation Party (PLN) and Citizen Action Party (PAC) held primary elections. Former PLN Vice President Laura Chinchilla beat out San José Mayor Johnny Araya to capture her party's nomination, and economist and three-time presidential candidate Ottón Solís won the PAC nomination. Could the presidential election go into a second round? Under the Election Code, the leading candidate must get more than 40 percent of the votes to avoid a runoff election. If no candidate receives more than 40 percent of the vote, the elections move into a second round (scheduled for April 3 an 4. The two candidates with the most votes face off in a second round. How much is budgeted for the 2010 election and a possible run off? The Supreme Elections Tribunal has set aside ₡ 7.85 billion ($14,060,558) for the Feb. 7 election and ₡ 1.35 billion ($2.4 million) for a possible runoff. When will we know the results? As soon as the polls close on Sunday, Feb. 7, the final count will be sent via computers and telephones from the country's 6,617 polling stations. The results will be posted on the Supreme Elections Tribunal Web site: www.tse.go.cr, beginning at 8 p.m.