128Canopy Blog

Monteverde is a small town located in Costa Rica’s Puntarenas province along the north pacific coast. The name Monteverde translates to ‘Green Mountain’ which says it all about the region.

Visited by thousands of tourists year round, Monteverde has charmed visitors with its spectacular cloud forest, lush vegetation and diversity in wildlife. The town of Monteverde was founded by Quakers which migrated from the United States in the early 1900’s.

However, Monteverde has recently become the center of attention for a very different reason. One of the town’s local residents, a young woman with the typical rosy colored cheeks of people from the area, was about to give birth…to quadruplets!

The mother of four young girls received the surprise of her life when she learned that she was pregnant with not one, but four healthy boys. The humble condition in which this young woman lives has touched the hearts of the entire town of Monteverde.

Residents of Monteverde began collecting donations to help this young mother with her now 8 toddlers. The news caused such a commotion that a local department store even donated bunk beds, mattresses and a dinner table which the family didn’t have.

The young mother as well as her family and friends were overwhelmed and happy to see an entire town unite to help one of its members.

Costa Rica prepares for its 14th National Tourism Seminar which will be held this coming September 22nd through 24th at the Hotel San Jose Palacio.

The Costa Rican Chamber of Tourism has organized the seminar which will revolve around its main theme of sustainability.  Costa Rica’s tourism industry has found a great response to its commitment in environmental protection.

The Costa Rican Board of Tourism along with the Chamber, have found many ways to promote and encourage the tourism industry to actively participate and contribute to the many sustainability programs.  Hotels, tour operators, transportation services and all other businesses involved with the sector have responded in a positive attitude.

It is no secret that Costa Rica’s main attraction is its stunning beaches, rain forests, volcanoes and overall scenery.  The tourism industry is determined in keeping nature’s integrity so that thousands of future tourists, local and foreign, can continue enjoying this natural treasure.

The 14th National Tourism Seminar has been named “Sustainability: The Difference for Success” and will focus on the social, economic and environmental realms of sustainability as the pillars of a tourist destination.

The seminar will officially begin on Monday, September 22nd with its inaugural ceremony and welcome cocktail at 6:30pm.

Costa Rica’s Minister of Tourism will initiate the seminar Tuesday morning with an opening speech about Costa Rica’s sustainability and Certificate of Sustainability in Tourism program.

Among the special guests, the Costa Rican-American astronaut, Dr. Franklin Chan, will participate as part of the Expert’s Panel which will discuss National Strategies for Climate Change.

The event will conclude on Wednesday, September 24th with an official dinner hosted by the Costa Rican Board of Tourism.

Volunteer and Help Save the Marine Turtles

Each year, hundreds of volunteers head for Costa Rica to participate in one of the country’s several turtle preservation programs.

Due to Costa Rica’s location in the Central American isthmus, several turtle species arrive year after year to reproduce and lay their eggs on selected beaches.  Programs vary according to each species’ nesting season and chosen region.

Turtle nesting occurs within three of Costa Rica’s distinct ecological zones.  These zones are the Costa Rica Northern Caribbean Coast, the Costa Rica Northern Lowlands and the Costa Rica Pacific Northwest.  Each zone offers its visitors its own distinct lush vegetation and characteristic beaches.

Volunteer programs in Costa Rica accomplish two purposes which are the preservation and protection of the marine turtles and the support of local communities.  Volunteers will find that the experience and knowledge gained by participating will be of rewarding and unforgettable.

The Costa Rican marine turtle program allows volunteers to participate in specialized projects.  Volunteers will receive first hand information about sea turtle conservation by receiving training and collecting data for research.  Other activities that are carried out by volunteers include preparing hatcheries, cleaning beaches and general maintenance work.

Night patrols are also part of the volunteers’ tasks as turtle eggs are considered a delicacy for locals and they sneak on the beach at night to steal the eggs.

In addition to helping preserve endangered turtle species such as the leatherback turtle. Volunteer programs also target to help their local communities by providing financial stability and employment opportunities as turtle guides.