Global warming is currently not limited to environmentalist circles, since it has in fact penetrated with a great impact in the international community agenda. The majority of the speeches held by leaders of countries members of the United Nations have been directed towards the issue of drastic climate changes during the UN General Assembly.

The impact of global warming on the mankind’s future has been increasing constantly. Scientists estimate that, as a direct consequence of climate changes, over 250 million people in Africa will face water rationing in 2020.

While the UN are gathering together the efforts to negotiate an agreement that will substitute the Kyoto Protocol in 2012, the United States of America have organized their own conference on climate change, in which they defended the position according to which the limits of greenhouse gas emissions must be established and adopted voluntarily by each nation.

Up to the present moment, the European Union is the first group of countries that, by individual initiative, is leading the reduction in polluting gas emissions, since it has committed itself to reduce them by 20%, additionally to what has been declared in the Kyoto Protocol for 2020.

While the international community is arguing with opposing remarks and perspectives concerning the limits of gas emissions, the tourism industry in Costa Rica, the greater source of incomes in the country, is organizing itself to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment.

By committing themselves to reduce carbon dioxide emission and support the protection of the country forest resources, several tourism companies not only undertake to clean the environment, but also the image of Costa Rica as an ecological country.

Therefore, while drums are rolling worldwide announcing the struggle in which countries will have to face each other in order to decide measures that will diminish global warming, Costa Rica is given the opportunity to stand up as an example as far as environmental protection is concerned, similar to the example the country gave when it decided to preserve 25% of its territory.

Spectacular beaches, luxury rooms and majestic facilities are images that we can usually associate with a tourist destination such as Costa Rica. Often, we cannot have a chance to see beyond this and be aware of the impact we cause when we travel.

When a responsible tourist chooses a place to travel for pleasure or business, he or she does so by thinking about whether or not the trace he or she is going to leave will be positive or negative. The tourist gets informed about where the wastes he or she produces will end, whether or not residual waters are treated, what is the lifestyle of the community that surrounds the tourist complex, how is their culture, how they prepare their typical food, or where the handicrafts that he or she bought came from.

For a responsible tourist, getting in touch with the culture of local communities and benefiting their economy is just a big part of his or her vacations. Nowadays, travellers are activists; they are much more informed and represent positive contributions for locals.

Travelling without remorse is very easy. It is about travelling with respect, re-discovering nature, getting closer to local people and see vacations as a way to enhance the locals.

Responsible tourism gives tourists unique and authentic experiences; it provides free-of-guilt vacations because it offers the opportunity to travel with a positive impact, by taking a stroll to a breathtaking natural area that supports environment protection, by contributing to the improvement and well-being of the communities and enjoying an environmentally healthy accommodation.

It’s perfect for those travellers who wish to get in touch with local people, their culture and nature, for those who consider everything that surrounds them as their home and thus protect it. Those tourists know that their trip to the beach will not be just pleasant, relaxing and fun; they know that their stay will create resources to keep working in programs related to conservation, species protection, environmental education, children and local communities support.

Your travel to Costa Rica will be a deeply enriching experience that, apart from being a fabulous discovery of nature, will give you the opportunity to commit and act responsibly.