Once again considered safe, Costa Rica’s Turrialba Volcano National Park in December was opened to the public for the first time in nearly nine years. (Photo courtesy of Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy)
Confident that volcanic activity has eased enough to allow visits, Costa Rica reopened Turrialba Volcano National Park to the public in December for the first time in nearly nine years, a move that could boost ecotourism in an area known for its rivers, waterfalls and archeological sites. The park received 173 visitors during Dec. 4-6, its first weekend open since January 2012. For Ida Herrera, president of the town of Turrialba’s tourism chamber, the reopening permits the town to showcase its attractions and expand opportunities for nature lovers. “In these years we have gained an awareness of the importance of sustainable operations,” Herrera says, noting that during this period numerous local tourism companies earned sustainability certificates and adapted more rural and community-based approaches. The reopening will help round out the area’s commitment to sustainability, she adds. “A lot of companies have different perspectives versus eight years ago,” Herrera says... [Log in to read more]
