Ecotourism

20 Feb

National Geographic Best Outfitter on Earth – 10 years later we’re better than ever!

Rios Tropicales was named the No. 1 Outfitter in Costa Rica and one of the Best Adventure Outfitters on Earth in 2009 by National Geographic. Now, 10 years later, the Costa Rican rafting company is still at the top with even more adventure trips on offer.Rios Tropicales rafting company is a National Geographic Best Outfitter on Earth.by Shannon FarleyWhen planning an adventure trip, besides choosing where to go and what to do, of equal importance is what outfitter to go with.If you think about it, you can travel to one of the most amazing places on Earth, but if the logistics are...

14 Feb

Ticos and ex-guerrillas of the FARC: the art of exchanging rifles for paddles

A Costa Rican rafting mission – led by the company Rios Tropicales and the United Nations – traveled to Colombia to meet with a group of ex-guerrillas from the FARC. Teaching them to tame the rapids of the Pato River, in complete peace, was the reason for the singular adventure.Alexánder Sánchezhttps://www.nacion.com/viva/cine/ticos-y-exguerrilleros-de-las-farc-el-arte-de/H2JANDJNR5EWVESKMS3JJSTTSI/story/[caption id="attachment_3726" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Pato River in the background, Rafael Gallo (front) poses with ex-guerrillas Duberney (far left) and Hermides (far right). In the center, the Costa Rican guides Max Solano (left) and Roy Obando. Courtesy of Rafael Gallo.[/caption]It's a quiet and a particularly cool night. A pair of crickets...

19:28 / Ecotourism / Sin categorizar / Sustainability

06 Nov

Exguerrilleros de las FARC en Colombia se convierten en guías de rafting

El 9 de noviembre, un nuevo emprendimiento turístico colombiano tendrá nueve nuevos guías de rafting, gracias a la capacitación proporcionada por la Federación Internacional de Rafting (IRF) y la empresa de turismo de aventura Ríos Tropicales en Costa Rica.Es un logro extraordinario porque los nuevos guías de rafting son excombatientes de las Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC). Además, el río Pato, el lugar en el cual los guías se han capacitado y donde se operarán viajes comerciales de rafting, es una antigua “zona roja prohibida” controlada por las FARC.El incipiente emprendimiento turístico es producto de una misión apoyada por...

12:26 / Ecotourism / Uncategorized

06 Nov

Ex-Guerrillas in Colombia Become Rafting Guides

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text]by Shannon Farley Nine ex-guerrillas in Colombia have a new future ahead of them in adventure tourism, thanks to river rafting guide training provided by the International Rafting Federation (IRF) and Rios Tropicales adventure company in Costa Rica.The new rafting guides, who are former combatants of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (known by the Spanish acronym of FARC), will complete their training on Nov. 9 with a graduation ceremony. The accomplishment is even more extraordinary because the Pato River where they have trained and will operate commercial rafting trips is a former FARC...

12:07 / Ecotourism / Sin categorizar / Sustainability

24 Jul

The International Rafting Federation Names Rafael Gallo its First Honorary President

By Shannon Farley Commending his decades of involvement, achievements, and integral role in the formation and development of the International Rafting Federation (IRF), Rafael Gallo has been nominated as the first Honorary President of the IRF[caption id="attachment_3430" align="alignright" width="297"] Rafael Gallo[/caption]The new position was proposed by the current IRF President Joe Willis Jones, and was approved by the IRF Board of Directors as an annex to the IRF Bylaws. The annex states that “The (IRF) Congress may bestow the title of ‘Honorary President’, or ‘Honorary Member’, respectively, upon any former president or member of the Executive Committee for meritorious service to rafting...

13:35 / Costa Rica / Costa Rica Rafting / Ecotourism

03 Jan

Cabécar Family Partnership – Rios Tropicales

Living in harmony for decades with Costa Rica’s largest indigenous group, the Cabécar, Rios Tropicales shows that respecting other cultures begins with being a good neighbor. “We’ve had a long relationship with the Cabécar for over 27 years. We’ve always respected each other’s cultures,” said Rafael Gallo, co-founder and president of Rios Tropicales adventure company. “We didn’t do this in order to be sustainable; we were doing this even before ecotourism was invented. We were just trying to be good neighbors.” The Cabécar live in the remote Talamanca Mountains in eastern Costa Rica, which includes the Pacuare River region. When Rios Tropicales...

12:37 / carbon neutral / Costa Rica / Ecotourism / Pacuare Rafting / Rainforest Reserve / Rios Tropicales Lodge

15 Jun

Rios Tropicales is Certified Sustainable by Royal Caribbean Cruises

Costa Rica Eco-Adventure Company Rios Tropicales Offers Sustainable Shore ExcursionsBy Shannon FarleySustainability runs deep at Rios Tropicales. From the eco-adventure company’s start 32 years ago, they have passionately protected the environment in Costa Rica and promoted sustainability and conservation while taking visitors from all over the world on outdoor adventures.Now the award-winning adventure company and geotourism leader has been awarded certification as an environmentally, socially and culturally sustainable tour operator by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.As part of its global environmental commitment, Royal Caribbean set a goal to have 1,000 of its destination tours come from sustainably certified operators by the...

17:30 / carbon neutral / Costa Rica / Costa Rica Rafting / Ecotourism / Family Adventures / Guanacaste Adventures / Rainforest Reserve

07 Apr

6 Best Things to Do in Costa Rica

By Rohit Agarwal6 Best Things to Do in Costa RicaCosta Rica is located in Central America and a beautiful location where you can find nature in its full bloom. It is one place where the lush greens, wildlife, rivers, mountains, springs and coasts have learnt to co-exist with humans. A visit to Costa Rica is not just a holiday experience but it will lend you sensory reminiscences to cherish for a long time. Here are six of the best things to do at Costa Rica where you can indulge in some fun, get some knowledge and return rejuvenated and relaxed. Whitewater...

17:24 / Costa Rica / Costa Rica Rafting / Ecotourism / Family Adventures / Guanacaste Adventures / Pacuare Rafting / Rainforest Reserve

11 Nov

Protecting the Rainforest on Costa Rica’s Most Famous River

Rios Tropicales Grows Largest Private Rainforest Reserve on the Pacuare!By Shannon FarleyThe Rios Tropicales Private Rainforest Reserve is growing, and is now the largest private rainforest reserve along the renowned Pacuare River in Costa Rica.In recent months, the rainforest reserve expanded a little over 432 acres (175 hectares) to now protect a total of 2,409 acres (975 hectares) of primary rainforest, and pastureland being converted back to rainforest. At the end of August 2016, 136 acres (55 hectares) of land were purchased by Rafael Gallo, co-founder and president of Rios Tropicales adventure company, in partnership with his sister, Claudia. Neighbors...

12:09 / carbon neutral / Costa Rica / Costa Rica Rafting / Ecotourism / Pacuare Rafting / Rainforest Reserve / Rios Tropicales Lodge / Sustainability

04 Feb

Packing for Costa Rica

Packing for Costa Rica? our country is undoubtedly one of the most amazing to explore for a variety of reasons. First off, it's incredibly beautiful with active volcanoes, stunning rain forests, gorgeous beaches and a huge array of wildlife. Secondly, it's extremely tourist-friendly so if you want to explore a foreign country with relative ease, Costa Rica is hard to beat. Thirdly, Costa Rica offers literally something for everyone--river rafting, jungle kayaking, surfing, rainforest hikes, bird watching, mountain biking, hiking volcanoes, hanging out, etc. So once you've decided on Costa Rica, the question becomes "What do you pack?" Will you be rafting the...

14:31 / Costa Rica / Ecotourism / Rios Tropicales Lodge