True to Their Word, Pura Vida Exemplifies Costa Rica’s Sustainability Efforts

Costa Rica is well-known for its lush rainforests, exotic wildlife (such as the White-faced Capuchin Monkey), beautiful beaches and friendly "Ticos," as Costa Ricans are called. Their national motto, "Pura Vida" or "Pure Life" is used so often it is infectious. After a recent family trip there, I realized that it is not just an expression to Ticos, but a promise. "Pura vida" symbolizes a commitment Costa Ricans have made to sustainability and environmental responsibility that is truly encouraging.

According to the U.S. State Department, Costa Rica gets about 99% of all its electrical energy from clean sources, and the nation is aiming to become entirely carbon neutral by 2021. In addition, they have sought to create a niche for themselves by promoting sustainable tourism. Though still a developing nation, Costa Rica has taken the socially and environmentally responsible stance that their development cannot come by exploiting their natural resources, a move that has so far paid off.

For the small country, (roughly the size of New Hampshire and Vermont combined with a population of 4.3 million people) tourism is big business. Costa Rica's tourism industry makes up almost 70% of their GDP, surpassing the banana, pineapple, and coffee exports for which they are known. What is most inspiring though is that Costa Rica has managed to cultivate their booming tourism industry while at the same time protecting the environment and wildlife that make it so special.

In that vein, the nation has developed a Certification for Sustainable Tourism (CST) which provides incentives for businesses to implement more green, sustainable efforts such as energy conservation, reduction of harmful emissions, the use of recycled or biodegradable products and the like. It is the only certification endorsed by the Costa Rican government and awards hotels "leaves" on a scale of one to five based on their sustainability achievements. The program was heralded by the World Tourism Organization as "one of the programs that is rethinking how tourism is done."

Though Costa Rica is a trailblazer in sustainable tourism, there is still some degree of personal responsibility that is necessary. Often times recycling efforts need to be coordinated by the business itself because the country has not completely standardized waste management practices.


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Stephanie Gazo