SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica — It has been 42 years since the United Fruit Company departed Costa Rica, but communities in the Southern Zone are actively shifting from banana monoculture toward a sustainable, biodiversity-led tourism model.
A Shift in Mindset Built on Education
Community leaders have spearheaded local initiatives to protect mangroves, rivers, and wildlife, turning natural conservation into a viable economic engine for former agricultural towns.
“The region educated itself to manage tourism out of nothing. By taking children out of schools and leading them to clean the mangroves… people learned to play a good role.”
— Jorge Uribe, Founder of La Perla del Sur
From Informality to Regional Growth
What started as informal local tours along the Sierpe River and Golfo Dulce has matured as government regulations pushed boat operators toward formal business practices. Today, tourism benefits local tour guides, restaurants, and hospitality services alike.
Ongoing Infrastructure and Access Challenges
- Infrastructure: Limited hotel capacity near key areas like Sierpe.
- Accessibility: Transit times of several hours from main airports hinder rapid growth.
- Digitalization: Local enterprises require better online visibility to attract international travelers.
