This morning National Geographic Quest arrived at Playa Blanca and we went out to visit interesting local entrepreneurs organized by a local association called Caminos de Osa.
They have been working with locals from this region to establish sustainability in the activities they do here. Tourism has been a good resource for local people to make good use of their lands, and this has shifted the economy that in the past was more dedicated to farming and agriculture.
The local businesses were eagerly waiting for our arrival. Some groups hiked in a gorgeous nature reserve this morning, while others explored; they visited a heart of palm plantation, a chocolate plantation, gold panning and a sugar cane family business. The outcome was great and we grasped what it was like to live like a Costa Rican in this region. We could see how the locals co-exist with wildlife and how tourism has become a way to make a living.
After the morning excursions, we had an amazing lunch on the beach where the guests witnessed a local show of kids dancing Costa Rican traditional dances, most of them from elementary school. It was a super highlight for many of our guests.
Different excursions were offered in the afternoon and we were very happy with how everything developed in the beautiful paradise of Costa Rica.
