Time flies and with each passing month Guayabo Animal Rescue saves more and more lives, entertains more guests from all over the world, feeds more pets through our pet food bank, spay and neuters more pets, adopts more dogs, and educates more children. It’s all overwhelming how great things are going — thank you for supporting our efforts. YOU make this difference. Now come visit us!
A few interesting things I want to share about this lovely country. Costa Rica has become almost synonymous with sustainability. A country for the most part is powered by renewable energy, rich in biodiversity, and known for its protected landscapes and “pura vida” ethos.
In the 1980s, just 20% of the country was covered in forest. Today, that number has climbed to over 50%. The country generates 98% of its electricity from renewable sources. And Costa Rica hasn’t had a military since 1948—choosing instead to invest in public education and environmental protection.
At Guayabo Animal Rescue we take our recycling program seriously as well as we plant crops, maintain much of our land as undeveloped and natural, as well as teach environmental respect and responsibility to school children, as part of our humane education program.
In a country internationally respected for reversing deforestation and prioritizing the environment, travelers have more influence than they might realize. Where you stay—and where your money goes—can help support the work that makes Costa Rica’s green reputation real. Pay attention to where you are staying, do they honestly respect the direction this beautiful country wants to head towards? Or they simply too large and care about making money only? Maybe look into staying at smaller, more locally owned places? Places in which the money you spend goes directly back to the country, to the animals, to the people!
You’ll find national parks, wildlife corridors, and marine reserves across the country, and more than 25% of its land is under some form of environmental protection. Even the school curriculum teaches biodiversity, conservation, and sustainability from an early age. Costa Rica has done the hard work to lead on sustainability and eco-tourism in Central America—and that deserves recognition. If you want your trip to align with Costa Rica’s values, it’s worth doing research before you go. The choices you make along the way can help support the systems that make Costa Rica’s green model possible.
Choose to give back and make a difference!
P.S. And drink the Sol 
Pura Vida!
