SAN JOSE, COSTA RICA, March 08, 2009
/24-7PressRelease/ -- Costa Rica's Blue Flag Ecological Program (Programa Bandera Azul Ecologica) has awarded Rios Tropicales the Blue Flag for Rivers with Two Stars for its Private Reserve by the Pacuare River.
Rios Tropicales, led by its founder - renowned conservation and sustainable adventure tourism advocate - Rafael Gallo, has achieved the highest level of recognition to date from the Costa Rican government with the Blue Flag For Rivers with Two Stars award.
Rios Tropicales received the award for its protection and enhancement of 16 kilometers of rafting river corridor along the world-class Pacuare River and neighboring tributary Terciopelo Creek, including contributing to the reduction of pesticides used along the creek. This is the inaugural year of the new Blue Flag for Rivers Award and Rios Tropicales is the only company in Costa Rica to achieve Two Stars to date.
Rios Tropicales has been the leader in Pacuare River and rainforest protection since 1985, and was the leader in stopping a hydroelectric dam on the Pacuare River in the 1990s. Rios Tropicales now protects over 2000 acres of rainforest and Pacuare riverbank, more than twice the size of the next largest reserve in the region.
Says Rafael Gallo, co-founder of Rios Tropicales: "We are very honored to receive this award and proud to be a part of the Blue Flag program. The Pacuare River is an extraordinary eco-system that we must protect for future generations and we are thrilled that the Blue Flag Program has been extended to include Rivers, among other new categories."
The Pacuare River is rated one of the top rafting rivers in the world for a host of reasons. Travelers can explore the intimate nature of the rainforest from the river perspective. The warm water, cascading waterfalls, and opulently lush rainforest with its brilliantly colored plants, animals, and birds make this trip exquisite for the senses. The multi-day rafting trips treat travelers to an exceptional adventure vacation experience combining rafting on the Pacuare with a stay at the remote eco-lodge, tucked in the rainforest on the banks of the river.
About The Blue Flag Ecological Program
The Program awards the Blue Flag with either One, Two, or Three Stars to indicate levels of environmental protection, conservation, and community involvement. Communities are awarded the One Star for meeting 90% of the environmental protection criteria, Two Stars for meeting 100% of the criteria and contributing to reduction in pesticides within the watershed, and Three Stars for meeting the Two Star criteria and promoting social responsibility in the community and schools. This is the highest possible level of recognition for achieving ecological protection and sustainability in Costa Rica.
About Rios Tropicales
In 2007, and again in 2009, National Geographic ADVENTURE ranked Rios Tropicales the #1 Rafting Company in Costa Rica, and one of the top 5 Rafting Companies in the world. Rios Tropicales was an award winner in the 2008 National Geographic Ashoka Changemakers Geotourism Challenge and a finalist in the 2008 Conde Naste World Savers Award.
Established in 1985, Rios Tropicales is the most experienced and largest rafting adventure company in Costa Rica. Led by its local founders, Rios Tropicales has expanded into a complete eco-adventure company offering Costa Rica vacation packages whitewater rafting, eco-lodge, sea kayaking, rafting, jungle kayaking, hiking, canopy tours, ecotours, wildlife safari, mountain biking, and tree-planting and sustainable development tours. Ecotour locations include the most treasured natural areas of Costa Rica: Central Costa Rica, La Fortuna, Canas, and Quepos. http://www.riostropicales.com
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