The Price of Overtourism in Costa Rica

​Imagine coming from one of the most popular eco-sustainable destinations in the world, and yet your own family can’t afford to go to the beach.

​Costa Rica is held up globally as the gold standard of ecotourism. But behind the Pura Vida slogans and the Instagram posts, there's a different story: rising prices, foreign land buying, and a tourism model that is now mostly catering to outsiders, not those who the land belongs to.

​Join Sibu, a born-and-raised Costa Rican with a background in economics, trade and human rights, who has been involved in the tourism industry on and off for over two decades, for an honest conversation about the country on people's bucket lists and the price its people are paying.

​What we’ll cover:

• ​How Costa Rica became a global pioneer in ecotourism, from reforestation to conservation

• ​How the tourism boom has transformed the country

• ​The real costs: rising living costs, land and housing bought out, locals priced out of their own beaches and attractions

• ​Who actually benefits from tourism, and who gets left behind

• ​What can be done differently: policies we can demand from governments, and how travelers can be part of the solution

• ​Live Q&A and discussion

​Part of the proceeds from this talk will go to Costa Rica Indigena, a local organization working to improve the lives of Indigenous communities in Costa Rica.

​This talk is part of The Hybrid Tours’ online series featuring experts from around the world on the places they know best. Come follow us on Luma to get updates about our online and in-person events!