2010 Innovation Award Finalist: Rios Tropicales
Organization: Rios Tropicales
Nominated by: Julie Thorner (Organization Category)
Project Description
The El Tigre Community Sustainable Tourism South-South Project
El Tigre was awarded a grant from Fundecooperacion for this project in August of 2008. Project construction began in February of 2009. Project construction on the last Phase 1 initiative was finished in April of 2010.
The project to help develop El Tigre into a sustainable community tourism destination met the goals of the Programme for South-South Cooperation (PSC). These goals include: Sustainable tourism, Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity, Access to Sustainable Energy and Efficient Energy Use, Sustainable Chains of Production and Consumption, and Gender Equity. The three guiding principles of successful PSC project candidates are Equality, Reciprocity and Participation.
What is the El Tigre South-South Project?
The El Tigre South-South Project is an international collaboration between the Republic of Costa Rica and the Kingdom of the Bhutan. The immediate project players are the small rural community of El Tigre, and the newly created Association of Bhutanese Outfitters in Bhutan. The official PSC project title was: Rural Adventure Tourism Enhancement and Sustainable Community Development in Bhutan and Costa Rica.
How The El Tigre Project Started:
Bajo del Tigre, also called El Tigre, is a small rural community of 100 members (25 families) located in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica, two miles from Rios Tropicales’ eco-lodge on the Pacuare River.
The community has been serving lunch out of the homes of various families for the past couple of years to tourists who hiked and rode horseback from the adventure company eco-lodges to the town. Once there though, there was nothing for the tourists to do but have a meal and plant a tree at the nearby Rios Tropicales rainforest reserve. El Tigre resident Javier Mora manages this reserve for Rios Tropicales.
El Tigre community members had limited job opportunities in the town or related to the revenue potential of the nearby large adventure rafting industry. Several entrepreneurial residents wanted to offer more things for tourists to do and see, to support their community in sustainable, environmentally responsible ways, and create jobs and income for their families. Rios Tropicales had been involved in the community in various ways for years.
The Connection With The Kingdom of Bhutan
To qualify for a grant through PSC, however, the El Tigre community had to have a partner in either Benin or Bhutan, in order to meet the reciprocity and international collaboration guiding principles of the PSC. As it turns out, the Kingdom of Bhutan wanted to develop sustainable adventure-based tourism, specifically white water rafting, in its country.
Costa Rica has a very successful adventure tourism industry that has been operating since the early 1980s, and the country’s leader in sustainable adventure tourism is Rios Tropicales. On the reciprocal side, Bhutan has considerable experience in sustainable community development. Bhutan is sharing its lessons learned from its own successful sustainable tourism communities for the benefit of the El Tigre community in Costa Rica.
Thanks to the leadership of Rios Tropicales, El Tigre was able to apply for a PSC grant with the nascent Bhutanese Outfitters Association. Rios Tropicales provided strategic consulting to El Tigre residents about financially viable adventure tourism attractions. Rios Tropicales Co-founder and President, Rafael Gallo, managed the overall project and implementation in El Tigre.
El Tigre Becomes A Model Sustainable Tourism Project
The Year 1 initiatives (Phase 1) of the El Tigre South-South project provide income, jobs, education, and international collaboration for the community. The project funding was the critical support for the sustainable development of existing hobbies/interests into attractions and entrepreneurial activities that can generate revenue for operator/owners.
These community members benefit economically, socially, and educationally from their efforts, including increased self-esteem, retention of jobs and decreased rural flight. As most attractions involve the women in the families as co-owners and managers, the children experience gender equity through entrepreneurism first hand. They see their parents successfully co-creating and managing rural, sustainable businesses.
El Tigre Phase 1 Attractions:
1.Butterfly Garden: A popular attraction, with commercial applications possible.
2.Serpentarium: An educational snake exhibit of local rainforest species.
3.Orchid Garden: Expansion of a small private orchid garden into a robust attraction.
4.Agua Dulce Internet Café: Offers sustainable revenue source and international collaboration opportunities.
5.Environmentally sustainable bathrooms at the Bajo del Tigre School.
6.Expansion of the Tilapia sustainable fish farming project.
The El Tigre Project Results So Far
Rios Tropicales, as manager of the overall project for Fundecooperacion, along with the El Tigre community project managers and owners are pleased to report that Phase 1 of the South-South project has been completed on time and on budget. All attractions are now open and have been receiving a growing stream of tourist visitors from the adventure outfitters operating on the Pacuare river.
El Tigre’s elementary school, Escuela Los Angeles, became eligible for, and was awarded, the Costa Rica Blue Flag for Educational Centers as a direct result of this project. El Tigre is working toward becoming eligible for the Blue Flag for Community as well. A Phase 2 additional project of a hydroponic organic garden is also nearing completion. It will provide healthy food for the community and is a future revenue source through produce sales to eco-lodges on the Pacuare River.
We expect that Bajo del Tigre will be financially sustainable within two years of opening and operating the exhibits and the internet café. The ready-made tourist market from the rafting industry on the Pacuare ensures a steady visitor population to this tiny and otherwise remote rainforest community.
The combination of sustainable community development that is near large-scale adventure recreation is a win-win for communities and outfitters, and the only way the project can be financially viable long term. All outfitters have a chance to market to their guests the opportunity to visit to a sustainable rural development project while adventure vacationing on the Pacuare River. El Tigre now has economic and social opportunities never before imaginable in such a small and remote rainforest community.
Related Links
Costa Rica TV News Feature Story: Rios Tropicales, El Tigre, and Bhutan
Green Living Project: Rios Tropicales and El Tigre video
Testimonials
The South-South Cooperation program is about having beneficiaries, people and communities getting benefited from the activities. El Tigre project it’s a real model where really the community is benefiting from this project. So it’s not just a big organization or a private organization its really about getting the benefits to the community; so when you see the people in El Tigre having their new, butterfly farm or the internet café or the serpentarium or whatever is really about them becoming micro entrepreneurs and having new activities but its also about a new source of income for them a new opportunity also for developing the family.
It’s really a model. As part of the PSC and as part of our hopes in Fundecooperación or our goals in Fundecooperación. This project is really about thinking globally acting locally, so its really two countries far away with so many differences: culture, language… its more about what can we learn from what our similarities are El Tigre project probably will never have dreamed of having a counterpart in the other side of the world… and this project makes it possible.
Marianela Feoli: General Manager, Fundecooperacion NGO, San Jose, Costa Rica
When I got here as a young boy, the custom of all the townspeople was to deforest in order to make space for farming. Even after that we continued cutting down trees without realizing that this was a serious problem for the environment. When I began to do this work with Rafael Gallo, I realized that this was a big mistake. He was impressing upon us that tree planting was so important. That’s that way I see it now too, and I believe the reforestation project is of utmost importance for the maintenance of the environment.
Javier Mora: Sustainable Development Manager, Tilapia Farm Manager, Owner of Internet Café with family
Thanks to South-South Cooperation and to Rios Tropicales I was able to achieve one of my dreams, to receive computer lessons- I travel to Cartago every Saturday from eight in the morning to midday. Thanks to having the internet here at home, it really helps me in my computer studies, and it also helps me economically.
Helen Gonzales Mora, 19 year old daughter of Javier Mora and manager of Agua Dulce Internet Café
I’m one of the guides that work for Rios Tropicales and also I’m one of the International Rafting Federation Instructors. I went to Bhutan to teach the Bhutanese guides how do rafting. It’s part of the South-South project. To travel to Bhutan it was an incredible opportunity that Rios Tropicales give us, me and Johnny Calderón as well, to teach them, because for us …we found a place that had a very incredible potential to be one of the white water rafting [destinations] around the world as well … I find people exactly the same as the rafting community in Costa Rica: they had passion, love for water, for rivers and they probably didn’t had the same experience than we [do], but they want to. I’m very surprised because we were talking the same language… we share the same passion, the same love for the water.
Walter Monge, Rios Tropicales Senior River Guide and Guide Trainer
I have seventeen years of knowing the people from the town of Bajos del Tigre. It was always a dream and an illusion to have a little place in this beautiful town. Seven years ago I bought a piece of land and had the faith of developing a tourism project, something to show the people, and for my children to live together with nature and share a little more of nature. It was exactly one year ago we were able to fulfill a dream thanks to the South-South Fundecooperacion that thanks to Don Rafael Gallo, who gave us a hand… he knew us for a long time and knew the project that I had out there beforehand. Today we can say that we finished part of a dream; that we own Pacuare Butterflies and we are very proud of the work we have done.
Mario Achoy Vega, Owner and Manager Mariposas Del Pacuare (Pacuare Butterfly Garden)
I feel that the people have already changed their minds, they think more on sustainability, people think more in nature, and there has to be a change … I know that El Tigre will progress. Javier is one of our sustainable development managers and one of the beneficiaries from this project, he is the owner of the Internet Café and his daughter and his wife run it. His conservation values are continuing on to different people in the township.
Rafael Gallo, President Rios Tropicales and El Tigre PSC Project Manager
Opportunity to Get to Know Rios Tropicales
Rafael Gallo, President of Rios Tropicales and El Tigre PSC Project Manager, will be presenting on the panel “Tour operators roundtable on sustainable tourism business strategies” at this year’s Ecotourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference (ESTC), being held in Portland, Oregon, USA from September 8-10. The ESTC brings together innovative minds from across the industry to discuss practical ideas and solutions that inspire positive changes. Learn more & register online at: www.ecotourismconference.org.
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I was in EL TIGRE when it was just a dream in the minds of Rafael Gallo and Fernando Esquivel. To know what the community and those idealists have accomplished it’s amazing and still they have an enormous potential to continue growing up.
My best wishes and regards to all of them. Rafael Gallo and Fernando Esquivel, you are already in the hearts of the people from EL TIGRE, there is no award better than that.
Gerardo Chavarria
New Jersey, USA
Gerardo , I remeber the day that you and I came walking down to El Tigre in 1990 , and we were able to purchase our first property down on the Pacuare river , it was your vision , that we were not only buying a piece of rainforest to protect , but you suggested that we hire the family to care of the property and try to restore ….well now there is an award winning Lodge there ….and we didnt just stay there , we moved on to the local comunity and I am now writing this at Javiers and Hellens Internet Cafe in the middle of the jungle..
Thanks for your vision….
Also I am very proud of receiving this news , and I am currently sharing it with the comunity and they are thrilled…and prouder than I ..
We are starting to instal a waste management center …i will keep you posted ..also the locals will probably be blogging in Spanish ..
Rafael
Hola soy helen Mora , Rafael Gallo me va a ayudar a traducir lo que quiero decir , pues el esta aqui en el Internet Cafe , que yo manejo…
I am very happy to have my own computers and internet signal in my house, I can teach and show the people from El Tigre how to use the computers, many cant beleive it , also when I go outside of El Tigre to other comunities , they ask me if it is true that there is Internet down here , they are very surprised and want to come visit ..
Also now my father (Javier) is very curious and wants me to help him find information or even to look at the banking services.
Now also my sister Erica will come back to live in El Tigre because she can work from here and be close to my parents , before we were looking to go away from here …
I am happy about the news about this prize because before we didnt have the possibilty to dream about progress…. I am also going to Cartago to learn more about Computers so I can show the people in the Comunity
I have been working with Rios Tropicales for 5 years and I had seen how this project help the community to grow up. Now, they can show the people what they have to offer and people from all over the world can come to visit this beatiful small town and have the opportunity to share their culture.
I always recommend our clients who are going to stay in our lodge in Pacuare, that they can not miss one of our tours that include the visit to Bajos del Tigre community.
Now, we are trying to implement a new one full day tour.
I been working at Rios Tropicales for a while and I’m very proud of the company cause they been doing things write since they opened it, happy cause they been developing El Tigre comunity in different ways and people there have a better life now, also guides have more tools to share the area with our coustomers that feel very happy when the visit the community project, butterfly garden, internet cafe, etc.
So we are glad that the owners of the company have this perspective about helping and developing rural aereas and give back some to this communities where we been spending lots of time.
So many thanks to Don Rafa, don James, don Jimmy and don Fernando cause they been helping and sharing with us many good things for our lives.
The Tigre Community projet is a big and important example of what companys can do to be more sustainable.
Jose Amador
Mariposas del Pacuare, aggradece el haber sido tomado en cuenta para tan importante mencion, por lo que agradece profundamente a todas las personas que nos visitan en la pagina, recuerda tu visita es muy importante.
I have been working for Ríos Tropicales since 17 years ago and I am really happy of been part of a such good company, not only for its growth but also for its efforts to protect and conserve the environment, rivers and rainforests of Costa Rica and for collaborating with local communities and their members.
The opportunity to be the Project Coordinator with Rafael Gallo of El Tigre Project has been wonderful not only for what I have learned from him, but also for being part of the growth of this community and its members. It is very rewarding to see how each member/family of the community change their lives. For example, the Achoy’s family are already receiving visitors in their Butterfly Garden and one of the sons are practicing his English when receiving tourists; and Helen from the Internet Cafe is also actually putting in practice her computer clases, receiving also visitors and given computer lessons to some community members.
El Tigre Community project is just the proof of what sustainable means and that a community with the help of companies and organizations like Fundecooperacion and Project South-South can grow and give hope to its members.
Hats off to Rafa and Rios Tropicales for being pioneers in eco-tourism in Central America. I have worked with Rios Tropicales since 1997 when I was Director of International Rafting Operations for Mountain Travel Sobek and then since 2007 with Eco Family Adventures. In all my experiences with them they have provided the highest quality service for their clients and have top notch guides. With the addition of projects like the one on the Pacuare they will remain a leader in the Eco Tourism Travel Industry.
Sincerely,
James Ellsworth, owner
Eco Family Adventures &
Middle Fork River Expeditions
I worked for Rios from 1993 to 2001. I live in Minnesota now, but try to get back to Pacuare each year. I can testify to how the area has grown and progressed and to the dedication of sustainable development that Rios Tropicales has had. When the words sustainable development were still new, Rios was leading the way, never looking back. I admire the vision and determination and am so proud to have been a small part of it…I have been able to take my children to Pacuare and share what meant so much to me for many years and still does. Thank-you to all those involved for allowing me to do that.
Students and faculty from Algonquin College each year travel to Costa Rica to participate in programs related to environmental awareness, sustainability, and to learn more about living, working in a diverse tropical environment. Through visits to the Bajos del Tigre community our students and staff have experienced the challenges and joys associated with the projects that have occurred. The Butterfly Gardens the expansion of the Tilapia project show clearly that it is possible to manage rural, sustainable businesses while adhering to the principle of sustainability. We will continue to make our visits to the Bajos del Tigre community a part of our yearly expeditions and look forward to supporting these projects.
I had the pleasure of staying at the Rios Tropicales Lodge on the Pacuare River last summer and in 1989, when Rios Tropicales first opened. It certainly has changed a lot from back in the 80′s! The lodge is very comfortable and tastefully done and blends in with the surrounding forest and river astonishingly well. The entire resort seemed very environmentally friendly. The hike to the serpentarium and Talaipia farm gave one a true taste of what living in the area was like. Rios has done a remarkable job keeping the area pristine yet accessible to visitors and introducing tourists the the local culture and way of life in a tasteful and informative manner. Rafa does a good job blending the best interests of the local community, the visiting tourists, and the rainforest itself.
I had the pleasure of visiting Rios Tropicales El Tigre this past June. The guides told wonderful stories about the El Tigre/Bhutan project and their experience in Bhutan as rafting teachers. I was excited to see what the project had accomplished for El Tigre.
The hike up to El Tigre from the Pacaure River Lodge was beautiful – I have never seen such gigantic flowers. Once we got to the top, the views were spectacular.
In the town, I was impressed with how friendly and enthusiastic and hard working the people were. What they have accomplished there and have to offer visitors and the future of the town is just incredible. It was awesome see people’s dreams coming true through the results of this project. The Butterfly Garden was simply wonderful. I had a great meal there at the lunch area overlooking the Garden. The food was also great at the Internet Cafe, simply and very filling. (Internet in the jungle just rocks!) I will definitely be going back Rios Tropicales and visiting El Tigre again and recommending both to all my friends.
Rios Tropicales has been involved in environmental issues and the well being of the communities long before it was fashionable. I remember their lobbying against river pollution and damming. The success of their projects is based on a true belief to help others in a sustainable way.
Merit to Rios Tropicales and Rafael Gallo to implement their knowledge, experience and commitment to serve the South-South project, the achievements are the result of years of work and a vocation to promote respect for the environment and development from the communities. Rios Tropicales and Don Rafael Gallo deserve to be rewarded for excellent work in the South-South project, and in doing so also would recognize the career of 25 years, having achieved the National Institute of Electricity (ICE) made for the first time in the history of Costa Rica an environmental impact study for the construction of hydroelectric dams, work directly in the conservation of more than 600 hectares and indirectly over 100,000 hectares with efforts from the Costa Rican Red Nature Reserves, working in large efforts reforestation, and many other things. Merit to the results and to the path.
__________________________________________________________________
Mérito a Ríos Tropicales y a Rafael Gallo por poner en práctica su conocimiento experiencia y compromiso al servicio del proyecto Sur-Sur, los logros obtenidos son el resultado de años de trabajo y de una vocación por impulsar el respeto al medio ambiente y el desarrollo desde las comunidades. Río Tropicales y don Rafael Gallo son merecedores de ser premiados por el excelente trabajo realizado en el proyecto Sur-Sur, y al hacerlo también se estaría reconociendo la trayectoria de 25 años, el haber logrado que el Instituto Nacional de Electricidad realizara por primer vez en la historia de Costa Rica un estudio de impacto ambiental para la construcción de represas hidroeléctricas, colaborar directamente en la conservación de más de 600 hectáreas e indirectamente de más de 100000 hectáreas mediante los esfuerzos realizados desde la Red Costarricense de Reservas Naturales , colaborar en grandes esfuerzos de reforestación, y muchas otras cosas más. Mérito a los resultados y a la trayectoria.
Congratulations to Rafael Gallo and his team for a wonderful project that integrates nature and community. More projects like this are needed to transform Costa Rica into a sustainable country. It is a model for future developements.
Hello I am work at the Ministery of Public Education of Costa Rica, at the department of Environmental Education, I coordinate a national program that is called Blue Ecological Flag for Educational Centers and in his implementation I could have stated the great impulse that has given Ríos Tropicales to the community of El Tigre principally to the students, since Ríos Tropicales has collaborated in the promotion of an environmental culture and in the improvement of the infrastructure of the educational center. These actions not only offer an opportunity to grow as persons but to improve the quality of life of the persons of the community.
I`m Jose Mario Achoy, I`m 13 years old and i help my dad, Mario Achoy at the butterflygarden,in El Tigre This project has been a great opportunity for my dad and my family. With the help of Rios Tropicales now i can have a better development of my english and now, because of this help I guide the tourists at the butterflygarden. In this project I`ve met lots of people, sharing our cultures,customs and languages. Thanks very much!
Rios Tropicales’s efforts in the El Tigre community is an exemplary holistic model of “thinking globally and acting locally”. The entire interdependent ecological web has been carefully considered with the goal of long term health, prosperity and well being for all. This is what wise balanced sustainability is all about.
Gracias a la vision de Rafael Gallo y a proyectos como los de Fundecooperacion, que nos tendieron la mano hemos podido construir uno de nuestros sueños, el cual desde el inicio de esta etapa y durante ella, nos ayudaron a aprender y desarrollar ideas innovadoras y sostenibles con el ambiente en una zona donde se podia realizar y dar a la creacion de nuestro mariposario, donde desarrollamos el ecoturismo por medio de varios encierros de produccion y exhibicion de mariposas y a la vez tratar de hacer sentir a nuestros visitantes un sentimiento de armonìa con la naturaleza
Sinceramente y muy agradecido:
Mario Achoy
Excelente proyecto! no cabe duda de que las estrategias locales de desarrollo sostenible se pueden lograr! Un desarrollo de un proyecto amigable con el ambiente siempre sera éxito y de gran importancia social, ecologica, cultural y economica. Sigan adelante y que tengan grandes victorias.
This is an excellent proyect,big things are coming with this and is a very good way for the develop of the people.
Finally this is an example for the companies.
Good Job.
muy destacable el esfuerzo de Mario Achoy y todas las personas que han ayudado a que este proyecto sea exitoso,debido a que es totalmente beneficioso para la comunidad del bajo del tigre, como lo es tambien para el ambiente y para todos nosotros.
felicidades siga adelante tio!
Rios Tropicales was a fantastic adventure for me and I felt a real connection to the community after planting several trees. The whole experience went beyond tourism and I really aprreciated everything I learned from the incredible guides and Raffa the owner who went aboove and beyond to give us an excellent tour of his beautiful land! I recommend this experience to anyone who really wants to know what ecotourism is about!
I was selected by rios tropicales to go to BUTHAN whit my friend Walter Monge to run a River Rafting guide scool
It was a great sperince to go there and teach this guides all we have leanrd in RIOS TROPICALES about sustainable turism and the good management of the inveroment
I stil have conta whit the guides we traind in BUTHAN and they keep teling me that now they undestan bether ,about the important of a good practice
This is somethig of what they have write to me
PASSANG TAMANG
I sincerely thank both of your time and effort for helping me to run most of the river on kayak and even guide the raft.though i used to hide behind the kitchen tent before.
I am very much sure that have i not attend your class of river rafting course i would not be in this position,i thank you once again
I beleive this is one of the most comprehensive projects I have seen Rios Tropicales complete in the last twenty years , other than their land conservation and forest restoration projects . I had the pleasure to manage the Fundecooperacion South South project and it has been very rewarding.
I had the opportunity to visit Bhutan and help determine the infrastructure needed alon the PoChu and Mo Chu rivers close to the town of Punakha. It is amazing what they have completed by adding wastemanagemt project in three diferent comunities ..
But El Tigre is were most of the time was spent…
Not only it benefited over 25 families from the comunity of El Tigre, by discovering their pride to live there and their access to tecnology , it will also provide new alternatives for over 20 tour operators in the area of Turrialba , since they can now choose to sell the diferent attractions at El Tigre. In 2008 very few tourists visited El Tigre , few bird watchers would hike up from the lodges on the Pacuare , just in 2009 close to 600 people visited El Tigre and provided an income to the local horseback riding operation , visited the serpentarium and had lunch with Doña Nidia , or participated in comunity projects with the school, or reforested diferent areas of the comunity. In 2010 this number has increased and there are more homes offering lunches , artisans beginning to provide products as well.
My favorite and most gratifying project is the butterfly garden , Mario and his family , have not only received a well built garden , but they have built new enclosures to provide higher quality butterflies to diferent markets , are now affering luches , and have even gotten English teachers to come to the comunity were over 40 members are taking advantage off. The school children are also become very proud of their comunity , they got new bath facilities , a playground , tables to sit under the tree shade and recycling bins to separate the garbage , they go back to their homes and teach the parents about this process, they have also cleaned the old cilanter plantation and begun a reforestation project. They were awarded the Blue Flag for educational Centers , due to their cleanliness and water car systems .
Two of the projects have to do with organic production , a Hidroponic garden , where Miguel and his son Christian are now planting lettuce, cucumbers , peppers and other products and also pesticide free cilanter. The Tilapia project is aiming to produce a certified organic smoked tilapia .
The internet Cafe is the educational part of the project and is ran by Javiers daughters and wife keeping the gender equity higher than expected in a comunity were only man traditionally brought in the household income, Hellen is now able to teach the comunity and the kids diferent computer usage.
we are now hoping that with all this investment and prosperity in the comunity , the new mayor of Siquirres helps fix the road , which may still be a challenge some time of the year ..But walking in the comunity and seeing the local and international tourist leave in awe and seeing the appreciation of the local comunity is amazingly rewarding.
Now Rios Tropicales pretends to reciprocate this project in the comunity of San Joaquin de Tuis , by bringing to them the next World Rafting Championship in 2011, and get comunity involvment as well as rainforest restoration , recycling amongst other dreams and projects , there is never stopping these guys ..
Alejandra
Rafael Gallo, the head behind this project has done an extraordinary job. He has worked hard to help El Tigre community. He has had the vision and stamina to organize and develop this multi project developement. After going for around twenty years to this area it is amasing to see and live the transformation that has happened. Not only do the residents of El Tigre have a better life way of living, but they also have different oportunities to increase their income through hard work. The transformation that has taken place is amazing!!
The children have something to dream about and have seen that through work, responsability and organization many things can be acomplished. They now have computers, good set of swings, and very nice, clean set of bathrooms.
In general, I feel very proud to know, work and share with Rafael Gallo. Tha man behind the transformation!
Tengo la dicha de conocer el proyecto El Tigre y de haber disfrutado de sus atracciones. Fue muy gratificante el poder apreciar e interactuar con la evidente belleza, en todos sus niveles, de la zona pero mas gratficicante fue caer en el razonamiento de que hay gente y organizaciones que tienen la esperanza y trabajan por un mundo mejor.
Justa nominacion para Don Rafael Gallo y Rios Tropicales quien ha dedicado gran parte de su vida a la conservacion de la naturaleza, al desarrollo de la comunidad y mas importante aun impactar a los individuos que la componen de manera positiva. TREMENDO EJEMPLO!!
Eugenio dS
I have been taking college students to the Pacuare River lodge since the mid-1980s, when it consisted of only a small kitchen and patio, plus tent sites. It has been amazing to see the changes that have been brought about at the eco-lodge and now at El Tigre over the last twenty years.
Students find a visit to EL Tigre to be a transforming experience. They have all heard about tropical deforestation in their classes but to see its effects firsthand is altogether different. To personally plant native trees is much more powerful than reading about the latest carbon sequestration research in a scientific journal.
My students have read about sustainability and most of them have taken classes in sustainable development, but it is another matter altogether when they visit the serpentarium and butterfly garden. Many of those students have been moved to action by their experiences at El Tigre.
It is an honor for me to work for a company as committed to the community and the environment as it is Rios Tropicales. Don Rafael is a person who fights for his dreams and be able to see him working on this project with success is a good example of his dedication and effort. He really is a role model for all of us.
Our costumes that have had the opportunity to visit El Tigre, were delighted to share with the community, visit the butterfly garden and the Serpentarium, know a little about our culture and be part of the project.
Thanks to all people involved because without them this beautiful village won’t be one of the best examples of sustainable tourism in Costa Rica.
Melisa.
Rios Tropicales was an adventure recommended to me long time ago, was much better than what anybody could have told me, and that wasn’t all, as an additional bonus, I get to know what Mr. Gallo have done with the El Tigre community, and how the people from el Tigre understood and fougt to make a reality out of this project. Congrats Mr. Gallo, people from Rios Tropicales, and from El Tigre. Keep up with your hard work.
Mauricio Murillo
I have little time working for Rios Tropicales but I get to know a little about the project and I think it’s a great help to the community to teaches them, both adults and children about sustainability and conservation of the environment and to know how to get benefits in a responsible way from it. One of the best part of this project is that is not helping just here in Costa Rica, thanks to Don Rafael and Fundecooperacion this project goes beyond our border, helping to have the same practices of sustainability and job opportunities in Bhutan.
Luis Lozano V.
Rios Tropicales has been a company that since its foundation has the responsibility to protect the environment and has struggled to transmit the best practices to their partners, and has been involving the communities in which it develops, as is the clear example of the community of Bajo del Tigre.
Today we are already witnessing the hard work, dedication and commitment from Rafael Gallo and the community who had the vision and confidence to take advantage of the natural resources around them.
Best wishes!
Carolina Monestel
I have watched Rios Tropicales grow over the decades. They have always differentiated themselves by empowering locals in the communities – first by introducing them to their rivers, then by offering them employment on the rivers and jungles of Costa Rica. Rios has not only sustained ecotourism in this beautiful country, but they have done so by opening new opportunities to the locals in the area. I am proud to know Rafael Gallo and all of those involved with Rios Tropicales.
Gracias a Dios se me ha presentado la oportunidad de visitar repetidas veces este increíble lugar, pocos como este hay en todo el mundo por su paisaje, que en compañía de gente increíble, como son todos los que trabajan ahí, hacen de este un lugar que realmente te deja satisfecho en todos los sentidos. He tenido la dicha de compartir con Rafa Gallo y realmente me siento orgulloso de formar parte de esta gran familia, felicidades para Rios Tropicales por su exc labor a través de todos estos años.
CM
My dad has worked at this company for a long time Since i was a little girl. I think Rios Tropicales hade Given all the Things That They can do to help and Developed rural areas. They had been working in El Tigre for a long time and I think they did a very good job.
My wife and I were among the very first to experience El Tigre and the Tilapia Dream. We cannot wait to return to see for ourselves how far Rafa’s dream for the area and for the community has come.
Rafa and Rios Tropicales have chosen to invest in the sustainability of the environment and the rural community when they could have more easily focused their resources elsewhere.
Rafa and Rios have become synonymous with responsible capitalism and giving back not just to the environment that sustains the business, but to the rural communities that are also dependent upon that same environment for their way of life. And significantly, while providing new opportunities for the community, there is focus on maintaining the integrity of the community and the culture.
Rafa and Rios are very much deserving of the highest recognition for channeling their energies and financial resources in this direction. It is honorable work being performed by honorable people.
John Connelly
Falmouth, Maine USA
L.L. Bean Outdoor Discovery Schools – Manager
America Outdoors Association – Board Member
GRACIAS A DIOS HE TENIDO LA OPORTUNIDAD DE CONOCER A CIENTOS DE PERSONAS EN EL MUNDO ENTERO POR MI TRABAJO Y ESPECIALMENTE A EMPRESARIOS, MAESTROS Y CIENTIFICOS DE RENOMBRE, ME HONRA PODER RECOMENDAR A MI MEJOR AMIGO RAFAEL GALLO PALOMO PRESIDENTE DE RIOS TROPICALES UNA EMPRESA CON VALORES AMBIENTALES Y SOCIALES MUY AMPLIOS Y UN TESORO EN PERSONAL ADMINISTRATIVO Y DE PLANTA, ASI COIMO GUIAS Y PLANTEL DE EL CAIRO Y BAJOS DEL TIGRE. LA CALIDAD HUMANA Y PROFESIONAL DISTINGUEN A ESTA EMPRESA Y SUS LIDERES, VERDADERAMENTE COMPROMETIDOS CON EL MEDIO AMBIENTE Y NO POR SIMPLE PROPAGANDA O MERCADEO. TODOS LOS CERCANOS A RIOS TROPICALES NOS IDENTIFICAMOS PLENAMENTE CON EL PROGRAMA DE BAJOS DEL TIGRE, LAS COMUNIDADES VECINAS, LAS TILAPIAS, LAS MARIPOSAS DE MARIO CHAW, EL SERPENTARIO, EL CAFE INTERNET Y LAS FACILIDADES QUE APOYAN LOS VECINOS DE ESTE TERRITORIO COSTARRICENSE. EN LA UNIVERSIDAD EARTH ESTAMOS CON RIOS TROPICALES Y LAS FUNDACIONES DOS MONTAÑAS QUE PARTICIPAN TAMBIEN EN EL RECICLAJE DE DESECHOS Y EL MANEJO DE DESECHOS, EL TURISMO EDUCACIONAL Y EL ECOTURISMO COMO UNA FORMA DE DISFRUTAR Y RESPETAR A LA MADRE NATURALEZA. ADELANTE AMIGOS Y ESPERANZA EN UN FUTURO MEJOR !!!
My name is Cristian Cerdas I’m one of the senior guides of Rios Tropicales, I have seen how our company is been helping El Tigre in many differnt ways, with the commmunity project I think that is a good thing for they to have so they can use it to grow themselves, when I take people up there I like to show the beauty of the place and share our knowledge and their knowledge about the area and the wild life. The butterfly garden is one of the most atractive activities that we do there as well as the Tilapia farm.
Working for Rios is been good for me cause ?I been learnig a lot about many things and I like the way how they help communities like el Tigre.
So I would like to invite more people to write comments about the great project.
Cristian Cerdas
I’m Rey I’m one of the senior guides of Rios, during my time working for the company I have seen how the company has been helping the community of el Tigre, making new opportunities for them to atract tourist to ther business like the serpentarium or the buterfly garden and also I been part of them reforestation program that the company has been doing there to protect the local ecosistem and at the same time we been trying to regenerate the forest and try to see more wild life in the future.
Been this my favorite project cause of the support that we been doing to take care of the land that has been touch by the locals.
Thanks to Rios Tropicales for let me been part of this iniciative to improve peoples live.
Rey
Our family of four from Golden, Colorado USA recently visited Costa Rica through Rios Tropicales. Our side trip to El Tigre and the Butterfly Garden was one of many highlights. But what was really special about visiting El Tigre was the departure from the traditional vacation attractions, where the tourist is often isolated from the native population, to a destination where you’re meeting and communicating with the local people. It was terrific meeting Mario and his son at the Butterfly Garden, and seeing my daughters use their high school Spanish to communicate.
I have known Rafael Gallo since 1983, when I spent some time running rivers in Colorado with him. To see what he has done with Rios Tropicales is amazing. His focus on sustainability and employing local people affords his customers the opportunity to see the real Costa Rica, while enhancing the livelihoods of the people surrounding his projects and protecting the environment.
Rafa, you are truly deserving of this recognition. Congratulations on your achievements and best of luck in your continued efforts.
Doug and I have visited the Pacuare River Lodge and El Tigre in 2004 and again in 2009 we returned bringing the rest of the family. What a wonderful destination for all to enjoy. Mr. Gallo and Rios Tropicales run a top notch tourist and vacation experience. From the transportation, to the meals, to the lovely rainforest hikes and finally the scenic and powerful experince of the Pacuare River. There is so much that each individual experiences from this kind of trip. Not only did we have a vacation of a lifetime, but we were able to experince the satisfaction of giving a little back by planting native trees in El Tigre, viewing the Tilapia Project, and visiting the butterfly habitat. We are proud to be a part of the eco-tourism projects supported by Mr. Rafael Gallo and Rios Tropicales.
This project embodies the true meaning of sustainable environmental conservation in the developing world. Promoting conservation of the primary rain forest and re-forestation while giving the community true and tangible options for economic sustainability.
Environmental-focused projects that do not give communities real options to thrive are not economically sustainable.
This project is the result of 20+ years of work by Rios Tropicales (led by Rafael Gallo) to find real-world solutions to the long-term conservation of the Pacuare basin and the El Tigre area.
Congratulations on the nomination.
El Tigre is a wonderful example of ways in which a quite remote place, with few developed resources, little infrastructure, but a lot of a lot of ingenuity and motivation has been able to create opportunity and a sustainable future for its people. The residents are warm and welcoming and embracing the changes coming to their village.
Community involvement and positive enlightened guidance over the years, promoted and supported by the establishment of eco-tourism and the low impact infrastructure put in place by outfitters such as Rios Tropicales, is enabling this positive progress. El Tigre is rebuilding and preserving it’s resources through reforestation and associated erosion reduction, critical in such a rainy and mountainous place. They are taking advantage of their climate, natural beauty, and natural resources to create attractions which appeal to the Adventure travel/ Eco tourism community bringing in much needed business leading to a better life for their community.
Que bien ver una empresa crecer y hacerlo también con su responsabilidad social y esfuerzos por el medio ambiente.
Bien los felicito a todos por preocuparse por este aspecto tam importante en los negocios.
Protección al medio ambiente y sostenibilidad.
Mucha fuerza y adelante
A Marten
Since 1985 Rios Tropicales has been a benchmark for sustainable development. Year after year we have been involved in promoting conservation and well-being for our communities and staff through adventure travel, specifically paddle sports. We have influenced many people on the importance of not only keeping our natural resources but also recuperating ecologically depleted areas, the best is that we have done it through example. So when you come to our trips you can see the process and progress “hands on”.
The most inspiring thought is that we will always kkep doing it, we have it in our veins and it comes out our pores.
Fernando Esquivel
Co-Founder and VP Rios Tropicales
I worked for Mr Gallo obout 13 years at Rios Tropicales and I know by first hand how he and the all staff work hard to improbe and
integrate the comunity of El Tigre in projects bio and sociologicals.
That Company deserves the best price, I am proud of Rios Tropicales.
Jose Benavides(Gato)
Saint Paul, MN, USA
As you get to know Rios Tropicales and all the amazing things that they have been working on since the begining of the company, you realize how much they value the conservancy of rivers nature and fauna in Costa Rica. Now when you get involved in to some of the projects, it becomes part of your ideas and goals to fullfill this beatifull and important ideas.
Me as a senior guide working for Rios Tropicales for quite some time, I`m one of the witnesses of how they have involved the communities arround them into conservancy and to become self sustained- eco friendly community. In simple words Rios Tropicales is one of the most iportant reasons why the community of Bajo del Tigre have grown and developed.
So keep up the great work and believe me Rafa we`ll be there to back you up and to work along with you and along the ideals sorrounding Rios Tropicales.
Alonso Lezama
My wife Beth and I had the great pleasure of traveling to Costa Rica a few years ago and were just completely blown away by the beauty of the country, the friendly and generous people and the way conservation and preservation of the environment is embraced there. The real eye opener though was when we arrived at the Pacuare Lodge and saw the way Rafael and Rios Tropicales are leading the charge in Costa Rica and Central America to promote ecotourism AND preserve the environmental and ecological balance there. Planting trees and working to keep indigenous peoples on their land is just a small part of the broad spectrum of efforts and activities that Rafa spearheads. We can’t wait to get back to Costa Rica and see the El Tigre Community project, especially the butterfly and orchid gardens. We know that if Rafa has anything to do with it, it will be THE BEST and that it is being done with an attention to detail that few can match. CONGRATULATIONS on being a 2010 Innovation Award Finalist! We can’t imagine a more deserving company than Rios Tropicales and a more deserving individual than Rafael Gallo. Pura Vida.
This is being transalated for Javier ..
Hello my name is Javier Mora , I have been working for Rafa and Rios Tropicales since they bought the property at El Tigre in 1990, I have learned to do things the way they like it , Rafa calls me his Sustainable Development Manager, I am not sure what that word means but I think it is because I am resposible to take care of the properties and building infrastructure, also with the cattle and the pastures and the Tilapias. Also i am responsible to keeping hunters away also it is ilegal to cut the forest , also if the neighbors are doing ilegal cutting Don Rafa will go and stop them or go to the police. Also he doesnt want us to use any pesticides so we have to keep our machete sharp , we do it all by hand. also the water is taken care off, so we reforest anywhere were there are water springs that had been depleted by previous owners.
the company Rios Tropicales always helped in El Tigre and the road which is really bad , they were the first to come to build a Lodge , but recently they got help from Fundecooperacion and they came to the comunity to see what could be done .
First they built a serpentarium in my brother in laws house because Carlos really likes snakes, then they fix the bathrrooms in the school and they got a big satelitte(dish) for internet and the town was very proud , so then we got the idea to recycle because I dont like how people burn the garbage ..
Then they ask me what I would like to do , and my daughters always wanted Computers so we got a Internet Cafe in our property and it has changed the life to my daughters and my wife , my wife also is going to take classes in Hydroponic gardening because she saw the project that her brother got . so now with Internet we feel that we are not longer isolated from the rest of the world , and Don Rafa always tells us that this is paradise and that we should not go to the city to live , and now with Internet my wife can talk to her sister that lives in Miami with the computer…
But I think I understand the word sustainable it has to do with taking care of the nature and the creatures that live in there and also to try not to harm them with our bad practices and also make the comunity happy to live with the trees and not cutting them ..
So yes I am proud to be a Sustainable manager
Javier Mora
The community of El Tigre, is what it is today thanks to this salvadorian, Rafael Gallo, who decided to move to Costa Rica, many years ago…His commitment to the well being and the growth of the comunity,keeping it´s natural beauty and integrity, as well as his guidance to the awareness of the environment´s conservation and preservation have created many new opportunities for the locals, and made it even more attractive for the local and international tourist. His dreams, effort, hard work have finally paid off. As a Costarican I am very are very proud to have him,his family and Rios Tropicales in our country. You definetedly deserve this and much more! Thank you Rafa!
I am an American of Cuban/Italian decent from New York and living in Miami for over 40 years. I met & married my Costa Rican wife, Marielos De Los Angeles Gonzalez in 1977 and we have 3 grown children. We have made many trips to Costa Rica to visit family members and will continue to do so especially to El Tigre, which I first visited in the early 1980`s. My late father in law Juan Gonzalez was an early pioneer to the area who worked very hard to provide for and raise his family in El Tigre, many of which still live there with many others often visitng for family reunions.I am very proud of all of our family members, especially Javier, Patricia & Helen Mora, who have worked very hard to build and create a true Paradise in El Tigre, which would never have been possible without the vision and self sacrifice of Don Rafael and all involved with Rios Tropicales, congratulations to Don Rafa for the 2010 Innovation Finalist Award, for he and his crew are much deserving of this honor.
Carl & Maria Pascual
Me alegra mucho que se desarrollen estos esfuerzos en comunidades como estas que necesitan mucho apoyo. Conozco muy bien esa zona, ya que Bajo Tigre es vecino de la finca Linda Vista, la gente de ahi es muy esforzada y aprovechan al maximo todo el apoyo que reciben. Felicidades por este aporte y adelante.
Que buen proyecto! Me alegra que hayan quienes esten tomando este tipo de iniciativas y concretando proyectos que beneficien las comunidades.
Thank you thank you thank you Rafa, Rios, families, guides, friends, workers, Costa Rica, Bhutan, Mother Earth and all its people.
This is a true model of cooperation, responsible growth, caring for our planet and balancing everyone’s needs and wishes resulting in a win~win situation.
It makes me so happy to see that such projects are taking place in our beautiful world. This is what we are going to see more and more.
I am so proud of being part of the Rios’ family and know that many more good things are yet to come.
Congratulations on all your wonderful work and accomplishments over the years and I know your deepest satisfaction comes through the smiles and sparkly eyes of our children!
Here’s to a great journey that is still unfolding!
“We are a circle within a circle, with no beginning and never ending”
Much love and appreciation,
Gilda
Costa Rican Olympic athlete in whitewater slalom Barcelona’92 and Atlanta ’96
I been working for Rios Tropicales for 8 years and since I got here I have seen all the good changes happening and many different aspects, like what they have done at El Tigre, always developing and doing things in harmony with nature.
I think the Community project at El Tigre is a good opportunity for this town to grow and show their area and traditions to all the tourist that visit us.
I like working 4 days cause I can visit the buterfly garden and The Tilapias so si a good feeling watch my clients enjoying the trip there and the knowledge that they get.
Thanks to Rios for all this projects and give a big hand to don Rafa cause his iniciatives about all this projects.
Ronald
I’m one of the guides from Rios Tropicales and I have seen how the people from El Tigre have change their living aspects thanks to this community project, so taking all this people to El Tigre has make that they have a better living than in the past and they have learned to protect and share nature in a sustaninable way.
I’m very please to be part of this iniciative, so I really enjoy taking people to the projet and they really enjoy the trip and learn too.
I hope more people will come to see what the project has done at El Tigre.
Congratulations to all the people that has been involve in this iniciative.
The company Rios Tropicales is a very pleasant place to work, with a vision for the future with well-defined, with orders to assist the overcoming of projects involving people with good intentions for the development of their community, to arise in a atmosphere of harmony and solidarity. It also opens opportunities for their workers to know different countries participate and share cultures diferntes.
So in my case, I was able to visit Kuna Yala in Panama, a magical place full of life is great diversity in flora and fauna. I also had the chance of sharing with a groupof young people of the kingdom of Bhutan and give them a hand guided technical education blancas.Esto water was also possible thanks to the project south, south to see the community benefit of the Tiger Netherlands microenterprise development, which today provides employment to families and to see the development of an entire people.
SAY YES TO THE BEST
RIOS TROPICALES IS THE BEST COMPANY OF RIVER EXPEDITIONS IN THE ECOLOGIC ZONE OF PACUARE, REVENTAZON, COROBICI AND OTHER BIG RIVERS IN COSTA RICA…
RIOS TROPICALES IS ECOALFABERTIZATION
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
REFORESTATION
CARBON FIX PROGRAMS
WILD LIFE RESCUE AND RESEARCH
Hello I am Verny, one of the senior guides of Rios Tropicales and i feel so proud to work for a great company, and Rafael Gallo, that not only gives jops to many people also help them to be better and get from them the best of themselves. I am testimony of the ability of Don Rafa Gallo to help people like El Tigre town, that without him they can not get to where they are now.
I know how grateful this people form El Tigre must feel, because as Rafa help me with my studies and let me train about 8 years ago with Rios Tropicales as raft guide, that I feel so grateful for ever because of that, I am sure that must be twice harder to chage the way of thik from this people to quik what they used to do and let themselves get involve in this project of sustainable development, and learn of the great potetial of this town, Don Rafa theach them, that instead of kill a snake and cut trees down is better to learn a litter of the Natural History of this things and that way the can share the knowledge with other people like turist and teach them how importand is to safe the forest, or a simple butterfly which is one of the main pollinatos of the products that we normally eat.
Thanks so much to Rafa and everyone that helps with this great project, that make turist belive the be more sustainable is a better life in the precent and future.
Pura Vida
Verny
Una excelente iniciativa que integra una actividad económica de bajo impacto para la naturaleza con un beneficio para la comunidad. Además, esta área se encuentra dentro del Corredor Biológico Volcánica Central-Talamanca (específicamente en el SubCorredor Barbilla)y como uno de los coordinadores de esta iniciativa doy fe del aporte de Ríos Tropicales y de la comunidad de Bajo del Tigre para ayudar a la conectividad de los animales (incluido el jaguar-Panthera onca)entre las dos Cordilleras y a mejorar la calidad de vida de las personas que viven ahí.¡Sigan adelante!
Roberto Salom Pérez
Coordinador Centroamericano
Iniciativa del Corredor del Jaguar
Panthera
______________________________________________________
An excellent initiative which integrates a low-impact activity for nature with a benefit for the community. In addition, this area is within the Volcanica Central-Talamanca Biological Corridor (specifically in the Barbilla SubCorridor) and as one of the coordinators of this initiative, I can certify the contribution of Ríos Tropicales and the community of Bajo del Tigre to help on the connectivity animal popualtions (including the jaguar, Panthera onca) between the two Cordilleras and improve the quality of life of people living there. Keep it up!
Roberto Salom Perez
Central American Coordinator
Jaguar Corridor Initiative
Panthera
Les felicito por iniativas como esta Todavia queda alguna esperanza Por el plasneta que vamos a dejar. Pero aunque pocos hay personas con ganas de contribuir
Dia a dia, el bosque dismunuye, los rios se contaminan, en algun momento nos daremos cuenta que el “dinero no se puede comer”. Alli ya sera muy tarde.
Solo tengo que felicitar a Rios Tropicales por el Proyecto Tigre, empresa por la cual tuve el placer de trabajar muchos anos atras, y a sus Fundadores, mis compadritos Rafael y Fernando. BIEN JUGADO !!!!
!Pura Vida! Fico
Rios Tropicales son un buen ejemplo para el mundo de como hacer gestion comunitaria, involucrando familias locales y trabajando por la restauracion de tierras degradadas. iFelicitaciones y los mejores deseos!
~
Rios Tropicales is a good example to the world on how to achieve community management, involving local families and working for the restoration of degraded lands. Congratulations and best wishes!
~
Organizacion Xtremas. http://www.Xtremas.Org
Now everybody can see the result, big and important result, but the work behind and all the effort is difficult to discover. I want to congratulate Rios Topicales for their responsible and integral work, for their passion and for the extra mile they are giving to this project. You are really contribuiting integrally to our planet! We, as costarricans feel very proud of you!!!
I’m Randall Solano, I’m one of the senior guides that I been in the company since 1991 I have seen how the company has help the community of Bajos del Tigre in many different ways.
Now with the effort of the company and Rafael Gallo with the community project we can have more tools to share the area with our clients, I do horse back riding as a complemet of the overnights and also we have coustomers just going there for the day, so we take them to the different places that the project developed like the butterfly garden, the serpentarioum, the internet cafe and the tilapia farm.
So is great how we can do so many things in one little area and we feel happy and proud that this people from el Tigre can do some other activities that just agriculture and we share their aerea and knowledge and also they can have a better living cause all this new activities brougth to their town.
So I would like to say thak you to Rios and don Rafa for let me been part of this.
Chino Randall
Since 1994, I have enjoyed discovering the rivers of Costa Rica, with Rios Tropicales. Till this day, I do remember the thrill, the beuty, the water,the green all over…..
My last ride was exactly a year ago, the emotions are all there, just the
beuty of it all tends to grow…. (maybe I am growing older too)
Anyway, great project, great company, Rafael is doing a great job, leading Rios Tropicales as a guideline for many related business through out Central America. Keep it up!!!!
Dearest Fernando and Rafael:
It is with tears of joy that I come to see what Rios Tropicales have accomplished through all these years…to see you´ve not only bought a piece of paradise but preserved and nourished it…you guys not only cared about your interests but the community´s… you brought them not only jobs but progress, treated them as friends, went the extra mile to give them the opportunity to flavor the world in the middle of paradise.
It was around 15 years ago that I rafted the Pacuare, first was Reventazon, for the first time! To have the opportunity to be in such a beautiful place, to share with the local people, always so kind and corteous, it was an extremely fantastic experience in itself! I remember when we stop at the camping site, at the time it was just a stop to refresh and have something to eat and drink nothing else…It is 5 years ago that I returned to Costa Rica and of course got in touch with Fernando and el Pollo to get on the Rios Tropicales van and head off to the Pacuare River and wow! let me tell you I was amazed, impressed but not surprised with all the progress in the installations…cabins, trails, changing rooms with showers and everything, an Internet Cafe in the middle of the jungle, the serpentuarium and butterfly reserve…and in Bajos del Tigre they probably never dreamed of having a school for their kids to have a better future thru an education! It is so joyful to see these kids in their school uniforms and that big smile in their little faces…and not only that! clean and functional bathroom facilities, that I call a blessing!
It is again my dear friends that with tears of joy in my eyes I say again THANK YOU for your vision, your hard work, your commitment and compromise with nature and its inhabitants!!!
A thousand rounds of applause to this two visionary highly human guys whom I´m so proud to know since our teenage years!!!!
Viva Rios Tropicales!!!!
God Bless your hearts always!
Lots of Love!!
Nushka
San Jose aug 20th 2010
First Prize Award in recognition for the hard work in the land of nothing. still, many things to build in the whole country follow the currents of the rivers, do not return on same way.Your company is in the top of quality and service. Our best wishes.
I just want to tell you that this is a wonderfull place ,is like heaven.
People treating you very nice and friendly . Nature is ,like a therapy that cure any sickness .
One of the best place in my opinion worldwide.
PARA MI ES UN HONOR Y PRIVILEGIO RECOMENDAR A MI VIEJO AMIGO RAFAEL GALLO PALOMO PRESIDENTE DE RIOS TROPICALES UNA EMPRESA CON VALORES AMBIENTALES Y SOCIALES MUY AMPLIOS Y UN TESORO EN PERSONAL ADMINISTRATIVO Y DE PLANTA, ASI COMO GUIAS Y PLANTEL DE EL CAIRO Y BAJOS DEL TIGRE. LA CALIDAD HUMANA Y PROFESIONAL DISTINGUEN A ESTA EMPRESA Y SUS LIDERES, VERDADERAMENTE COMPROMETIDOS CON EL MEDIO AMBIENTE DE VOCACION Y LLAMADO DE LA NATURALEZA MISMA.
TODOS LOS QUE NOS HEMOS INVOLUCRADO CON RIOS TROPICALES NOS IDENTIFICAMOS PLENAMENTE CON EL PROGRAMA DE BAJOS DEL TIGRE, LAS COMUNIDADES VECINAS, LAS TILAPIAS, LAS MARIPOSAS DE MARIO CHAW, EL SERPENTARIO, EL CAFE INTERNET Y LAS FACILIDADES QUE APOYAN LOS VECINOS DE ESTE TERRITORIO COSTARRICENSE.
DE MUCHAS DE LAS PERSONAS AMANTES DE LA NATURALEZA, LA ECOLOGIA Y EL EQUILIBRIO CON EL MEDIO AMBIENTE ESTAMOS CON RIOS TROPICALES Y EN EL RECICLAJE DE DESECHOS Y EL MANEJO DE DESECHOS, EL TURISMO EDUCACIONAL Y EL ECOTURISMO COMO UNA FORMA DE DISFRUTAR Y RESPETAR A LA MADRE NATURALEZA…ADELANTE SIEMPRE LIDERANDO CON SUS EMPRESAS PARA MEJORAR GRANDEMENTE !!!
Ríos Tropicales es una empresa turística responsable en sentido social-ambiental que no solo tiene operaciones en la zona Turrialba-Siquirres, sino que también es muy bien conocida por todos en la región. Para quienes habitamos en la región es muy notorio el progreso amigable con el ambiente que la comunidad de El Tigre ha venido teniendo en las últimas décadas. Esto debido al liderazgo y la unión de esfuerzos de sus pobladores y la misma empresa en un proceso que empieza desde que la actividad turística llegó a este lugar casi desconocido e inaccesible en los años ochenta.
Turrialba es un cantón que ha venido sufriendo consecuencias económicas negativas desde la eliminación del ferrocarril al Atlántico, o la deshabilitación en gran parte del Río Reventazón como potencial turístico. Ambas actividades generaban fuentes de empleo para los Turrialbeños. Por ende el poco desarrollo que ha tenido. Es así que esta empresa beneficia directa e indirectamente a nuestras comunidades al crear oportunidades de trabajo para los habitantes de la localidad lo que evita la migración a la ciudad. La mayoría de sus excelentes guías son originarios de la zona.
Además de la parte socio-económica está la parte ambiental en la que Ríos Tropicales es una fortaleza para estos cantones. Como miembro activa de la Asociación Sub-Corredor Biológico Balalaica, que comprende desde Tuis hasta Tres Equis, y a la vez uno de los seis Sub-Corredores que forman el gran Corredor Biológico Volcánica Central Talamanca, además como miembro COVIRENA (Comités de Vigilancia de Recursos Naturales), me identifico con la vocación de sostenibilidad, protección y conservación de esta empresa. La cual es promotora la vez que lidera un cambio en la cultura ambiental mediante la educación, y muy importante predicando con el ejemplo y buenas prácticas.
Todo lo anterior repercute en la alta calidad de vida que ahora disfrutan los lugareños. Es por eso que calidad de empresarios como ellos no dependen de motivos externos para trabajar con la convicción que lo hacen pues lo hacen por vocación; pero es importante que la sociedad le de reconocimiento a sus méritos para que muchos otros se motiven a seguir su ejemplo. Finalmente, el medio ambiente es cosa de todos y el planeta la comunidad de todos.
Rios Tropicales is a tour company responsible at social and environmental sense that not only has operations in the area Siquirres-Turrialba, but is also well known by everyone in the region. For those who live in the region is very noticeable the progress environmentally friendly that the community of El Tigre has been taking in recent decades. It is because of the leadership and the joint of efforts between its people and the same company in a process that starts from that tourism activity when it came to this place almost unknown and inaccessible in the eighties.
Turrialba is a city that has been suffering negative economic consequences since the elimination of the railroad to the Atlantic or disabling much of the Reventazón River as tourism potential. Both activities generated jobs for Turrialba people. Therefore, it is the little development it has had. So, this company directly and indirectly benefits our communities by creating job opportunities for locals which prevents migration to the city. Most of its excellent guides are from the area.
In addition to the socio-economy is the environment in which Ríos Tropicales is strength for these cantons. As an active member of Asociación Sub-Corredor Biológico Balalaica, which runs from Tuis to Tres Equis, while one of the six Biological Sub-Corridors that form the big Corredor Biológico Volcánica Central-Talamanca, as well as a member COVIRENA (Natural Resources Monitoring Committees), I identify with the goal of sustainability, protection and conservation of this company. It, in turn, is a promoter at the same time that it leads a culture change in the environment through education, and very important leading by example and good practice.
All this affects the quality of life now enjoyed by the locals. That’s why, as employers as they do, they do not depend on external reasons to work with the vocation that they do as they do by conviction; but it is important that society give recognition of its merits to motivate many others to follow suit. Finally, the environment is everyone’s business and the planet is community of all.
As a former outfitter (Nantahala Outdoor Center – 1977 to 2000) I have had the privilege and great pleasure to work with Rafa on many projects and events – from the US to Costa Rica to the Soviet Union. He brings enormous enthusiasm, brains and guts to all that he does. This project shows not only the vision for a great project but the know how to bring it to a successful conclusion for so many people. Congratulations!
Our guest at Vida Tropical B&B had always a great experience with Rios Tropicales,they have excelent tours to offer. Hope they keep working as today.
As Costa Rican, I am proud to have enterprises like Rios Tropicales that go beyond their responsibilities to promote win-win relations with the community and with other stakeholders in an innovative way.
In Fundecooperacion we are honoured to be part of this initiative through the Programme for South South Cooperation funded by the Netherlands.
I am also glad that, through our follow up and monitoring, Fundecooperacion has verified that results are concrete, verifiable and significant for El Tigre community!
Again an excellent example of sustainable tourism from Rios Tropicales. Rafael has done so much for Costa Rican Nature and Culture already and it is good to see he keeps doing it. Kudos, Rafa!
I am very pleased to recommend Rios Tropicales for the 2010 Innovation Award. I first visited Bajo del Tigre in January 2008. This small, remote community was unheard of to almost every Costa Rican to whom I mentioned its name. This list includes members of the federal Government, explaining why Bajo del Tigre for so long has remained off the social, political and economic agenda of the local and national government. While Bajo del Tigre is a real gem within the Costa Rican rainforest, the lack of economic assistance and attention provided to the community has placed it in danger of losing the natural elements that make it so special and has threatened the livelihoods of its residents.
Thanks to Rios Tropicales, and the commitment of Rafa Gallo in particular, the community of El Tigre is now on track to preserve the natural beauty left in the area while improving the quality of life of its residents. As is expressed in many of the testimonials above, the South-South Cooperation project has impacted the community in a positive, life-changing way.
As a result of the signage developed as part of the Project (on the highway # 10 from Turrialba to Siquirre) Bajo del Tigre is no longer a best-kept secret. Along with the El Tigre website, the signage has helped inform locals and tourists of the community-based tourism activities available within the area. This has resulted in a positive impact economically for the residents that provide or participate in the delivery of such services.
I have also witnessed a change in mentality among the residents of El Tigre – they have gained a greater appreciation for the natural habitat in which they live and understanding the importance of protecting streams, the earth, the flora and the fauna. Rios Tropicales has worked to develop a waste management program that will greatly contribute to the protection of the surrounding forest – eliminating the burying and burning of household waste and its negative effects.
I would like to congratulate Rios Tropicales for undertaking such a challenging initiative and hope that their strong commitment to sustainable, eco-tourism will be recognized with this Award.
Rios Tropicales is one of the best rafting companies in the world! I know Rafa Gallo since 1988, his sensibility towards nature and willing to help the local communities has been always his main goal. Congratulations for your iniciative on Bajo del Tigre Proyect! God bless you, your family and colaborators!
Un abrazo,
Sylvia
Rios Tropicales is the best example of sustainable development in Costa Rica. From its beginning has been concerned by the human environment, cooperating with the inhabitants of the surrounding villages, and preserving nature with education and example.
Bajos del Tigre has a mentor: Rafael Gallo, who has delivered in body, soul and heart to carry out this project involved him its inhabitants. My most sincere respect and admiration for his work.
Me alegra mucho saber que una comunidad como la de Bajo del Tigre puede estar a las puertas de un reconocimiento tan importante, esta comunidad es una comunidad emprendedora llena de deseos de hacer las cosas, Rios Tropicales les ha colaborado suministrando herramientas para salir adelante, bajo un desarrollo sostenible lleno de grandes aspiraciones y respetando el ambiente tan puro que se vive en esa zona.
Mucha suerte, aunque espero que todo salga de la mejor forma, esta comunidad realmente se lo merece!
Manuel Gonzales.
HI FRIENDS! CONGRATULATIONS FOR THIS FANTASTIC PROJECT THAT SHOULD BE KNOWN IN COSTA RICA AND ALL OVER THE WORLD. THIS IS ONE OF THE THOUSAND TREASURES THAT OUR COUNTRY CAN ENJOY WITH EVERYONE WHO WANTS TO HAVE GOD AND NATURE TOGETHER!!!!GO AHEAD!!!COSTA RICA IS WITH ALL OF YOU!!!!!!!!!
MY BEST REGARDS,
NAYIBE
I´m been very concerned about every initiative related whith conservation, especially if locals can, not only survived with the dayly activities, but if they get a real better live doing this. As everybody has mentioned above, this proyect and community has this caracteritics, we at the other Reserves around Costarican territory whant this reconnitios in orther to multiply the benefits for other areas and communities. Well done and congrats for everybody.
Es maravillosos ver a una empresa crecer y mas aun cuando lo hacen con responsabilidad social y respetuosa del medio ambiente.
Rios tropicales demuestra que en Costa Rica cuando se quiere, se puede sacar adelante proyectos, sin dañar el medio ambiente y bajo los terminos de sostenibilidad.
Felicitaciones porque dejan el nombre de nuestro pais muy en alto
Mil exitos!!
Mucha suerte a Rios Tropicales y a Rafa Gallo por sus esfuerzos en el campo del desarrollo sostenible. La comunidad del Bajo del Tigre necesita de proyectos asi, que impulsen la economia local con recursos propios. Esta es mi recomendacion para que se les otorgue el premio “Community Based Tourism, Costa Rica, Indigenous Communities, Innovation Award, Sustaining Destinations, TIES Members News and Projects”
We had the pleasure to work with Rios Tropicales, it is an excellent company, they and the community Bajos del tigre deserve this award. Good luck and congratulations.
Como presidente de la Cámara de Turismo de Turrialba y empresario turístico de la zona, me enorgullezco de la acción que ha liderado Ríos Tropicales en el Bajo del Tigre.
Este proyecto a venido nos da nuevas opciones de producto para nuestro destino.
Espero que la comunidad obtenga un gran beneficio y que mas personas puedan contribuir con el desarrollo sostenible de nuestro destino.
Por todo lo dicho recomiendo a que le sea entregado el premio de “Community Based Tourism, Costa Rica, Indigenous Communities, Innovation Award, Sustaining Destinations, TIES Members News and Projects” a Rios Tropicales
I am very pleased to recomend Rios Tropical for the 2010 Innovation award,even though i first met Rafa Gallo and Fernando Esquivel in El Salvador back in the 70´s, before they moved to costa rica.
After that in 1989 while i was studying my Masters degree in Costa Rica i had the opportunitty to take my first Rios Tropicales Tours ,i have been back many time and have tried to always include this as part of family trips or business trips,I have also seen how their operation grew to become one of the worlds most respected river rafting companies.
The impact of their company in sustainable development in places where they operate is incredible they have helped job generation, as well as conservation of natural resources,Rios Tropical really has been a model to follow for me in developing a socially responsible tourism operation,as a matter of fact i own and operate two zip -line operations in El Salvador and we always look back to costa Rica and Rios Tropicales to make sure we are doing thing the right way,in order to develop here in El Salvador a tourism industry that positively impacts quality of life in communities hoping to build a well balanced tourism operation between social responsability, entrepeneurship and sustainable development..
I just came back from the most amazing vacation with my family in Costa Rica. Now, this isn’t my first trip there and it certainly won’t be the last. Every time we visit we get to see the amazing work being done to save the enviroment, from reforestation to education. Twenty years ago I got to meet one of the fist families my brother impacted with his vision. This year one of the youngest girls is 21 and taking English classes to better her life. At the same time she lives an enviromentally conscious life while working at the lodge. This year we got to spend time at El Tigre relaxing, playing, and enjoying the company of some of the kindest and proudest families I ever met. We got to enjoy the beautiful Butterfly farm and the Tilapia farm while eating some of the most delicious local food. They taught us about their craft and made it interactive. Even to a 3 year old. I look forward to many more trips to El Tigre so my daughter can also see the benfits of being enviromentally responsible and active in her community. I believe Rafa is impacting our future in the greatest way, by including all our children and teaching them about the world around them and how to take care of it.
Thankyou Rafa. We love you.
We have worked with Rios Tropicales for many years as we have been arranging for trips for our clients to Costa Rica. We have always gotten excellent comments from our clients about their experiences with Rio Tropicales. Thank you all. Ana Zamora, Agencia Yemaya (Costa Rica) and Sandra Pollack, Journeyweavers Travel (New York)
Congratulations.
Rios Tropicales,this is a great project, that is going to change the life of this people and is so positive for all, this is a big idea and is too much good.
What a great initiative. The multi-level impact to the community is impressive. I have an almost three year that I would love to bring on a trip when she is older—-she has a very adventurous spirit and I can see her loving this. Congratulations on a wonderful accomplishment and good luck with the reward.
Jim
During 2-day rafting trip with Rios Tropicales we were so captured by pure nature that I honestly concluded: “Everybody on this planet should do this once during his/hers lifetime to experience and understand the beauty and importance of nature”.
Further I recall the shock at the end of the trip when we re-entered “civilization”: I felt a heavy resistance: “This is totally wrong and should be undone. Please let’s return to nature !”
This is how Rios Tropicales made me aware of the importance of nature preservation.
Many kudos to you, Rafael, for what you have done and are doing to promote sustainability in Bhutan and the El Tigre community. While working with Rios Tropicales many years ago to coordinate adventure travel trips for guests from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, your concern for and dedication to the sustainable tourism was already apparent. Your subsequent planning and actions, locally and internationally, will help make the difference between our children and grandchildren experiencing or only reading about remaining pristine corners of our world. I’ll be presenting your iniatives to my fifth grade science class as an example of successful efforts towards ecosystem and community preservation.
Wishing you continued success,
Janet Smith
This is what I want to do: I want to go to El Tigre with my teenage daughter, have her meet the young people there, and make her promise that she will return there in 10 years. I want her to witness first hand the impact that this type of initiatives can have in the lives of people and families.
The El Tigre experience may seem difficult to replicate because of its many actors: Fundecooperación, the Dutch government that funds Fundecooperacion, Rafa Gallo, Fernando Esquivel, the people at Rios Tropicales, the Tigreños and the Buthaneños … However, the essential ingredients are imagination, good will, faith, hard work and a little money. There is no shortage of sources of all that.
I have been following the news about this excellent proyect, that involves a comunity ,and touch some how all the people working in tourism in Costa Rica Thanks Rios Tropicales for the big effort.
congratulations to El Tigre people that is pushing and getting into a better life.
I was in the butterfly garden some months ago… that place is really beutiful. pacuare is not just river ( a great river) you can go there and find a family likes mario’s family that wants to share you their experience and knowledge about all the beauty of the buterflies that you can see there. this is another reason for takin’ this ride
During the last seventeen years,the guests at our B and B in San Jose have frequently enjoyed Rio Tropicales’ white water adventures. And,on their return to us,almost all of them have commented on the obvious dedication of the staff to sustaining the natural wonders that make white water rafting possible.
Now,Rafa Gallo has taken it a step further and is helping the whole village of El Tigre become part of a virtuous cycle: the village preserves the environment…and the environment supports the village through sustainable tourism.
This is just one more example of the vision and leadership that Gallo has brought to Costa Rican tourism in the last two decades.
Congratulations to Rio Tropicalis for this deserved honor. Their innovation in ecotourism is only exceeded by the dedication and enthusiasm of their staff in teaching their clients about a magnificent part of the world. Muchos Gracias.
Since the mid 1980s, when I actually lived in Costa Rica for about 4 years, I have seen the positive evolution and growth in Rios Tropicales as a leader in sustainable adventure based tourism. Their work in El Tigre is clearly groundbreaking and could potentially be replicated, not just in Costa Rica, but in neighbouring countries where the social and environmental challenges, albeit different, can be tackled in a similar way.
I now work for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, based in Switzerland, as Director of the Economy and Environmental Governance group. Our core business is conservation of biodiversity, in order to enhance human well being. It is rewarding to see that the El Tigre project is precisely about sustainable livelihoods for the long term viability of the fragile ecosystems that these communities depend on. It is also rewarding to learn that the EL Tigre project is now a finalist in the 2010 TIES Innovation Award. Buena suerte!! JMA
Congratulaios guys!!! hope you keep going that way.
I can still remember the first time I rode, aboard my ATV, into the town of El Tigre. It was a shabby little town with maybe a couple docen homes and a sorry looking school. Today, to everyones surprise this small town is the envy of neighboring towns.
Thanks to the titanic efforts and the timely economic help of the kingdom of Buhtan, Rafa Gallo, CEO of Rios Tropicales has given the inhabitants a completely new outlook on life and the economic wellfare of these people has changed forever. They know have butterfly farms, serpentariums, tilapia farm, hydropondic garden and even an internet cafe. the effort of these people under the leadership, of Rafa has made the difference.
This project is a “must see” project for all companies and goverment officials,which have to do with the industry and the wellfare development of the citizens of this country.
Tourist need to be exposed to this exemplary projec. Good for you Rafa and good for you Rios Tropicales.
Roberto Jimenez S.
Last summer (2009) I had the opportunity to raft the Pacuare River as a guest of Rios Tropicales. As part of the stay at the Rainforest Lodge, we spent a day hiking up to Bajo del Tigre.
What a beautiful place, what lovely people make up El Tigre. My group had an opportunity to meet many of the local people, including school kids who are directly benefiting from the South-South Project. We planted trees, rode horses and fished for our own dinner in the tilapia ponds. The serpentarium was a big hit with all ages.
Clearly Rafael Gallo of Rios Tropicales, and the people of El Tigre, with the assistance of Bhutan have hit upon a successful model for developing sustainable tourism in a rural community.
It is a honor to recommend Rios Tropicales and the El Tigre Community Sustainable Tourism South-South Project for the 2010 Innovation Award.
I first visited El Tigre with my family in the early 1990′s. I returned just last year with my 10 year old son and we were so impressed with the changes – from the butterfly garden to the serpentarium to the improvements at the school. This is such a great project and has impacts far and wide,my son will always remember his experiences here and meeting other children from different cultures. Thanks to Rios Tropicales for making this possible.
Authentic. Dignity. Soul. Tangible results. Clear benefits for children. Collaborating to create real sustainable employment. Opening the door to educational experiences far beyond an isolated rural town with only a one-room elementary school. These concepts are so often nice marketing words – that fall short of reality. There is often a gap between the companies or organizations that write them – but aren’t quite able to deliver in the collaborative, co-creating way that builds confidence, esteem, ownership, and identity. Money is not always the main problem. We all know of projects well-funded that fall short of their community goals. This can be for reasons within their control and/or totally out of their control.
It has been an exceptional journey to work with Rafael Gallo, the talented staff of Rios Tropicales, and the inspired residents of El Tigre to help tell the story of this South-South project that has moved a small, subsistence farming community into an independently sustainable model of environmentally beneficial rural tourism. It is rewarding beyond words to interview Mario Achoy and hear him tell me in his own words about his dreams: to own land in El Tigre, create a small, environmentally-friendly business that brings his family closer to nature, teaches them English, provides a sustainable income. To hear 19 year old Helen Mora, who manages the internet café now for her family, talk about furthering her dream of computer studies and teaching children how to use the internet, means she is actualizing her expanded opportunities compared to just two years ago. To hear Javier Mora, her father, talk about the past when garbage was literally thrown out the window from the kitchen (only a few years ago!) but now helps his fellow residents recycle, compost, or transport waste to waste centers in the city – is credible evidence of positive change.
The most exciting thing to me though, is that this small community in the middle of the rainforest serves as an encouraging example to other small communities around the world about what is possible. Bhutan is doing it with the South-South project, sharing lessons with Costa Rica and vice versa. Other parts of the world can do this too. NGOs want to grant to communities that are internally motivated, have experienced leaders like a Rafael Gallo and committed companies like Rios Tropicales to guide, support, and help build sustainable, eco-friendly businesses. El Tigre can help other communities achieve similar results. This is building support for sustainability from the bottom up, not the top down. Rios Tropicales has quietly invested time, experience, and resources in others’ wellbeing (staff, community residents, environment protection, conservation, etc. ) since its inception, led by the principles of its founders, Rafael Gallo, Jimmy Nixon, and Fernando Esquivel. They did it because they believed it was right and it helps everyone, not just their company. I hope the EL Tigre project encourages others begin their own project sooner, rather than later. I am so pleased to work with Rios Tropicales and Rafael Gallo and to help tell the story of El Tigre- a tangible, small-scale, replicable model of sustainable community tourism. Saludos a Rafa, Rios Tropicales, and El Tigre.
Todavia recuerdo, ese Verano del ano 1992, cuando mi Amigo y hermano Fernando Esquivel y su Socio Rafael Gallo, me visitaron en mi ciudad en Venezuela, despues de unos anos sin vernos ,fue una gran emocion para mi saber de su sueno hecho realidad, RIOS TROPICALES, y hasta tuvimos una idea de hacer algo aqui en Guayana, Vzla, en los Rios de la zona.eso quedo en solo un sueno por diferentes razones.Poco tiempo despues estaba yo con mi hijo mayor en Costa Rica, y tuvimos la oportunidad de vivir la aventura de Rios Tropicales y hicimos varias excurciones Maravillosas, a lugares expectaculares, donde sus operaciones tenian un impacto casi nulo en la naturaleza, y las comunidades aledanas a estos sitios obtenian beneficios, de las operaciones de la compania. Creo que este proyecto hecho realidad (la cria de mariposas, etc) en la comunidad de El Tigre, no es el primero , ni sera el ultimo, en donde RIOS TROPICALES este involucrado.
Esta Empresa y la forma como conservan el ambiente en Costa Rica es un ejemplo a seguir a nivel mundial. Mucha suerte y sigan adelante.
Mi nombre es Roberth Zúñiga, ejecutivo Bancario. Que se puede decir de Ríos Tropicales: Sencillo, Lo mejor que existe en rafting y mucho más!. La calidad del personal, sus propietarios, el clima de nuestro hermoso país (en ecencia, el mejor del mundo), todo se mezcla para hacer de esta empresa un ejemplo a seguir.
Recuerdo hace unos años cuando en la institución en la que trabajo se le otorgó un préstamo a Rios Tropicales para terminar su centro de operaciones del Cairo, cuando hicimos los estudios me sorprendió la logística, el empeño, la calidad de servicio al cliente, la calidez de las personas y sobre todo el esfuerzo tesonero por conservar la naturaleza, nuestros recursos naturales y la vida silvestre.
Solo podría decir cosas maravillosas de tan distinguida compañía y de su gente y estoy seguro de que cualquier proyecto que desarrollen tendrá siempre el sello indubitable e indeleble de exito en ármonia con los elementos naturales y el disfrute de sus clientes. Felicidadesd amigos. Saludes Fernando.
The staff of Rios Tropicales and the people at Bajos el Tigre are really nice. It’s a pleasure to work with you!
Rafting the Pacuare is a must for me every time I go to Costa Rica to visit my family. I especially like seeing all the changes that can happen in just a year or two. The changes at the Lodge are always impressive to me, but I especially like seeing the families that take care of it all grow with it too. I’ve had the opportunity to spend time at El Tigre as well and have had the priviledge to meet all the great people that live and work there. Their motivation to make a better life for the community and themselves is incredible. We can learn so much from them. You can see the pride shine in their eyes when they speak of it and you can see how thankful they are for being given the opportunity to make their dreams come true. We spent some time at the Butterfly Garden (amazing!) and the Tilapia farm recently and enjoyed being part of the great family that El Tigre has become. Rafa tells us that there are more projects in the works and I, for one, can’t wait to see what other changes Rios Tropicales has helped make. I can’t wait to see all those newly planted trees all grown up too!
Claudia Gallo
Very proud sister
Fernando: Es un lugar en el paraìso, donde se da, en especial, el amor y compromiso con el medio ambiente, por cuidarlo y protegerlo. Como empresa, un ejemplo de compromiso por mostrar las bellezas del lugar, hacer sentir a los visitantes muy queridos e importantes, pero con responsabilidad y respeto por la naturaleza. Mis felicitaciones.
Es de orgullo para nuestro pais saber que existen empresas que se compromentan a cuidar nuestros recursos, a crear una conciencia sobre la importancia de como cuidar nuestro pais para que las nuevas generaciones puedan apreciar y ser parte de un maravilloso lugar como es el El Tigre/Rio Pacuare.
No en vano, el Sr. Rafael Gallo, presidente de Rios Tropicales, se ha esforzado y dedicado de su tiempo por el gran amor que le tiene a Costa Rica y al mundo entero.
Felicitaciones a todo el personal de Rios Tropicales y demas gente involucrada en estos proyectos y esperamos que sigan adelante con mas ayuda!
I visited El Tigre as a writer accompanying a documentary team from Green Living Project in February 2010. I was very impressed with Rios Tropicales’ sustainable community development efforts and the concrete results they have already achieved in the community. One particularly admirable aspect is the way Rios is helping to develop sustainable sources of income from within – building on the interests and strengths of El Tigre residents – rather than imposing an outside idea of what is best for the community. It was wonderful to hear Mario Achoy Vega of the Pacuare Butterfly Garden talk about how Rios Tropicales helped him realize his dream of creating a sustainable source of income that combines his two passions, butterflies and plants.
At the same time, Rios Tropicales has been educating the El Tigre community about environmentally sound practices, leading to plans for a waste management center and a decrease in deforestation, hunting, and other damaging activities. In their own operations, Rios operates in an environmentally sensitive manner, including packing out all garbage during rafting trips – even separating compostable waste from other trash at picnic sites – and reforesting denuded rainforest areas.
It is exciting to follow the progress on the El Tigre project and the way Rios Tropicales is setting an example for sustainable tourism and community development both at home in Costa Rica and as far afield as Bhutan. The passion and commitment of Rafael Gallo and his staff are truly inspiring.
Is such a great pleasure work with companies with a sustainable commitment as Rios Tropicales. They put their heart in every project as the same they do with the costumers we sent. Keep the spirit up !!!!
I would like to say that my experience with Rios Tropicales has been nothing by superb! Their efforts to provide a first class adventure experience for customers is beyond words. I have traveled with them twice in four years and I will return yet again with my family for a third trip.
Most recently I had the pleasure of seeing El Tigre in functioning mode as the first visit two years ago was only on the drawing board. I found the project to be outstanding and I only wish more companies would work this hard at saving the environment; and also providing visitors with an educational experience.
If I had a million dollars I would invest in El Tigre so that Rios Tropicales could further the project and improve the education of guests and visitors of Costa Rica. No other adventure company provides such a high level of customer satisfaction with out the high costs.
Kudos to them and their entire staff for such high professionalism and awareness of the environment.
As an ex member of the Board of Directors of Fundecooperacion, I know that Rios Tropicales is an example to be replicated in other South-South projects.
Rios Tropicales has proven to be a sustainable, ecofriendly, touristic project since their beginnings in the 1980′s. With Fernando’s, Jimmy’s and Rafa’s vision, I’m sure that El Tigre community is going to soon become a landmark of sustainable development.
My best wishes for your continuos success!!
Hans Emilio Homberger
Desde principios de los años noventa, tuve la grata invitación para hacer rafting en el Rio Pacuare y conocer las bellezas naturales que lo circundan, incluyendo el campamento en donde pasé la noche en varias ocasiones. En una de las tantas visitas, en vez de bajar en lancha lo hice caminando por Bajos del Tigre y quedé impactado por el pequeño pueblo y su gente.
No hay la menor duda de que Rafael Gallo, junto con Ríos Tropicales, fue el pionero en la navegación de los ríos de Costa Rica y en el cambio efectuado en Bajos del Tigre, donde por medio de él se ha logrado involucrar al pueblo en la bonanza del turismo sostenible y realizar obras como el Internet (que una vez use) , el mariposario, el serpentario y la cría de tilapias, todo lo cual ayuda a que las personas involucradas tengan una mejor calidad de vida para ellos y sus hijos. La responsabilidad social del empresario Gallo, ha marcado el éxito en su vida, felicidades por tantas distinciones, pasadas y presentes, que ha logrado cosechar él y su empresa.
I had a family trip to Rios Tropicales about four years and I think its an experience you should have in your lifetime.
Going down the Pacuare makes your adrenaline flow. You also get to share a nice lunch and a great view of the costarican jungles.
Its a great ecofriendly touristic project and a leader of its kind in the region.
This is another perfect example of why Costa Rica is a leader in Ecotourism and environmental development in the World. Rios Tropicales should be proud of this accomplishment. Being able to support a small local community by developing a eco-friendly tourist attraction is admirable! This is not only good for Rios Tropicales or for El Tigre Community but for Costa Rica and The Kingdom of Bhutan! Other companies in the world should learn from this initiative, and try to support and develop local communities that help their day to day operations. What better way to help a small community that to create new jobs! I love both the services and the staff that Rios Tropicales offer to their tourists. Keep up the great job! you are definitely a leader in your industry!
Jose A. Sanchez
Business Transient Sales Manager
Miami, FL.
I feel like I would like to close this blogging , because I have read all of them with such enthusiaism to see how everyones heart is somewhere on the Pacuare or El Tigre , also everyones comments are very sincere and personal ..
I feel very proud of what I have done with Rios Tropicales , since the beginning in 1985 when Fernando and I decided we had to help both the environment and the people ….it just felt right …and we did what felt right …and we will continue to, now my other partner and friend jimmy Nixon, is also preparing to retire in our Private Reserve , so what a better thing than create a great comunity in the neighborhood….
I will personally , try to replicate such a project to other comunities along the Pacuare River , like San Joaquin de Tuias , where there is more impact on the Indigineous cultures …hopefully I can come across an NGO like Fundecooperacion , that provides such help . but must be sustainable…which El Tigre is proving to be..
Gracias a todos por su sincero apoyo por este proyecto …seguimos adelante, hay mucho por hacer todavia
Rafael Gallo
Rios Tropicales
Greetings from BHUTAN.
It has been an immense pleasure for my team and me from Bhutan to partner with Rios Tropicales in this project, which has been successfully implemented. We are also grateful to Rafa and team from Rios Tropicales for sharing their experiences and expertise with fellow Bhutanese.
Not only does Rafa dreams of big plans and talks about it but he also implements it. El Tigre Sustainable Community Based tourism initiative is one such selfless dreams of Rafa, which is been fulfilled for all to experience and enjoy, most of all the community themselves who will be the ultimate beneficiaries.
I had the pleasure to visit the place myself and what Rafa and team has done for EL Tigre is an exemplary for people in the sustainable tourism development, eco-tourism, pro-poor tourism or geo-tourism to learn, experience and share. What he has done is initiated a unique enterprise model community tourism, which in my observation is new approach to sustainability. For more on this you can read the project profile or get in touch with Rafa or even better is to visit the place to experience in person.
I have all the faith and best wishes to Rafa and team for the continuity of such efforts and to the community to cherish what they have received and prosper.
Best Wishes and Congratulation.
Sonam Dorji
Secretary General,
Association of Bhutanese Tour Operators (ABTO)
To read all these amazing comments gives me a warm feeling, specially when I remember meeting Rafa, who taught me and my family how to kayak when I was only a child. Then i was introduced to the amazing Pacuare River, and the love for Nature was shared inmediately. What Rafa, Fernando and the entire Ríos Tropicales community have done since in Costa Rica are an amazing example of an inteligent pasion for Nature. I congratulate them sincerely for all they have done for Nature, the country, for us all.
Me parese una gran oprtunidad para la zona del bajo el tigre se le presenten estas oportunidades de manera directa y su comunidad tenga accion de realizar y compartir esperiencias en el concepto de turismo comunitario .
Mis felicitaciones a el sr. Rafael Gallo en contribuir con estos efuerzos en pro de la comunidad como en el argo criollo de grano en grano se llena el buche la gallina
Felicitaciones
Conocer proyectos como estos, nos llenan de esperanza. Sobre todo al ver que se han desarrollado alianzas que permiten a los locales también ser protagonistas, sentirse útiles, que su conocimiento y experiencia se valora, pero sobretodo su identidad. En otras palabras, no tuvieron que dejar de ser lo que son y lo que les gustar ser y hacer.
También nos da a los que vivimos a orillas del Pacuare la esperanza de desarrollar esa cuenca media, tan degradada y amenazada, de una manera especial, única, así como es el Pacuare. Gracias
Good news from El Tigre , waste Management recycling center should be finished next week , as well as the new look at Santa Marta , including a waste management program there as well , also the neighboring comunities are curious to learn what we are doing , so they can replicate …
Will keep all posted thru this blogs , even tough its not on official bonus points….
But its great current news
Rafael Gallo
Hola amigos, las personas que accesamos esta pagina tenemos algo en común , AMOR POR LA NATURALEZA Y SU CONSERVACIÓN, desde hace años mi esposo ha trabajado para una empresa de turismo, pero un día tuvo una gran Noticia , seria incluido en el proyecto Sur- Sur, así fue como se hicieron realidad sus sueños, tener un mariposario, y a su lado nuestros tres hijos y yo hemos ido aprendiendo y conociendo mucho aspectos de la vida de las mariposas, pero esto no ha sido todo, hemos aprendido y conocido muchísimo de todas las personas que han visitado nuestro mariposario MARIPOSAS DEL PACUARE,sin embargo, todo ha sido posible gracias a la mente visionaria y corazón de ambientalista que posee el señor Rafa Gallo, el nos conoció, y nos tomo en cuenta y con su apoyo, hoy somos una nueva opción turística para ticos y extranjeros.
COSTA RICA, TIENE MUCHO QUE OFRECER PERO TIENE MAS QUE CUIDAR , PORQUE NO TODAS LAS PERSONAS TIENEN CONCIENCIA DE CONSERVACIÓN, ASÍ QUE , COMO SOMOS MINORÍA DEBEMOS DE TRABAJAR MAS, en el desarrollo de actividades y proyectos que nos permitan evolucionar , pero siempre respetando y conservando nuestro ambiente, ya que somos parte de el , y dependemos de el para subsistir.
I am very impressed with the work they are doing. I hope they continue to remain committed to their vision!
Kudos to Rios Tropicales. Remember hearing about them at a Conference in the U.S…good stories to share from friends who are close to Costa Rica and we would like to replicate what they have been doing. Inspirational indeed! Keep it up~ Bridge |To| Bhutan (An in-bound travel venture).
As a volunteer English teacher in the community of Bajos el Tigre, I have been impressed with the beauty of the area and the warmth and spirit of its residents. This is truly the unspoiled and untouched Costa Rica. The contrast in scenery between the mountains and the valley is breath-taking. I am confident that the project will succeed in their goal of expanding the local infrastructure and become a sustainable eco-tourism destination but still remain unspoiled. I foresee it as becoming a model of intelligent, ecological, and culturally responsible development for all of Costa Rica. Good luck to everyone involved.
Congratulations to Rafael Gallo and Fernando Esquivel for the road traveled. They, through Rios Tropicales, have been able to improve the quality of life of so many persons! . For them sustainable development is pragmatic. The community El Tigre is today, after 25 years tangible for all of us. Thumbs up for their enthusiasm and hard work. Thanks for being a model for others to follow. Thanks for practicing what you believe in. Best wishes, always
[...] Runner-Up, Organization Category: Rios Tropicales [...]
To everybody that did some great comments in the blogg… you are not runners up … you are winners for being part of a great project…
i am the runner up ….
up is where I.m going ..
thanks for being so sincere …and hope your heart continiues to drive your brain…
Rafa
Rafael, what a pleasure to meet you! Your story is quite the inspiration.
The documentary about the award-winning El Tigre Costa Rica South-South Project has just been released online. Rafael is premiering it at TIES ESTC2010 in three hours. Watch it first here online.
http://vimeo.com/14767588
Please share this link and let us know what you think of the documentary!
Saludos a todos.
Julie
I’m originally from Costa Rica, but during the last 5 years I’ve lived abroad. In July 2009 I went back for the holidays with several friends from England and Germany. In the hopes to provide them with a truthful Costa Rican adventure, we took part in a Whitewater Rafting Tour with Rios Tropicales. We were certainly not disappointed! The tour not only allowed us to get our adrenaline fix, but we got to experience first handed the natural beauty of my country. The tour guide was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. He explained to us what the different types of vegetation were and pointed out everything there was wild life to admire. The experience was truly memorable and it allowed me to feel very proud of my country and its people. Keep the great work up! You are a great example for future projects.
This innitiative is about to be replicated in another small comunity next to the Pacuare river , and next to a diferent Indiginous resrve , with the help of the right sponsors…
Been many times! and everytime I arrive, something new and fantastic has been created and put to use in a sustainable manner.
I use this ‘best practice’ example in my Ecotourism and Sustainable Development class.
See you in one week Rafael!
Cameron Dube
Field Course Technologist
Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley
So …we have a new Innovattion , well I guess if its Innovation its New … Costa Rica is about to host the next World Rafting Championship… it will be held along the Pacuare River in a rural Comunity called Bajo Pacuare de Cabeza de Buey… a camp will be built for over 400 people , it will be made out of treated bamboo, sponsored in part by EARTH University , there will be reforestation projects with bamboo, there will be participation from the indigenous comunities next to the river.. there will be entertainment and speakers regarding sustainability topics … the comunity has already begun a recycling project and they have obtained a Blue Flag for the conservation of that section of the Pacure river ..
Anyway ..reciprocity is working along the Pacuare river basin , rural comunities are getting involved in the sustainable development of tourism…
It is a great project that all traders in the country should imitate.
[...] in excellent company: sustainable innovators all over the world, such as applicants from Gambia and Costa Rica, are up for the distinction as [...]
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