“Hamanasi is a Belize Eco Resort nestled in 21 acres of rare coastal forest teaming with birds, flora and orchids. Hamanasi believes in responsible, nature and cultural based ecotourism. We understand the importance of preserving our environment and indigenous communities. Hamanasi is committed to protecting our ecosystems and their biodiversity by taking continual steps to be more environmentally friendly and aware. We actively encourage all employees – the vast majority of whom come from the surrounding communities – and visitors to participate in these endeavors.”

Planeterra is giving away a voluntourism trip for two to Costa Rica Sea Turtle Conservation Project, through BudgetTravel’s “True Stories” contest. The “True Stories” section highlight funny, strange, heartwarming, ridiculous (brief 250-word) travel stories, and the editor picks the best story. To win the Planeterra trip, enter your true travel story for the summer edition (deadline: August 28, 2009). This sea turtle project is a science-based conservation program, which was created with the purpose of protecting female sea turtles, nests, and hatchlings laid on the Matapalo beach, against poachers…

This summer, ecoDestinations will feature “Beaches, Marine & Coastal Ecotourism Experiences,” highlighting opportunities and challenges facing the world’s oceans and coastal areas and the inspiring travel experiences that they offer. Looking for last-minute tropical summer vacation deals? Passionate about marine animals? Want to share best practice stories on coastal communities and ecotourism? Bookmark ecotourism.org/ecoDestinations and be sure to come back often for regular updates!

Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast offers experiences completely unique from the Pacific Coast. Here you’ll encounter azure waters, blissful bike-rides through coconut groves and winding sea-side roads, spicier cuisine, melodic Patois (Patwa) mingling with English and Spanish, stronger Indigenous presence and an increasing community-wide commitment to greener living. While this may sound familiar, the Caribbean promises plenty of pleasant surprises and style of pura vida all its own.