The Costa Rican Tourism Board stresses that, "tourist experiences are sustainable and integrated to the rural environment and developed by local organisations for the benefit of the community". Ecotourism is Costa Rica's main economy and it needs to sustain the levels of tourism without interrupting the sustainable biodiversity of the country.

For over 50 years, Costa Rica has invested a lot of time and money into community rural development in an effort to capitalise new initiatives for the enhancement of the local economies. Tourism is a dynamic sector that generates development and positive features are apparent in all areas if managed appropriately.

Rural tourism is perfect for those tourists that is interested and enjoys life in the country and thrives from learning about new cultures and alternative ways to live. Rural tourism is great at providing tourists with personalised, individual contact as most companies are family run businesses. Community rural tourism needs the support of quite a few families or a whole community in order to offer the tourist product due to their community dynamics and relevance of activity.

The biggest difference between rural tourism and community rural tourism is that in community rural tourism the economic activity is planned by the community and those people that live in it, who are also the same people that actively participate in its efforts and benefits.

This article was brought to you by Caroline Wilson, a web consultant for Costa Rica News.