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ATEC, the Association of Talamanca for Ecotourism and Conservation, was founded in 1990 by local people in Puerto Viejo, a village on Costa Rica’s south Caribbean coast. Concerned about negative impacts of foreign money and development, they formed a grassroots non-profit organization. One goal was to help neighbors with alternatives to selling off family farms to developers. Another was to train local people to lead nature tours. A store was opened with public telephones, for years the only office and copy center in the region, as well as an internet café. ATEC offers extensive ecotourism and other learning programs, in liaison with ecotourism companies and educational institutions. Students can focus on areas such as indigenous Afro-Caribbean culture, natural history, alternative and traditional agriculture, sustainable development, and wildlife study and management. https://ateccr.org/education/
Playa
The community of Puerto Viejo on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast is populated by both English-speaking descendants of African slaves, and also indigenous BriBri who live in the hills above.
Partida de dominó en la playa
In Puerto Viejo much economic and cultural life is on the beach, in the shade of sea grape trees.The game of dominoes is a village tradition.
Reparando una red
Repairing a net
Casa indígena
Indigenous Bribri of Puerto Viejo and environs traditionally constructed their homes of wood and thatch from the forest around them.
Puerta de casa indígena
The many varied species of trees have specific uses in constructing indigenous houses.
Peluquería en la playa
One of many activities that happen at the beach, which functions as town square.
Dominó en la playa
Work and play in the village common area: the beach
Trenzando
A unique style of braiding hair, a possible source of income for village women.
Papaya
Common tree of yards, providing fruit
Mujer y pollos
As in much of the coastal area of Central America, people live and move among their animals as a normal part of life.
Estufa y fuego
A simple cookstove with metal top serves most households.
Siesta en hamáca
Most houses contain a hammock, for everything from resting to napping babies.
Siesta con conejos
Cucina Bribri
In a Bribri kitchen
Destino del bosque?
A forest village faced with the ravages of tourism
Casa en camino forestal
House along a forest path