💡 The Growth of Tourism: Preserving Human and Natural Ecology
Weekly Lightbulb: Preserving Human and Natural Ecology amidst the growth of Tourism in Costa Rica
Hey friends,
Hope your are doing well! I send out occasional Sunday Lightbulb emails for you to enjoy. I try to keep them short and focused on lessons and insights I learn in the field of land stewardship and supporting people to build their land projects.
Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the industry I work in, which sits at the intersection of Hospitality and Real Estate—namely people looking to build communities and eco-villages, retreat and wellness centers, and other types of projects that seek to be in harmony with the people and the place. Some hit the mark, some miss the mark, but the point is we must always strive to do better when industries like Tourism and Real Estate can threaten an already delicate local ecological and cultural ecosystem.
When Costa Rica was a destination for birdwatchers, surfers, and yogis, the impact was relatively light. This leads me to wonder how a tourism board of a country, or the very companies that work in this industry, can look to attract people who care about nature, wellness, and local culture. Families, individuals, groups who care about humanity and are respectful to the local culture and ecosystem.
I think leading with questions is always a wise path to pursue. Looking to understand the data and reality on the ground, understand what types of tourism and what types of development are happening, and observe what’s healthy or not. Why? So we can do better!
In Regenerative Development, we study data and have many conversations with local communities to listen and learn. We take our time. We look for when an ecosystem was at its peak of diversity and all of the living stakeholders were thriving. And we look at what conditions were present at that time. We aim to get to that point: healthy, diverse, and thriving ecosystems. So this is the bar I set for myself and the people I work with. I sometimes say that my real employer is the Land, and I answer to her first, and then I can look to the needs and desires of my clients.
This month, for the Land Steward Alliance Workshop Series, I sat down with Gabriel Saragovia, founder of Rio Perdido—a thermal spa and lodge that’s been my hidden gem. What unfolded was an honest, hopeful, and sometimes confronting conversation about tourism, development, and sustainability in Costa Rica from a Tico whose opinion I deeply respect. Gabriel shared decades of lived experience—what’s working, and where we’re losing the plot, see below…
A Different Kind of Growth: Gabriel Saragovia and the Rio Perdido story
For this month’s LSA Workshop Series, I had the pleasure of talking to Gabriel Saragovia, founder of Rio Perdido, a thermal spa and lodge that’s been my hidden gem. We sat down for a conversation about tourism, development, and sustainability in Costa Rica. What unfolded was an honest, hopeful, and sometimes confronting conversation with a Costa Rican whose opinion I greatly respect! Gabriel shared his lived experience—decades of observing how Costa Rica has changed, where it’s working, and where it’s losing the plot.
Recap and Lessons from the Conversation
Rio Perdido is an example of what’s possible when development is rooted in respect—for the land, for the people, and for its visitors. Set in the volcanic region of Guanacaste, it sits on more than 1,000 acres of preserved forest with a thermal river running through it. The team has kept the trails, forest, and waters accessible in a way that rivals most national parks. With miles to hike, bike, float, and soar—there’s no shortage of things to do. And when you’re done, you soak in the emerald-colored river.
What I love: it’s owned and run by Ticos. The staff is made up of locals and families from the area who make it feel like home. Best practices here aren’t just ecological, they’re social and cultural. Your project can fit into the rich tapestry of its place and people—or not. Rio Perdido chooses to listen. It’s not trying to maximize rooms or expand as fast as possible. It shows in the design, the food, the way the land is held. It feels whole. Grounded. Alive. As Gabriel said, “We didn’t just hire a few locals. This place is run by families from the area. That was the vision from the beginning.”
Key Lessons from the Conversation
Tourism isn’t the enemy— but it needs to mature. Favor low-density, high-integrity projects that work with the land instead of against it.
Community engagement is essential. Involve locals from day one—not just as employees, but as partners and co-creators.
Short-term thinking is the real threat. Fear, ego, and scarcity lead to extraction; the shift is toward long-term stewardship.
Developers should live in the places they build. Spend time before you decide—walk the land, learn the culture, meet the community.
What this means for us
Building and developing responsibly isn’t a trend—it’s a necessary evolution. It’s not a checklist or certification, it’s how we show up. Presence. Care. Time and attention to do things right. It’s learning to zoom out, not just to the next quarter or retreat season, but the next decade and the next generation.
Are we leaving the land better than we found it and designing mindfully?
Are we contributing to our local community’s resilience and wellbeing?
Are we building something that lasts, or just something that sells?
A way forward
The real opportunity is for a small group of committed people to model what’s possible. That’s how movements begin and change can happen. Gabriel’s story is a reminder that integrity can be a foundation, not an afterthought.
Let’s keep choosing that path.
The Land Steward Alliance: Together We Thrive
I’d love to invite you to check out the Land Steward Alliance - where we meet monthly as a community to discuss our land projects and our lives with a collective of project founders, experts on the ground, and peers looking to not walk alone in this journey. We’re stronger together! And if you want to connect - schedule a chat!
To see past interviews and workshops check out the LTP Podcast: LINK
Additional Resources
If you are interested in the subject matter of interdependence, resilience, and the future of humanity - check out: Dear Future Human from Ronit Herzfeld.
If you're new to Live the Possibility...
My mission is helping visionaries like you bring sustainable land projects to life. After 18+ years developing properties and communities here, I've learned that success comes from balancing bold vision with practical execution. I support clients in creating projects that honor both their dreams and the land itself. Every decision should consider impact on the local community, environment, and future generations. This means taking time to listen to the land, build trust with neighbors, and develop clear strategies that work for all stakeholders.
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Thanks for this and all you do, Edward. Since landing here in the Guanacaste region the past month, I have been hearing from the locals a lot about the "gringos" coming and building mansions, etc., so your perspective brings a refreshing light to what is happening here, too. I am glad you are involved in the bright, sustainable, friendly side of tourism. Reading this brought me hope, also involving ticos in tourism is fundamental. As you say "building and developing responsibly isn’t a trend—it’s a necessary evolution", and I congratulate you and others for that, incl. Gabriel of Rio Perdido - I would love to go there one day too!