La Ruta Amistad

The word “Amistad” means “friendship” in Spanish. La Amistad International Peace Park is the name of the park spanning the border between Costa Rica and Panama, and it contains the largest expanse of undisturbed cloud forest in Central America.

Taking its name from this park, La Ruta Amistad – the Amistad Trail - is an initiative designed to help visitors find sustainable tourism alternatives while traveling the spectacular route between Talamanca and Bocas del Toro, from accommodations and volunteer opportunities to tours and classes. By participating in this way, travelers will gain a greater insight into the local culture at the same time as supporting the people who live and work here.

La Ruta Amistad Green Passport

La Ruta Amistad “Green Passports” are available at the ATEC office in Puerto Viejo and the BSTA Tourist Information Center in Bocas Town. The Passports give an overview of the diverse flora and fauna to be found in this region, in addition to the different cultures that inhabit these beautiful landscapes – such as the Naso, the Bri-Bri and the Afro-Caribbean communities.

The passports describe tours, accommodations, classes and activities available along the route, usually operated by small communities or local guides, as well as outline transport options in this region.

All profits from the sale of the Passports help to fund the environmental and social projects of BSTA and ATEC.

Highlights of the Route:

• A cacao tour in a Bri-Bri community – discover how chocolate is made
• An iguana farm established in a Bri-Bri and Cabécar community to breed endangered green iguanas to be released into the wild
• A leatherback sea turtle conservation program - volunteers can watch turtles lay their eggs, and the hatchlings make their way down to the sea
• Caribbean cooking, surfing and dance lessons – take some new skills home with you!
• A trans-continental trek – hike from the Caribbean to the Pacific through tropical jungles and mist-covered mountains with a trained, local guide

Download a copy of La Ruta Amistad Green Passport PDF (32.9 MB)

The Initiative

La Ruta Amistad is a joint initiative between the Bocas Sustainable Tourism Alliance (BSTA) in Panama, and the Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and Conservation (ATEC) in Costa Rica. These two non-profit organizations both work to further sustainable tourism development and stimulate conservation in their respective destinations.

To read more about the Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and Conservation CLICK HERE.