Since the 1970s and 1980s, Monte Verde, Costa Rica has emerged as one of
the most renowned sites of nature conservation and ecotourism in Costa
Rica, and some would argue, Latin America. It has received substantial
attention in literature and media on tropical conservation, sustainable
development, and tourism. Yet most of that analysis has uncritically
evaluated the Monte Verde phenomenon, using celebratory language and
barely scratching the surface of the many-faceted socio-cultural
transformations provoked by and accompanying environmentalism. Because
of its stature, Monte Verde represents an ideal case study to examine
the socio-cultural and political complexities and dilemmas of practicing
environmentalism in rural Costa Rica. Based on many years of close
observation, this book offers rich and original material on the ongoing
struggles between environmental activists and of collective and
oppositional politics to Monte Verde's new "culture of nature."