The expectation was that tourism would be less intrusive than logging, would provide substantial income, and would allow the community to control the number and types of visitors. The Capirona tourism project was initiated in 1991 with funds generated almost entirely from community sales of maize, supplemented by a small grant from the regional indigenous federation. All community members helped build the tourism facilities traditional bamboo-style structures and a lodge. The tourist program developed included nature walks led by community guides, demonstrations of such resource use as basket making, and visitor participation in a communal work project. The emphasis was on cultural exchange between visitors and community members.
All members share the profits in proportion to the amount of work contributed.