For the aging population and those with physical handicaps, Costa Rica is striving to make the natural wonders accessible to all . He also advocated the international funding of sustainable development efforts within the region and the inclusion of environmental indicators. Since the President's vision statement in 1995, a proposed large-scale hydroelectric project evokes mental images of money flowing in from energy, rather than tourism. The Siquirres Dam in Dos Monta as in the R o Pacuare Protected Zone and The Guayabo Dam on the Reventaz n River are expected to generate energy mainly for export to neighboring countries. Transborder tourism throughout the region could prove to be a beneficial strategy to increase tourism to Central America.
Regional cooperation exists in free trade agreements with Mexico and Panama.
Bilateral agreements are also beeing discussed with Columbia, Venezuela, and Chile. Additonally, the Caribbean Basin Initiative II provides export opportunities and could be highly beneficial for tourism projects that combine local production for export with tourism attractions, such as coffee plantation homestays, butterfly farm tours, and rainforests excursions. Talamanca Discovery is a newly formed group dedicated to promoting responsible and organic tourism in the Puerto Viejo area. The Biological Stations, Reserves, and National Parks are long-term tourism attractions. In sum, the favorable access by land, air, and sea to Costa Rica, when combined with the natural beauty and wonderful hospitality of the locals, will ensure a steady flow of tourists to this tropical paradise.