Costa Rica will be the star destination of Cornwall's nature haven, the Eden Project, this weekend (25-26 June). Visitors to Eden will be able to learn about Costa Rica's leading conservation and ecotourism credentials through a variety of tours and activities, including a new major exhibit called “Costa Rica Eco Lodge.”

The aim of the Costa Rica weekend is to promote sustainable tourism and conservation as well as to celebrate Costa Rica's beautiful landscapes, extensive wildlife and incredible flora and fauna through diverse activities.

The Costa Rica Eco Lodge will be at the centre of all the activities, consisting of an exhibit that aims to reproduce a Costa Rican sanctuary in Cornwall. The Costa Rica Eco Lodge exhibit is located deep within the Rainforest Biome and brings to life Costa Rica's commitment to eco-tourism and Pura Vida Pledge. This is a four-step plan, launched by the Costa Rica Tourism Board in 2020, to educate visitors as to the real meaning of responsible tourism and to the actions that they can take to make a true difference to local communities in the post pandemic world.

The Costa Rica themed activities that visitors will be able to experience this weekend include:

• Special experience tour of the Rainforest Biome: Visitors on this special tour will be able to delve deeper into Costa Rica's biodiversity, trade and eco-tourism. They will discover the plants and tastes of Costa Rica and walk from plant to plant to hear about the biodiverse fruits and produce created from them. The tour will finish with an interactive chocolate talk from local business, Chocolarder - visitors will be able to taste some of the chocolate made in Cornwall from Costa Rican beans. This special tour is available on 25 and 26 June, 11am-4pm, and is free for all, as included in the admission.
• Exclusive evening with canapés and cocktails by Ugly Butterfly: Eden's breath-taking Rainforest Biome will be the tropical backdrop to a truly unforgettable experience on 26 June. Visitors will be able to treat themselves to an evening of delicious cocktails and canapés inspired by the plants and produce from Costa Rica – made by the chefs from Adam Handling's Ugly Butterfly. Attendees will have an opportunity to meet the chocolate experts from Chocolarder and hear how cacao is grown and turned into exquisite chocolate. This event will take place on 26 June, 6.30-8.30pm, £44 per person (£33 for Eden Project Patrons and Members).

The Costa Rica Festival is taking place at the Eden Project, Cornwall, from 25-26 June and is the result of a partnership between the Costa Rica Tourism Board (ICT) and Eden Project that started in 2019. The Costa Rica Eco Lodge will remain at the Eden Project till late autumn.

For more information about the Costa Rica weekend, please visit:

https://www.edenproject.com/visit/whats-on/discover-costa-rica-at-the-eden-project

For more information about Costa Rica, please visit: www.visitcostarica.com/uk