Tourists need places to sleep and eat so in Monteverde, many hotels and restaurants give jobs to local people. Because of this, it can be really helpful for people here to learn English and other languages to be able to communicate with tourists.
In areas that have lots of tourism such as Monteverde, things can become more expensive. It can sometimes make it more difficult for local people to afford basic necessities in these areas. In this way, tourism can make life more difficult for local people which is why it's really important when traveling to keep in mind what impact you're making on the people who live there.
Some things you can do when traveling to reduce your impact on local people include respecting local culture and customs, supporting local businesses and minimizing your environmental impact. Are there other ways you can think of to respect locals when traveling?
Monteverde Cloud Forest was established in 1972 by a group of scientists from the local community to protect one of the last cloud forests in Central America. It is now used as a center for research and education for scientists and tourists alike. As a protected area, the hope is that it will continue to grow and flourish and serve as a home for plants and animals, especially those that are in danger.
