RARE / LA RUTA MOSKITIA, HONDURAS

Winner Community Benefit Award 2008

Within the largest remaining tract of rainforest in Central America lies a remote region of Honduras known as "La Moskitia", or the Mosquito Coast. For centuries, the expansive forest, wetlands, and rich indigenous groups of La Moskitia have intrigued adventure-seekers and explorers.
Modern-day explorers now visit this unique region with La Ruta Moskitia; an alliance of five indigenous ecotourism destinations. The Alliance offers a menu of multi-day tours that feature bird watching, jungle trekking, and authentic cultural exchange. Clients travel in motorized dugout canoes, and stay in comfortable community-owned ecolodges and palm-thatched cabañas.
The formation of La Ruta Moskitia was part of an effort to link ecotourism and biodiversity protection in the Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve - a two million acre UNESCO World Heritage Site that is located in the heart of La Moskitia. The Alliance has created 150 local jobs, supports more that 750 immediate family members, and links 98% of tour costs and revenue to indigenous communities. La Ruta Moskitia also contributes to a number of environmental strategies that include a conservation fund supported by 10% of all gross tour sales.