International amenity migration: Examining environmental behaviors and influences of amenity migrants and local residents in a rural community

Abstract

This study contributes to our understanding of international amenity migration by examining the different types of environmental behaviors displayed by amenity migrants and local residents in Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica, as well as how each group influences the other. Our findings indicate that amenity migrants and Costa Ricans displayed distinct environmental behaviors. The former group places more emphasis on large-scale processes, such as rebuilding natural ecosystems. The latter group prioritizes smaller-scale activities, such as recycling and trash collection. We also found that environmental influences in this community are unidirectional—from amenity migrants to Costa Ricans but not vice versa. Factors explaining these findings are offered.