This paper is a summary of a longer and fully referenced document by the same authors. These draft guidelines were developed by this group at a workshop and meeting held in Costa Rica in June 2011 to initiate a more formal and iterative process for Ecosystem Based Adaptation Guidelines which can be discussed at various international and regional events. Clearly there is a need to do further work to develop ‘step by step’ guidance that can direct readers to appropriate sources of information and recommended tools.