Nature & Biodiversity
6% of the World's Biodiversity
Costa Rica is tiny — only 0.03% of the Earth's surface. But on this area live 6% of all known animal and plant species. This makes Costa Rica the most biodiverse country in the world per square kilometer. The numbers are breathtaking:
- 900+ bird species — more than in all of Europe
- 250+ mammal species — including 6 cat species (Jaguar, Puma, Ocelot, Jaguarundi, Margay, Oncilla)
- 230+ reptile species
- 215+ amphibian species — including the iconic red-eyed tree frogs and poison dart frogs
- 1,500+ orchid species
- 12,000+ plant species
- 4 monkey species: Howler Monkey, Capuchin Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Spider Monkey
28 National Parks
Costa Rica protects over 25% of its land area in 28 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, and numerous private reserves. This is one of the highest rates worldwide. The most important ones:
| National Park | Highlights | Entrance Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Corcovado | Most biodiverse place on Earth, tapirs, jaguars | 15 + Guide |
| Manuel Antonio | Beaches, monkeys, sloths | 18 |
| Tortuguero | Turtle nesting, canals | 15 |
| Arenal Volcano | Volcano, hanging bridges, waterfalls | 15 |
| Volcán Poás | Active crater, acid lake | 15 |
| Cahuita | Coral reef, sloths, beaches | Donation/5 |
| Volcán Tenorio | Río Celeste (turquoise river) | 12 |
| Rincón de la Vieja | Mud pots, fumaroles | 15 |
| Chirripó | Highest mountain (3,820 m), Páramo | 18 |
The Stars of Wildlife
Certain animals can be seen in Costa Rica with almost guaranteed certainty:
- Sloths: Everywhere in the lowlands. Easiest to find in Manuel Antonio, Cahuita, and La Fortuna. They sleep 15–20 hours a day — no wonder they're hard to spot!
- Toucans: The Keel-billed Toucan (rainbow-billed toucan) with its colorful beak is the unofficial mascot. Common in Arenal and the Caribbean coast.
- Scarlet Macaws: The bright red macaws with blue and yellow wings are best seen in Carara National Park and on the Osa Peninsula.
- Sea Turtles: Tortuguero (Caribbean) and Ostional (Pacific) are the main nesting sites.
- Quetzal: The legendary bird of the Maya lives in the cloud forests of Monteverde and San Gerardo de Dota. Best chances: January–May (breeding season).
The 12 Ecozones
On its tiny area, Costa Rica hosts 12 different ecozones — from tropical dry forest to Páramo. The most important for travelers:
| Ecozone | Where | Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| Tropical Rainforest | Osa, Tortuguero, Caribbean | Evergreen, >3,000 mm rain/year, highest biodiversity |
| Cloud Forest | Monteverde, San Gerardo de Dota | Moist, cool, moss-covered, orchids, quetzals |
| Tropical Dry Forest | Guanacaste | Deciduous in dry season, savannas, cowboy culture |
| Mangroves | Pacific and Caribbean coast | Saltwater wetlands, nursery for fish, caimans |
| Coral Reefs | Cahuita, Gandoca-Manzanillo | Caribbean reefs with 500+ fish species |
| Páramo | Cerro Chirripó (from 3,100 m) | Treeless, wind-swept, frost possible |
Conservation Successes & Challenges
Costa Rica is a global role model in conservation, but the reality is more complex than the PR message:
- Success: Forest cover increased from 21% (1987) to 52% (2025) — unique in the tropics
- Success: 28 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 25%+ of the land area protected
- Success: 98%+ electricity from renewable sources
- Challenge: Pineapple production (Costa Rica is the world's largest exporter) causes massive environmental problems: pesticides in groundwater, deforestation for plantations
- Challenge: Coral bleaching due to climate change threatens the Caribbean reefs
- Challenge: Illegal land grabbing in indigenous reserves and national parks
- Challenge: Plastic pollution on beaches, especially on the Pacific