Costa Rica is globally recognized as a leader in environmental conservation, stemming from a long-standing political commitment to protect its incredible natural wealth. This small nation holds an estimated five percent of the world’s biodiversity and actively manages an extensive network of protected lands and waters. The country’s successful shift from high deforestation rates in the 1980s to significant forest regrowth demonstrates a national priority to preserve its diverse ecosystems, including rainforests, cloud forests, and marine habitats.
The Terrestrial and Marine Protection Statistics
Approximately 25% to 26% of the country’s terrestrial area is designated as a protected zone under various management categories. This substantial figure represents one of the highest land protection percentages globally, safeguarding diverse ecosystems from tropical dry forest to high-altitude páramo. Marine protection statistics are even more dramatic. Costa Rica successfully achieved the global 30×30 goal—protecting 30% of its marine territory—well ahead of the 2030 target. Specifically, almost 31% of the country’s Exclusive Economic Zone is now categorized as a Marine Protected Area.
The National System of Conservation Areas
The administration of this extensive network of protected areas falls under the Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC). This system is a functional division of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), tasked with the integrated management of wildlife, forest resources, and protected areas. SINAC was established in 1994, consolidating three previously separate government agencies responsible for forestry, national parks, and wildlife. The entire national territory is systematically divided into 11 large regional Conservation Areas for administrative purposes. Each of these regional areas functions as a decentralized unit of SINAC, allowing conservation efforts to be tailored to the unique ecological and socio-economic characteristics of each region.
Defining Types of Protected Land
The designation of “protected land” in Costa Rica is not uniform; instead, it encompasses a wide range of management categories with varying levels of human access and use. The specific legal category determines what activities are permitted within a given area, ensuring conservation goals are met while sometimes allowing for sustainable resource use.
National Parks
National Parks are generally dedicated to the strict preservation of representative ecosystems and species for public enjoyment, education, and scientific research. Access is managed and often limited to designated trails, with a general prohibition on hunting, collecting specimens, and any resource extraction. Visitors must adhere to strict rules, such as staying on marked paths and not feeding the wildlife, to minimize their ecological footprint.
Biological Reserves and Protected Zones
Biological Reserves are typically smaller areas focused on the absolute protection of a particular ecosystem or species of high biodiversity value. They often have more restrictive access than National Parks, sometimes limiting entry to only scientific researchers. Protected Zones are tracts of land, often near water sources or steep slopes, established primarily to protect hydrological resources and prevent erosion. While they prohibit activities like clear-cutting, some sustainable agricultural or forestry practices may be permitted under strict regulation.
National Wildlife Refuges
National Wildlife Refuges are the most flexible category and can be state-owned, privately owned, or mixed-ownership. Their primary goal is the conservation of wildlife habitats, but they often permit certain sustainable uses, including low-impact tourism and, in some cases, limited agricultural activities. The level of human activity is determined by the specific management plan, making these refuges a mechanism for incorporating private landowners into the national conservation strategy.
Marine Protected Areas
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) apply these same legal categories to the ocean environment, with regulations designed to protect coral reefs, migratory routes, and fish spawning grounds. Within MPAs, Marine Management Areas allow for certain types of fishing and tourism, provided these activities do not compromise the conservation objectives. Conversely, Marine National Parks, like Cocos Island National Park, feature highly restrictive management strategies that focus on scientific research and strictly controlled ecotourism.