Costa Rica has some of the world's most spectacular national parks, protecting a range of different ecosystems including rain forests and cloud forests, remote beaches where sea turtles nest, dense jungles, and active volcanoes.

Beach in Manuel Antonio National Park

Understand

Surprisingly, Costa Rica's national park system is quite young, having been founded in 1970. The country is blessed with a spectacular diversity of flora and fauna. This diversity led to Costa Rica adopting the slogan, "Pura Vida". Pura vida is more than a slogan though because the philosophy is widely embraced by the people, who support the government's efforts to conserve natural resources and to protect the wilderness for future generations. Today, 28% of the total land area of the country is protected biosphere. 10% of the land is designated for the 32 major national parks, with the remaining 18% set aside for wildlife refuges, biosphere reserves, rainforest preserves, and other protected conservation zones.

Irazu Volcano National Park

The national parks have become a magnet for international eco-tourism. Ecotourism is estimated to contribute 5% of the nation's total GDP, and boosts quality of life in communities near parks and natural attractions. Costa Rica enjoys the highest standard of living in Central America and is regarded as the most politically stable country in the region.

Costa Rica's national parks are managed by the National Conservation Areas System (SINAC)[1]. The agency's mission is to preserve the environment and to ensure affordable access to all.

Parks

Costa Rica's national parks include:

Central Valley

• Braulio Carrillo National Park
• La Cangreja National Park
• Irazu Volcano National Park
• Poás Volcano National Park
• Los Quetzales National Park
• Tapantí National Park
• Turrialba Volcano National Park

Central Pacific

• Carara National Park
• Manuel Antonio National Park
• Monteverde and Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserves
• Piedras Blancas National Park
• San Lucas Island National Park

Guanacaste

• Barra Honda National Park
• Las Baulas de Guanacaste National Marine Park
• Cocos Island National Park
• Diria National Park
• Guanacaste National Park
• Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
• Santa Rosa National Park
• Tenorio Volcano National Park

Limón

• Barbilla National Park
• Cahuita National Park
• Tortuguero National Park

North Costa Rica

• Arenal Volcano National Park
• Juan Castro Blanco National Park
• Miravalles Jorge Manuel Dengo National Park
• Palo Verde National Park

South Pacific Costa Rica

• La Amistad International Park (jointly operated with Panama)
• Chirripo National Park
• Corcovado National Park
• Marino Ballena National Park

See also

• National parks