Costa Rica, located in Central America, is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and Panama to the southeast, with coastlines along the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east. The country covers an area of about 51,100 km² (19,730 mi²). Despite its small size, Costa Rica boasts incredibly diverse landscapes, including lush rainforests, volcanic mountain ranges, fertile valleys, and extensive coastlines.

Costa Rica is renowned for its rich biodiversity, which is among the highest in the world. The country is home to more than 500,000 species, representing about 5% of the world’s total biodiversity. Its various ecosystems, from tropical rainforests and cloud forests to mangroves and coral reefs, support a vast array of wildlife. Iconic species include jaguars, sloths, and the resplendent quetzal. Costa Rica’s marine environments are equally diverse, with vibrant coral reefs, sea turtles, dolphins, and numerous fish species inhabiting its waters.

	Score	Rank	Change
Total Score – NCI 2024	64.4	10	N/A
Land Management	74	9	N/A
Protected Areas (Terrestrial)	100	1	N/A
Ecological Representativeness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	100	1	N/A
Connectedness of Terrestrial Protected Areas	64	50	N/A
Protected Areas (Marine)	94	9	N/A
Pristine Habitat (Converted Land)	100	1	N/A
Sustainable Nitrogen Management (Soil Pollution)	43	73	N/A
Sustainable Pesticide Use	15	117	N/A
Threats to Biodiversity	60	109	N/A
Threatened Species (Terrestrial)	85	107	N/A
Threatened Species (Marine)	64	60	N/A
Threatened Species’ Coverage by Protected Areas	88	95	N/A
Species Coverage by Marine Protected Areas	98	37	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Terrestrial)	6	153	N/A
Species with Declining Populations (Marine)	0	10	N/A
Depleted Fisheries	0	39	N/A
Fishery Pressure in the High Seas	100	27	N/A
Invasive Species Pressure	98	43	N/A
Capacity and Governance	78	5	N/A
Total Management Cost	98	60	N/A
Conservation Culturomics	93	1	N/A
Conservation Legislation	36	107	N/A
Ratification of CBD	100	1	N/A
Ratification of CITES	100	1	N/A
Political Stability and Absence of Violence	70	3	N/A
Control of Corruption	60	46	N/A
Government Effectiveness	52	68	N/A
Future Trends	46	65	N/A
Climate Change Mitigation	46	65	N/A

Four pillars elaborated:

Land Management

Costa Rica’s remarkable biodiversity is overseen by the Ministry of Environment, Energy, and Technology (MINAET), which entrusts the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) with the responsibility of preserving, managing, and promoting the country’s ecological wealth in a sustainable manner. Costa Rica stands as a world leader in conservation, with more than a quarter of its land area dedicated to protected zones. Among these are 28 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 15 wetland areas and mangroves, 11 forest reserves, and 8 biological reserves.

This steadfast dedication to conservation has garnered Costa Rica widespread acclaim and international recognition as a frontrunner in environmental protection. As a signatory to various environmental treaties and recipient of numerous awards, Costa Rica’s commitment to safeguarding its natural heritage remains steadfast and exemplary on the global stage.generations.

Threats to Biodiversity

The principal direct threats to biodiversity highlighted in the fourth national report from 2009 continue to exert significant pressure on ecosystems today. These ongoing challenges include habitat loss due to changes in land use, such as deforestation and urbanization, which disrupts natural habitats and diminishes biodiversity. Unsustainable mining practices and overexploitation of resources further exacerbate the strain on ecosystems, depleting natural resources and disrupting ecological balance. Pollution and sedimentation, stemming from various human activities, continue to degrade habitats and threaten the survival of species.

Additionally, the escalating impacts of climate change pose a growing threat, with rising temperatures, shifting weather patterns, and extreme events altering ecosystems and endangering vulnerable species. These persistent pressures underscore the urgent need for proactive conservation measures and sustainable resource management practices to mitigate further biodiversity loss and safeguard ecological integrity for future generations.

Capacity and Governance

Costa Rica has made significant strides in biodiversity conservation through legislative and institutional measures. Since adopting the Biodiversity Law in 1998, the country has developed a comprehensive Biodiversity Policy and enacted several related laws and regulations, including those concerning wildlife conservation, forests, wetlands, marine protected areas, and fisheries. Institutional restructuring, such as the establishment of the National Council of the Sea and the reorganization of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, has further enhanced conservation efforts.

Additionally, manuals for land classification and the declaration of specific areas, like Golfo Dulce, for responsible fisheries, underscore Costa Rica’s commitment to sustainable resource management. Despite these achievements, challenges remain in operationalizing institutional linkages and prioritizing conservation efforts.

Future Trends

Costa Rica’s pioneering Decarbonization Plan for 2050 stands as one of the earliest initiatives of its kind globally, showcasing the nation’s commitment to addressing climate change. This proactive stance underscores Costa Rica’s recognized leadership in climate action, a role further emphasized by its co-leadership of the High Ambition Coalition for 30×30 goals aimed at preserving nature. By spearheading such efforts, Costa Rica not only demonstrates its dedication to reducing carbon emissions but also advocates for ambitious global conservation targets, aligning with its longstanding reputation as a champion of environmental sustainability on the international stage.

Biodiversity

Costa Rica, a small but ecologically rich country in Central America, is renowned for its exceptional biodiversity and varied ecosystems. The country’s diverse landscapes include tropical rainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, mangroves, and extensive coastal and marine environments. Despite its small size, Costa Rica is home to approximately 5% of the world’s biodiversity. Its tropical rainforests are teeming with wildlife, particularly in areas like Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula and Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast. These lush forests are home to species such as ocelots, Baird’s tapirs, and several types of monkeys, including the howler monkey, spider monkey, and capuchin monkey. Birdlife is incredibly diverse, with over 900 species recorded, including the scarlet macaw and keel-billed toucan. These rainforests also host a rich variety of plant life, including numerous species of orchids, bromeliads, and towering trees like the ceiba and kapok.

Costa Rica’s coastal and marine environments are equally vibrant. The country’s Pacific and Caribbean coasts feature extensive coral reefs, mangrove forests, and seagrass beds, which are critical habitats for marine life. The coral reefs, particularly around Cocos Island and the southern Pacific coast, are rich in marine biodiversity, hosting species such as sharks, rays, and many colorful fish. The mangroves and seagrass beds provide nurseries for fish and other marine organisms, supporting the health of coastal ecosystems. The waters around Costa Rica are also important for migratory species like humpback whales and dolphins.

In the table below are the number of known species in several main groups, how many of these species are Threatened with extinction, and how many of them are Endemic (unique to Costa Rica only):

	Species (World rank)	Threatened	% Threatened	Endemic	% Endemic
Mammals	256 (#40)	11	4.3%	7	2.7%
Birds	843 (#23)	24	2.8%	10	1.2%
Reptiles	269 (#35)	12	4.5%	19	7.1%
Amphibians	216 (#20)	61	28.2%	52	24.1%
Fishes	1,128 (#32)	96	8.5%	23	2.0%
Plants	11,101 (#29)	143	1.3%	258	2.3%