Costa Rica has been a global leader in nature tourism, and for good reason! From misty cloud forests and giant trees to coral reefs and active volcanoes. This Central American paradise is packed with biodiversity. In fact, over 6% of the world's known species can be found here. And the best part? You can explore it all in a way that supports the planet and the people who live here.
Whether you're watching humpback whales off the Pacific coast, hiking deep into a forest reserve, or staying with a local family in the mountains, Costa Rica shows what sustainable tourism can look like when it is done right.
In this guide you'll find:
Top ecotourism activities (wildlife, adventure, and culture)
How sustainable tourism supports environmental awareness
Where to stay responsibly
What's next for Costa Rica's eco-friendly future
How to stay connected while traveling responsibly in Costa Rica
A Quick Look at Costa Rica's Ecotourism Roots
Back in the 1980s, Costa Rica realized something big. Its biodiversity and natural beauty were more than national treasures, they were the key to a sustainable future. Since then, the country has become a model for ecotourism. With more than a quarter of its land protected through national parks and forest reserves, Costa Rica offers travelers the chance to explore without damaging the environment.
The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the earliest and most famous examples. Travelers come from all over the world to walk its misty trails, surrounded by giant trees, orchids, hummingbirds, and howler monkeys. Monteverde helped set the tone for the country’s approach to nature tourism: immersive, educational, and deeply respectful of the surrounding environment.
Today, Costa Rica continues to build on that foundation — blending environmental awareness with real economic benefits for its people.
Why Ecotourism Matters
Tourism now makes up more than 8% of Costa Rica's economy and supports over 20% of its jobs. But it's about more than numbers. Nature tourism gives people a reason to protect what's around them. Local businesses grow. Habitats stay intact. And visitors leave with a deeper connection to the places they've seen.
When you choose eco-friendly options, you help:
Support local communities and family businesses
Fund the protection of national parks and natural spaces
Lower your carbon footprint
Raise awareness about biodiversity and the climate
It’s a simple way to travel with a bit more care and leave a place even better than you found it.
Top Ecotourism Activities in Costa Rica
Whether you're into hiking, wildlife, waterfalls, or learning from locals, Costa Rica delivers! Here are just a few of the experiences you can enjoy while helping the planet.
Wildlife Encounters
Tortuguero National Park is famous for sea turtle nesting, but that’s just the beginning. Glide through the quiet canals and you’ll spot crocodiles basking on the banks, monkeys swinging through the canopy, and sloths lazily stretching from the treetops. It’s nature in full motion, all around you.
Over in the Caño Negro wetlands, the air comes alive with birds. During the rainy season, flocks of ducks, herons, and dozens of other waterbirds turn the region into a birdwatcher’s dream. Bring your binoculars, or just sit back and enjoy the show.
Want to see humpback whales? Head to the Pacific coast during migration season. There’s something unforgettable about watching a whale breach the surface while you relax on a sun-warmed beach. Few places in the world offer moments like that.
Along rivers like the Sarapiquí, Tempisque, and San Carlos, wildlife is part of the scenery. Keep your eyes open for iguanas lounging in the sun, ospreys gliding overhead, and bursts of color from tropical birds hidden in the trees.
Eco-Adventure Tours
Costa Rica is full of ways to explore, whether you’re a thrill-seeker or someone who prefers to take it slow. Soar through the treetops in Monteverde on a zipline, paddle down the rushing Pacuare River, or hike sun-dappled trails in places like Manuel Antonio National Park. Some paths take you to volcanic craters. Others end with your feet in the ocean. Every step feels like an adventure.
What makes it even better? These activities don’t come at nature’s expense. Most are led by local experts who know the land like the back of their hand and are passionate about protecting it. Their goal is to show it off in the most respectful way possible.
Culture and Community
There’s more to Costa Rica than breathtaking landscapes. The people, traditions, and everyday moments are just as rich as the rainforest. Sustainable tourism means taking time to connect with the people who make the country what it is.
Join a cooking class and learn to make traditional dishes from scratch. Visit a coffee farm and get a behind-the-scenes look at how your daily cup comes to life. Stay in a mountain village where your visit helps fund schools and health care.
These cultural experiences offer a deeper understanding of Costa Rica’s roots and values. They turn a vacation into a shared story between traveler and host. And that’s what makes the memories last long after the trip is over.
Where to Stay: Sustainable Accommodations
Sleep in Nature
Eco-lodges come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tucked deep into the rainforest, surrounded by tropical flowers and the sounds of toucans. Others are perched along quiet coastlines where you fall asleep to the rhythm of the ocean. What they have in common is a strong commitment to nature. Many are built from local bamboo and reclaimed wood, run on solar power, and serve meals made with ingredients grown just steps from your room.
You might stay at a lodge near Arenal Volcano where you can soak in natural hot springs after a day of hiking. Or choose a jungle retreat where your neighbors include hummingbirds, tree frogs, and maybe a curious coati or two.
These kinds of stays don’t just offer comfort. They support conservation projects, reforestation efforts, and the preservation of endangered species. You’ll leave with memories — and the feeling that your trip helped make a difference.
Stay with a Local Family
Want to go even deeper? Community-run accommodations offer cozy rooms, home-cooked meals, and the kind of stories you won’t find in guidebooks. Share breakfast with your host family, help prepare tortillas, or join a local festival. These stays support local jobs and let you experience Costa Rica the way locals do, with authenticity and heart.
It’s the kind of connection that lasts long after your suitcase is unpacked.
Must-Visit National Parks
Costa Rica’s protected areas are the beating heart of its ecotourism magic. With more than 160 national parks, wildlife refuges, and forest reserves scattered across the country, each one offers its own unforgettable slice of nature. These are the places where the rainforest hums, the ocean glows, and the wildlife thrives — and you get to be part of it.
Corcovado National Park is the crown jewel for many travelers. Tucked away on the remote Osa Peninsula, this park bursts with life. You might hear howler monkeys calling in the treetops, spot tapirs ambling through the undergrowth, or catch a flash of scarlet macaws flying overhead. If you’re lucky, you might even glimpse a jaguar. It’s wild, raw, and deeply humbling.
Cahuita National Park, on the Caribbean coast, brings a different kind of beauty. Its calm turquoise waters hide a thriving coral reef where you can snorkel alongside tropical fish, sea turtles, and rays. On land, the coastal trail winds past sloths, monkeys, and vibrant crabs.
La Amistad International Park, which Costa Rica shares with Panama, is ideal for adventurers looking to get off the beaten path. It’s a vast stretch of mountainous rainforest filled with hiking trails, rare wildlife, and meaningful cultural exchanges with Indigenous communities who have called the area home for generations.
Visiting these parks is more than just sightseeing. It’s a way to directly support conservation, protect habitats, and make sure these natural wonders are still here for the next wave of explorers. Your entry ticket helps keep the magic alive.
Looking Ahead
The future of ecotourism in Costa Rica looks strong. The country continues to lead with smart policies and a deep commitment to conservation. But growth comes with challenges. More visitors means more pressure on nature. That’s why Costa Rica invests in education, infrastructure, and green innovation.
Expect to see more limits on visitor numbers, better training for guides, and even cleaner transport options. Travelers are part of this too. Choosing the right tours, following park rules, and traveling with intention all make a difference.
Costa Rica is proving that tourism can be both successful and sustainable. And the rest of the world is taking notes.
Conclusion
If there's one thing Costa Rica proves, it's that nature and tourism can grow together. Its forest reserves, wildlife-rich coastlines, and community-driven lodges show how travel can protect rather than harm the environment.
But the future of ecotourism depends on the choices we make now. Every hike, homestay, or wildlife tour has the power to support conservation efforts, promote sustainable development, and protect natural resources. When travelers take time to understand the places they visit, they become ambassadors for the planet.
So when you go, go with curiosity, care, and respect. Costa Rica will greet you with tropical rainforests, wild rivers, and warm welcomes. Every step you take can help keep it that way — for future explorers and for the planet.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FIRSTY
Exploring Costa Rica’s lush rainforests, remote beaches, and wildlife-rich national parks is an experience you'll never forget. Staying connected makes it even better. Whether you’re navigating your way to a hidden waterfall, booking a last-minute eco-tour, or sharing your sloth sighting with friends back home, Firsty keeps you online wherever you go.
Forget the hassle of buying local SIM cards or paying high roaming fees. With Firsty, you get fast and reliable internet access across Costa Rica. From the heart of San José to the trails of Corcovado. You’re always just a few taps away from being connected.
Why Choose Firsty?
No plastic, no waste: Firsty uses eSIM technology, so there's no packaging or plastic SIMs. Just a digital setup that's better for the planet and easier for you.
Global coverage: Stay connected to the best local networks throughout Costa Rica and beyond. No need to change SIM cards when you move around.
Affordable plans: Pay only for what you need. Firsty gives you clear, upfront pricing with no hidden fees.
Flexible options: Switch plans, add days, or change countries whenever your adventure calls for it. Whether you're here for a weekend hike or a month-long nature retreat, you're in control.
Reliable connection: Use your data for maps, messages, bookings, and sharing the view from your hammock. Firsty works in cities, villages, and even near the edges of national parks.
Travel smarter, stay connected, and explore Costa Rica without missing a moment. Firsty goes where you go.
