Discover the importance of National Parks Day in Costa Rica, celebrating its biodiversity and environmental conservation.

National Parks Network

In 1970, Costa Rica created the network of national parks, this system was promoted by Mr. Daniel Oduber Quirós during his time as a deputy (1970-1974) and later as President of the Republic between 1974 and 1978. During these periods he took on the task of creating 13 National Parks during both administrations, thus promoting leadership in conservation initiatives and ecological contribution in the world.

But there is not only the category of National Park, there are also the categories of Wildlife Refuge, Biological Reserves, protected areas, among others, which have helped more than 25% of the territory is occupied by the National Parks System, being these, administered by the National System of Conservation Area (SINAC), in 11 large Conservation Areas.

Importance

In Costa Rica, National Parks are of utmost importance to protect the environment and preserve all existing biodiversity to avoid its extinction.

And Costa Rica has 6% of the world’s biodiversity.

In addition, National Parks also provide watershed protection through natural vegetation, water, microclimate control, recreation, environmental education, and research. Today our country has 30 national parks, among which are: Cocos Island, a marine sanctuary in the Pacific declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site; Corcovado, which houses 2% of the world’s biodiversity; as well as numerous volcanoes, forested areas, archaeological areas, among others.

The National Parks of Costa Rica also allow the existence of areas with a healthy environment, forming a kind of national “lungs”.

In addition, they protect and watch over a large number of animal species native to each area, providing them with natural vegetation corridors.

The National Parks throughout Costa Rica are also places to save or recover health and mental well-being.

  • parks are places to enjoy the beauty of nature
  • parks are sites to protect the environment
  • parks are sites for scientific studies on the natural environment.
Discover the importance of National Parks Day in Costa Rica, celebrating its biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Guayabo National Monument
Discover the importance of National Parks Day in Costa Rica, celebrating its biodiversity and environmental conservation.
Poás Volcano National Park

Costa Rica’s National Parks

The first National Park that existed in Costa Rica was the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve in 1963, through the initiative and efforts of the Swedish and Danish Nicolas Wessberg and Karen Mogensen, who created this protected wilderness area.

As a result of this historical process, the creation of the National Parks System (SPN), currently the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), was promoted.

They encouraged the interest of national institutions in conservation and succeeded in obtaining international financial support.

This reserve was the first to receive effective protection, which opened a way to confront the accelerated destruction of the forests that was occurring at that time. The citizens and the government recognized the imperative need to reserve adequate portions of the territory, little or not at all altered by human intervention, in order to establish national parks and other categories of protection.

Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve

At the end of the Nicoya Peninsula, its tip is an extensive rocky platform that can be accessed at low tide.

Pre-Hispanic archeological sites have been found within the reserve (near the El Sueco trail).

About 2 kilometers south of the point is Isla Cabo Blanco, a large rock that emerges from the sea. White color due to the excrement of the birds (guano) that surround the island.

Protection Of Seabird Species And Primary Forest

It can also have a green color, product of colonization by plants brought by the wind, the sea and birds.

With majestic landscapes of cliffs and white sand beaches, diversity of flora and fauna, delighting birdwatchers, naturalists and scientists.

As of September 2023, the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve has received a total of 8,492 tourists.

It was thanks to the Danish Swede Nicolas Wessberg and Karen Mogensen that this protected wilderness area was created.

We can also mention other renowned National Parks in Costa Rica such as:

  • Poás Volcano National Park
  • Irazú Volcano National Park
  • Guayabo National Monument
  • La Amistad International Park
  • Barbilla National Park
  • Braulio Carrillo National Park
  • Cahuita National Park
  • Carara National Park
  • Chirripó National Park
  • Corcovado National Park
  • San Lucas Island National Park
  • La Cangreja National Park
  • Los Quetzales National Park
  • Manuel Antonio National Park
  • Marino Ballena National Park
  • Piedras Blancas National Park
  • Rincón de la Vieja National Park
  • Santa Rosa National Park
  • Tortuguero National Park
  • Arenal Volcano National Park
  • Turrialba Volcano National Park
  • Tenorio Volcano National Park
  • Alberto Manuel Brenes Biological Reserve
  • Grecia Forest Reserve (Bosque del Niño)
Marino Ballena National Park
Punta Catedral in Manuel Antonio National Park
Cahuita National Park