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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.
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.
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). The agency's mission is to preserve the environment and to ensure affordable access to all.
Costa Rica's national parks include:
