Costa Rica isn’t just a place where nature happens to be beautiful. It’s a country that made a conscious decision, decades ago, to protect what it had — and then built its tourism model around that choice.

Long before “eco-friendly” became a marketing label, Costa Rica was already experimenting, failing, adapting, and trying again. Today, more than a quarter of the country is protected land, wildlife corridors connect ecosystems, and tourism revenue directly funds conservation. It’s an absolute paradise for nature addicts.

If you’re wondering what ecotourism in Costa Rica actually looks like — beyond slogans and leaf icons — this guide breaks it down, clearly and realistically.

Costa Rica — what a place. I (Eli) went in expecting beaches and jungle, but it turned out to be so much more.

From active volcanoes to stretches of coastline that felt like paradise, without forgetting the coolest animals ever, this country stole my heart in no time. And the Ticos? They’re definitely some of the friendliest, warmest people I’ve ever met. I could have stayed there forever, but here are five things I did that you definitely need to add to your list.

Cities can be nice, but as far as we’re concerned, they do not trigger strong emotions like nature does.

Sure, some monuments are real masterpieces, but we don’t think there is anything more powerful and impressive than nature.

If your favorite artist is also Mother Nature, keep reading to discover 5 top destinations all nature addicts should have on their bucket list.

Do you need your daily dose of nature in order to be happy? Do you dream of spending all your weekends and holidays in the wilderness? Would you enjoy seeing wild animals wandering in your backyard?

If your answers are yes, you might consider below locations to establish yourself!