Why Costa Rica is the most eco-friendly place to visit

Protected land

If it’s nature reserves and national parks you’re after, Costa Rica comes up aces. Over 30% of the entire country is protected, including over 50 wildlife refuges and 15 wetland preserves. And, regardless of what part of Costa Rica you decide to relax in, you can rest assured that rainforests, jungles, mangrove waterways, animal sanctuaries and botanical gardens are all within reach. A lot of the activities on offer in Costa Rica are also directly linked to preserving the natural environment and supporting the local communities that live in or around them. By booking things like tours or guided hikes through our TUI Collection experiences line-up, you’re directly supporting Costa Rica’s efforts to protect the planet and empower locals living in holiday destinations.

Find out more about our experiences in Costa Rica.

Wildlife

With over 95,000 registered species of animals and plants, accounting for 6.5% of the world’s wildlife, Costa Rica has the densest biodiversity in the world. In addition to being the home of so many varied animals, including over 52 species of hummingbird, it also has a huge sanctuary scene.

It’s also no surprise that animal conservation is big in Costa Rica. Throughout the year, the country’s coast becomes the nesting home to four different species of turtle – the leatherback, green, hawksbill and olive ridley. The people of Costa Rica work tirelessly to ensure that the beaches provide a haven for mama turtles and their nests. And then, when the time finally comes to hatch, the baby turtles can head off to the sea to start their new lives. The country’s jungles, meanwhile, are home to the likes of panthers and sloths.

And it’s not just the animals that contribute to this beautiful nation’s biodiversity. The country is divided into eight biological reserves, 32 natural parks and a series of protected parks – all containing Costa Rican wildlife for you to admire. And perhaps best of all, they’ve got bright-green rainforests for you to experience it all first-hand. Hike one of the many trails or take to the skies by zip-lining through the treetops – the choice is yours.

Find out more about the best things to do in Costa Rica.

Renewable energy

Costa Rica’s been a major driving force behind adopting renewable energy sources for years. In 2016, the country hit headlines for running solely on reusable fuels for over 100 days straight. And, it’s developed leaps and bounds ever since. From 2019, over 99% of the energy Costa Rica generates comes from renewables, 65% of which is solely from hydroelectric power*. If that wasn’t impressive enough, every household in the country has access to renewable electricity, including rural communities that live a little further off the beaten track. Like most of the rest of the world, they’ve still got some way to go to achieving net-zero emissions, but their progress so far puts them at the top of the class when it comes to eco-conscious travel.

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Eco-tourism as a force for good

At TUI, we’re passionate about limiting the negative effect our holidays have on the earth. It’s why we employ local people in our hotels, fly our customers to destinations in one of Europe’s most carbon-efficient airlines and ensure food served in our hotels is locally sourced. Eco-tourism is a huge part of making this happen, immersing visitors in the destination and educating them about the country and the environmental impact they have. It can involve anything from putting money back into the local economy by buying hand-made souvenirs at a market, to learning more about the wildlife and how to protect it.

Costa Rica has followed this way of thinking for nearly 20 years. Since 1997, the country has worked hand in hand with the Global Sustainable Tourism Council (GSTC) to develop a model for how destinations can roll out more planet-friendly practices. The GSTC also has its own criteria for hotels, which is focused on more sustainable management, environmental protection, supporting local communities and promoting cultural heritage. Lots of hotels across Costa Rica have been certified by The Costa Rica Tourism Board for meeting strict standards of sustainability. By staying in one of these certified hotels, you can expect efficient water and energy systems, single-use-plastic alternatives and much more.

If you’re after more from your holiday than just a fly-and-flop break, our Grand Tour of Costa Rica showcases the very best of the country. You’ll get the chance to learn about volcanoes and hot springs, see some of Costa Rica’s endangered wildlife up close, and also stay in one of the country’s famous eco-lodges – Laguna Lodge Tortuguero, which is nestled among wetlands, rivers and forests.

Find out more about our Costa Rica tours.

Want to find out more about our holiday offering?

Take a look at our holidays with planet-friendly practices.

Or, for inspiration, check out our sustainability page to read about some of the planet-friendly initiatives we’re working on.

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