Costa Rica’s government opposes the exploration and use of geothermal resources for energy generation inside National Parks. Picture from Sterling Lanier - Unsplash.
Costa Rica has built a global reputation as a green paradise, a pioneer of conservation and sustainability. Its lush rainforests, abundant wildlife, and eco-lodges attract millions of travelers every year who come not just for the beauty of the landscapes, but also to experience a country that has branded itself as one of the world’s most environmentally conscious destinations.
But how much of that reputation reflects reality? The story of Costa Rica’s “greenness” is complex. It’s filled with genuine achievements that deserve celebration, alongside challenges, contradictions, and pending responsibilities that are too often left out of the glossy brochures. To truly understand Costa Rica’s environmental identity, we must look at both sides: what has been done right, and what still needs to change.
We know that many visitors look forward to visiting Costa Rica because of its reputation for being green. For those travelers, here’s a thorough look at the facts.
Environmental milestones: What Costa Rica has achieved
Over the last few decades, Costa Rica has taken bold steps that distinguish it from many other countries in the region and the world.
A world leader in renewable energy
Perhaps the most celebrated achievement is Costa Rica’s commitment to renewable energy. In recent years, the country has produced over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources, an extraordinary milestone that has captured global attention. The primary sources are:
-
Hydropower. The backbone of Costa Rica’s energy grid, hydropower plants supply the majority of the country’s electricity. Rivers and abundant rainfall make this possible, though it also raises questions about dependence on seasonal water flows.
-
Wind energy. Wind farms have multiplied in the highlands, taking advantage of strong and consistent currents, particularly in Guanacaste.
-
Geothermal energy. With a landscape shaped by volcanoes, Costa Rica has tapped into the Earth’s heat as a steady and reliable energy source. However, the Government opposes the plan of geothermal exploitation in the National Parks.
-
Solar power. Still a minor contributor compared to the others, but growing steadily as technology becomes more accessible and affordable.
This commitment has allowed Costa Rica to stand as an example of how small nations can innovate and lead on sustainability. More information on Costa Rica’s renewable energy.
Forest recovery
In the 1970s and 80s, Costa Rica faced massive deforestation due to cattle ranching and agriculture. At one point, more than half the country’s forests had been destroyed. Yet, through aggressive reforestation programs, the establishment of protected areas, and policies such as Payment for Environmental Services (PES), efforts have been made to mitigate the impact of deforestation. It incentivizes landowners to preserve and restore forests, and that’s how Costa Rica managed to reverse the trend. Today, over 50% of the land is covered in forest again, and nearly a quarter of the territory is protected in national parks and reserves. Read more about forest recovery in Costa Rica.
A global example in conservation
Costa Rica hosts nearly 6% of the world’s biodiversity, despite covering only 0.03% of the planet’s surface. From jaguars and tapirs to toucans and sea turtles, its ecosystems are astonishingly rich. National parks like Corcovado, Tortuguero, and Manuel Antonio have become symbols of conservation and ecotourism.
The white-faced capuchin monkey is one of the four species of monkeys in Costa Rica
The myths and the realities
While these achievements are impressive, Costa Rica’s reputation as a “green country” is not entirely accurate, or at least, not the whole picture.
The transportation paradox
Although Costa Rica generates clean electricity, transportation remains overwhelmingly dependent on fossil fuels. The majority of vehicles run on gasoline or diesel, and public transportation systems are outdated. This creates a paradox: a country that powers its homes and businesses sustainably but pollutes heavily on its roads.
Tourism pressure
Ecotourism has become a pillar of the economy, but success comes with pressure. Popular destinations can suffer from overcrowding, waste management problems, and strain on local communities. While Costa Rica markets itself as a sustainable destination, balancing the demands of millions of tourists with conservation is an ongoing challenge. Read more about the latest struggles of tourism in Costa Rica.
The plastic problem
Despite global campaigns, single-use plastics remain common. Although Costa Rica announced ambitious plans to ban them, implementation has been slow, and recycling infrastructure is limited. This highlights the gap between international commitments and local realities.
Land use and agriculture
Pineapple and banana plantations (major export industries) continue to raise environmental concerns due to pesticide use, deforestation in some areas, and labor issues. These large-scale agricultural practices coexist uncomfortably with the country’s green image.
Political agreements and commitments
Costa Rica has played an active role on the global stage in shaping environmental policy.
-
The Paris Agreement. Costa Rica was an enthusiastic signatory and has consistently presented ambitious carbon neutrality goals. (Do you want to learn more about this policy?)
-
National Decarbonization Plan. Announced in 2019, the plan aims for a zero-net carbon economy by 2050, focusing on transportation reform, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture.
-
Blue Economy and Marine Protection. The country has promoted international agreements to expand marine reserves, highlighting the importance of protecting the Pacific and Caribbean ecosystems.
On paper, these commitments are powerful and inspiring. But critics argue that implementation often lags behind promises, and that Costa Rica must work harder to match actions with the ideals it projects abroad.
Marino Ballena National Park. Picture by Atanas Malamov – Unsplash
What Costa Rica claims to defend
In its environmental narrative, Costa Rica highlights several attributes as central to its identity:
-
Biodiversity. The crown jewel, and rightly so. Few places on Earth host such a variety of species in such a small territory.
-
Peace with Nature. Just as Costa Rica abolished its army in 1948 to focus on peace, it promotes a vision of living harmoniously with the environment.
-
Ecotourism Leadership. The country sees itself as a model for how tourism and conservation can coexist, with many eco-lodges and certifications supporting this claim.
These elements form part of Costa Rica’s international branding, which has successfully positioned it as a green leader, but sometimes glosses over the contradictions.
You might want to read: Sloths in Costa Rica: How and Where to See Them Along El Camino de Costa Rica
The challenges ahead
For Costa Rica to truly earn its reputation as one of the greenest countries on Earth, it must address several pressing challenges:
-
Modernizing transportation to reduce fossil fuel dependency.
-
Improving waste management and reducing single-use plastics nationwide.
-
Ensuring sustainable tourism that benefits local communities and preserves fragile ecosystems.
-
Balancing agriculture and conservation so that exports like pineapple and bananas are produced responsibly.
-
Implementing policies consistently, rather than announcing ambitious goals without follow-through, is crucial.
Discovering the green heart of Costa Rica on foot
The best way to understand Costa Rica’s complexity is to see it up close, not from behind a hotel window. Walking El Camino de Costa Rica, a 280-kilometer trail from the Caribbean to the Pacific, offers travelers the chance to experience the country’s biodiversity, landscapes, and communities firsthand.
Along the way, hikers pass through indigenous territories, rural towns, protected forests, and working farms. The trail shows the beauty and the challenges of Costa Rica side by side: wildlife corridors and conservation projects, but also areas under pressure from human activity.
For travelers seeking to go beyond the postcard image and genuinely connect with Costa Rica’s people and nature, El Camino is the perfect journey.
Green, but still growing
So, how green is Costa Rica? The answer is: greener than most, but not yet as green as it claims. The country deserves credit for its leadership in renewable energy, conservation, and biodiversity protection. Yet, it still faces unresolved issues in transportation, waste management, and agriculture.
Costa Rica’s green reputation is both an achievement and a responsibility. For visitors, it’s an invitation to appreciate the beauty of what has been protected and to understand the challenges that remain. For Costa Ricans, it’s a reminder that being truly green is a path, not a destination.
And there is no better way to walk that path, literally and metaphorically, than by embarking on El Camino de Costa Rica. Get a quote here!
A quick summary of How Green Is Costa Rica
In case you’re in a hurry, we give you some answers about the content in this article.
1. Why is Costa Rica known for sustainability?
Costa Rica has built a global reputation for being green thanks to milestones such as running most of its electricity from renewable energy sources and protecting a quarter of its land as national parks and reserves.
2. What are Costa Rica’s leading renewable energy sources?
The country relies heavily on hydroelectric power, complemented by wind, geothermal, biomass, and a growing investment in solar energy.
3. What challenges does Costa Rica still face?
Despite its achievements, the country struggles with issues like urban pollution, waste management, pressure from tourism, and deforestation caused by agriculture and infrastructure expansion.
4. Are Costa Rica’s environmental claims always accurate?
Not entirely. While Costa Rica’s ‘green’ brand is grounded in reality, some claims are overstated. For example, high renewable energy numbers don’t fully account for reliance on hydro, which can harm ecosystems, and waste recycling systems remain limited.
5. How does El Camino de Costa Rica tie into this conversation?
Walking El Camino allows travelers to experience Costa Rica’s natural diversity firsthand, while also supporting rural communities and sustainable tourism, helping ensure that the country continues moving toward its “green” ideals.
