Mega-diversity in compressed space — The combination of small land area + wide variety of ecosystems (coasts, mountains, rainforests, dry forests, marine zones) leads to extremely high species richness per km². This ecological “density” is rare globally.
Ecological crossroads + great habitat variety — Central-American geography, confluence of ecosystems, altitudinal gradients, and both Pacific and Caribbean influences give Costa Rica a unique ecological mix that supports many lineages of flora and fauna.
Strong conservation & research legacy — The relatively early establishment of protected areas, commitment to environmental policy, and a thriving ecotourism sector have helped maintain biodiversity, support research, and create awareness globally.
Accessibility for research and ecotourism — Because the country is small, well-mapped, relatively stable politically, and infrastructure for tourism/conservation is developed, it’s easier than in many large, remote biodiverse countries to study, monitor, and visit a large share of its ecosystems.
Representative of global biodiversity at small scale — For a nature photographer or researcher, Costa Rica offers a microcosm of many of the planet’s major habitats: coastal/marine, rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, mountains — all within a few hours or days of travel. It is extremely efficient for capturing ecological and evolutionary diversity.
| Metric / Category | Approximate Value / Fact |
|---|---|
| Land area of Costa Rica | ~ 51,100 km² |
| Share of world landmass | ~ 0.03% |
| Estimated share of world’s species | ~ 6% |
| Estimated total species in Costa Rica | “Over 500,000 species” (though many remain undescribed) |
| Proportion of land under protection (terrestrial) | ≈ 26% protected natural area under federal system |
| Forest cover / natural ecosystems remaining | Forest/-natural ecosystems cover a large share, including rainforests, cloud forests, dry forests, wetlands, etc. |
| Ecosystem variety | Multiple ecosystem types — tropical rainforest, cloud forest, dry forest, mangroves, wetlands, mountain/volcanic zones, coastal marine ecosystems. |
If you’ve ever floated over a coral reef and had that moment—where everything just feels alive—it’s hard to forget. And once you’ve seen it, it’s even harder to ignore what’s happening to it. There’s no single solution to protecting our oceans. But there are people doing real, impactful work every day. Today, it’s also one of the most vulnerable.
Ten days is plenty of time to see a very nice cross-section of Costa Rica’s diverse range of ecoregions–from the Caribbean to the Pacific lowlands–but in a country with far too much to see, you need a 10 day Costa Rica itinerary that’s not going to waste any time.
Herping tours are on the rise. A growing number of people around the world are becoming interested in seeing, protecting and helping others find and photograph reptiles and amphibians–some of the most imperilled creatures on earth–as well as recognizing the economic opportunity that comes with the specialized local knowledge required to guide (especially people with few attractive economic opportunities in places like Latin America). I expect there to be more people and small businesses added to this list over time.
Whale Sharks are circumtropical planktivorous sharks, meaning they are found in all of the world’s tropical oceans (as well as subtropical zones) and feed on plankton.
They are gentle giants, the largest fish in the sea, and one of only three planktivorous sharks, the other two being Basking and Megamouth Sharks.
Whale shark diving is safe and can be done in locations throughout the tropics and subtropics–from Mexico to the East Coast of Africa–either scuba diving or snorkeling.
Whale sharks, along with manta rays, are undoubtedly one of the most sought-after megafauna for divers, and a whale shark diving adventure is likely on the bucket list of most casual and seasoned divers and snorkelers.
Whale Sharks are circumtropical planktivorous sharks, meaning they are found in all of the world’s tropical oceans (as well as subtropical zones) and feed on plankton.
They are gentle giants, the largest fish in the sea, and one of only three planktivorous sharks, the other two being Basking and Megamouth Sharks.
Whale shark diving is safe and can be done in locations throughout the tropics and subtropics–from Mexico to the East Coast of Africa–either scuba diving or snorkeling.
Whale sharks, along with manta rays, are undoubtedly one of the most sought-after megafauna for divers, and a whale shark diving adventure is likely on the bucket list of most casual and seasoned divers and snorkelers.