Though just a modest country in size, Costa Rica boasts a staggering diversity of life — home to more than half a million species of animals, plants, insects and microorganisms.
Here’s how this tiny nation achieved such ecological richness:
1. A Naturally Strategic Location
Costa Rica sits on the narrow bridge between North and South America — a unique migration corridor where species from both continents met and blended. This mixing of northern and southern lineages created fertile conditions for evolution and a hot-spot for biodiversity.
2. Dramatic Landscapes and Varied Climates
From sea-level beaches to alpine peaks over 3,800 meters high, Costa Rica’s extreme elevation changes create dozens of distinct habitats. Throw in coastlines on both the Pacific and Caribbean and you get a mosaic of ecosystems — each supporting unique flora and fauna.
3. More Than Just Rainforests
Biodiversity here isn’t limited to lush jungles. Costa Rica includes dry forests, mangrove swamps, coral reefs, cloud forests and wetlands — a full spectre of habitat types packed into one small country.
4. Incredible Numbers (and Some Hidden Life)
It’s not just big animals: the majority of Costa Rica’s species are insects and tiny organisms. Thousands of beetles, hundreds of butterflies, countless fungi, bacteria and more find homes in micro-habitats — from tree-canopies to underground caves. Many remain undiscovered.
5. Conservation as a National Priority
Costa Rica doesn’t just rely on luck — it shows up with action. Around 28 % of its land is protected through national parks and reserves. The country abolished its army in 1948, redirected its budget into education and the environment, and has become a global model for eco-tourism and sustainable practice.
Why It Matters
Biodiversity isn’t only about quantity — it’s about the interconnections among species, habitats and ecosystems. Each hummingbird, orchid, poisonous frog and leaf-cutting ant plays a role in a delicate symphony of life that’s evolved for millions of years. Costa Rica reminds us that size isn’t everything — complexity, care and curiosity matter more.