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Let’s be honest: it’s getting harder to travel without feeling a little guilty. Planes, plastic, crowds, carbon footprints… yeah. But here’s the thing — Costa Rica has been doing eco tourism since before it was a buzzword. This tiny country packs in more biodiversity per square mile than almost anywhere on Earth, and they’re actually doing something to protect it.
If you’re dreaming of jungle mornings, slow travel, and experiences that actually give back to the planet, eco trips to Costa Rica are where it’s at.
What Makes Costa Rica Eco Tourism So Legit?
First off, Costa Rica walks the walk. Over 25% of the land here is protected — national parks, reserves, and wildlife corridors that stretch from misty mountains to mangrove-lined coasts. The country runs on 99% renewable energy most of the year, and Costa Rica ecological tours are often run by small, local operators who live where they guide.
You’re not just “seeing nature.” You’re stepping into someone’s backyard, someone who deeply cares if the monkeys stay in the trees and the rivers stay clean.
The Best Types of Eco Trips to Costa Rica
So what does Costa Rica eco tourism actually look like in real life? Not just yoga retreats and sipping green juice (though hey, we’re not judging if that’s your thing).
Here’s what you might find on a proper eco trip:
- Jungle lodges built from local wood, powered by solar, and surrounded by birds you’ve only seen in documentaries.
- Guided wildlife tours in Corcovado or Monteverde where the guide can name every frog by sound.
- Mangrove kayak tours that float you through labyrinths of roots and silence.
- Community-based projects where you learn how chocolate is made (the real way), or help plant native trees.
- Farm stays where you eat what’s grown five steps from your room and fall asleep to the sound of cicadas instead of traffic.
These aren’t just tours — they’re slow travel experiences that connect you with the place and the people.
Eco Doesn’t Mean Boring — Or Basic
I know what you’re thinking: “Will I have to poop in a composting toilet and eat tofu for a week?” No. Well… maybe the toilet. But I’ve stayed in jungle lodges with infinity pools, eaten wood-fired pizza in a bamboo hut, and done night hikes that felt more exciting than any rollercoaster.
Costa Rica ecological tours can be just as comfortable — or even luxurious — as regular trips. The difference? Your money supports conservation, not mega-resorts.
Eco Trips to Costa Rica – Best Spots
- Osa Peninsula – Wild, raw, and full of wildlife. Corcovado is the crown jewel of eco travel.
- Monteverde Cloud Forest – Misty trails, hummingbirds everywhere, and that deep, quiet rainforest vibe.
- Rincón de la Vieja – Volcanoes, waterfalls, and geothermal mud bubbling right under your feet.
- Sarapiquí – River rafting meets rainforest education, with strong local community tourism.
- Southern Nicoya – Beach meets jungle, with sustainable surfing towns and off-grid eco-lodges.
How to Make Your Eco Trips Count
It’s not just about where you go — it’s how you do it.
Choose locally-owned businesses. Stay longer in fewer places. Bring your reusable water bottle (Costa Rica’s tap water is safe in most places). Say no to plastic straws and yes to weird fruits from roadside stands.
And if you can, book with a travel agency that gets it.
That’s Where We Come In
At GoExploreWith.me, we don’t just throw tours on a page and call it a day. We live here, we hike the trails and we know the guides by name. And we work only with partners who care about Costa Rica the way we do.
Whether you’re looking for eco trips to Costa Rica, slow travel itineraries, sustainable vacation rentals, or just someone to tell you if your 2WD rental can make it up that muddy road (spoiler: probably not) — we’ve got you.
Bonus: Want to Find Places No One Else Knows About?
We wrote a little something for you: “10 Hidden Gems in Costa Rica You’ve Never Heard Of” — and it’s totally free.
It’s packed with places that feel untouched and magical — the kind of eco destinations that stay with you long after the trip ends. Download it now and start dreaming in green.
