Costa Rica ecotourism Being a small country located in the heart of Central America, Costa Rica is leading the way for sustainability and ecotourism for the region, and even the rest of the world. Tourism (and increasingly ecotourism) is one of the main economic activities of the country.

In 2026, Costa Rica remains the undisputed world leader in ecotourism, a position it has held for decades thanks to its pioneering commitment to conservation and sustainable development. Over 25% of Costa Rica's land is permanently protected in national parks and reserves, and the country famously produces over 98% of its electricity from renewable sources. The "Costa Rican model" focuses on low-impact, high-value tourism where visitors pay to experience—and protect—some of the highest biodiversity on Earth. Other significant leaders include Slovenia, which is the first country to be green-certified as a whole by "Green Destinations" standards, and Iceland, which uses its geothermal energy to power a sustainable tourism infrastructure. In the Caribbean, Aruba has emerged as a leader by banning single-use plastics and reef-toxic sunscreens. However, Costa Rica’s "Pura Vida" philosophy, combined with its sophisticated network of eco-lodges and community-based conservation projects, makes it the global "gold standard" for how a nation can use tourism to protect its natural environment while growing its economy.