Guanacaste reaffirms its environmental leadership in the country by holding the highest number of beaches awarded the Ecological Blue Flag in 2025, reaching a total of 51 recognitions—three more than the 48 recorded in 2024.
As part of the 30th anniversary of the Ecological Blue Flag Program (PBAE/Beaches), the Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) highlighted the ongoing commitment of Guanacaste communities to the protection of natural resources, safety, and the sustainability of their destinations.
On March 13, the organization Misión Tiburón announced that it had successfully placed a satellite tracking device on a whale shark in Costa Rican waters for the first time. To honor the province where this milestone occurred, the shark was named “Chorotega,” in reference to Guanacaste.
Although Costa Rican scientists have previously managed to place this type of device on other sharks, achieving it with this species represents a major opportunity for national science and could help improve the protection of marine wildlife.
Costa Rican gastronomy is consolidating its role as a strategic pillar of national development following the National Forum “Flavors with Purpose: Sustainable Gastronomy and Cultural Identity,” held at the Legislative Assembly.
The event marked a historic moment by bringing together two key advances for the sector: legislative efforts aimed at recognizing and strengthening the country’s culinary culture, and the certification of the nation’s second Sustainable Executive Chef, reaffirming that sustainability is now a professional standard in Costa Rica’s fine dining scene.
The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) reported that on March 17, Costa Rica received the award for Best Nature Destination during the first edition of the Forbes Travel Awards 2026, held in Madrid, Spain.
For years, Costa Rica has strengthened its global leadership in sustainable tourism and biodiversity by protecting more than a quarter of its territory through national parks and conservation areas.
Costa Rica recognizes the importance of European tourism for the growth of this Central American nation—but not at any cost. Germans, French, and Spaniards are the Europeans who travel most frequently to this destination. This month, the first Spanish commercial office will open in San José.
With a sustainable model similar to that of the Nordic countries, Costa Rica aims to attract tourists who value its unique character and respect its environment and natural diversity, avoiding mass tourism. “We are not looking for just any tourist. We want tourism that respects this singular and unique destination in every sense,” emphasizes Adriana Bolaños, ambassador of this small country of just over five million inhabitants to Spain.
Home to around 4% of the world’s biodiversity, it’s no wonder that Costa Rica is a top destination for animal lovers.
The best places to see wildlife in Costa Rica are Osa Peninsula, Tortuguero, Manuel Antonio, Uvita, Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Gandoca Manzanillo, Palo Verde National Park, Sierpe, Sarapiqui, Monteverde, Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Corcovado National Park and La Fortuna.
