Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site

The Area de Conservación Guanacaste spans 163,000 hectares of diverse ecosystems, connecting tropical dry forests, rainforests, cloud forests, and marine environments across northwestern Costa Rica.

The conservation area originated with Santa Rosa National Park in 1971 and gradually expanded through land acquisitions, receiving UNESCO World Heritage designation in 1999.

The conservation area maintains deep connections with regional indigenous communities, whose traditional land management methods inform current environmental protection strategies.

Visitors access the reserve through four main entry points: Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste National Park, Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, and Junquillal Bay Wildlife Refuge.

Scientists have documented over 7,000 plant species and 900 vertebrate species within the park boundaries, representing two-thirds of Costa Rica's endangered animal population.

GPS coordinates: 10.85000,-85.61667

Latest update: March 5, 2025 17:58