For most of human history, people understood one simple truth: we are not separate from nature—we are part of it. Mountains, forests, rivers, oceans, and wildlife were not viewed as resources to be endlessly exploited, but as forces to be respected. Somewhere along the way, that understanding weakened. Today, as environmental challenges intensify around the globe, nature is reminding humanity of its rightful place—not above the natural world, but within it.Few countries illustrate this lesson as clearly as Costa Rica, a small Central American nation whose landscapes showcase both the Place is in Nature and the consequences of human activity.
The Global Loss of Forests
Over the last 300 years, humans have removed more than half of the world’s forests. Trees have been cut to build homes, cities, and industries. Entire forests have been cleared to create pasture land for cattle, farmland for crops, and space for development.
Costa Rica is no exception to this global trend. During much of the 20th century, vast areas of forest were cleared for agriculture and cattle ranching. Hillsides that were once covered in thick jungle became open fields, changing ecosystems and watersheds forever.
Yet Costa Rica also represents hope—a nation that recognized the damage and chose a different path.
Costa Rica’s Commitment to Conservation
Today, approximately 25% of Costa Rica’s land surface is protected under national parks, wildlife refuges, and biological reserves. This is one of the highest percentages of protected land in the world. These areas preserve rainforests, cloud forests, wetlands, beaches, and coral reefs, ensuring that future generations can experience the country’s extraordinary biodiversity.
Despite this commitment, pressures remain. Trees are still cut down to make way for large tourism developments, particularly large resort-style hotels with hundreds of rooms. This trend is especially noticeable in the northwestern Pacific province of Guanacaste, an area blessed with abundant sunshine throughout the year.
Tourism: A Double-Edged Sword
Tourism is one of Costa Rica’s most important industries. Visitors come from North America, Europe, and beyond to experience the country’s mountains, oceans, rivers, waterfalls, and rainforests. They come seeking nature—often escaping cold winters, urban congestion, and fast-paced lifestyles.
From December through March, when winter grips much of North America, sun-seeking tourists flock to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. Guanacaste, with its dry climate and consistent sunshine, is particularly popular.
While tourism provides jobs and economic growth, it also places pressure on:
- Water resources
- Forested land
- Coastal ecosystems
- Wildlife corridors
When development is poorly planned, it can undermine the very natural beauty that attracts visitors in the first place.
Why Costa Rica Is So Appealing
What makes Costa Rica such a powerful draw for travelers? The answer lies in nature itself.
1. Climate Diversity
Costa Rica offers incredible climate variation within a very small geographic area:
- Cool mountain air in the central highlands
- Warm, dry sunshine along the Pacific coast
- Hot, humid rainforest conditions in the Caribbean lowlands
In just a few hours by car—or even faster by air—you can move from cloud forest to beach, from volcano to rainforest.
2. Easy Access to Nature
Costa Rica has two domestic airlines that connect major tourist destinations, making it easy to experience different regions in a short time. But even by road, the country’s compact size allows travelers to explore diverse ecosystems without long-distance travel.
3. Abundant Water
Thanks to heavy rainfall from May through December, Costa Rica is rich in water. Waterfalls cascade down mountainsides. Rivers carve their way through valleys. Springs emerge from volcanic rock.
This abundance of water supports lush vegetation and creates the countless shades of green that travelers often describe as unforgettable.
Water: A Global Warning
Not all parts of the world are so fortunate. With a global population exceeding six billion people, water scarcity is becoming one of the most serious challenges humanity faces.
Many regions already struggle with:
- Drought
- Overuse of groundwater
- Pollution of freshwater sources
Costa Rica serves as a reminder of what is possible when water is respected—but also as a warning of what could be lost if conservation fails.
Nature’s Power and Humility
Despite human advances in technology and infrastructure, nature remains vastly more powerful. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, landslides, and storms regularly remind us that control is an illusion.
In Costa Rica:
- Volcanoes rumble beneath the surface
- Rivers swell during rainy season
- Forests reclaim land when human activity recedes
Nature does not negotiate. It adapts, responds, and continues—often correcting human mistakes in ways that are both beautiful and destructive.
Humans Belong in Nature, Not Above It
Modern society often places humans at the center of everything. Cities expand, forests shrink, and ecosystems are fragmented. Yet Costa Rica’s landscapes tell a different story—one in which humans thrive only when they live in balance with their surroundings.
Eco-lodges, sustainable farms, wildlife corridors, and community-based tourism projects demonstrate that development does not have to mean destruction. When humans recognize their place within nature, rather than above it, both can coexist.
Costa Rica as a Global Example
Costa Rica has made bold environmental choices:
- Protecting forests
- Investing in renewable energy
- Promoting eco-tourism
- Supporting biodiversity research
While challenges remain, the country stands as an example of what is possible when conservation becomes a national priority.
Visitors often arrive expecting beaches and sunshine. Many leave with something more—a renewed respect for nature and a deeper understanding of humanity’s role within it.
A Final Reflection
All of nature puts humans in their place—not through punishment, but through truth. Mountains remind us of time. Forests remind us of resilience. Rivers remind us of flow and change. Wildlife reminds us that we share this planet.
Costa Rica, with its rainforests, rivers, volcanoes, and oceans, offers a living lesson: our place is not outside nature, but inside it. When we remember that, we protect not only the planet—but ourselves.
In the end, nature does not need humans to survive. But humans most certainly need nature.