Costa Rica has taken a firm step to protect its natural areas through a reform that toughens the fines for illegal entry into its national parks. This change comes after the discovery of numerous unauthorized accesses in a short period, which led Congress to act vigorously against clandestine tourism.
Million-dollar fines to protect national parks
The new legislation establishes that economic sanctions can reach up to 4.6 million colones, approximately 9,000 dollars, in cases of incursions into high-risk areas such as volcanic craters. These measures aim not only to prevent irreversible damage to ecosystems but also to protect tourists from dangerous situations.
Between December 2025 and January 2026, authorities detected more than 400 illegal accesses to protected areas, with the Irazú volcano topping the list with 200 cases, followed by San Lucas Island and other volcanoes such as Arenal, Poás, and Turrialba.
Tour operators will also face harsh penalties, ranging from 3 million to 4.6 million colones if they take visitors to dangerous places. This reflects the government’s firm determination to ensure the respect and conservation of the country’s natural heritage.
The Minister of Environment and Energy, Franz Tattenbach, emphasized that this regulation not only aims to safeguard lives but also to deter practices that put biodiversity and environmental balance at risk.
The money collected from the fines will be used to improve the surveillance and protection of wild areas, thus ensuring sustainable use of natural resources and the safety of visitors.
Yeimy Cedeño, head of the SINAC Control and Protection department, stressed that these illegal accesses cause significant damage, altering habitats and threatening endangered species. She also stated that these practices expose visitors to natural risks without the necessary safety guarantees.
