No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeTopicsCrimeOver 500 Illegal Entries Into Costa Rica National Parks Spark Safety Warning

Over 500 Illegal Entries Into Costa Rica National Parks Spark Safety Warning

Illegal entry into protected areas is a problem that environmental authorities have not been able to curb. At the end and beginning of the year, 507 people have been found entering National Parks through unofficial sites. Although the figure is down from last year, when 605 people were reported entering through illegal zones, the numbers are still high. 

“The National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) has urged citizens to take care of their lives and to protect their physical integrity by avoiding illegal access to Protected Wildlife Areas,” the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) pointed out. Volcanoes such as Poás, Turrialba, Rincón de la Vieja, and Arenal are the areas where most of the cases are reported. They attract millions of tourists each year and pose greater dangers for those who choose to ignore the rules. 

Some of these volcanoes are active, which means visitors can be exposed to fumaroles, phreatic eruptions of moderate intensity, inhalation of toxic gases, hypothermia, ash fall, acid rain, ballistic impacts, and mudflows, causing potential health and life risks. 

“In light of illegal entries into protected wildlife areas through clandestine or illegal trails, SINAC calls on the population to refrain from these bad practices, not only because of the civil and criminal penalties they may face but also due to the risk they expose their lives to because of the lack of trails with suitable conditions to evacuate a person in the event of an accident due to the absence of basic services,” said Jorge Mario Rodríguez, Vice Minister of Environment. 

They also point out that there is an environmental impact, as there is an established number of visitors that can access these areas. Likewise, there are trails and demarcated zones for people to pass through, since in other regions there are very fragile ecosystems that may suffer irreparable losses due to human action. 

SINAC periodically carries out control and protection operations in different areas that present this problem and is also working on a bill that would impose jail time and economic fines for entering areas not permitted within National Parks and Protected Areas. The established access rules are intended to ensure the safety of all visitors and to preserve nature. Therefore, SINAC asks people not to take tours that include access to illegal areas and to denounce these practices. 

“You can also report persons and/or companies offering illegal tours within Protected Areas by calling 1192 or through SITADA’s web page” they added. 

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Top Court Bans President Chaves from 2026 Election Campaign

Costa Rica’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal on Thursday barred President Rodrigo Chaves from participating in the 2026 election campaign, ruling that he "illegitimately used" his...

Costa Rica to Launch Electric Air Taxis for Sustainable Travel in Guanacaste

Costa Rica is poised to revolutionize its transportation landscape with the introduction of electric air taxis, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ground travel...

Costa Rica and Panama Seek Gold Cup Glory Against North American Giants

With no Caribbean teams advancing, a Central American contingent made up of Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala heads into the quarterfinals of the...

Costa Rican Health Officials Sound Alarm Over Teen Vaping Epidemic

Vaping has become increasingly popular, especially among teenagers and young adults. However, the health consequences associated with its use are raising alarm among Costa...

Costa Rican Court Orders Release of Migrants Deported Under Trump Deal

A court on Tuesday ordered Costa Rican authorities to release foreign migrants who had been detained in a shelter after being deported under an...

Costa Rica’s Pride 2025 Closing Event Bans Minors, Sparks Outrage

Costa Rica’s Pride 2025 closing event, set for June 29 at San José’s Plaza de la Democracia, was thrown into controversy when the government...
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica