Ecotourism is extremely popular with the many tourists visiting the extensive national parks and protected areas around Costa Rica.

Costa Rica was a pioneer in this type of tourism and the country is recognized as one of the few with real ecotourism. In terms of 2008 Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index, Costa Rica reached the 44th place in the world ranking, being the first among Latin American countries.

Situated between North and South America, the country is home to abundant plant and animal life from both continents. For example, Costa Rica hosts 850 species of birds -- more than in all of North America. The country also boasts diverse climatic and ecological zones, including tropical coastal areas and rain forests, saltwater marshes, fertile farming areas, sub-alpine regions, mountains up to 12,000 feet and active volcanoes. To preserve its rich natural legacy, Costa Rica has set aside significant territory for national parks, biological and forest reserves, and wildlife refuges.

The ecosystems of the tropics are among the most diverse and complex in the world. Research topics in tropical biology and ecology range from regeneration of subalpine vegetation in mountain regions to habitats of wildlife species. Students may pursue topics in environmental chemistry, entomology, marine biology, botany, herpetology or ornithology. Geology projects may include studies of Costa Rica’s several active volcanoes.

This Central American hotspot travel destination contains an amazing 5% of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is the fourth most important nesting beach in the world for Leatherback sea turtles, a critically endangered species.
Costa Rica presents unusual and interesting opportunities for people interested in learning more about tropical biology and ecology.