Protecting Nature's Treasures and Sustaining Livelihoods in Costa Rica's Osa Peninsula

The Osa Peninsula is Costa Rica’s crown jewel of biodiversity, and truly one of the planet’s greatest natural treasures. Home to lush rainforests, breathtaking coastal landscapes, and rich tropical waters that shelter some of the world’s most spectacular biodiversity, the Osa has grown to be a model for small-scale ecotourism. Yet, the region is now at a critical juncture: increasingly, it faces threats from unsustainable land-use practices and large-scale tourism. The Osa Peninsula needs environmentally sustainable development that allows its local communities to thrive while protecting its unique natural values and sustaining biodiversity.