The 5 Forest Types of Costa Rica

People, rightfully, consider Costa Rica to be a green, lush and tropical oasis. In their minds, a jungle is a jungle and such a small country should not be expected have too much variety within her forests. Being under 500 kilometers long and under 300km wide (at her widest point), Costa Rica can be compared to similarly sized countries like Slovakia, Croatia or the Dominican Republic. It is about 15% smaller than West Virginia and 10% smaller than Lake Michigan – so a small place indeed.

A walk through an old-growth Tropical Rain Forest is a surreal experience. Just another day on the job for Ben and his team.

But while taking up 0.03% of the world’s land mass, Cost Rica is home to 5% of the world’s species. And a big reason for this comes down to our geography and topography. With Pacific & Caribbean shores, 8 climate zones, and a spine of towering mountains, Costa Rica is a haven of contrasts. And these contrasts include five very unique types of forests which, together, cover just over 50% of Costa Rica. Below are the five basic forest types and approximate coverage of the Costa Rican territory:

Table of Contents

MANGROVE FORESTS

Mangroves make up just 1% of Costa Rica’s forests, yet their impact far outweighs their footprint. These coastal guardians shield shorelines from erosion, absorb the force of tropical cyclones and tsunamis, and create rich, tangled habitats for a wide range of life.

Out of the world’s 70 mangrove species, seven grow along Costa Rica’s Atlantic and Pacific coasts. You’ll find them lining bays, lagoons, estuaries, and saltwater swamplands—each species adapted to the shifting tides and brackish waters. Their roots stabilize sediment, their branches host birds and insects, and their submerged zones shelter fish, crabs, and juvenile marine life.

Tea Mangroves in the Terraba-Sierpe wetlands. c/o Fabsiar, wikicommons.

Mangrove trees thrive in harsh coastal zones where few plants dare to grow—salty waters, oxygen-starved soils, and shifting tides define their world. Some species even survive in hypersaline lagoons, where evaporation doubles the salt concentration found in oceans.

To handle this, mangroves evolved intricate salt-filtering systems. Some excrete salt through specialized glands on their leaves, while others block salt at the root level, absorbing only fresh water. Their roots are just as impressive—many grow above the soil in tangled networks that pull oxygen from the air, bypassing the suffocating mud below.

Specialized Mangrove roots stick above the water to absorb oxygen. c/o Allan Henderson, wikicommons.

Mangroves come in many forms, shaped by both shared ancestry and convergent evolution. Some species are closely related—like Red, Black, and White Mangroves, which belong to different genera but share a common ecological niche. Others evolved from entirely separate plant families, yet developed strikingly similar traits to survive in salty, waterlogged environments. This is the power of convergent evolution: unrelated species adapting to the same challenges—low oxygen, tidal flooding, and saline soils—by evolving similar solutions.

Mangrove Critters

Costa Rica’s mangrove forests are ecological treasure troves, offering shelter to species found nowhere else. While American Crocodiles, Spider and Squirrel Monkeys, White Ibis, and River Otters are well-known residents, two lesser-known creatures depend entirely on these brackish ecosystems: Pacific Mangrove Tree Crab (Aratus pisonii) and the nimble Mangrove Hummingbird (Amazilia boucardi). Endemic to Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, this rare hummingbird feeds almost exclusively on mangrove flowers—especially those of the Tea Mangrove.

The elusive Mangrove Hummingbird. This endangered bird can be found, in spotty populations, along Tea Mangroves of Pacific Costa Rica. c/o Jorge Obando Nature Photo. wikicommons.

The Pacific Mangrove Tree Crab is found along Costa Rica's mangrove habitats. It prefers the Red Mangrove species but will tolerate White and Black mangrove trees. c/o Charles J. Sharp. wikicommons. — The Pacific Mangrove Tree Crab is found along Costa Rica’s Mangrove habitats. It prefers the Red Mangrove species but will tolerate White and Black Mangrove trees. c/o Charles J. Sharp. wikicommons.

TROPICAL DRY FORESTS

Southern Costa Rica enjoys steady rainfall year-round, thanks to its Monsoon and Rainforest climates. Even during the dry season, moisture lingers, keeping the forests lush and vibrant. But as you move north and west, the landscape shifts. Savannah regions face long stretches of heat and drought each year.

Here, the towering Tropical Rainforests give way to the leaner, more rugged Tropical Dry Forests. Trees grow smaller and thinner, adapted to survive with less water. Many shed their leaves during the dry months, leaving behind bare branches and dusty ground. The greenery fades, replaced by earthy tones and the quiet resilience of a forest built to endure.

Costa Rica's dry forest in the Guanacaste province - notice that the trees have shed their leaves and gone into a sort of hibernation. c/o Rodtico21, wikicommons. — Costa Rica’s Tropical Dry Forest in the Guanacaste province – notice that the trees have shed their leaves and gone into a sort of hibernation over the dry & hot season. c/o Rodtico21, wikicommons.

But don’t let that fool you – these habitats are very rich in biodiversity, populated by plants and critters that have learned or evolved to tolerate the prolonged dry seasons. It still rains A LOT here, it is just that the rain is very concentrated into the rainy season.

A group walking through a Dry Forest of Guanacaste National Park. Notice that the trees are not as tall, lush or crowded as they are in the tropical forests of central and southern Costa Rica. c/o Chloekwak, wikicommons. — A group walking through a Tropical Dry Forest of Guanacaste National Park. Notice that the trees are not as tall, lush or crowded and the forest floors are not as thickly covered by shrubs, vines and flowers as they are in the Tropical Rain Forests of central and southern Costa Rica. c/o Chloekwak, wikicommons.

Tropical Dry Forest Critters

Costa Rica’s Dry Forests—especially those in Nicoya, Guanacaste, and the northern lowlands—host many of the country’s most iconic animals. Toucans flash their oversized bills through the canopy, monkeys swing between branches, and sloths lounge in the midday heat. Anteaters, tapirs, Scarlet Macaws, and even elusive jaguars roam these sun-drenched woodlands, thriving in the seasonal rhythms of dry and wet.

Two lesser-known but fascinating residents of these semi-arid forests are the Collared Aracari and the Plain Chachalaca. The Collared Aracari, a small toucan with vivid plumage and a red neck band, prefers gallery forests and dry zones in Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula. The Plain Chachalaca, on the other hand, blends into the brush with its earthy tones and raspy calls. It thrives in dry savannahs and scrubby woodlands, foraging for berries, shoots, and leaves.

The Collared Aracari prefers semi-arid forests. c/o Andy Morffew, wikicommons.

Plain Chacalacas prefer arid habitats like the Dry Tropical Forests of northern Costa Rica. c/o 0+000 - panoramio, wikicommons. — Plain Chacalacas prefer arid habitats like the Dry Tropical Forests of northern Costa Rica. c/o 0+000 – panoramio, wikicommons.

TROPICAL CLOUD FORESTS

Cloud Forests make up just 1% of the world’s woodlands, yet Costa Rica far exceeds that average. Roughly 3% of the country’s forests fall into the Tropical Cloud Forest category, thanks to its unique geography and climate. The remaining 10% of Costa Rica’s high-elevation forests are classified as Montane Forests. These grow at similar altitudes but lack the persistent cloud cover and moisture saturation that define true Cloud Forests.

A walkway inside a Tropical Cloud Forest in the interior of Costa Rica. c/o DirkvdM, wikicommons.

While exact definitions are blurry, Tropical Cloud Forests can be found at higher elevations where frequent clouds & mists, together with cooler temperatures, create a very unique, mysterious and enchanting biome. These are the places where sun & blue skies are rather rare and a warmer jacket, hat, windbreaker and umbrella are best kept within reach.

In Costa Rica, Cloud Forests stretch across coastal mountain slopes, interior valleys, volcanic ridges, and the central spine of the country. They demand a bit of preparation—jackets, hats, windbreakers, and umbrellas come in handy.

Tropical Cloud Forest Critters

Our cloud forests are world famous for their beauty and biodiversity – Monteverde is one of the top tourist attractions. These forests are especially famous as they present the perfect habitat for Costa Rica’s seven species of Poison Dart Frogs and the elusive Resplendent Quetzal.

Monteverde provides ideal conditions for seven species of Poison Dart Frogs. These amphibians thrive in the humid understory, where moisture clings to every leaf and mossy branch. Their vivid colors warn predators of potent toxins, a brilliant example of nature’s built-in defense system.

Equally iconic is the Resplendent Quetzal, a bird of myth and majesty. With shimmering emerald plumage and a flowing tail, it glides through the canopy like a living jewel.

A "Blue Jeans" variation of the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, photographed in a cloud forest of central Costa Rica. c/o Charlie Jackson, wikicommons. — A “Blue Jeans” variation of the Strawberry Poison Dart Frog, photographed in a cloud forest of central Costa Rica. c/o Charlie Jackson, wikicommons.

The Resplendent Quetzal can only be found in moist forests above 1,000 meters or 3,300 feet in elevation. c/0 Supreet Sahoo, wikicommons.

MONTANE FORESTS

Costa Rica’s Montane (or Mountain Forests) include the Cloud Forests. The definition between the two can be fuzzy but the remaining Montane Forests can be classified as those that are colder or drier than the classical Cloud Forests. Some of these forests climb along the highest of our peaks, reaching 3,000 meters or almost 10,000 feet in elevation.

Montane forest on the slope of Costa Rica's Mount Chirripó. This is a transition area where forests, shrublands and grasslands can coexist within a very small area. c/o madricrc, wikicommons. — Montane forest on the slope of Costa Rica’s Mount Chirripó. This is a transition area where forests, shrublands and grasslands can coexist within a very small area. c/o madricrc, wikicommons.

As the forests climb higher & higher, the trees tend to become smaller as species of Oaks take over from more tropical Cloud Forest tree varieties. Higher still, the Oaks give way to shrubs and dwarf bamboos as the forests transition into alpine shrublands and finally alpine grasslands. With so much variation, the biodiversity of Montane Forests is astounding!

High elevations of Costa Rica's Mount Chirripó - as can be seen, the Montane Forests exist as shrubland and, in the background, the alpine grasslands have taken over. c/o Geovanni Ugalde, wikicommons. — High elevations of Costa Rica’s Mount Chirripó – as can be seen, the Montane Forests exist as shrubland and, in the background, the alpine grasslands have taken over. c/o Geovanni Ugalde, wikicommons.

Montane Forest Critters

Montane forests in Costa Rica brim with biodiversity, shaped by dramatic shifts in climate, elevation, and canopy structure. These high-altitude ecosystems host a dazzling array of species, many found nowhere else. Two standout residents include the Yellow-Thighed Brushfinch and the Costa Rican Pygmy Owl.

The brushfinch, with its striking yellow thighs and dark plumage, thrives in wet mountain forests and bamboo thickets from 1,700 meters up to the timberline. The Costa Rican Pygmy Owl, small and fierce, lives above 1,000 meters in montane forests. Active both day and night, it sports a rufous-brown coat with white streaks and spots. Its whistled call echoes through the canopy, a haunting signature of the highlands.

The Yellow-Thighed Brushfinch can only be found at elevations above 1,00 meters or 5,600 feet - you can spot them along the highlands of Costa Rica's central spine forests. c/o Cephas, wikicommons. — The Yellow-Thighed Brushfinch can only be found at elevations above 1,700 meters or 5,600 feet – you can spot them along the highlands of Costa Rica’s central spine forests. c/o Cephas, wikicommons.

The Costa Rican Pygmy Owl can be found at elevations above 1,000 meters or 3,300 feet to 3,000 meters or 10,000 feet. c/0 Michael Woodruff, wikicommons.

TROPICAL RAIN FORESTS

Lastly, we honor the lush Tropical Rainforests that blanket Costa Rica’s lowland regions. These vibrant ecosystems thrive in warm, humid zones but fade away at higher elevations along the central mountain spine and in the sun-scorched plains of Guanacaste. There, Dry Tropical Forests take over—less dense, more seasonal, yet still rich in life.

Ben surveying a huge tree in an old-growth Tropical Rain Forest near Quepos.

These forests stay green year-round, bursting with life from canopy to soil. Some trees stretch 60 meters high, sheltering birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects in every layer—from tangled roots to leafy crowns. Vines and orchids climb freely, using the trees for support and sometimes stealing nutrients along the way.

Rain falls generously throughout the year. Even in the dry season, the air stays humid and the land never scorches like the parched zones farther north. These conditions create one of the planet’s richest habitats, and the sheer diversity of plants and animals proves just how ideal this environment truly is.

Old growth Tropical Rain Forest in the Osa Peninsula, bordering Corcovado National Park.

Tropical Rain Forest Critters

Costa Rica’s forests brim with life, drawing travelers from every corner of the globe. Among the most iconic residents are two striking opposites: the Jaguar and the Sloth.

The Jaguar moves with stealth and power, a symbol of mystery and strength long revered by Indigenous cultures across the Americas. In contrast, the Sloth lives life in slow motion—curled into Cecropia trees, nibbling leaves, and watching the world drift by with quiet contentment. Both creatures find sanctuary in Corcovado National Park, a lush expanse of lowland tropical rainforest on the Osa Peninsula. Often called “the most biologically intense place on Earth”.

The Jaguar prefers Tropical Rain Forest habitats. It can be found in spotty populations all over Costa Rica including Osa & Nicoya Peninsulas, North eastern areas up to the Nicaragua border, and lower forests along the interior of the country. c/o Bernard DUPONT, wikicommons. — The Jaguar prefers Tropical Rain Forest habitats. It can be found in spotty populations all over Costa Rica including Osa & Nicoya Peninsulas, Northeastern areas up to the Nicaragua border, and lower forests along the interior of the country. c/o Bernard DUPONT, wikicommons.

Sloths prefer lower reaches of Tropical Rain Forests - they love the warmth and need high trees where they can feed and sleep in safety. — Sloths prefer lower reaches of Tropical Rain Forests – they love the warmth and need high trees where they can feed and sleep in safety.

SECONDARY GROWTH FORESTS

These forests rise from land once cleared for cattle or crops. Left alone, these spaces begin to regrow—forming dense secondary forests over time. Around Ojochal and Tres Ríos, most hills and lowlands now wear this green mantle, a quiet reminder of the region’s ranching past.

Many animals favor these forests for their thick underbrush and abundant hiding spots. Though rich in life, they differ from old-growth forests, which feature towering canopies, layered understories, and a vast mix of species. Reaching that level of complexity may take 100 to 150 years—or even longer. Some researchers believe true regeneration could span several centuries.

A Secondary Growth Forest near Tres Rios. Notice the mix of natural and man-planted vegetation and the lower height but increased thickness of the growth.

PALM OIL PLANTATIONS

Since the 1960s, Costa Rica’s palm oil industry has expanded rapidly. Driving north along the Costanera, it’s hard to miss the endless rows of African Palms lining the highway. Originally from the region between Angola and the Gambia, these trees now cover over 150,000 acres—roughly the size of ten Manhattan Islands or 113,000 football fields.

Despite their economic value, these monoculture plantations offer little biodiversity. Native species struggle to thrive beneath the dense, uniform canopy. The glossy green rows may look lush, but they mask a fragile ecosystem. Thankfully, public awareness is growing. More voices are questioning the environmental cost of palm oil and challenging its reputation as a “green” solution.

Oil Palm Plantations near Parrita. c/o Rodtico21, wikicommons.

Costa Rica is indeed one of the most biodiverse countries in the world. We are home to over 500,000 species, which represent nearly 5% of the species estimated worldwide – and one of the reasons is the diversity of different forest types that are home to very different types of animals! We are waiting for you to move here and be AMAZED by the variety of life and energy of this magical place! RE/MAX WE SELL PARADISE is your trusted local real estate partner – while we patiently wait for your call, feel free to browse our local area listings – ocean view, jungle view, riverside, or high up in the coastal mountain cloud forests – whatever you are looking for, you are sure t find!