Governs biodiversity protection, ecosystem services, and access to genetic resources. Article 109 reverses the burden of proof for environmental harm, requiring permit-seekers to prove harmlessness.
Rige la protección de biodiversidad, servicios ecosistémicos y acceso a recursos genéticos. El artículo 109 invierte la carga de la prueba para daño ambiental: quien solicita el permiso debe demostrar inocuidad.
153 documents in this topic.
Decreto 448962025
Creación del Parque Natural Urbano Simón Bolívar
This executive decree designates the Simón Bolívar Zoo and Botanical Garden as a Protected Wilderness Area under the category of Simón Bolívar Urban Natural Park (PANU), covering 26,375 m². It is grounded in Article 50 of the Constitution, the Environmental Organic Law, the Biodiversity Law, and Decree 42742 which created the PANU category. Its…
Decreto 451412025
Reglamento a la Ley de Incentivo para la Protección de la Biodiversidad Marino-Costera
This executive decree regulates Law No. 10507, which creates the Marine-Coastal Ecosystem Services Payment Fund. It establishes the fund's governance under the exclusive competence of MINAE and details the roles of FONAFIFO as administrator and FUNBAM as a collaborator in securing financing. It defines the activities eligible for financial recognition,…
Decreto 453162025
Creación del Parque Natural Urbano Lorne Ross Ashley
This executive decree declares the Santa Ana Conservation Center, covering approximately 50.45 hectares in Santa Ana, San José, as a protected wild area under the 'Urban Natural Park' (PANU) management category, named Lorne Ross Ashley. It is grounded in the constitutional right to a healthy environment, the Organic Environmental Law, the Biodiversity Law,…
Decreto 444152024
Ratificación del Protocolo de Nagoya
This Executive Decree formally ratifies the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization, adopted on October 29, 2010, in Japan. The Decree gives effect to prior legislative approval through Law 10372, in compliance with the constitutional procedure for incorporating…
Decreto 445692024
Reglamento al artículo 39 de la Ley de Biodiversidad
This Executive Decree No. 44569-MINAE regulates the contracting of non-essential services and activities (SANE) within state-owned wild protected areas (ASP) pursuant to the amended Article 39 of Biodiversity Law No. 7788. Only community development associations, cooperatives, microenterprises, and non-profit social organizations made up of inhabitants…
Decreto 446622024
Reglamento al artículo 80 de la Ley de Biodiversidad
This executive decree regulates the mandatory prior consultation with the Technical Office of CONAGEBIO, required of the Intellectual Property Registry (RPI) and the National Seeds Office (ONS) before granting patents or plant variety titles that involve genetic or biochemical resources or associated traditional knowledge of biodiversity. It establishes…
Decreto 447192024
Reforma del Reglamento a la Ley de Protección Fitosanitaria sobre Organismos Vivos Modificados
Executive Decree 44719-MAG, signed in July 2024, amends two provisions of the Regulation to the Plant Protection Law (Decree 26921-MAG of 1998) concerning living modified organisms (LMOs) for agricultural use. Based on the Plant Protection Law (No. 7664), the Biodiversity Law (No. 7788), the Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Cartagena Protocol on…
Decreto 442442023
Reforma al Reglamento de Protección Fitosanitaria sobre Biotecnología Moderna
Executive Decree 44244-MAG reforms the Regulation to the Phytosanitary Protection Law to update the regulatory framework for living modified organisms (LMOs) for agricultural use and new breeding techniques. It incorporates definitions and procedures aligned with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. It classifies organisms obtained through genome editing…
Decreto 442582023
Creación del Monumento Natural Zona de los Santos
This executive decree establishes the Zona de los Santos Natural Monument, a 1,861.36-hectare protected wilderness area in the cantons of Dota, Tarrazú, and León Cortés. The creation addresses the need to safeguard the water, forest, and scenic resources of the Cerros San Pedro, La Trinidad, La Roca, and Abejonal, which serve as the primary water source…
Decreto 415662019
Declaratoria de interés público de la IV Conferencia Bienal de Enfermedades en Vida Silvestre de Latinoamérica
This executive decree declares the IV Biennial Conference on Wildlife Diseases in Latin America (WDA-LA) to be of public and national interest, held from July 15 to 19, 2019 in San José, Costa Rica. The declaration is grounded in the constitutional and legal powers of the Executive Branch and the biodiversity conservation objectives set forth in the…
Decreto 417672019
Declaratoria de interés público del Proyecto BioAlfa
Executive Decree No. 41767-MINAE declares the BioAlfa Project of public interest, a research initiative aimed at identifying Costa Rica's wild biodiversity through DNA barcoding of eukaryotic organisms nationwide. The decree acknowledges the country's biological wealth and the need to integrate this knowledge into the cultural and socioeconomic fabric to…
Decreto 419162019
Reforma de Tarifas de Ingreso a Áreas Silvestres Protegidas
This executive decree amends Article 18 of Decree No. 38295-MINAE, adding two new categories exempt from paying entrance fees to Protected Wild Areas administered by SINAC. The newly exempt groups are SINAC retirees, and direct family members (parents, children, and spouses) of active or retired SINAC employees. The family exemption is limited to once a…
Decreto 419672019
Reforma al Mecanismo de Gobernanza de los Espacios Marinos
This executive decree reforms Decree 41775 of 2019, which created the governance mechanism for marine spaces under Costa Rican jurisdiction. The reform introduces substantial changes to delineate competencies and strengthen participation. Specifically, it adds Article 1 bis, which requires each institution in the mechanism to respect the competencies and…
Decreto 417682019
Reforma artículo 3 del Decreto 20172-MIRENEM: Parque Nacional Volcán Miravalles-Jorge Manuel Dengo
Executive Decree 41768-MINAE amends Article 3 of Decree 20172-MIRENEM to reclassify a section of the Miravalles Protective Zone as a National Park, named Miravalles Volcano-Jorge Manuel Dengo. The change is based on technical studies highlighting the area's exceptional biodiversity, water resources, and endemism, including endangered species like the tapir…
Decreto 411242018
Reglamento para la gestión y reconocimiento de servicios ecosistémicos
This executive decree establishes the regulatory framework for SINAC to manage and recognize ecosystem services (ES) provided by the State Natural Heritage and private lands important for conservation. It defines economic and non-economic mechanisms —such as trusts, payments for ES, conservation credits, royalties, debt-for-nature swaps, partnerships, and…
Decreto 414972018
Reforma al Reglamento de uso público del Parque Nacional Corcovado
This executive decree amends the Public Use Regulation of Corcovado National Park (Decree 40700-MINAE of 2017) to make it mandatory for visitors to be accompanied by a registered tour guide when hiking the trails between the La Leona and Los Patos ranger stations and the Sirena Biological Station. The amendment is based on Article 50 of the Political…
Decreto 415912018
Reforma a las Normas Generales de Acceso a Recursos Genéticos y Bioquímicos y Reglamento para Acceso ex situ
This decree amends and clarifies procedures for access to genetic and biochemical resources of biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge, under both in situ and ex situ conditions. It updates definitions, requirements for basic research, bioprospecting, and economic use permits, and strengthens obligations on prior informed consent and fair…
Decreto 404432017
Derogatoria de decretos de nombramiento de CONAGEBIO
Executive Decree No. 40443-MINAE repeals five prior executive decrees that appointed representatives of various sectors to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). The recitals explain that, under the Biodiversity Law No. 7788 and an opinion of the Attorney General's Office (C-015-1999), appointments to CONAGEBIO must be made by…
Decreto 404792017
Reforma a la Regionalización del MINAE y Reglamento a la Ley de Biodiversidad
This decree amends the regionalization of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) established in Executive Decree No. 40054-MINAE of 2016, and updates the Regulation to the Biodiversity Law (Decree No. 34433). Principally, it creates a new Cocos Marine Conservation Area, defines the shared administration of the Corredor Fronterizo National Wildlife…
Decreto 406482017
Derogatoria de Decretos de Nombramientos de CONAGEBIO
This executive decree repeals three prior decrees (No. 40074, 38793, and part of 38792) that appointed representatives of various sectors to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). It is based on the finding that the Biodiversity Law No. 7788 and its regulations do not require these appointments to be made via executive decree;…
Decreto 407252017
Creación de la Comisión Interinstitucional para la Gestión del Conocimiento y la Información sobre Biodiversidad (CIGECIB)
Executive Decree No. 40725 creates the Interinstitutional Commission for Biodiversity Knowledge and Information Management (CIGECIB), an ad honórem collegial body responsible for advising and coordinating with public and private entities on the generation, management, and dissemination of scientific and traditional knowledge about Costa Rica's…
Decreto 407292017
Reforma al Reglamento de la Ley de Biodiversidad
This amendment to the Biodiversity Law Regulation (Executive Decree 34433) reassigns responsibilities between the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) and the Executive Director of SINAC regarding administrative contracting and concessions for non-essential services in protected wild areas. The Executive Director becomes the competent authority…
Decreto 407232017
Renovación de declaratoria del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre "Ara Macao"
This executive decree renews for ten years the declaration of the Ara Macao National Wildlife Refuge, a mixed-ownership category, located in Jacó and Tárcoles districts, Garabito canton, Puntarenas. The area, owned by El Paseo de Lindara S.A., covers 38 hectares with 8965 m² of primary and secondary forest. The private landowner voluntarily agreed to keep…
Decreto 408102017
Reforma Regionalización del MINAE y Reglamento a la Ley de Biodiversidad
This executive decree amends Articles 3 and 14 of Executive Decree No. 40054-MINAE, which establishes the regionalization of the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE). The amendment clarifies that Conservation Areas with coastal shorelines include inland waters and the territorial sea corresponding to legally established marine protected areas and…
Decreto 395972016
Nombramiento de representantes indígenas ante CONAGEBIO 2016
This executive decree formalizes the appointment of the principal and alternate representatives of the Asociación Mesa Nacional Indígena to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) for a three-year term. The decree is issued in compliance with Article 15 of Biodiversity Law No. 7788, which mandates the inclusion of indigenous…
Decreto 395982016
Nombramiento del representante suplente del Ministro de Comercio Exterior ante la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This executive decree, issued by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Environment and Energy, appoints Katherine Arroyo Arce as the alternate representative of the Minister of Foreign Trade to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), replacing Daniela Herrera Li. The appointment is for a full three-year term, in…
Decreto 395992016
Nombramiento de representante del Ministro de Salud ante la CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Mr. Jorge Valverde Quesada as the full member representing the Minister of Health on the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), replacing Mr. Esteban Cerdas Quirós. The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The decree also repeals the…
Decreto 397722016
Declaratoria de Interés Público del Programa de Compensación Fluvial Parismina y Dos Novillos
Executive Decree No. 39772-MINAE declares as a public interest the Parismina and Dos Novillos River Compensation Program, an initiative of the Costa Rican Institute of Electricity (ICE) created as environmental compensation for the cumulative and residual impacts of the Reventazón Hydroelectric Project. The program covers the channel, the riparian…
Decreto 397862016
Reglamento para el Manejo Activo de los Ecosistemas del Parque Nacional Palo Verde
This decree approves a regulation that standardizes active management actions—grazing, prescribed burning, vegetation cutting, and soil puddling—within Palo Verde National Park, a Ramsar wetland of international importance. The interventions aim to ecologically rehabilitate ecosystems degraded by fire, artificial flooding, and invasive species, recover…
Decreto 398912016
Nombramiento de miembros ante CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Nevio Bonilla Morales as a full member and Argerie Cruz Méndez as an alternate member, both representing the Minister of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). The appointments are made for a full three-year term, as provided in Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law…
Decreto 400742016
Nombramiento de representante suplente del Ministro de Salud ante CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Ana Victoria Giusti Méndez as the alternate member of the Minister of Health on the National Commission for the Management of Biodiversity (CONAGEBIO), in accordance with Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The appointment is for a full three-year term, following the request of the Minister of Health to extend her previous…
Decreto 401102016
Reglamento Modelo de Gobernanza Compartida Parque Nacional Cahuita
Executive Decree No. 40110-MINAE of December 2016 regulates the functioning of the shared governance model of Cahuita National Park, recognizing and formalizing a more than twenty-year practice of co-management between the local community—primarily Afro-descendant—and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). The regulation establishes a Local…
Decreto 388752015
Declaratoria de interés público carrera al Cerro Chirripó
Executive Decree No. 38875-MINAE declares the Annual Ecological, Cultural and International Cross-Country Race to Cerro Chirripó, held in Chirripó National Park, to be of public and national interest. The decree acknowledges that the event, organized by the Asociación de Desarrollo Integral de San Gerardo de Rivas, promotes environmental education, citizen…
Decreto 388822015
Entrega al Museo Nacional de la colección biológica ex situ del INBIO
Executive Decree 38882 regulates the transfer of all ex situ biological collections and associated information from the National Biodiversity Institute (INBIO) to the National Museum of Costa Rica for custody, conservation, and research. It declares these collections—and any others held by the Museum—to be of national and cultural public interest. An…
Decreto 390752015
Nombramiento de miembro de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This Executive Decree No. 39075-MINAE appoints Fiorella Donato Calderón as a full member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) representing the National Council of Rectors (CONARE). The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. It also repeals the previous decree…
Decreto 391182015
Política Nacional de la Biodiversidad 2015-2030
Executive Decree 39118-MINAE adopts Costa Rica's National Biodiversity Policy, binding from 2015 to 2030. It sets a vision of conservation, sustainable use, and resilience of biodiversity, fostering inclusive economic development, social participation, and fair benefit-sharing. The policy is structured around four axes: 1) Improving conditions and…
Decreto 394122015
Reglamento de Uso Público del Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio y la Zona Protectora Tenorio
Executive Decree No. 39412-MINAE sets the regulatory framework for public use of Tenorio Volcano National Park and Tenorio Protected Zone. It details permitted, restricted, and prohibited activities within these protected wild areas, based on the zoning of the Management Plan. Entry is authorized only for research, training, and low-impact ecotourism,…
Decreto 394852015
Nombramiento de representante suplente del SINAC ante la CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Eugenia Arguedas Montezuma as alternate member of the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) before the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), in compliance with Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of said law. It also partially…
Decreto 393412015
Reglamento de Sanciones por Acceso No Autorizado a Recursos Genéticos y Bioquímicos
This executive decree establishes the administrative sanctioning procedure to apply fines and measures provided in Articles 112 and 113 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788, in cases of unauthorized access to genetic and biochemical resources of Costa Rican biodiversity. It defines unauthorized access as access carried out without a permit from the CONAGEBIO…
Decreto 382002014
Nombramiento de Miembros de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This executive decree appoints the principal and alternate representatives of the Asociación Mesa Nacional Campesina to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) for a three-year term, pursuant to Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law. The Commission, as a deconcentrated body of MINAE with instrumental legal capacity, is tasked with…
Decreto 382952014
Tarifas por derechos de ingreso y otros servicios en las Áreas Silvestres Protegidas
This executive decree establishes differentiated fees that the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) may charge for entry and services in state-run protected wild areas. It is based on Article 42 of the Biodiversity Law, which authorizes SINAC to set fees according to operational costs and services provided, and requires annual review. The decree…
Decreto 382962014
Reforma al Reglamento de Uso Público del Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
This executive decree amends Articles 2 and 12 of the Public Use Regulation for Manuel Antonio National Park. It modifies visiting hours, establishing that the park will be open Monday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with a single schedule during the high season (December 1 to June 30). It also reinforces prohibitions for visitors, notably…
Decreto 383272014
Plan de Manejo del Área Marina de Manejo Montes Submarinos
This executive decree formalizes the Management Plan for the Seamounts Marine Managed Area (AMM MS), a 9,640 km² marine protected area surrounding Cocos Island National Park in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The plan, developed through a participatory methodology by SINAC and approved by CONAC, establishes zoning into two categories: a strict protection…
Decreto 385232014
Nombramiento de miembro de la CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Patricia Madrigal Cordero as a full member representing the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) on the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). She is designated for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of Biodiversity Law No. 7788. Additionally, the previous appointment contained…
Decreto 385842014
Nombramiento de Julio Jurado a la CONAGEBIO
Executive Decree No. 38584-MINAE of July 2, 2014, appoints Mr. Julio Jurado Fernández as a full member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), representing the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. CONAGEBIO is…
Decreto 387292014
Nombra miembro de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This executive decree appoints Ms. Daniela Herrera Li as the alternate representative of the Ministry of Foreign Trade before the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The appointment is made considering that her previous term —established by…
Decreto 387702014
Reforma a las Tarifas de Ingreso en Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del ACOSA
This decree reforms Articles 9 and 21 of Executive Decree No. 38295-MINAE, updating the entrance fees for Protected Wilderness Areas under the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA) and adjusting fees for research and academic visits. For Corcovado National Park and Isla del Caño Biological Reserve, non-residents will pay $15.00 and residents ¢1,600.00 per daily…
Decreto 387912014
Nombramiento de miembro en Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This executive decree, issued in September 2014, appoints María Fernanda Reyes Chin Wo as the full representative member of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), replacing the previous representative. The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of…
Decreto 387922014
Nombramiento de miembro ante la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This executive decree appoints Carlos Dengo Garrón as a full member representing the Costa Rican Union of Chambers of Private Enterprise to CONAGEBIO. The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. Previous appointments in Decrees No. 37935-MINAE and No. 37929-MINAE are repealed, and the…
Decreto 387932014
Nombramiento de miembros del INCOPESCA en la CONAGEBIO
This executive decree, signed by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Environment and Energy, appoints two representatives of the Costa Rican Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture (INCOPESCA) to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). Lorna Marchena Sanabria is named as full member and Álvaro Otárola Fallas as…
Decreto 387942014
Derogatoria del Reglamento del CORAC La Amistad Pacífico
This executive decree repeals the Regulation of the Regional Council of the La Amistad Pacífico Conservation Area (CORACLAP), which had been approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) and published as Executive Decree No. 35583-MINAET. The repeal is based on the fact that the original regulation was contrary to Biodiversity Law No. 7788…
Decreto 388972014
Derogatoria del Reglamento de Concesiones de Servicios No Esenciales en ASP
Executive Decree No. 38897-MINAE repeals the Regulation for Non-Essential Service Concessions in Protected Wild Areas administered by SINAC (Decree No. 32357-MINAE). The repeal is based on SINAC now having its own procedure, approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas in 2009, and the institutional capacity (Procurement Office) to handle these…
Decreto 379352013
Nombra miembro de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
This Executive Decree appoints a representative of the forestry concessionaires' sector as a member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), in fulfillment of Article 14 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The norm is an administrative act of individual designation, without general normative content, and has been amended twice,…
Decreto 379622013
Nombramiento de miembro suplente de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
Executive Decree No. 37962-MINAE, issued on July 1, 2013, makes a specific appointment to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). The regulation designates Ana Victoria Giusti Méndez as an alternate member representing the Minister of Health, for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No.…
Decreto 379862013
Resumen Ejecutivo del Plan de Manejo del Humedal Nacional Térraba-Sierpe
Executive Decree 37986-MINAE officially publishes the Executive Summary of the General Management Plan for the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland (HNTS), approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas. The plan establishes a condition-based zoning system (pristine, semi-natural, social, influence, and buffer zones), specifying conservation objectives,…
Decreto 380812013
Reglamento de Organización y Funcionamiento del Consejo Regional del Área de Conservación Pacífico Central
This executive decree establishes the structure, functions, and procedures of the Regional Council of the Central Pacific Conservation Area (CORAC-ACOPAC). It regulates the democratic election of its members, composed of representatives from government institutions, non-governmental organizations, community organizations, and municipalities, all with voice…
Decreto 371072012
Nombramiento de miembro de CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Fiorella Donato Calderón as a full member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), representing the National Council of Rectors, for a full three-year term. It also repeals a prior appointment decree from 2009. The decree is based on Biodiversity Law No. 7788, which created CONAGEBIO as a…
Decreto 372082012
Nombramiento de miembro de CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Mr. Rafael Ángel Gutiérrez Rojas as a full member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) representing the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC). The appointment is for a full three-year term, as stipulated in Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The decree also expressly repeals the…
Decreto 372572012
Nombramiento de representante ante CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Eva María Carazo Vargas as a full member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), representing the Costa Rican Federation for Environmental Conservation (FECON). The appointment is for a three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law No. 7788. It also repeals the previous…
Decreto 372742012
Reglamento del Consejo Regional del Área de Conservación La Amistad Caribe
This executive decree establishes the internal regulations for the constitution, operation, financing, and administration of the Regional Council of the La Amistad Caribe Conservation Area (CORAC ACLA-C), pursuant to the Biodiversity Law No. 7788 and its Regulations. It defines the call for a Public Assembly with representation from eight sectors…
Decreto 364272011
Programa Nacional de Humedales y Comité Nacional de Humedales
This executive decree creates the National Wetlands Program within the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) as the technical structure responsible for promoting, planning, and developing Costa Rica's wetlands. It also establishes a National Advisory Council on Wetlands, composed of government authorities, indigenous representatives, and…
Decreto 364522011
Crea Área Marina de Manejo Montes Submarinos
This executive decree, signed by the President and the Minister of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, creates the Bicentennial Marine Management Area (originally called Montes Submarinos) in the Costa Rican Pacific, covering approximately 106,283.66 km². The new protected area, which surrounds Cocos Island National Park, aims to conserve the high…
Decreto 366032011
Nombramiento de Representantes Campesinos en CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints a proprietary member and an alternate representing the Asociación Mesa Nacional Campesina to the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO). The measure is based on Article 15 et seq. of Biodiversity Law No. 7788, which establishes the plural composition of the body with representation from various social…
Decreto 366992011
Ampliación del gasto presupuestario máximo de CONAGEBIO para 2011
This executive decree increases the maximum budget expenditure authorized for the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) in 2011, raising it by ₡31,701,005.67. The increase is based on a request from CONAGEBIO, endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Telecommunications, to cover salary payments for the Technical Office from…
Decreto 366942011
Nombramiento de miembro de CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Walter Quirós Ortega as a full member of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), representing the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The appointment is for a full three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law. The decree also repeals a prior appointment contained in…
Decreto 367042011
Nombra miembro de la Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad
Executive Decree 36704-MINAET, signed on June 23, 2011, by the President of the Republic and the Minister of Environment, Energy, and Telecommunications, appoints a proprietary member and two substitute members to the National Biodiversity Management Commission (CONAGEBIO). CONAGEBIO is a decentralized body of MINAET created by Biodiversity Law No. 7788,…
Decreto 368062011
Nombramiento de miembro de la CONAGEBIO
This executive decree appoints Elizabeth Arnáez Serrano as an alternate member representing the National Council of Rectors to the National Biodiversity Management Commission (CONAGEBIO) for a three-year term, in accordance with Article 15 of the Biodiversity Law. It also repeals several prior decrees that designated other alternate representatives from…
Decreto 355422009
Reglamento del Consejo Regional del Área de Conservación Marina Isla del Coco
This decree establishes the structure and operation of the Regional Council of the Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area (ACMIC), pursuant to Biodiversity Law No. 7788. The Council is composed of representatives from public institutions, municipalities, NGOs, and community organizations within the area's influence, aiming to integrate sectors for natural…
Decreto 344332008
Reglamento a la Ley de Biodiversidad
This executive decree develops the administrative and technical organization for the management, conservation, and sustainable use of biodiversity in Costa Rica, pursuant to Biodiversity Law No. 7788. It regulates the structure and functions of the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) and the National System of Conservation Areas…
Decreto 349582008
Reglamento al Artículo 80 de la Ley de Biodiversidad
This executive decree developed the procedures for the mandatory prior consultation with the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO) required before granting intellectual or industrial property protection for innovations involving biodiversity elements. It also established the obligation to submit a report verifying compliance with…
Decreto 349592008
Reglamento al Artículo 78, Inciso 6) de la Ley de Biodiversidad
This executive decree aimed to regulate Article 78(6) of the Biodiversity Law, which sets out exceptions to patentability for inventions related to biodiversity. It sought to develop criteria to protect traditional knowledge and ensure equitable benefit-sharing, in line with the Convention on Biological Diversity and the TRIPS Agreement. However, the…
Decreto 315142003
Normas Generales para el Acceso a los Recursos Genéticos y Bioquímicos de la Biodiversidad
This executive decree regulates access to genetic and biochemical resources of biodiversity in Costa Rica, establishing three types of permits: basic research, bioprospecting, and economic use. It details the requirements and procedures to obtain them, including prior informed consent from providers—local communities, indigenous peoples, or landowners—and…
Decreto 278471999
Integración Comisión Nacional para Gestión de Biodiversidad
Executive Decree 27847-MINAE of 1999 creates the National Commission for Biodiversity Management (CONAGEBIO), tasked with advising the Executive Branch on biodiversity policy formulation and supervising the National Biodiversity Strategy. The commission includes representatives from key public institutions such as MINAE, MAG, ICT, Ministry of Health, and…
Decreto 170231986
Zona Protectora Tivives
This executive decree establishes the Tivives Protective Zone on the Pacific coast, covering approximately 2,368.75 hectares including the Mata Limón and Tivives mangroves and a remnant of tropical dry forest, considered the last representative stand of this ecosystem in the Central Pacific region. It places administration under the General Forestry…
Resolución 0002-12026
Plan General de Manejo del Área Marina de Manejo Barra del Colorado
This resolution by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) officially adopts the 2026-2030 General Management Plan for the Barra del Colorado Marine Management Area, a protected marine-coastal area of approximately 66,782 hectares in Costa Rica's North Caribbean. The plan establishes a zoning scheme with two categories: Minimum Intervention Zone…
Resolución 0052026
Plan General de Manejo del bloque de ASP del ACG 2024-2033
This resolution approves and brings into effect the updated General Management Plan for the Protected Wildlands Block of the Guanacaste Conservation Area (ACG), valid for ten years. The plan establishes conservation targets, focal management elements for terrestrial and marine-coastal ecosystems, prioritized threats, zoning, and nine strategic projects for…
Resolución 00032025
Resolución 0003-2025: Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Corcovado
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-0003-2025, approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) on January 20, 2025, formalizes the General Management Plan (PGM) for Corcovado National Park (PNC) for the period 2022-2031. Developed through a participatory process involving 87 people from institutions, NGOs, communities, and businesses, the PGM defines…
Resolución 0012025
Plan General de Manejo del Humedal Nacional Térraba-Sierpe
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-001-2025 approves and formalizes the General Management Plan (PGM) for the Térraba-Sierpe National Wetland (HNTS) Protected Area, located in the Osa Conservation Area (ACOSA). The PGM is the planning instrument that guides the protected area's management towards its long-term conservation objectives. It defines four zoning…
Resolución 00022025
Resumen Ejecutivo del Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-0002-2025 approves and formalizes the General Management Plan for Piedras Blancas National Park for the 2023-2033 period. The document establishes conservation objectives, focal management elements—such as lowland forests, mangroves, lotic and lentic ecosystems, terrestrial mammals, needlefish, and corals—and a zoning scheme for…
Resolución 00152025
Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal 2025
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-0015-2025 approves the updated General Management Plan (GMP) for Arenal Volcano National Park (PNVA), developed through a participatory process with local and institutional stakeholders. The GMP establishes zoning of the protected area into six categories: zero intervention (78% of the park, maximum protection), low, medium, and…
Resolución 00862025
Plan General de Manejo del Área Marina de Manejo del Bicentenario
Resolution SINAC-ACMC-DR-RES-0086-2025 validates and approves the General Management Plan (PGM) for the Bicentennial Marine Management Area (AMMB), a new marine protected area established by Executive Decree No. 43368 of 2022. The PGM serves as the technical and planning instrument defining zoning, conservation objectives, focal management elements…
Resolución 0022024
Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Isla del Coco 2024
Resolution 002-SINAC-ACMC-DR-2024 approves and formalizes the new General Management Plan (GMP) for Cocos Island National Park, an oceanic protected wild area of the National Park category created in 1978 and expanded in 2022. The GMP defines the vision, objectives, and strategies for the conservation of marine and insular biodiversity and the…
Resolución 0672024
Resumen del Plan General de Manejo de la Reserva Biológica Hitoy Cerere
The National System of Conservation Areas' National Council (CONAC) approves the Summary of the General Management Plan (PGM) for the Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve (RBHC) for the 2019-2028 period. This technical planning instrument establishes the objectives, zoning, permitted and prohibited activities, and monitoring mechanisms for the administration of…
Resolución 0682024
Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Chirripó
The General Management Plan (PGM) for Chirripó National Park serves as the guiding instrument for its administration and conservation, approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC). It outlines strategic objectives to conserve and restore biodiversity and ecosystem services, promote low-impact tourism, and facilitate scientific research.…
Resolución 212023
Plan General de Manejo del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Privado Nogal
This resolution approves the General Management Plan for the Nogal Private National Wildlife Refuge, a technical planning instrument guiding the protected area's management toward long-term conservation goals. It identifies seven focal management elements, including the Sucio River, the tropical rainforest, and threatened species such as the Great Green…
Resolución 0322019
Plan de Manejo del Humedal Estero Puntarenas y Manglares Asociados
This resolution by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) approves and publishes the Executive Summary of the Management Plan for the Estero Puntarenas Wetland and Associated Mangroves, a protected wild area established by decree in 2001 and later expanded. The plan is the guiding technical instrument for the administration and management of…
Resolución 1102017
Plan General de Manejo del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caletas-Arío
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-110-2017 approves and formalizes the General Management Plan for the Caletas-Arío National Wildlife Refuge, a mixed protected wild area of 20,179 hectares located between the provinces of Puntarenas and Guanacaste. The plan establishes conservation objectives, refuge zoning, and regulations for permitted uses, with an emphasis on…
Resolución 1122017
Plan General de Manejo del Refugio Nacional Mixto de Vida Silvestre Bosque Alegre
This document contains the Summary of the General Management Plan for the Bosque Alegre National Mixed Wildlife Refuge (RNMVSBA), approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) in 2017. The plan sets forth the mission, vision, strategic objectives, zoning, and participatory governance model for this refuge created in 1994 to protect the…
Resolución 1142017
Plan de Manejo del Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste
This document approves and publishes the General Management Plan for Las Baulas de Guanacaste Marine National Park (PNMLB). The plan establishes zoning and use regulations for the protected area, aiming to protect leatherback turtle nesting sites and other marine-coastal ecosystems. It details zones of minimum, low, medium, and high intervention, private…
Resolución 0232017
Actualización del Plan de Manejo Parque Nacional Tortuguero
The National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) approves and formalizes the updated General Management Plan 2014-2023 for Tortuguero National Park (PNT). The document establishes strategic guidelines for the administration and conservation of the protected area's terrestrial and marine-coastal ecosystems, located in northern Caribbean Costa Rica. The…
Resolución 0242017
Actualización del Plan de Manejo del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Barra del Colorado
This resolution approves and publishes the update to the General Management Plan (PGM) for the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge, a guiding instrument for the administration and conservation of this protected wilderness area. The document details the zoning of the refuge into four categories (minimum, low, medium, and high intervention),…
Resolución 242016
Plan General de Manejo de la Reserva Biológica Lomas Barbudal
This resolution formalizes the General Management Plan of the Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve, approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) under Agreement No. 21 of Ordinary Session No. 03-2016 on March 28, 2016. The plan establishes strategic objectives, management zoning, and seven management programs with a 10-year time horizon,…
Resolución 532015
Plan de Manejo Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mata Redonda
This document is the executive summary of the General Management Plan for the Mata Redonda National Wildlife Refuge, approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) via Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-53-2016. The plan establishes zoning of the refuge into seven categories: ecological protection, rehabilitation, restricted use, public use…
Resolución 542015
Resumen Ejecutivo del Plan de Manejo del Humedal Palustrino Corral de Piedra
This resolution formalizes the Management Plan for the Corral de Piedra Palustrine Wetland, located in the Nicoya Canton, Guanacaste, established by Executive Decree No. 22898-MIRENEM. The plan defines five management zones: Restricted Use Zone, Intensive Public Use Zone, Sustainable Resource Use Zone, Special Use Zone, and Buffer Zone. It outlines…
Resolución 592015
Plan General de Manejo Refugio de Vida Silvestre Tirimbina
This resolution by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) approves and publishes the General Management Plan for the Tirimbina Wildlife Refuge, establishing guidelines for managing this private protected wildland. The document details the vision, mission, strategic objectives, focal management elements, and zoning into four areas: housing,…
Resolución 0622014
Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Diriá
This management plan, approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) through Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-062-2014, establishes the management framework for Diriá National Park, located on the Nicoya Peninsula. It defines conservation objectives focused on protecting watersheds (Diriá, Enmedio and Tigre rivers), unique flora and fauna, and…
Resolución 0632014
Plan General de Manejo de la Zona Protectora Monte Alto
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-063-2014 of the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) approves and formalizes the General Management Plan for the Monte Alto Protected Zone, located in the upper watershed of the Nosara River in the canton of Hojancha, Guanacaste. The plan serves as the guiding instrument for the administration and management of this…
Resolución 0642014
Plan de Manejo del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Categoría Mixto Romelia
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-064-2014 approves and publishes the Management Plan for the Romelia Mixed-Category National Wildlife Refuge (RNVSM Romelia), located on the Nicoya Peninsula. The plan defines the zoning of the protected area, which includes a state-owned portion (natural heritage of the State) and a private portion, with five management zones:…
Resolución 0042013
Plan General de Manejo del Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú
Resolution R-SINAC-CONAC-004-2013 approves and publishes the Irazú Volcano National Park General Management Plan for the period 2008-2013. This plan is the primary technical instrument for the park's administration and conservation, establishing zoning, management programs, and use regulations. It defines five management zones: strict protection,…
Resolución 062012
Plan de Manejo del Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Barra del Colorado
This document formalizes the Management Plan for the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge (RNVSBC), approved by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC). The plan establishes the refuge's zoning into five categories: Absolute Protection, Public Use, Special Use, Sustainable Use, and Human Settlements, with specific rules and prohibitions…
Resolución 112012
Plan de Manejo del Parque Nacional Isla del Coco
This resolution by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC), R-SINAC-CONAC-11-2012, approves and publishes the Management Plan for Cocos Island National Park (PNIC). The plan establishes five management programs: Administration and Operations, Financing Management, Control and Surveillance, Natural and Cultural Resources Management, and…
Resolución 122012
Plan de Manejo del Parque Nacional Corcovado
This resolution by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) approves and publishes the Management Plan of Corcovado National Park. The document sets out the park's conservation objectives, its land and marine zoning based on desired intervention conditions, and strategic elements such as mission, vision, and values. The zoning defines zones of…
Resolución 012011
Plan de Manejo del Parque Nacional Marino Ballena
This resolution by the National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) approves and formalizes the Ballena Marine National Park (PNMB) Management Plan, complying with the Biodiversity Law No. 7788 Regulations. The plan defines marine and terrestrial zoning, from minimal to high intervention categories, plus a buffer and community influence zone. It sets…
Resolución 0032011
Políticas para las Áreas Silvestres Protegidas del SINAC
The National Council of Conservation Areas (CONAC) officializes the Policies for the Protected Wild Areas of the National System of Conservation Areas, aiming to consolidate a comprehensive, ecologically representative and effectively managed PA system. The document identifies nine policies with specific objectives and strategic guidelines: ecological…