Published on Wednesday, April 22, 2026
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

President Rodrigo Chaves-Robles has signed an amendment allowing authorities to impose steep fines on individuals and tour operators who illegally enter national parks and other protected areas.

The modification, Law No. 22,878, titled “Reform to the National Park Service Law,” authorizes significantly higher penalties for unauthorized entry and prohibited activities in protected areas nationwide.

The law has been published in the official government gazette, La Gaceta, and is set to take effect on April 30, 2026.

Under the new legislation, individuals who enter national parks without authorization or through unauthorized access points face fines of $2,700.

Tour operators or guides who offer access to protected areas through unauthorized routes face fines of $6,400.

Tour guides or tourism companies that bring visitors into protected areas through unauthorized entry points and conduct hikes in areas classified as high risk face fines of $9,200.

 

Fines will increase by 50% for repeat offenders.

The law also establishes an additional $4,600 penalty if rescue operations are required to locate and remove individuals who entered through unauthorized areas. The surcharge is intended to cover costs incurred by park rangers and rescue units.

The penalties apply to anyone detained for entering unauthorized areas, promoting prohibited activities within parks or offering tours in restricted locations.

According to data from the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC), authorities detained 408 people between December 2025 and January 2026 for entering protected areas through unauthorized access points.

SINAC, the government agency responsible for managing Costa Rica’s national parks and protected areas, is urging the public to report anyone suspected of offering tours or conducting unauthorized activities within protected zones by calling 911 or the 1192 hotline.

Authorities also urge visitors to purchase tickets in advance through the official SINAC website when visiting national parks and to avoid using third-party intermediaries.

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What have you heard about tour guides offering private tours through unauthorized areas in Costa Rica’s national parks?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com