TUI Costa Rica Rainforest Conservation Expansion 2026

The TUI Care Foundation has launched the second phase of its wildlife conservation project in Costa Rica, expanding protected corridors to preserve endangered rainforest species.

The Conservation Update

Bilateral ecological initiatives and community-based forestry programs are expanding across Central America. The TUI Care Foundation has launched the second phase of its conservation and sustainable tourism project in the buffer area surrounding Barbilla National Park, Costa Rica.

Developed in partnership with the Work with Nature Foundation, the initiative connects reserve fragments to establish a secure biological corridor, expanding active forest ranger patrols across 289 hectares of land. The campaign targets the protection of critically endangered species including the Lemur Leaf Frog, the Great Green Macaw, the Gliding Tree Frog, and the Splendid Tree Frog.

Conservation Specifications & Corridor Scope

Coordinating biodiversity monitoring across Central American biological reserves requires tracking habitat restoration areas and target wildlife species. The following table provides specifications for the Costa Rican rainforest corridor project.

Conservation Phase	Protected Land Area (Hectares)	Target Wildlife Species	Core Ecological Intervention	Geographic Corridor Focus
Phase 1 (Completed)	275 hectares of rainforest	Lemur Leaf Frog, Great Green Macaw	20 artificial ponds & nesting boxes	Barbilla National Park Buffer Area
Phase 2 (Active Expansion)	289 hectares of reserve land	Gliding & Splendid Tree Frogs, Bats	Ranger patrols & wildlife corridor	Work with Nature to Barbilla Park

Rainforest conservation coordinates and reserve parameters verified in coordination with the Work with Nature Foundation.

Traveler Logistics Guide

From a ground-level perspective, the best way to navigate this is to coordinate your travel route with licensed eco-tourism guides in San José before heading east towards Bajo Chirripó, as transiting the rugged terrain surrounding Barbilla National Park requires four-wheel-drive transport and official local rangers. Securing necessary travel permits is recommended.

To organize your eco-tourism journey:

Entry and Conservation Passes: Ensure you check access protocols for the Work with Nature Reserve and Barbilla National Park, as guided trails require advanced booking to minimize human footprints.
Eco-Lodge Arrangements: Partner with locally owned lodges that directly support the Cabécar Indigenous territory, contributing to the community-led economic model.
Wildlife Monitoring Tours: Book specialized morning nature walks that showcase the newly built arboretum featuring 50 native tree species, or participate in bioacoustic educational seminars.
Gear and Pack Guide: Bring waterproof hiking boots, high-humidity insect repellent, and reusable water bottles to avoid plastic waste in protected zones.

Ecological and Economic Impact

The establishment of connected wildlife corridors between Barbilla National Park and the Work with Nature Reserve supports the migratory movements of threatened bird and amphibian species. By funding local ranger salaries and training community guides, the project transitions the regional economy toward sustainable tourism models that counter illegal logging and poaching.

This program integrates with the global TUI Wildlife network, which coordinates similar community-led conservation projects in Rwanda, Cambodia, Namibia, and Mexico.