Costa Rica Reaffirms Permanent Ban On Sport Hunting, Leading Latin America In Wildlife Protection

Costa Rica has permanently banned all sport and recreational hunting of wild animals nationwide, reinforcing a landmark policy first passed in 2012 and becoming the first country in Latin America to outlaw hunting for trophies, sport, or entertainment.

The ban was enacted through reforms to the Wildlife Conservation Law (Ley de Vida Silvestre), following a citizen-led campaign that collected tens of thousands of signatures and reflected strong public support for protecting wildlife.

Today, the law is once again in the spotlight. Renewed attention and strengthened enforcement initiatives are cracking down on illegal hunting and highlighting Costa Rica’s role as a global conservation leader, protecting over 5% of the world’s biodiversity.

Why the 2026 focus matters:

• Permanent legislation and enforcement: The law is a strict, permanent prohibition on recreational hunting. Violators face fines and possible prison time, sending a clear message that killing wildlife for sport is illegal.

• Eco-tourism over hunting: The ban prioritizes sustainable tourism and stops illegal operations that target threatened and endangered species, including the jaguar, scarlet macaw, and Baird’s tapir.

• Protecting biodiversity: Renewed enforcement addresses ongoing threats from hunting and wildlife trafficking, ensuring animals remain protected.

• Public awareness: The renewed spotlight reinforces that hunting is forbidden nationwide, responding to past poaching in areas like Corcovado National Park.

Limited exceptions exist only for subsistence hunting in certain rural or Indigenous communities, scientific research with proper permits, or government-authorized population control. Hunting for so-called “sport” or “trophies” remains strictly banned.

Animal protection groups and conservationists have long praised the ban, noting how it supports Costa Rica’s ecotourism model and reinforces the country’s environmental leadership. With nearly a quarter of its land protected, Costa Rica continues to set a global example for wildlife conservation, safeguarding vital species for generations to come.