The national park system began in the 1960s and now
there are about three dozen national parks, wildlife refuges,
biological reserves, monuments and recreation areas in Costa
Rica. These comprise almost 12% of the total land area, and more
are being
planned, notably in the Volcān Arenal area. In addition there are various buffer zones such
as forest reserves an Indian reservations which boost the total
area of "protected" land to about 27%. These buffer
zones still allow farming, logging and other exploitation,
however, so the environment is not totally protected within them.
As well as the national parks system there are about two dozen
private-owned lodges, reserves and haciendas which have been set
up to protect the land, end these are well worth visiting.