Giving Back to the Wild Heart of Costa Rica: Corcovado Beach Cleanup Success 🌊🌿
- Kari Michaelsen
- Sep 5
- 2 min read
This summer, Caracara Ridge had the incredible honor of contributing to something truly meaningful — a massive, community-driven beach cleanup in the heart of the Osa Peninsula, home to 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity and described by National Geographic as “the most intense place on the planet.”
More than 200 volunteers gathered for the “Casita Limpia” (Clean House) initiative, commemorating both the 50th Anniversary of Corcovado National Park and World Environment and Oceans Days. Supported by SINAC, UN Costa Rica, local groups, and private organizations, volunteers worked together to clean an astonishing 27 kilometers of pristine but impacted coastline and jungle trails.
🦜🐢 This effort wasn’t just about clearing litter. It was about protecting the precious habitat of jaguars, tapirs, harpy eagles, and four species of nesting sea turtles. It was about safeguarding the wild beauty of Corcovado from the modern threats of plastic waste, much of which arrives from distant shores, carried in by the ocean’s currents.
In the Sirena sector alone, an incredible 2,994 kilos of waste — mostly plastic bottles — were collected. Volunteers braved thick jungle, sticky mud, river crossings, and relentless tropical heat. With quads brought in for the first time ever, teams were able to transport heavy trash bags from remote sections of coastline and rainforest to central collection points. This innovation saved countless hours of hauling and made the operation far more efficient.
And because no jungle adventure is complete without a twist — those quads that helped haul trash? Well, it was a treacherous 13-hour trek through mud, rivers, and jungle—to get them into Corcovado. Getting them back out the same way seemed a near impossible task. That’s when someone suggested the unthinkable: “What if we take them out by boat?”
What started as a joke turned into one of the most daring extractions ever attempted in Corcovado (sponsored by Caracara Ridge). In Drake Bay, a fearless captain agreed to help. With no straps, little space, and nerves of steel, two massive ATVs were balanced on a tiny boat. Against all odds, the quads made it out safely—floating over waves instead of grinding through the jungle.
This unforgettable clean-up effort was inspired by Evangelina González and legendary Corcovado guide Dionisio Paniagua (“Nito”), who together witnessed first-hand the effects of ocean-borne plastic on this protected paradise. Their determination sparked a movement, and we were proud to stand beside them.
💚 At Caracara Ridge, our mission is to protect and restore nature through meaningful action. We are honored to have played a small role in giving back to Corcovado, supporting the team, and helping ensure these wild places thrive for generations to come.
Happy 50th birthday, Corcovado National Park — your wild spirit inspires us all. 🫶🏼🎉
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