Costas Verdes is a Costa Rican non-profit organization founded in 2009 with the mission of restoring native coastal forests through community-based ecological restoration. What began as a grassroots effort to restore a single beach has grown into one of Costa Rica's leading
The organization was born after the successful restoration of Playa Hermosa de Garabito, where local surfers, conservationists, and community members demonstrated that degraded beachfront ecosystems could be brought back to life through the planting and long-term care of native tree species. Inspired by this success, Costas Verdes was established to replicate this model in other coastal communities across the country.
Over the past 15 years, Costas Verdes has developed a proven restoration model that integrates scientific planning, native tree propagation, long-term maintenance, and strong community engagement. The organization has restored coastal forests at 34 beaches, planted more than 102,000 native trees representing 96 native species, and mobilized over 13,000 volunteers, 35 schools, and more than 60 businesses. Today, Costas Verdes continues to expand its impact by helping coastal communities restore their natural heritage while strengthening biodiversity, climate resilience, and local stewardship.