Secondary forests are woodlands that regrow naturally or through restoration after the clearing or degradation of original primary forests. In Costa Rica, secondary forests are common across all regions and represent a mosaic of biodiversity depending on age, location, and disturbance history. These forests can host diverse plant and animal life, serve as biological corridors, and play a critical role in carbon capture, soil stabilization, and ecosystem recovery. With time and protection, many secondary forests transition into mature, complex systems resembling primary forest structure.
Children’s Eternal Rainforest (previously disturbed lands)
Biological corridors (e.g., San Juan–La Selva, Volcánica Central)
Private reserves and reforestation projects
All year, with notable differences in vegetation density between seasons
Secondary forests are essential to Costa Rica’s reforestation and biodiversity conservation strategies. While less complex than primary forests, they offer hope for ecosystem recovery and can host key species within a few decades of regrowth.
