Parc national de l'île Cocos

Photo : Barry Peters (CC BY 2.0)

Located off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this national park encompasses Cocos Island and its surrounding marine environment. The site comprises a small terrestrial island ecosystem and extensive coastal waters that support exceptional biodiversity, particularly marine species found nowhere else on Earth. The park's isolation in the eastern Pacific Ocean has resulted in unique evolutionary processes, creating habitats and animal communities of significant scientific interest. Its designation reflects the outstanding universal value of the marine ecosystems, which include coral reefs, rocky outcrops, and deep-water environments supporting endemic fish species and other marine life. The island itself features volcanic geology typical of Pacific oceanic islands, with steep terrain and limited vegetation. The site remains largely inaccessible to the public, allowing for the preservation of its natural state and ongoing scientific research.