Special Holy Week 2026 Operation

The Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) will activate a national control and protection operation during Holy Week, from March 28 to April 5, 2026. The central objective is to prevent environmental crimes such as poaching, illegal extraction, transport, captive possession, and the trade of wild flora and fauna species. This period coincides with one of the highest tourist visitation moments of the year, so authorities are seeking to protect biodiversity without closing natural spaces to the public.

Protected Areas Will Operate Normally

During the Holy Week operation, national parks and protected wilderness areas will maintain their regular public hours for both national and international tourists. Authorities invite visitors to plan their trips in advance, check opening hours, and, where applicable, make reservations through the official SINAC and MINAE booking systems. The institutional message is clear: protected areas remain open, but under greater control in order to reduce pressure on ecosystems during the peak season.

Control, Patrol, and Prevention Actions

The operation includes land patrols, rounds within protected wilderness areas, tourist visitation monitoring, handling of environmental complaints, fixed checkpoints, and road controls. Checkpoints at access routes to parks and coastal areas are also planned, along with stops to detect the illegal transport of wildlife, forest products, and timber. The surveillance measures are also aimed at preventing forest fires and other impacts on natural resources during the large-scale movement of people over Holy Week.

Personnel Involved and Resources Allocated

MINAE projects approximately 616 prevention, protection, and control activities during the operation, distributed among patrols, tourist entry controls, handling of complaints, road stops, and fixed checkpoints. In total, around 675 people are estimated to participate, including SINAC officials, personnel from other state institutions such as the Public Force, Border Police, Coast Guard, and Tax Police, as well as volunteers from organizations and private citizens. The operation has a budget of approximately 16–18 million colones (around 34,000–35,000 US dollars), earmarked for logistics, personnel mobilization, and the strengthening of controls.

Official Message to Tourists and Citizens

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Franz Tattenbach, has emphasized that these operations are aimed at preventing the extraction, poaching, illegal transport, captive possession, and trade of wildlife species throughout the national territory during Holy Week. Authorities remind the public that removing animals, plants, or parts of species from their habitat is a crime that directly affects the survival of fauna and the integrity of ecosystems. The population is urged to respect current environmental regulations and to report any suspicion of poaching, wildlife trafficking, or illegal transport of timber and other natural products.

Official Sources

• Communiqués from MINAE and SINAC regarding the Holy Week 2026 operation and the reinforcement of surveillance to prevent environmental crimes.
• National press coverage reproducing official statements and logistical details of the control operation, such as Delfino.cr and other outlets citing MINAE and SINAC.
• English-language coverage by The Tico Times and other portals summarizing the anti-poaching and wildlife trafficking operation during Holy Week in Costa Rica.