An overview of research permits required in Costa Rica

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Research permits are required by the Costa Rican government (Ministerio de Ambiente y Energía, MINAE) and its subagency SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservación) for any research projects involving the observation, capture, handling, transport and/or import/export of plants, animals or microorganisms conducted anywhere in the country. If the research involves collecting genetic, molecular or biochemical samples a permit will be required from MINAE CONAGEBIO (Comisión Nacional para la Gestión de la Biodiversidad).

Researchers from the University of Costa Rica are also required to obtain permits from MINAE SINAC. If the UCR research involves the collection of genetic, molecular or biochemical samples, a CONAGEBIO permit is not necessary; however, such research requires approval of an agreement between UCR and Pacuare Reserve regarding potential commercial use of any products of such research.

For research projects in national parks, review and approval by the relevant office of the conservation area under MINAE SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservación) is provided as part of the research permit approval.

If research is to be conducted on private land (Pacuare Reserve), evidence of permission from the landowner where the research is to be conducted must be included with the application to MINAE.  Pacuare Reserve requires that all research conducted at its field stations undergo a technical review by the scientific staff of the stations to insure that environmental impacts are compatible with station management and to safeguard other research projects from possible impacts. Owners of other private property must provide a letter of permission for research on their land.

Courses engaged in observational, non-destructive research projects are also required to obtain a permit. A scientific passport will be required for students working with existing projects. Students conducting independent projects will need to obtain Reserve's approval, a MINAE permit and a scientific passport.

Additional MINAE permits are required for export or import of biological material and for research involving genetic or biochemical sampling. Pacuare Reserve can provide a service to facilitate the permit process to researchers who wants to conduct projects for a fee (this fee doesn't include any fee that SINAC, MINAE or CONAGEBIO may ask for the permits). On the link below, you will find more information about these regulations and obtain the permits appropriate to your project, including those from Pacuare Reserve, SINAC, MINAE and from CONAGEBIO.

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Information on institutions

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MINAE 

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SINAC

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CONAGEBIO

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