The Invisible Value of a Seashell
Costa Rica’s beaches are not just places to rest or watch the sunset. They are living ecosystems, where every element — even a small seashell — plays an essential role.
Recently, the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE) and the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC) launched a campaign with a simple but powerful message:
“Don’t take the shells!”
What many see as a beautiful beach souvenir is, in reality, a home and refuge for thousands of marine creatures.
Shells provide protection for crabs, fish, sea urchins, algae, and coastal birds.
They also help stabilize the sand and regulate the pH of marine soil, natural functions that sustain the ecological balance of our coasts.
When someone picks up a shell and takes it home as a keepsake, they’re taking more than an object — they’re removing a piece of the ecosystem.
Each missing shell means less shelter, fewer nutrients, and greater vulnerability for the marine life that depends on them.
A Silent but Deep Impact
In recent months, Costa Rican authorities have confiscated over three tons of seashells at national airports.
It may seem like a small gesture — a single shell in one hand — but multiplied by thousands of tourists, it becomes a significant loss for nature.
Shells are not trash or decorations; they are the building blocks of life created by the sea.
Without them, beaches lose part of their natural structure and become more vulnerable to erosion.
Traveling Also Means Protecting
Responsible travel isn’t just about observing nature — it’s about being part of its protection.
When you decide to leave a shell on the sand, you’re taking part in a small act of respect that helps preserve coastal life and the natural spirit of Costa Rica.
As a company committed to conservation, Osa Outdoors Adventures believes that every visitor has the power to make a difference.
Our guides share these small stories of the forest and the sea, because we know that education is the first step toward preservation.
A Message for All Travelers
“The best memories of your trip are not the ones you hold in your hands — but the ones that stay in your heart.”
Each shell you leave on the beach continues to fulfill its purpose.
Every conscious choice you make helps keep the ocean’s balance — and its creatures — alive.
Next time you walk along the shore and spot a shiny shell in the sand, remember: it already belongs to someone else.
Leave it there, where the sea can keep telling its story.