Dionisio “Nito” Paniagua is a renowned tour guide at Corcovado National Park, located in Osa, Puntarenas, and recently announced that he will temporarily stop working there due to difficulties renewing his guiding license. In a video shared on his TikTok profile, Paniagua described what he sees as serious management problems affecting the biodiverse park and the communities that depend on tourism.
He explained that there are “two Corcovados.” “With everything that has been happening, I’ve realized there are two Corcovados,” he said. The first is the tourism-centered sector, where most visitors arrive and where many local jobs are generated. In this area, he said, authorities apply an extremely strict filter to tour guides.
Park rangers reportedly conduct constant checks and remove guides for failing to meet requirements such as up-to-date insurance, tax payments, Social Security contributions, or a valid license.
“If you don’t have your insurance up to date, they kick you out. If your taxes aren’t up to date, they kick you out. If your license is expired, they kick you out,” he stated. Even minor infractions, like stepping a few meters off a designated trail, can result in suspension from the park for up to seven days. “We’re talking about being left without work for a week,” he added.
In contrast, Paniagua described another side of the park that few tourists see. “The other Corcovado is the half where there is no tourism, where the park’s filter has a huge hole,” he said. According to him, this less-monitored sector faces illegal hunting and mining, yet lacks sufficient ranger presence.
While areas such as Sirena station may have multiple rangers supervising guides and visitors, he claims there are none in zones where environmental crimes are more likely to occur. “Instead of educating, we’re persecuting,” he argued, adding that environmental policies are “very poorly directed.”
Paniagua also criticized policymakers in the Legislative Assembly, the Ministry of Environment and Energy, and SINAC, saying it is “time to renew the institutions” and rethink conservation strategies. He believes authorities should focus more on environmental education and community outreach.
His announcement followed the park’s decision to deny him entry because his license expired. Guides must renew every two years by completing 50 hours of coursework. “I’m not mad. It’s not the park’s fault that I didn’t complete the hours,” he acknowledged. However, he proposed an alternative: “I would have been more useful doing 50 hours of environmental education at a local school instead of sitting in front of a computer accumulating online courses.”
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