Costa Rica is taking its famous "Pura Vida" philosophy to new heights—literally—as workers install aerial wildlife crossings along one of the country's busiest highways this week. The temporary closures on Route 32 between San José and Limón represent the final stages of an ambitious conservation project that will ultimately create 48 safe passages for the nation's beloved wildlife.

Starting today through January 12, crews are installing overhead crossings that will allow monkeys, sloths, and countless other creatures to traverse the highway without danger. These aerial bridges complement 28 underground passages already completed, forming a comprehensive network that addresses habitat fragmentation in the ecologically rich Braulio Carrillo National Park area.

The installations span six critical locations, from Quebrada San Rafael in Guápiles to Río Blanco, targeting the route's most sensitive ecological zones. While daily traffic stops of up to 35 minutes might test drivers' patience, the short-term inconvenience pales compared to the long-term benefits for Costa Rica's extraordinary wildlife.

This project showcases Costa Rica's environmental leadership in action. The nation, which hosts roughly five percent of the world's biodiversity despite covering just 0.03 percent of Earth's surface, has consistently prioritized conservation alongside development. The wildlife crossings represent a model other countries can follow when balancing infrastructure needs with ecological protection.

The initiative gained momentum following a Constitutional Court ruling in July 2025 that pushed officials to accelerate environmental protections. Rather than viewing this as criticism, authorities embraced it as an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment. By November 2025, most underground structures were complete, and now the final aerial crossings are taking shape.

Why It Matters: These crossings do more than protect individual animals—they preserve genetic diversity by allowing populations on either side of the highway to intermingle. Habitat fragmentation is one of conservation's greatest challenges, and Costa Rica is proving that modern infrastructure and thriving ecosystems can coexist. The project also enhances safety for human travelers by dramatically reducing animal-vehicle collisions, creating a win-win scenario that benefits everyone.

The timing reflects Costa Rica's determination to complete what it starts. The Route 32 expansion wrapped up late last year, improving travel times with a widened four-lane highway. Now, the environmental safeguards are catching up, fulfilling the nation's promise to development that truly serves all inhabitants—human and animal alike.

For visitors heading to beloved destinations like Tortuguero's turtle nesting beaches or Puerto Viejo's pristine shores, the brief delays offer a chance to appreciate Costa Rica's conservation values firsthand. The country continues to prove that economic progress and environmental stewardship aren't opposing forces but complementary goals.

When the installations conclude next week, Route 32 will stand as a testament to thoughtful infrastructure planning. Travelers will move efficiently between coast and capital, while overhead, monkeys will swing safely across, and sloths will make their leisurely way—all part of Costa Rica's living commitment to protecting the natural world that makes it truly special.