Coco
Cocos nucifera
Native Region
Indo-Pacific (naturalized in Americas)
Max Height
20-30 meters (66-100 feet)
Family
Arecaceae
Conservation
LC
Uses
Distribution in Costa Rica
Legend
Elevation
0-600m
Regions
- Limón
- Puntarenas
- Guanacaste
Season
Flowering
Jan-Dec
Fruiting
Jan-Dec
Coco (Coconut Palm)
Coco (Cocos nucifera) is often called the "Tree of Life" because every part of the palm can be used. Along Costa Rica's beautiful coastlines, coconut palms define the tropical landscape and provide essential resources to coastal communities.
Quick Reference
- Scientific Name
- Cocos nucifera
- Family
- Arecaceae (Palm)
- Max Height
- 20-30 m (66-100 ft)
- Fruit Season
- Year-round
- Conservation
- Least Concern (IUCN)
- Origin
- Indo-Pacific
iNaturalist Observations
Community-powered species data
12000
Observations
186
Observers
📸 Photo Gallery
Photos sourced from iNaturalist's community science database. Browse all observations →↗
Taxonomy & Classification
Geographic Distribution
Geographic Distribution
Where to Find Coconut Palms in Costa Rica
Primary Habitats:
- Caribbean Coast — Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, Tortuguero
- Nicoya Peninsula — Beach communities
- Central Pacific — Manuel Antonio area
- Guanacaste beaches — Samara, Nosara, Tamarindo
Elevation: Sea level to ~600 m (best below 300 m)
Habitat & Ecology
Ecological Adaptations
The coconut palm is remarkably adapted to coastal environments:
- Salt tolerance — Thrives near ocean
- Drought resistance — Deep taproot
- Wind flexibility — Bends without breaking
- Buoyant seeds — Ocean dispersal
- Sandy soil adaptation — Extensive root system
Wildlife Associations
Animals associated with coconut palms:
- Hermit crabs — Consume fallen fruit
- Rats — Major seed predators
- Bats — Visit flowers for nectar
- Various insects — Pollinators
- Birds — Nest in frond crowns
Coconuts can float in seawater for months and still germinate when they wash ashore, which explains their pantropical distribution. This remarkable adaptation made coconuts one of nature's most successful colonizers of tropical coastlines.
Botanical Description
The coconut palm has a single, unbranched trunk that often develops a graceful curve, especially in windy coastal areas. The crown consists of 25-35 pinnate fronds that can reach 4-6 meters in length.
Uses & Applications
In tropical cultures, the coconut palm provides virtually everything needed for life: food, drink, oil, shelter materials, utensils, fuel, and income. No other tree offers such diversity of products.
Cultural Significance
Coconut in Costa Rican Culture
Traditional Uses:
- Caribbean cuisine — Essential in rice and beans, seafood dishes
- Agua de pipa — Fresh coconut water sold on beaches
- Cocada — Traditional coconut candy
- Afro-Caribbean heritage — Central to Limón culture
- Coastal livelihoods — Economic foundation for beach communities
Growing Coconut Palms
From Seed (Coconut):
- Use mature coconuts with water inside
- Lay horizontally in moist sand/soil
- Keep warm and humid
- Germination takes 3-6 months
- Sprout emerges from soft 'eye'
Where to See Coconut Palms
Best Locations in Costa Rica
Caribbean Coast:
- Puerto Viejo — Classic Caribbean coconut groves
- Cahuita — Beach palms in national park
- Manzanillo — Pristine coastal stands
Pacific Coast:
- Manuel Antonio — Hotel and beach plantings
- Guanacaste beaches — Iconic sunset backdrops
- Osa Peninsula — Wild coastal areas
External Resources
Community observations, photos, and distribution data
Global observations
Authoritative taxonomic information from Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
References
📚 Scientific References & Further Reading
Harries, H.C. (1978). The Evolution, Dissemination and Classification of Cocos nucifera L.. Botanical Review 44(3):265-319
Gunn, B.F. et al. (2011). Independent Origins of Cultivated Coconut in the Old World Tropics. PLoS ONE 6(6):e21143
The Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera) is inseparable from Costa Rica's coastal identity. From the Caribbean shores of Limón to the Pacific beaches of Guanacaste, these graceful palms provide shade, sustenance, and that quintessential tropical atmosphere that draws visitors from around the world.
🥥 ¡Pura Vida!
