Costa Rica has done what other countries might not even have thought of -25% of its land is ‘protected’ area in the form of national parks and forest reserves. Eco-tourists are in for a royal treat here; after all where else will one get to see over 12,000 plant varieties, 1,200 vibrant species of butterfly, 830 different types of birds, 230 species of mammals and 400 creepy crawly reptiles! While Costa Rica is home to numerous parks, reserves, wildlife and biological refuges and protected zones; here you get introduced to three of its most famous ones.
1. Arenal National Park
A hot favorite of bird watchers, Arenal National Park is home to most of the 830 species of birds to be found in Costa Rica. Keep your eyes peeled because there’s always one of them perched on a branch nearby. Conveniently located 80 miles from San Jose, this park is a first stop because of another, more dramatic attraction – the 1,663 meter high Arenal Volcano. Dormant for 400 years, it exploded in 1968 and was active until 2010, putting it on the list of world’s most active volcanoes. Trekking through the park’s desolate lava fields is one of the more popular park activities. Besides the volcano, there is much else in its shadow that will keep one busy! Costa Rica travel guides can hook water sport enthusiasts up for spelunking, rappelling, kayaking and white water rafting. If you’re inclined toward action on the land, then there are ATV rides, fishing, long winding tropical forest treks, horseback tours and waterfall tours. When done with the action packed day, head to one of the park’s soothing hot water springs for a relaxing and rejuvenating dip.
2. Manuel Antonio National Park
The smallest of Costa Rica’s national parks, Manuel Antonio is also touted as one of its best. This not to miss excursion has something for everyone. Jam packed with nearly every kind of animal that nature buffs head to Costa Rica for, it is also the place to be if what you’re looking for are sun soaked days on the beach. Miles of marked out trails in this trekkers paradise keep a visitor busy, stopping every now and then to get a closer look at the exotic animals and birds hiding in the forests. Manuel Antonio’s beaches are the best in the country – with four stretches of sandy paradise to choose from, many travelers spend days enjoying themselves under the shade of lines and lines of palm trees.
3. Corcovado National Park
This out of the way natural refuge is the largest of Costa Rica’s national parks. Being remote is actually its USP, helping preserve the park in its original, unspoiled state. Given the huge area it covers, it can take up to three days to travel the park from one end to the other, so keep a large chunk of your holiday for Corcovado. A complex freshwater-saltwater system, this park is one of the most biologically intense places on earth. Home to countless species of trees and plants, birds, insects, amphibians and mammals, Corcovado National Park is a dream come true for Eco tourists looking for the real thing. Sights include lagoons, plateau forests, cloud forests and palm and mangrove swamps.
A trip to this priceless refuge of nature rewards you with botanical and natural wonders exotic enough to make this a vacation of a lifetime!
Image Details and Licenses: https://flic.kr/p/eWJWtN (Sergio Quesada, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/bDkT9B (User Jerry Dohnal CC BY-NC-ND 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/6h7uKc (JaseMan, CC BY 2.0)
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