| The clue is in the name: la Costa Rica, the Rich Coast, | | | | Park is almost as isolated as Corcovado, but lies |
| has long been known for its astonishing wealth of | | | | several hundred kilometers away on the far northern |
| natural life, an abundance of biodiversity that places it | | | | side of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. |
| at the top of every nature lover's vacation wish list. | | | | This 32,000 hectare park is home to some unusual |
| And thankfully, given the country's diminutive size, | | | | geography, not quite ocean and not quite dry land, |
| this natural richness is easily accessible to visitors | | | | the semi-marine environment is made up of |
| while enjoying their Costa Rica vacations. | | | | interconnected lagoons, rivers and manmade canals, |
| But with almost 30% of the country designated as | | | | plus thick mangrove swamps, marshes and sandy |
| environmentally protected land, the only dilemma is in | | | | beaches, all of which provide an ideal home to a huge |
| trying to figure out which of the 35 national parks | | | | concentration of exotic wildlife. |
| you should squeeze in to one Costa Rica vacation. | | | | Perhaps the area's most famous inhabitants are the |
| Choosing between Costa Rica's numerous national | | | | female green sea turtles who return to the sands on |
| parks is no easy task but the following profiles, | | | | which they were born to lay their eggs before |
| based on first-hand Costa Rica travel experience, | | | | heading back out to the ocean. This event is a major |
| should help. | | | | attraction and it is possible to visit the beaches and |
| Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve | | | | witness the culmination of the turtles' epic annual |
| This dense blanket of mountain-side cloud forest is | | | | voyage. |
| over 10,000 hectares in size and is among the most | | | | Aside from turtle watching, Tortuguero's waterways |
| popular of Costa Rica's protected areas thanks to its | | | | are ideal for guided boat trips to spot some of the |
| ethereal, mysterious atmosphere, stunning | | | | region's other wildlife, including spider monkeys, |
| mountaintop views, and a vast collection of exotic, | | | | capuchins, sloths and manatees, plus huge numbers |
| but often elusive, wildlife. | | | | of bird species. |
| The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is owned and | | | | Most visitors choose to stay within the national park |
| maintained by a private, non-profit organization, the | | | | itself in a jungle-style lodge, although it is possible to |
| Tropical Research Center. There are over 10km of | | | | stay in a hotel in the nearby Tortuguero village, from |
| trails through the reserve with marked routes of | | | | where you can take excursions into the park. |
| varying lengths. The trails are well maintained and | | | | As with Corcovado, Tortuguero National Park is |
| access is easy for all visitors, but paths can get | | | | remote and fairly inaccessible. Although it is possible |
| muddy year round so bring sturdy boots. | | | | to get here on your own steam, Tortuguero tour |
| A popular bird-watching destination, the reserve is | | | | packages are a convenient way to visit the area and |
| home to hundreds of bird species. Monteverde cloud | | | | will also guarantee the quality of your lodge and |
| forest is particularly well known for its most | | | | guide. |
| glamorous inhabitant, the resplendent quetzal, | | | | Insider's Tip: |
| although sightings of this shy bird are fairly | | | | If you want to make your own way to Tortuguero, |
| uncommon. Other mammalian locals include sloths, | | | | give yourself plenty of time to get there and back as |
| howler monkeys and the guinea-pig like agouti. | | | | the journey involves a road journey from San Jose |
| The nearby town of Santa Elena is a quaint | | | | to Caño Blanco via Siquirres, followed by a |
| settlement with enough hotels and restaurants to | | | | boat ride to Tortuguero village, which can take up |
| cater for the area's popularity, but as with all Costa | | | | the best part of a day. |
| Rica hotels, consider booking ahead to ensure | | | | Cahuita National Park |
| availability. | | | | Heading further south down Costa Rica's Caribbean |
| Hiring a guide is highly recommended, to help spot | | | | coast eventually brings you to a much more |
| some of the wildlife hiding above your head in the | | | | accessible stretch of the country, a place where the |
| trees. Monteverde tours are available and can be | | | | Caribbean influence remains strong, especially in the |
| booked in advance through a provider of Costa Rica | | | | vibrant town of Puerto Viejo. |
| vacation packages. | | | | The nearby village of Cahuita, although much sleepier |
| Entrance fee: $16. Information office opening hours: | | | | than its vivacious neighbor, is home to a small but |
| 7am-4pm. | | | | attractive reserve, Cahuita National Park. |
| Insider's Tip: | | | | The long, narrow park runs along the coast south of |
| Monteverde cloud forest is a justifiably popular stop | | | | Cahuita and is characterized by its thick, tropical |
| on a Costa Rica vacation, the only drawback being | | | | vegetation, with coconut palms swinging directly out |
| the number of visitors the reserve attracts on a daily | | | | over the white sands and blue waters of the |
| basis. For a much quieter experience with a higher | | | | Caribbean coast. |
| chance of spotting some of the area's timid wildlife, | | | | Scores of crabs scuttle across the narrow stretch of |
| try the neighboring Santa Elena reserve too. | | | | sand and further inland the trees are home to sloths |
| Corcovado National Park | | | | and howler monkeys alongside ibises and herons. |
| For visitors looking for a much more secluded spot | | | | Particular favorites are the bold capuchins who happily |
| during their Costa Rica travels, the Corcovado | | | | approach their visitors, pose for photos and try to |
| National Park, at the country's far-southern tip on the | | | | make off with the occasional snack from unguarded |
| remote Osa Peninsula, is the idea destination. | | | | picnics. Remember, feeding the animals is strictly |
| This is the most isolated of Costa Rica's national | | | | forbidden as it can upset the delicate balance of this |
| parks; arriving here usually requires an internal flight | | | | fragile ecosystem. |
| followed by a boat transfer. But your perseverance | | | | Insider's Tip: |
| will be handsomely rewarded: Corcovado is home to | | | | This is one of the most accessible national parks in |
| over 40,000 hectares of protected land which include | | | | Costa Rica and makes for a pleasant day's hike from |
| no less than thirteen separate ecosystems. | | | | the town of Cahuita. The secluded beaches are |
| This national park is a true natural gem, the only | | | | inviting and the waters are warm, but beware of the |
| major lowland tropical forest left in the world, it is | | | | dangerous riptides and only swim in marked areas. |
| home to a bewildering number of species including | | | | Snorkeling the reef is a popular activity but access is |
| jaguars, pumas, tapirs, crocodiles, giant anteaters, | | | | only allowed with an official guide. |
| sloths and numerous species of monkey. | | | | Manuel Antonio National Park |
| In total, Corcovado is a refuge for around 500 | | | | Finally, another of Costa Rica's smaller and more |
| species of tree, 400 types of bird, 140 separate | | | | accessible protected areas, Manuel Antonio National |
| species of mammal, and over 100 types of reptiles | | | | Park is handily situated a few hours from San Jose |
| and amphibians. Furthermore, thanks to the region's | | | | on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast near the town of |
| under visited tranquility, the chance of actually seeing | | | | Quepos. |
| some of these creatures is much higher than | | | | A beautiful arrangement of tropical forests, secluded |
| elsewhere. | | | | beaches and ocean views make this one of the most |
| Getting to the peninsula, arranging accommodation in | | | | attractive parks in Costa Rica, although its beauty is |
| the national park and finding a reliable and professional | | | | also its curse, as the park draws a steady stream of |
| guide can be a tricky business, so it is recommended | | | | visitors year round, making it one of the busiest |
| to book one of the Corcovado tours on offer from | | | | national parks in the country. |
| reputable Costa Rica tours operators. | | | | But all these visitors are here for a reason: Manuel |
| Insider's Tip: | | | | Antonio is a refuge for a huge volume of wildlife and |
| Having made the journey to this distant corner of | | | | provides a scenic environment for hiking, swimming |
| Costa Rica, it makes sense to stay for at least four | | | | and exploring along the well maintained trails. |
| days and see as much of the Osa Peninsula as you | | | | A visit to Manuel Antonio guarantees sightings of the |
| can. Another nearby gem is the Caño Island | | | | park's monkey population, and if you're lucky you'll |
| Biological Reserve, a short boat journey across | | | | also catch a glimpse of the sloths, armadillos, iguanas |
| Drake's Bay. This beautiful island is popular for | | | | and snakes, among many others, all of which make |
| snorkeling and scuba trips and can be visited as a day | | | | their home here. |
| excursion from the mainland. | | | | Manuel Antonio tours operate from the town of |
| Tortuguero National Park | | | | Quepos and can be booked in advance or you can |
| From one extreme to another, Tortuguero National | | | | hire a private guide at the park. |