Five National Parks in Costa Rica You Can’t Miss
The green, mysterious beauty of Costa Rica’s rainforests, the clear turquoise waters, the untouched white sand beaches the lush canopy that sings with wildlife – most of these natural marvels occur in the protection of Costa Rica’s nearly 20 breathtaking National Parks.
While conservation only seriously came to this country a few decades ago, Costa Rica is now a global leader in its overall percentage of protected land. This means that an incredible diversity of landscapes is untouchable by developers – from jungle basins to secluded beaches to mountainous, volcanic peaks. Here are five of Costa Rica’s most incredible National Parks:
Santa Rosa National Park
Only the most daring surfers head to Santa Rosa’s Playa Naranjo, where waves cascade toward the shore in iridescent, near-perfect tubes. Inland, hikers enjoy extensive trails through over 37,000 hectares of dry Pacific forest. The white sand beaches are an ideal spot to witness rare turtle nesting. Rustic camping conditions allow for a truly secluded getaway.
Arenal Volcano National Park
In addition to the conical Arenal Volcano – one of the most active volcanoes in the world – Arenal park also encompasses the Chato Volcano, whose crater has since yielded to a pristine lake surrounded by lush, beautiful cloud forests. The park, located north of the Tilaran Mountains in the Guanacaste Province, offers a thrilling contrast between an arid volcano spilling molten lava and the virgin splendor of the rainforest.
Guanacaste National Park
Home to three different biological research stations, the Guanacaste National Park features incredible landscape diversity – dry forest, cloud forests, rainforest and savanna. It also features two volcanoes – Orosí and Cacao. Wildlife includes monkeys, jaguars and numerous birds.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Small, coastal and idyllic, Manuel Antonio is one of the most prized natural destinations within Costa Rica, for those who love to relax, hang out on the beach, worship the sun and check out a few different species of monkey and iguana while they’re at it. The contrast between the thick tropical rainforest and the deep blue Pacific Ocean make for spellbinding beauty.
Tortuguero National Park
Stretching along a generous swath of Costa Rica’s northeastern coast, Tortuguero National Park is a sanctuary for the shoreline nesting grounds of the Green Turtle. Tourists, too, enjoy the incredibly extensive stretch of beach that creates a thin white line between the ocean’s deep blue, and the forest’s deep – and ecologically diverse – green.
Resources and More National Parks
CentralAmerica.com
Index of National Parks
CentralAmerica.com
Park Maps
Chris Migliaccio’s Photo Gallery
Tropical Dry Forests in Costa Rica
Southern Illinois University
Carera National Park
Centres of Plant Diversity (Smithsonian Institution)
Corcovado National Park
Department of Horticultural Science (University of Minnesota) Guanacaste Land Conservation
Posted by CR Traveler on 12/06/07 - Permlink
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