Sandwiched between the Pacific & Caribbean Ocean and two continents, Costa Rica has a reputation of being one of the most naturally beautiful destinations in the world!
Although Costa Rica is about 31,478sq.miles which is only slightly bigger than Lake Michigan in the United States; this small paradise contains 5% of the planet’s biodiversity!
This amazing fact makes Costa Rica unmatched anywhere else in the world for the density of biodiversity to its size. With the thick cloud forests, vast open wetlands, and heavenly beaches teeming with wildlife and nature, here are our top 5 spots of natural beauty in Costa Rica!
♦ Flying through Monteverde’s Cloud Forest
The Monteverde Cloud Forest is perhaps on of the most famous spots of natural beauty in Costa Rica and it can be found in the mountains, northwest of Costa Rica’s capital, San José. With weird and wonderful exotic bird calls flowing out of the green canopy as well as brightly colored flowering orchids set against the dark greens of hanging moss and vines, you will soon appreciate this stunning ecosystem.
More than 100 species of mammals live in the Monteverde Reserve and you better watch your step as 1,200 species of amphibians and reptiles can be found here, both venomous and non-venomous.
Monteverde is Costa Rica’s main center for eco-tourism and with Costa Rica’s luxury eco-lodges & hotels the lush cloud forest is waiting to surpass your wildest expectations!
♦ Monkeying around in Manuel Antonio
Whilst enjoying the paradisiacal white sandy beaches of Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast, you might be wondering why many people have their backs turned to the beautiful azure ocean and instead, are staring at the rainforest backing the beach.
You will soon witness one of Costa Rica’s best spectacles as capuchin monkeys, squirrel monkeys and howler monkeys begin climbing down from the treetops and onto the heavenly tropical beach below.
Accompanied by iguanas and if you’re lucky, slow-moving sloths, this coconut-paradise is a natural beauty delight! Make sure to tear your eyes and cameras away from the animals around you as you watch the sunset over the pristine bay and outer islands of this paradise destination!
♦ The Crown Jewel of Corcovado
The fame of Corcovado National Park has rocketed ever since National Geographic labeled it as ‘the most biologically intense place on earth in terms of biodiversity.’
Located in the Osa Peninsula in the South Pacific region of Costa Rica, the Parque Nacional Corcovado is Costa Rica’s largest and is home to 10% of all the mammals found in the Americas!
As the planet’s home of biodiversity, you will be able to enjoy sightings of graceful scarlet macaws and a numbered of endangered species, from Baird’s tapir to the giant anteater. Exploring the area between Bahía Drake and Puerto Jiménez will repay those who venture there with some of the most impressive displays of nature and wildlife in the world!
♦ Sadldle up in Rincón de la Vieja
Home to Costa Rica’s cowboys, the wide open plains and volcanoes found in the Rincón de la Vieja National Park add to the rugged scenery of this natural beauty spot. Due to its volcanic surroundings, there are a number of examples of the areas thermal activity.
From the relaxing hot springs to the numerous geysers that spurt out plumes of steam, the natural beauty of Rincón de la Vieja is mind-boggling!
One of the best ways to explore this area is saddling up a horse as a guide takes you to the hidden waterfalls, mud baths, hot springs and natural jungle swimming pools. From savanna and pastureland to secondary forest, this part of the Guanacaste Province is alive with some of the best examples of birdlife in Costa Rica. Over 250 species of birds from long-tailed manikins to ivory-billed woodcreepers makes Rincón de la Vieja National Park, Costa Rica’s prime bird-watching area!
♦ Conservation in Tortuguero
Costa Rica’s delicate ecosystems and biological diversity is widely protected with more than 25% of Costa Rica being protected. None are perhaps as important as the Tortuguero National Park in the northeast of Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast.
One of Costa Rica’s most remote national parks, endangered sea turtles nest, lay their eggs and frequent the shores of Tortuguero.
From June to October, the slow moving, green turtle comes ashore at Tortuguero to lay its eggs at one of the last major nesting sites in the world for this endangered animal. Visiting the nesting beaches of the ancient green turtles is a unique travel experience and one which we hope will continue for centuries to come in spite of the dangers facing the green turtle population.
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