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| Cocos Island
National Park protects the peak of an ancient submarine volcano
rising up out of the eastern Pacific Ocean. The forest-clad
"treasure" island, where pirates were rumored to have
hidden their valuable hoards, boasts true natural riches including
a number of endemic plant and animal species found nowhere else
on earth. The waters surrounding the island offer some of the
best diving in the world, and are inhabited by giant manta rays,
hammerhead sharks and other unusual marine creatures. The United
Nations declared Cocos Island a World Heritage Site in 1997. |
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| Corcovado National Park, in southern Costa Rica, shelters a tropical rain forest ecosystem like no other in Central America. National Geographic described Corcovado as "the most biologically intense place on earth." Within this vast, remote and untouched jungle, dense green foliage sprouts gigantic over-sized leaves, thick vines and towering tree ferns, all thriving on the abundant rainfall that gives the forest its name. About a quarter of the country's tree species are represented inside this unique wilderness, as well as hundreds of species of mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles. |
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| Chirripó National Park protects towering mountains and vast valleys filled with glacier lakes and moraines, sparkling rivers and unique habitats ranging from fern groves and oak forests to highland paramo elfin forests. The park protects the country's tallest peak, Chirripó, rising 3,819 meters (12,530 feet) above sea level, affording a spectacular view of both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts on clear days. A great variety of interesting animals, including wild cats and other large mammals, inhabit Chirripó National Park. |
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| Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, straddling the Continental Divide in the northernmost part of the province of Puntarenas, is one of the most interesting places to visit in Costa Rica. The privately owned reserve is acclaimed as one of the most outstanding wildlife refuges in the New World Tropics. The reserve shelters jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, colorful insects, butterflies and birds, including the metallic-green resplendent quetzal. Impressive, mist-covered forests contain thousands of different plant species, including tall trees laden with ferns, bromeliads, orchids and other epiphytes. |
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| Tortuguero National Park is the most important area in the western Caribbean for the nesting of the Atlantic Green Turtle. Giant Leatherback, Loggerhead and Hawksbill turtles also lumber ashore to lay their eggs in the sands of this remote coastal park, located inside an expansive roadless wilderness area in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica. The lush jungle contains some of the country's greatest biological diversity, including a number of unique and endangered animals such as the West Indian manatee. |
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Arenal Volcano National Park protects a mysterious and unpredictable mountain that draws inquisitive visitors to its slopes like a powerful magnet. Sometimes a rumbling, belching, angry-faced volcano, sometimes peacefully snoring mountain. Sometimes a perfectly shaped, sun-bathed cone, sometimes an invisible thunder god shrouded in a deathly pale mist... Arenal Volcano often rewards hopeful visitors with displays of natural fireworks (most impressive on clear dark nights) and voluminous plumes of smoke that rise hundreds of feet into the air.
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| Manuel Antonio National Park is often considered the crown jewel of Costa Rica's world-renowned system of protected areas. It is the country's smallest and most-visited national park, a place where lush tropical forests meet pristine white-sand beaches, where the crashing of the waves mingles with the chattering of monkeys and colorful birds. Picturesque rocky islands rise up from the blue water, while iridescent fish and other marine creatures decorate coral reefs beneath the ocean's surface. |
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| Rincón
de la Vieja National Park contains an active volcano, abundant
wildlife, beautiful waterfalls and some fascinating geothermal
features. The immense protected area spans six different life
zones ranging from tropical moist forest to lower montane rain
forest. One of the park's most unique features is Las Pailas,
a small area exhibiting a wide range of geothermal activity,
including boiling mud pits, hot sulfur springs, fumaroles and
steam vents.. |
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| Irazú Volcano
National Park shelters an impressive active volcano with a documented
history of dramatic eruptions dating back to the colonial era.
The area around the massive main crater resembles a sparse moonscape,
while the forests beneath the peak protect an important watershed
area, the headwaters of Chirripó, Reventazón, Sarapiquí and
Tárcoles rivers. Irazú is easily reached from San José, and
makes for a pleasant day trip from the Central Valley.. |
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| Braulio
Carrillo National Park shelters dormant volcanoes, crater lakes,
crystalline waterfalls, rivers and streams, cloud forests with
towering tree ferns, oversized tropical plants, orchids, colorful
birds and intriguing mammals. The verdant scenery inside this
protected area is stunning, with patches of mist gently clinging
to emerald vegetation and myriad waterfalls cascading down steep
green cliffs and sheer-sided canyons.. |
We would like
to share some of the comments we have received
from our clients.
We can assist you in planning your Costa Rica vacation! Please contact
Tour Costa Rica´s travel
division for help customizing a vacation that meets your budget
and exceeds your expectations.
Telephones:
(506) 222-53939 / 222-40505
Toll-free
from the USA & Canada:
1-800-514-0411
Fax: (506) 225-36934
P.O.
Box 10736-1000
San José, Costa Rica
or
SJO 745
P.O. Box 025216
Miami, FL 33102-5216
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