An Amazing Costa Rica National Parks Adventure
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Discovering National Parks In Costa Rica
The Central American country of Costa Rica may be tiny, but Costa Rica national parks are home to an incredible array of flora and fauna! The country has 12 key ecological zones that are bursting with exotic flora and fauna, leading officials to set aside more than 25 percent of Costa Rica’s land as protective parks and reserves. With an estimated 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity found within its borders, it’s no wonder that Costa Rica has been nicknamed “the living Eden.”
Welcome To The Land Of Pura Vida
Costa Rica is bordered by Nicaragua to the North, the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Panama to the southeast, and the Pacific Ocean to the southwest. The country has more than 800 miles of coastline and residents take conservation of the ocean waters very seriously! Luckily for tourists, Costa Rica experiences a tropical climate year-round. The two main seasons are the dry season, from December to April, and the rainy season, from May to November. But no matter when you are planning to visit, you’ll be sure to enjoy the country’s peaceful atmosphere as well as fantastic adventures in the many national parks in Costa Rica.
Five Fun Facts About Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known as one of the “happiest places in the world.” It is renowned for its peaceful people, incredible wildlife, and beautiful scenery. Here are some more fun facts about Costa Rica and Costa Rica national parks!
- Costa Rica has declared 25 percent of its land as protected. This protected land is divided into 28 national parks, 58 wildlife refuges, 32 protected zones, 15 wetland areas, 11 forest reserves, and 8 biological reserves!
- Thanks to the sheer number of different ecosystems found within its borders, Costa Rica is teeming with an incredible variety of nature and wildlife. More than 500,000 different species call this tiny country home. In fact, Corcovado National Park is renowned as the most biologically rich location on Earth!
- Each year, tourists from all over the world visit Costa Rica with tour operators like Gondwana Ecotours to experience the incredible national parks in Costa Rica. Due to its tropical climate, Costa Rica is an all-year-round destination. Today, tourism is one of the fastest-growing economic sectors of this tiny country.
- Costa Rica is home to more than 800 bird species, which accounts for approximately 10 percent of all bird species on Earth. You don’t have to be an ornithologist to appreciate the diversity and impressive variety of birdlife in this country. Some of the country’s most beautiful bird species can easily be spotted on display in their natural environment in Costa Rico national parks.
- Costa Rica may well be the happiest place on Earth! The Happy Planet index measures many parameters to rate the way nations are helping inhabitants achieve happy, long lives. Costa Rica has consistently come in as the top contender on this index as the happiest nation in the world.
Five Costa Rica National Parks To Visit
Are you planning a visit to Costa Rica national parks? If so, don’t forget to pack your Costa Rica national parks map! You’ll need a map to navigate through each park. Here is a breakdown of the top five most popular national parks to visit in Costa Rica, along with a list of some fun things you can see and do along the way!
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National Park |
Best Time To Visit |
Top Things to Do and See |
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Turtle nesting season, between early March and mid-October. |
Turtle tours - The Northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is home to mass turtle nestings. Four different species of sea turtles come to Tortuguero annually for the “arribada” or mass sea turtle nesting. Visit Tortuguero to see the Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead sea turtles return home to where they hatched to lay the next generation of eggs. |
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Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula |
The driest months for Corcovado National Park are December to April. The rainy season begins in May and goes through early December. |
Corcovado National Park is the largest park in Costa Rica, covering nearly half of the beautiful and untouched Osa Peninsula. The animals of Corcovado are not fed and rarely have human encounters. Therefore, visitors can observe wildlife in their natural environments. |
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The park’s dry season runs from March to April, and its rainy season runs from May to February. |
Piedras Blancas National Park is located in the southern zone of Costa Rica just off the Osa Peninsula. The park is an important wildlife corridor and is one of the few places where jaguars still thrive. Hiking, birding, and exploring waterfalls are some of the main attractions of this park. |
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The best time to visit this park is in the dry season, which runs from December to April when the clear skies offer incredible views of Arenal Volcano! |
Covering 290 square miles, Arenal Volcano National Park is a major tourist attraction. Visitors flock to the park to hike along the base of Arenal Volcano, soak in the park’s hot springs, visit La Fortuna Waterfall, or see the region’s resident sloths. |
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Manuel Antonio National Park |
The dry season, from mid-December through May is the most popular time to visit this amazing Costa Rica national park. |
Although it is the smallest park in the country, Manuel Antonio National Park has some of the most impressive landscapes. Take a hike through the park’s rainforest to catch a glimpse of Capuchin, Howler, and Squirrel Monkeys, sloths, iguanas, agoutis, and hundreds of species of birds before relaxing on one of the park’s white sand beautiful beaches. |
Explore Latin America’s Hidden Gem
Costa Rico is a hidden gem – from unique wildlife to incredible outdoor experiences, this tiny Latin American Country has it all. If you want to truly experience the Pura Vida of this iconic country, book a tour with Gondwana Ecotours today! Explore the Osa Peninsula and the Corcovado National Park with Gondwana’s professional tour guides, and leave your worries behind. Relax and enjoy hikes along the beach, treks through the rainforests, sunrise birdwatching, and tours of Costa Rica national parks with our experienced guides today.
