Costa Rica

Wondrous and unusual animals like monkeys, turtles, fishes, frogs, birds, and insects call Costa Rica home. The land is scenic, the animals and plants fascinating, but the real heart of Costa Rica is the people. Immigrants from throughout the world found a home in this fertile and peaceful country. Today, Costa Rica enjoys a strong economic climate, highly regarded social services, excellent free medical care, a world-renowned educational system that boasts a 98% literacy rate and a strong family oriented atmosphere.

Within its length of 51,000 square kilometers, you will always find a special place to discover. 24.6% of Costa Rican territory is protected under categories such as National Parks, Biological Reserves and National Wildlife Refuges. No other country in the world has dedicated so much of its territory to the protection of the environment. Due to its geographic position, Costa Rica is an exuberant biological bridge of botanical and zoological species. Costa Rica is a tropical country and has distinct wet and dry seasons. However, some regions are rainy all year and others are very dry and sunny.

Costa Rica has something for every person looking for an ideal vacation destination. San Jose provides the city oriented people a perfect place for strolling, dining, gambling, and enjoying an opera or ballet performance at the opera house. Adventure-oriented travelers will find the opportunity to hike through one of the many National Parks and Reserves that literally cover the country from north to south and east to west. Ocean lovers can surf some of the best waves in the world, deep-sea fish in a land that has more than 65 world-record catches or dive deep into the ocean to come across hammerhead sharks and manta rays. Whatever your likes are, you can be assured that your tropical adventure dream will come true!

The EcoAmerica Tours favorite attractions in Costa Rica

National Parks and Wildlife Refuges

The National Parks and Wildlife Refuges of Costa Rica are under the responsibility of MINAE, the Ministerio de Ambiente y Energia. Responding to new policies, MINAE established eleven Conservation Areas in 1998 to oversee and manage the public lands of Costa Rica. These conservation areas integrate the Sistema Nacional de Areas de Conservacion, or SINAC.

Arenal Volcano National Park: Costa Rica's most active volcano

Barra Honda National Park: to explore the limestone caves

Braulio Carrillo National Park: just an hour from San Jose

Carara National Park: a paradise for birds' lovers

Chirripo National Park: the tallest mountain in Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park: the jewel of the Osa Peninsula

Guanacaste National Park: the largest tropical dry forest

Irazu Volcano National Park: an overlook into the volcano crater

La Amistad International Park: a world biosphere project

Las Baulas National Marine Park: leatherback turtles at Tamarindo

Manuel Antonio National Park: beaches and wildlife

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge: Olive Ridley turtles nesting site

Palo Verde National Park: bird watchers' heaven

Piedras Blancas National Park: rainforest biodiversity

Poas Volcano National Park: the most visited park in Costa Rica

Rincon de la Vieja National Park: hot springs and mineral baths

Tapanti National Park: the place to spot a quetzal

Tortuguero National Park: famous sea turtle conservation

Turrialba Volcano National Park: the largest volcano craters