Costa Rica Natural Wonders

Geraldine Vidal Céspedes

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve

The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the most popular destinations in

Costa Rica. About 2.5% of the world’s biodiversity rest in this tiny area
and about 10% of the plants found there can be seen nowhere else in the
world. This is a must-visit for birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. 100% of
the proceeds from entrance fees go towards education and research
programs. Interested in the Continental Divide? In the Monteverde
Cloud Forest, you can have one foot on the Caribbean side, and the
other on the Pacific!
Tortuguero National Park
• Tortuguero National Park is a truly unique destination as it’s
accessible only by airplane or boat. That doesn’t keep it from being
the third most popular in the country, however! Tortuguero
National Park has a massive variety of flora and fauna, thanks to the
eleven different habitats that rest within its boundaries. A boat or
kayak trip down the Tortuguero canals is a great chance to watch out
for animals and birds! Tortuguero is popular among turtle enthusiasts
for the variety of sea turtles that return to the beaches each year for
nesting.
Corcovado National Park, Osa Peninsula
• Named “the most biologically intense place on earth” by National
Geographic, Corcovado National Park is the largest park in Costa
Rica. It covers nearly half of the beautiful and untouched Osa Peninsula.
Its popularity with scientists and ecologists alike is no surprise – it contains
one of the last remaining areas of lowland tropical rainforest in the world.
It is also the home to elusive creatures such as the Baird’s Tapir, Harpy
Eagle, and the endangered Jaguar. Day tours with a professional naturalist
guide are recommended and can be arranged from nearly all of the
ecolodges in Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez. There are 4 main ranger
stations or entrances to the park: Sirena, La Leona, San Pedrillo, and Los
Patos. They are accessible by dirt road, boat, or charter flight 
Piedras Blancas National Park
Piedras Blancas National Park is located in the southern zone of Costa
Rica just off the Osa Peninsula. The forest is covered in verdant,
Jurassic forest and is home to many species of endemic plants and
animals. Piedras Blancas is an important wildlife corridor because it
connects to Corcovado National Park, and is one of the few places in
Costa Rica where jaguars still thrive. Stay at Playa Nicuesa Lodge if
you really want to experience Piedras Blancas National Park
Arenal Volcano
Arenal Volcano within Arenal Volcano National Park is one of the most
recognized attractions in the country. Covering 290 square miles, the
conservation area covers eight of the 12 life zones in Costa Rica and is a
popular destination for all kinds of travelers.  There are numerous
lodges and hotels in the area, catering to everything from adventure
travel to natural hot spring delights. Birdwatchers should definitely stop
by – of the 850 species that have been identified in Costa Rica, most can
be found here.
Manuel Antonio National Park
The jewel of Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest
park in the country, yet has some of the most impressive landscapes.
Forbes magazine named it among the most beautiful parks in the
country in 2011. The variety is part of the charm. Think white sand
beaches nestled into coves, the lush tropical forest along the edges, huge
mountains rising up from the midst of the trees. The fascinating and
beautiful coral reefs are a snorkeler’s dream!
Ballena Marine National Park, South Pacific
coast
Situated on the South Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Ballena Marine
National Park is a primarily oceanic park, with 110 hectares of land and
5375 of the sea. It’s named after the humpback whales that migrate from
July to October, and then again from December through March. In a
country with 11 times more marine territory than land, Costa Rica’s
Ballena Marine National Park is dedicated to conserving the rich marine
ecosystem of the area.
Carara National Park, Central Pacific Coast
Located on the Central Pacific Coast, Carara National Park is the most northern
rainforest experience on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. Originally a biological
reserve, the park upgraded to a national park in 1998. The park is perhaps most
famous for its wild scarlet macaw population but has a wealth of other tropical
bird species that attract birdwatchers and wildlife lovers. Another popular
attraction within the park is the Tarcoles River Crocodile Bridge. Travelers
marvel at the impressive size – some reaching 16 feet long-  and number of
wild crocodiles in their natural setting. Two and three-toed sloths can also be
found in the park. There are two hiking trails within the park: the 0.6-mile
Araceas Nature Trail and the 2.7-mile Laguna Meandrica Trail. Carara National
Park is one of the most easily accessible rainforest day trip experiences for
travelers staying in the San Jose and Central Pacific area
Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park is an often-overlooked wonder of wetlands
amid the tropical dry forests of the Guanacaste province. The park is
flooded by the Tempisque River to create a marshy home for an
abundance of wetland bird species such as Roseate Spoonbills, Egrets,
Wood Storks, and Herons. In the green season (from June through
November), the park marshes swell and attract wildlife – increasing
your odds of sightings. Book a float tour with a professional naturalist
guiding you through this vast network of channels and mangroves
searching for wildlife
Rincon de la ViejA, Guanacaste
• Rincon de la Vieja is the tallest and most active volcano in Costa Rica’s
north-west region of Guanacaste at 6,286 feet above sea level. Its name
which translates to “Corner of the Old Woman” comes from a legend of a
native princess whose lover is thrown into the crater by her angry father.
She spends the remainder of her life wandering the volcanic slope with
the power to heal. People seeking medicinal cures come to “the corner of
the old woman” to heal themselves from illnesses. Rincon de la Vieja
Volcano last erupted in 2011, but the geothermal activity beneath the
surface still remains active as vents, geysers, fumaroles, hot springs, and
mudbaths dot the land. Guided hikes can be arranged through the park to
explore the landscape, explore the wildlife, and discover waterfalls
Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste
• Located in the Guanacaste region, Tenorio Volcano National Park is
probably best known for Rio Celeste Waterfall within the park, a light blue
waterfall naturally colored by minerals in two converging rivers. The legend
says that after God finished painting the sky, he dipped his paintbrush in the
river which is why the river is now called Rio Celeste. The most popular
excursion within the park is hiking to the Rio Celeste Waterfall which can
be arranged as a tour led by a naturalist guide. The hike to the waterfall
takes about three hours with possible wildlife sightings like monkeys,
toucans, reptiles, and amphibians. The Tenorio Volcano remains dormant,
but geological activity continues in the area, with geysers shooting water
into the air and hot springs bubbling up from underground.
Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park protects a large expanse of dry forest in the
Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. The park is home to birds, deer,
monkeys, tapir, wild cats, and many more animals. Santa Rosa also has
important sea turtle nesting beaches and the historic La Casona
monument within its borders. La Casona is now a museum
commemorating the battles that took place there.
Irazu Volcano National Park
About an hour drive from the capital city of San Jose, Irazu Volcano is
the highest active volcano in Costa Rica but has not had an eruption
since 1994. The Crater Principal and Diego de la Haya Crater with a
green lagoon at its center are the main attractions within the park.  The
lake within the Crater Principal dried up three years ago. It’s common
for the volcano to be submerged in cloud cover so it’s best to go in the
morning. The temperature is generally a bit cooler up at the volcano as
well with averages around 45 degrees Fahrenheit.
Venado Caves
The Venado Caves contain configurations over 6 million years old
bear the beauty of waterfalls,numerous stalactites and
stalagmites, and a exotic fauna like fish, insects, spiders and four
different species of bats!

​ ocated only an hour from La Fortuna, these carverns offer an

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unforgettable underground mystical adventures.
What are the 7 Costa Rica Wonders?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSDmoPTwbnk