For the more
"feet-on-the-ground" tourist, there are many different types of
beaches and National Parks in Costa Rica, which boasts about 10.000
species of plants, 850 species of birds, more than 200 species of
mammals, 220 species of reptiles and about 160 species of
amphibians. You can really enjoy the gifts Mother Nature has
bestowed on this tropical country (Click here for our Natural History day tours).
If looking at nature up close suits your fancy, you will have to visit the
Costa Rican National Parks.
"Costarricenses"
really care about preserving their past and wholeheartedly believe in
preparing for their future: a little bit more than one quarter (26%)
of our territory is protected by the National Parks and Reserve
System. Even though we are a small country, we export oxygen to the
world. Through international trade bans and specific laws that
protect our native fauna y flora, we are considered air cleaners and
safekeepers for many species of wildlife.
Another facet of this territory as a vital conservancy status is that Costa Rica bridges
species from the southwith those from the north. Here we have species
that meet in this land bridge and others that can't be found in
other parts of the world due to the unique habitats present in our
country. As an example, there are well over two thousand different
species of orchids prevalent in Costa Rica, not counting other
flowers, that are distributed in every corner of the country.
Each and
every part of the National Parks and Reserve System has its own
attractions, depending on geographical and historical aspects.
Nature related activities and places
Lankaster
Botanical Gardens. Near Cartago, these botanical gardens
are home to a minimum of 800 species of orchids. Just because you
don’t have time or inclination to go off into the jungle to
discover all of them by yourself doesn’t mean you have to
forfeit the discovery. The gardens are maintained by the Botany
Department of the University of Costa Rica (UCR). The winter (dry)
season is when you can find the majority in flower (think
February-ish).
Rain
Forest/Canopy Tours. I put this here because as you zip
along the tree tops, this might not technically qualify the
experience under “hiking”. But seriously, this is one
of the highlights of a trip to Costa Rica. Several very reputable
companies supply guides and equipment. Also very important
to note is the fact that ALL AGES can experience this type of tour
SAFELY!!! Hikes/excursions from the bottom of the rain forest to
the top of the cloud forest are one of the things that call people
from all over the globe to return to Costa Rica over and over again.
Coffee/Banana
Plantation. Day tours can give you an entertaining but
valuable look-see into both these industries. These are, in some
ways, the “pork belly futures” of this country, and a
look into grass roots economy. However, just because you are
looking at part of what has built (and still makes up) an important
part of the country, it won’t interfere with your enjoying the
presentation. You can most certainly enjoy the best cup of “joe”
you might ever encounter, after the tour…
Whales/Tortoises/Dolphins/Manta
Rays/Scuba/Snorkeling . National
Park (Sirena) Caño Island, Drake Bay, or off the coast by the
Papagallo Bay, or perhaps you would prefer a trip to Islas del Coco,
or, or, or….this country is flanked by two major bodies of
water. Aside from being able to explore sites on your own, or to
participate in a tour, there are several scientific study stations
which can provide you with a bit more in-depth data to help you
enjoy your private explorations even more. Is it important to you
to plan your trip for when the sea turtles are laying their eggs? Or
when the sperm whales are migrating? Do you want to do some sports
fishing where you can observe one of the other wonders of nature??
Here you can find snorkelling day tours
Birding.
There are almost 900 species of birds in Costa Rica. From the oak
forest of Central America’s highest mountain range, the
Talamanca Mountains, all the way to the cloud forests of Monteverde
or Braulio Carrillo National Park, and onward to the lowland rain
forest of the Osa Peninsula, birders will discover a rich
variety of habitats filled with wonderfully diverse groups of birds.
Every birder, or any level of expertise and experience will find
this a rewarding experience. There are guides, bird experts who
live and specialize in this area, who are available for bookings.
Just let us know. We can hunt and peck for you!
Please check out our hiking day tours
Monkeys.
No visit to Costa Rica would be complete without seeing at least
some of its four species of monkeys: the cebus (or capuchin),
howler, spider, and squirrel. Along with approximately 50 other
species, they belong to a group called New World monkeys. If they
are around, remember they are very territorial…you do not
want to be under a tree looking up.
Bats/Spelunking.
Barra Honda National Park, in Guanacaste, is home to not only many
square acres of dry forest, but to a network of caves which are
fascinating to explore. Seeing as there are not many caves, per se,
in Costa Rica, these chambers are captivating to the imagination.
There are more than 42 chambers up to 240 meters deep, and burial
vaults dating back to pre-Colombian times are but a couple of the
things that make a visit here attractive….and, of course, an
important cave attraction are the bats! There are at least 110
species of bats here, the most notorious being the vampire bat.
Because it spreads a bovine rabies, bat-control is a concern. But
the species that do not present a threat are also here, and amazing
to behold. Some of these
bats include what may well be the cutest bat: the tiny Honduran
white bat; the largest New World bat - the carnivorous
false vampire bat; and the peculiar sucker-footed bats. One species,
the fruit-eating Talamancan yellow-shouldered bat, is found only in
the mountains of Costa Rica and small areas of
adjacent Panama and Colombia.
We also offer Volcano Watch,
White Water Rafting and
Horseback Riding one day tours
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