How to See Costa Rica's Fascinating Wildlife
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The natural beauty of Costa Rica
When it comes to the perfect balance between climate, geography and natural beauty, there is nowhere on earth more blessed than Costa Rica. Nestled right in the middle of Central America, between Nicaragua and Panama, its natural balance has made Costa Rica the ideal home for thousands of species of plants, birds, mammals, butterflies and reptiles. In fact, Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the entire world.
Aiding that perfect balance is the fact that unlike many of its neighbors, Costa Rica has been a stable and peaceful country for a long time. That has allowed the government to spend the time and money preserving that diversity for the whole world to enjoy. Today, nearly a third of Costa Rica is protected land, making it one of the world's top destinations for eco-tourism and wildlife viewing.
Aiding that perfect balance is the fact that unlike many of its neighbors, Costa Rica has been a stable and peaceful country for a long time. That has allowed the government to spend the time and money preserving that diversity for the whole world to enjoy. Today, nearly a third of Costa Rica is protected land, making it one of the world's top destinations for eco-tourism and wildlife viewing.
Experience nature at an eco-lodge
Visit one of the country's famous eco-lodges
One of the best ways to experience Costa Rica's natural beauty and diversity is to plan a visit to one of the country's famous eco-lodges. There are lots of beach resorts and luxury accommodations across the country, but the best way to really get involved with the stunning natural world here is at one of the many eco-lodges.
There are plenty of lodges to choose from, and probably as a great a diversity in facilities and amenities as there is in the surrounding wildlife. Some eco-lodges are quite basic and comfortable, others are more luxurious. Many of Costa Rica's eco-lodges are right in national parks, and some even involve a good hike to get there, but they are well worth the effort to reach. The best part about staying at an eco-lodge to experience Costa Rica's natural wildlife is that it puts you right in the middle of nature. You can walk along completely pristine and deserted beaches, you can wade across tidal rivers, and at night you sleep to the sounds of the rainforest. From howler monkey to toucans, to bullfrogs and tapirs, you are just one of a crowd in a truly wild and wonderful place.
There are plenty of lodges to choose from, and probably as a great a diversity in facilities and amenities as there is in the surrounding wildlife. Some eco-lodges are quite basic and comfortable, others are more luxurious. Many of Costa Rica's eco-lodges are right in national parks, and some even involve a good hike to get there, but they are well worth the effort to reach. The best part about staying at an eco-lodge to experience Costa Rica's natural wildlife is that it puts you right in the middle of nature. You can walk along completely pristine and deserted beaches, you can wade across tidal rivers, and at night you sleep to the sounds of the rainforest. From howler monkey to toucans, to bullfrogs and tapirs, you are just one of a crowd in a truly wild and wonderful place.
See jungle canals by boat
Tortuguero is a national park with untouched rainforest
Tortuguero is on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This is a national park, with untouched rainforest, and small canals winding through it. There are no cars here, and no roads. The only way to get to Tortuguero is by boat or by small plane. Lodges are located along the edge of one of the canals, and you can get around by boat once you're here. When you stay in a thatched roof cabin in Tortuguero, it's truly a feeling of being out in the wild rainforest!The Tortuguero National Park was created to protect the natural habitat and spawning grounds of the endangered green turtle. Boats bring visitors around the delicate net of canals, where you can see colorful tropical birds, capuchin monkeys, crocodiles and the turtles, all in their undisturbed native habitat. Many people find Tortuguero to be the highlight of their trip to Costa Rica.
Flickr Photos
See the rainforest from the air
Gondola tour through the heights of the jungle canopy
Much of the wildlife in the tropical forests lives its entire life high in the forest canopy, rarely (if ever) descending to the ground. If you want to see these creatures in their native habitat, you've got to go up to where they are! There are a few ways to do this.
There are also two places in Costa Rica, where the Rain Forest Aerial Tramway takes visitors on a gondola tour through the heights of the jungle canopy. It is a fascinating and utterly lovely experience, as you slowly and silently move through the treetops, surrounded by the hundreds of colorful birds and butterflies floating past.
There are also places where you can do a canopy walking tour. Walkways are placed high in the treetops, and as you walk along these, you get a birds eye view, moving between and over the treetops. This gives you more flexibility of viewing than the tram does, since you can stop and look at a toucan or howler monkey as long as you want.
For the more adventurous, there are zip lines, which let you go flying through the trees. You wear a climbing harness, and clip onto cables which are strung between platforms. You step off one platform, and go zipping along the cable to the next one. It's an adrenaline rush, and a lot of fun!
There are also two places in Costa Rica, where the Rain Forest Aerial Tramway takes visitors on a gondola tour through the heights of the jungle canopy. It is a fascinating and utterly lovely experience, as you slowly and silently move through the treetops, surrounded by the hundreds of colorful birds and butterflies floating past.
There are also places where you can do a canopy walking tour. Walkways are placed high in the treetops, and as you walk along these, you get a birds eye view, moving between and over the treetops. This gives you more flexibility of viewing than the tram does, since you can stop and look at a toucan or howler monkey as long as you want.
For the more adventurous, there are zip lines, which let you go flying through the trees. You wear a climbing harness, and clip onto cables which are strung between platforms. You step off one platform, and go zipping along the cable to the next one. It's an adrenaline rush, and a lot of fun!
Take a trip from San Jose
The capital of Costa Rica
You can also experience plenty of Costa Rica's incredible rainforest ecosystem, even if you don't hike miles to sleep at an eco-lodge. There are lots of day trips from San Jose or Puerto Limon that can bring you the experience of being close to the incredible wildlife here. San Jose is the capital of Costa Rica, located in the middle of the country. The biggest airport is here, so chances are that your international flight will bring you to San Jose. From here, you can arrange single or multi-day trips to explore other parts of the country.Whether you want to immerse yourself in the wild nights of the Costa Rican jungle, or you prefer to spend your day sloth-spotting in Puerto Limon's Vargas Park, this is a country of unusual, wonderful and incredible natural beauty. While you're visiting Costa Rica, do whatever you can to experience a little of that beauty first hand.
A few more tips
A rain forest can't exist without rain, and even in the "dry season" it does rain in Costa Rica. Just bring along a lightweight rain jacket, and you'll be happily exploring the jungle even if some drops are falling. And be sure to bring binoculars!
Binoculars on Amazon
More About Costa Rica
Video of Costa Rica
Useful Resources
- Costa Rica | Notes from Adventurous Wench
- Women's Travel HomeTravel StoreTrips for WomenAdventure BlogRSS %uFFFD Recent postsThe Year of Living AdventurouslyWomen
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- Medical Tourism in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica is rapidly becoming a destination of first choice for North Americans and Europeans seeking quality and affordable dental care and cosmetic surgery. The reasons are simple.
- Baby Sea Turtles in Costa Rica
- On a recent trip to Costa Rica I had the pleasure of visiting one of the most amazing beaches I had ever seen. One of the first things you notice about this beach is all the dried sea turtle eggs there are strewn around.
- Costa Rican Indigenous Art
- Welcome to the world of Costa Rican indigenous art. Costa Rica has gained dramatically over the last decade or so in world popularity as an eco-tourism vacation paradise.
- Vacations for Women - 6 Great Destinations
- Every woman can use a little time away from the grind. Whether it's a big vacation, a girl's getaway with friends, or just a few days of rest and relaxation, there are certain elements to look for when planning your trip.
- Travel Purses: 9 Best Styles
- A woman's purse is her home away from home, especially when she's traveling. A travel purse is such an essential accessory, that it pays to look around and make sure you're getting one that will ideally suit your needs.
- Caribbean Vacations - Different styles
- Have you ever noticed that people have completely ideas about Caribbean vacations? Is your idea of the perfect vacation sailing in the islands, dropping anchor in secluded coves?
- 9 Travel Accessories for Your Favorite Traveler
- It isn't hard to travel well; it just takes a little organization. The right travel accessories go a long way to making your trip smoother and more fun.
Comments? Questions?
What do you think? Do you have a favorite of your own to recommend? I'd love to hear from you!
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Senora_M
Feb 2, 2012 @ 4:25 pm | delete
- Cool lens. We went to Costa Rica on our honeymoon. We saw a lot of wildlife including wild monkeys! *blessed*
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VillaDejaBlue
Jan 1, 2012 @ 10:45 pm | delete
- Nice lens.
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Betina
Feb 10, 2011 @ 11:39 am | delete
- It's the first time I've heard of eco-lodges and it seems pretty interesting. I would also love to try the jungle canal boat ride. I'll sure remember this option for my next vacation. Thank you for sharing!
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ElleDeeEsse
Jan 16, 2011 @ 3:42 pm | delete
- This looks like somewhere I would love to visit one day. I hope I get the opportunity. Angel blessed and featured on Apprentice Angel
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Photo credits
flickr:
Costa Rica by Tostie14
Tortuguero by Adventurous Wench
San Jose Costa Rica by Christopher Gosselin
Costa Rica by Tostie14
Tortuguero by Adventurous Wench
San Jose Costa Rica by Christopher Gosselin
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