Two of Costa Rica"s Best National Parks
Monteverde Monteverde is not actually a national park, rather, it is a forest reserve.
The cloud forest here, at a height of around 1,440 m above sea level, supports an ecosystem of more than 400 types of birds, 100 types of mammals, and many many insects and plants.
Orchids, in particular, are represented here with some 420 varieties present.
Among the animals you will find here are ocelots, jaguars, Baird's tapir and, one of the most spectacular to catch site of, the resplendent quetzal.
In addition to the many orchids the woodlands surround you with ferns, mosses, vines, bromeliads and, of course, tall trees.
In addition to the forests, the landscape includes multiple pools, streams, waterfalls and rapids.
There are a variety of tours available, including one taken in the early morning to get the best opportunity of viewing many species of birds.
Hiking trails are easy to walk on with comfortable shoes however, if you decide to overnight in a hut, you will want rubber boots or hiking shoes.
In addition to hiking along the trails, one can choose to take a skywalk or canopy tour, allowing for observing the forest from above.
Only 120 people at most are allowed on any one trail at a time, in order to help protect the reserve.
Tortuguero Tortuguero National Park is among the most popular in Costa Rica.
As is found in many of the parks here, the wilderness is teaming with a wide variety of habitats and wildlife within them.
Various kinds of forests, swamps and lagoons provide homes for many different types of animals.
Among those include many types of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds.
Birds that can be spotted include toucans, parrots, herons, kingfishers, egrets, kites, hawks and more.
One can easily find howlers, spider monkeys, sloths and iguanas as well.
The park is especially known for the marine life along its 22 miles of beach which provides nesting grounds for a variety of sea turtles.
Among those which can be found here are Pacific Green turtles, leatherbacks, hawksbill and loggerheads.
One of the special attractions is viewing the turtles as they lay their eggs.
Although you can sometimes see this during the day, it's generally at night that this happens.
For this, you will need to arrange a tour with a guide, as no one is allowed alone on the beach after 6pm.
Even more of a treat is getting to view the newly hatched little ones as they make their race for the sea.
There are some times of year when one can see both nesting and hatching of different species.
The cloud forest here, at a height of around 1,440 m above sea level, supports an ecosystem of more than 400 types of birds, 100 types of mammals, and many many insects and plants.
Orchids, in particular, are represented here with some 420 varieties present.
Among the animals you will find here are ocelots, jaguars, Baird's tapir and, one of the most spectacular to catch site of, the resplendent quetzal.
In addition to the many orchids the woodlands surround you with ferns, mosses, vines, bromeliads and, of course, tall trees.
In addition to the forests, the landscape includes multiple pools, streams, waterfalls and rapids.
There are a variety of tours available, including one taken in the early morning to get the best opportunity of viewing many species of birds.
Hiking trails are easy to walk on with comfortable shoes however, if you decide to overnight in a hut, you will want rubber boots or hiking shoes.
In addition to hiking along the trails, one can choose to take a skywalk or canopy tour, allowing for observing the forest from above.
Only 120 people at most are allowed on any one trail at a time, in order to help protect the reserve.
Tortuguero Tortuguero National Park is among the most popular in Costa Rica.
As is found in many of the parks here, the wilderness is teaming with a wide variety of habitats and wildlife within them.
Various kinds of forests, swamps and lagoons provide homes for many different types of animals.
Among those include many types of amphibians, reptiles, mammals and birds.
Birds that can be spotted include toucans, parrots, herons, kingfishers, egrets, kites, hawks and more.
One can easily find howlers, spider monkeys, sloths and iguanas as well.
The park is especially known for the marine life along its 22 miles of beach which provides nesting grounds for a variety of sea turtles.
Among those which can be found here are Pacific Green turtles, leatherbacks, hawksbill and loggerheads.
One of the special attractions is viewing the turtles as they lay their eggs.
Although you can sometimes see this during the day, it's generally at night that this happens.
For this, you will need to arrange a tour with a guide, as no one is allowed alone on the beach after 6pm.
Even more of a treat is getting to view the newly hatched little ones as they make their race for the sea.
There are some times of year when one can see both nesting and hatching of different species.
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