Costa Rica nature has always been one of the reasons why tourists keep coming back to this tiny country bordered by Nicaragua and Panama. Despite its size tourists and travelers still consider this country one of the best hosts for tourist vacations and that is because of its abundance in natural diversity. More than a quarter of Costa Rica's total land area consists of natural reserves and conservations, national parks and wildlife refuges.
Costa Rica national parks and rain forest may be the best this country has to offer considering that the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio is the most visited park which was created back in 1972. The land area encompasses 682 hectares which makes it the tiniest national park in the country but is reputable for its spectacular beauty.
Despite numerous rainforest in Costa Rica, the Manuel Antonio National Park is among the rain forest vacations that promises a terrific nature adventure for the entire family. The Manual Antonio National Park located in the Puntarenas province along the country's Central Pacific coast is pretty accessible for tourists who came from San Jose, the largest and capital city. This park is also near Jaco, one of the most popular beaches in the country situated north of the Puntarenas province. Also near is the popular town of Quepos which encompasses some superb selection of restaurants, hotels, resorts and the best accommodations.
Most rainforests in Costa Rica have gained its popularity because of the gorgeous beaches, lush rainforests, exquisite coral reefs and diverse exotic species including birds and other animal species. The Manuel Antonio National Park houses some of the best beaches in the country that offers exhilarating water activities including surfing and snorkeling but also outlined with lush forestation.
Another popular Costa Rican rainforests is the Monteverde Cloud Forest which is actually called a cloud forest in Costa Rica because of its location at a much higher altitude. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is considered a very important ecotourism destination in the country. Also located in the Puntarenas province, about is 6 km east of Santa Elena and is a 4 hour drive from San Jose. This reserve is considered one of the most breathtaking and dazzling natural reserves in the entire world.
Consisting eight biological zones, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve covers an area of 10,522 hectares of the Costa Rican rain forest and houses more than 2000 plant and tree species, 100 species of mammals, and 400 bird species and about 1200 species of amphibians and reptiles. Its landscape is a healthy habitat for more than 300 species of orchids and 200 species of fern.
Another popular tourist destination among the Costa Rica rainforest is the Tortuguero National Park which gained its reputation for the best nesting site in Costa Rica. The striking Parque Nacional Tortuguero which is the home of the endangered green turtle rests on the country's Caribbean coast. It protects over 22 miles of beach strip from the end of the river Tortuguero and is the primary nesting spot for leatherback sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles and hawksbill sea turtles. This park was propped up in 1970 mainly to protect the green turtle population from extinction.
Located in the untamed Osa Peninsula, the Corovado National Park is considered one of the most stunning yet remote parks in the country. It is home to that largest and only tropical primary lowland rain forest in the world. It encompasses an abundance of endangered animal and plant species