Costa Rica: Land of Natural Wonders

Costa Rica is a small country - just 75 mi/120 kmCosta Rica offers plenty of pleasant choices like
separates the Pacific Ocean from the Caribbeanthese, especially if you're interested in nature and
Sea at the narrowest spot - Costa Rica still hasoutdoor activities. That's why so many people
some of the most diverse scenery in the world.have chosen to go there: In the past decade, the
Its coasts have both sandy beaches and marshynumber of visitors has quadrupled, and tourism
swamps, while its interior is dotted with volcanoes,has become a big part of the nation's economy.
dense with rain forests and abundant with unusualCosta Rica is practically synonymous with
flora.ecotourism - travel that incorporates education
When you are planning your Costa Rica vacation,about the environment and promotes
make sure to visit destinations like Monteverdepreservation of natural resources. The country
Cloud Forest, Corcovado National Park,has a large number of national parks and nature
Tortuguero National Park or Manuel Antoniopreserves that boast a rich array of birds,
National Park. In addition, you will enjoy in yourmammals, reptiles and rain-forest plants. The
Costa Rica vacation, a wide range of adventurevariety of birds, in particular, is astounding: Some
travel activities, including scuba diving, hiking850 species are packed into a relatively small
around the Arenal Volcano area, and exploring thearea, a bird watcher paradise. Approximately 25%
dense tropical rainforests.of the country's land has been set aside in
What to do? Where to do? Fly through theprotected areas, earning Costa Rica a reputation
rain-forest canopy on a zip line? Go white-wateras an environmentally sensitive country and leader
rafting? Climb a volcano? Laze on a white-sandin ecological conservation.
beach in guanacaste and manuel antonio nationalThe country has excellent conditions for a number
park on the pacific coast or Limon on theof adventure sports, among them surfing, river
caribbean coast? Check out colorful marine liferafting, hiking and scuba diving, wind surfing and
while snorkeling? Or try to hook one on amountain bike.
deep-sea fishing excursion?