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With more than a quarter of Costa Rica’s total land area comprising of national parks, biological reserves and wildlife refuges, it is no wonder then that this country’s greatest national treasure is its plethora of natural diversity. Home to some of the most colorful and exotic flora and fauna on earth, and one of the most bio-diverse regions in the world, this tiny Central American country is the habitat of some 10,000 species of plants and trees!
Lush and verdant throughout the year, Costa Rica is a fantastic place to visit for the avid nature lover. The jungles here are some of the most pristine and secluded on the planet, and play host to an incredibly varied mix of insects, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and birds. Among the most productive ecosystems in the world, Costa Rica’s forests have created truly unique habitats that have a microclimate all their own. One day you can be canoeing down the watery forest of the Tortuguero National Park, and on another day you can be trekking the pretty Manuel Antonio National Park with its gorgeous beaches. Visit the Corcovado National Park to glimpse the last remaining stretch of tropical primary lowland rainforests or tour the Monteverde Cloud Forest for a completely distinct hiking experience.
Most of Costa Rica’s forestation can be primarily classified into three groups; rainforests, cloud forests and topical dry forests. And while rainforests are the most common habitat, the cloud forests of Costa Rica are a magnificent sight to behold. Rainforests can be found in the southwest of the country as well as in the Atlantic lowlands, with towering trees and looping vines that create a magical wispy environment. Receiving a high annual rainfall, these dense forests are characterized by a wealth of plant and animal life.
The cloud forests of Costa Rica are some of the most beautiful. Covering the higher slopes of volcanoes and mountains all across the country, these amazing environs with their mysterious fogs and thick growth of bromeliads, mosses and ferns, offer tourists some of the most fabolous and luxuriant environments to trek or canopy tour in.
For a different change of pace, explore the North Pacific coast of Costa Rica to find some wonderful tracks of tropical dry forests. While not as diverse as the thriving rainforests, the tropical dry forests of Costa Rica receive much less rain. However, they still conjure up an incredible ecosystem that houses a stunning display of flowers and trees.
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