The rainforest in Costa Rica is what the country is most known for. Costa Rica is truly an exotic place as one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. This small country contains almost five percent of the world's biodiversity. Costa Rica is home to over 500,000 species of plants, insects, and animals, most of which are found within the Costa Rican rainforests. This astonishing list of species includes numerous kinds of breathtaking butterflies, army ants, the red-eyed tree frog, jaguars, and four species of monkeys, just to name a mere few. Tourists to this radiant country fuel Costa Rica's nearly $2 billion tourism industry, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.
The popularity of the Costa Rican jungle has helped with the country's efforts to save it. Due to environmental and human demands, nearly two-thirds of the current rainforest is protected by the government. Within this area, there are many places for tourists to experience the Costa Rican wild by taking guided walking tours to see the wide array of flora and fauna, or take the extremely popular zip line tours for a truly unique experience of zooming through and above the rainforest in Costa Rica.
Arenal National Park, located near Liberia in northeastern Costa Rica, is also a very popular destination. This Costa Rica rainforest is in the midst of an active volcano. This beautiful volcano actually has several small eruptions daily. There are also several breathtaking waterfalls in the area. Visitors to this area of the Costa Rica rainforest can also stop by the Tabacon Hot Springs that are heated by the volcano itself.
Tourist destinations within the protected Costa Rica rainforest include Tortuguero National Park and the Monteverde Cloud Forest. Visiting these parts of the rainforest is a preferred thing to do in Costa Rica. Tortuguero is a popular place for seeing the endangered sea turtles during nesting season and is at the forefront of ecotourism. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of the locations of a zip line tour, and also offers canopy tours to visitors.
Booking wildlife guides for trips through the Costa Rican jungle is a wise choice. Wildlife guides in the rainforest of Costa Rica will not only ensure your safety, but will also be very educational. Wildlife guides are trained to know the names of many of the flora and fauna of the Costa Rican rainforests, and with the presence of over 500,000 species, a little bit of extra knowledge is very useful.
It is also wise to plan properly when visiting the Costa Rican jungle. Travelers must plan on bringing the right clothing for the season, and the right kind and amount of bug spray, because a large number of the 500,000 species are insects. Talking to hotel staff when booking is a good way to get advice on what to bring, as well as the Costa Rica tourism websites. A visit to the rainforest in Costa Rica will be enjoyed best when the trip has been planned properly in advance.
The Costa Rican rainforests have proven to be one of the most unique and beautiful places on Earth. With proper planning and wide-open eyes, visitors to this magnificent place can leave with an experience that is as rich and wonderful as the place itself.
