Costa Rica has set one fourth of it’s land aside in national parks, reserves, and refuges to protect these valuable natural resources from  potential exploitation and ravages. This is   more than any other country in the world.

For such a small country,  Costa Rica is home to five percent of all the plant and animal species on the planet.   There is 2,000 species of orchids and 850 species of birds making it a bird watchers paradise.

Costa Rica’s First National Park-Santa Rosa National Park  is located in the north western corner of Costa Rica.  This park was established in in 1969  along with the National Parks Department.

Rodrigo Carazo, president of the country from 1978-1982 states “Our parks are splendid natural laboratories which we offer to the international scientific community  the opportunity for scientific exploration and also to visitors from all over the world a unique place to enjoy direct contact with nature in it’s most pristine and natural state. ”

Here are listed the names of Costa Rica’s National parks.  Each is unique and has it’s own distinctive ecosystem.   These parks are located in the northern part of Costa Rica:  Santa Rosa National Park    Guanacaste National Park   Rincon de la Vieja National Park– Tenorio Volcano National Park – Palo Verde National Park – Barra Honda National Park – Arenal Volcano National Park

Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica: Tortugero National Park and Cahuita National Park

Located in the central valley: Poas Volcano National Park– Irazu Volcano National Park – Braulio Carrillo  National Park

Central Pacific Coast: Manuel Antonio National Park and Carara National Park

South Pacific- Corcovado National Park and Marino Ballena National Park

Off the Pacific Coast- Coco Island National Park

La Amistad National Park in the Talamanca Mountains bordering Panama.  It is almost 500,000 acres and is declared by UNESCO a Reserve of the Biosphere and And A World Patrimony Site.  Almost one half of La Amistad has never been explored. It protects the largest virgin forest in Costa Rica and home to 400 species of birds.  One should venture into this park only with a trained guide. The mountains and thick tropical virgin rainforest have few marked trails.

The two most visited national parks by tourist are the Poas Volcano National Park because of it’s location in the central valley and has easy access.  And the Arenal Volcano National Park because of the many different choices of outdoor activities offered in and around the volcano.

If you would like to visit one of these national parks contact Ann “The Costa Rica Expert“ to help you plan and design that perfect vacation.  Go to her web site for complete information   www.costaricalearn.com

Corcovado National Park