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Top Costa Rica AttractionsCorcovado National Park Image source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corcovado_National_Park Located on the Osa Peninsula at the southern part of Costa Rica, Corcovdo National Park (Parque Nacional Corcovado-Spanish) encompases more than 260 square miles,and some say is the finest of all Costa Ricas parks due to its abundance of wildlife. Park publications indicate approximately 124 species of mammals (including 5-6 species of big cats (Jaguar, Ocelot, Margay among others), 375 of birds, 117 reptiles and amphibians (including 2 Crocodillians). The park features many hiking trails both along the beach and inland. Some areas are fairly flat and so have easier hiking trails, while other areas have very steep and often muddy conditions. Precautions: There are several rivers and creeks with in the park and since rainy weather and ocean tides can make crossings dangerous. Be sure to check with park rangers for current conditions before venturing out. Bull Sharks are plentiful in many of the river mouths and along the beaches. Sirena River can have rough conditions and is often brackish and cloudy with both Bull Sharks and Sting Rays. Swimming is not advised. The Claro River, is recommended for swimming per the park publication Beaches: The coastal area is nearly 12 miles (20 km) long, and although contiguous there are three beach areas, Playa Corcovado is North and central followed by Sirena Beach, south central and Playa Madrigal, southern most. .Sirena Beach is a high energy beach and can be dangerous place to swim. Getting there: Park entrances are via rangers stations including Los Patos in the Northeast, Pedrillo, Northwest, La Leona Southeast. Camping is allowed at the ranger stations including the park head quarters in Sirena on the Pacific shore. Modest accomodations may also be found there. The park is approximately a 1/2 day drive from San Jose. Special charter flights are available from San Jose which land at the Sirena Biological Station. Reservations are a must. Contact: Telephone: (506) 735-5036 or (506) 735-5580 Email: corcovado@minae.go.cr For more extensive information about Corcovado National Park check out these resources. http://www.costarica-nationalparks.com/corcovadonationalpark.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corcovado_National_Park Palo Verde National Park Image source http://sherisays.wordpress.com/category/travel/ An undiscovered jewel in the Costa Rican park system where the bird population, both native and migratory is spectacular. The trail system leaves something to be desired, but this certainly means fewer crowds, and there are a number of areas that can be explored by boat. For more extensive information about Palo Verde National Park check out these resources. www.costarica-nationalparks.com/paloverdenationalpark.html Santa Rosa National Park
For more extensive information about Santa Rosa National Park see this resource. http://www.costarica-nationalparks.com/santarosanationalpark.html La Fortuna de Bagaces
Barra Honda Caverns
Cahuita National ParkGandoca-Manzanilo National Wildlife RefugeGandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge up and down the coast respectively. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Reggae provides the backbeat along the beaches and main street of this Caribbean village. Peppery fresh fish dishes, coconut curries, and fragrant spiced breads fill your plate.
Wilson Botanical Gardens
The Wilson Botanical gardens at Las Cruces Biological station are only one of the rewards awaiting travelers who make the effort to visit the southern most reaches of Costa Rica. Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge
For more extensive information about Caño Negro Wild Life Refuge see this resource. http://www.costarica-nationalparks.com/canonegrowildliferefuge.html
Cerro ChimpoCerro Chirripó— The strenuous climb through seven distinct ecosystems allows you to experience most of Costa Rica's inland natural history in a single day. There are a growing number of visitors, but nearly all of them stick to the main route to the refugio under the peak. If you want a true Costa Rican wilderness experience there's still thousands of virgin acres here. Manuel Antonio National ParkManuel Antonio National Park—We hear complaints nearly every day that Manuel Antonio has been ruined by development and overcrowding. While it has changed significantly in the three decades since it was established, it's still one of the best places to visit in Costa Rica. Crowded is a relative term, Manuel Antonio is twice the size of New York City's central park, but visitors are limited to 600 at a time. The development allows for easy access for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to explore one of the last patches of tropical wet forest.
MonteverdeThis private reserve provides the easiest access to the cloud forests, and an infrastructure of guides and resources to help you make the most of your visit. Like Manuel Antonio, it has gained tremendously in popularity, but has much less chance of being loved to death. Monteverde is much larger, the cool, wet, windy weather means shorter visits, and as a private reserve it has better funding than most of the National Parks. Despite the growth in tourism in the surrounding community, a few hundred yards off the main loop (el triangulo) you're unlikely to see anyone else on the trail.
An undiscovered jewel in the Costa Rican park system where the bird population, both native and migratory is spectacular. The trail system leaves something to be desired, but this certainly means fewer crowds, and there are a number of areas that can be explored by boat. More information may be found here
Puerto Viejo de TalamancaReggae provides the backbeat along the beaches and main street of this Caribbean village. Peppery fresh fish dishes, coconut curries, and fragrant spiced breads fill your plate. Sloths, monkeys, and birds abound in Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge up and down the coast respectively.
Wilson Botanical GardensThe gardens at Las Cruces Biological station are only one of the rewards awaiting travelers who make the effort to visit the southern most reaches of Costa Rica. |
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