If you are ever fortunate enough to visit Costa Rica, one of the smallest, but undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in all of the world, be sure to take along a camera and plenty of batteries and film to capture the unforgettable sights and scenery.
La Finca de Mariposas – The Butterfly Farm
At La Finca de Mariposas, a netted butterfly garden housing up to 45 species of over 500 butterflies, you will be delighted at the sights that await. At the farm, which first opened as a tourist attraction in 1990, colors seem to appear from out of nowhere while iridescent jewels take flight all around you.
After making your way through the garden, head over to the laboratory where you will see both larvae and pupae being nurtured to maturation. Pay a visit to the farm’s gift shop and stop in The Blue Crowned Motmot Restaurant, which was named after a native bird, for a bite to eat before heading off to the next exciting adventure.
The National Parks of Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s national parks and wildlife refuges are divided into 11 different regions covering one fourth of the country’s total area. For the past 50 years now, Costa Rica has taken an active role as a country to protect wildlife and become a leader in the world of ecotourism.
The national parks of Costa Rica are tucked away in the rainforests, the cloud forests, in both the lowlands and the highlands with something interesting to see anywhere you look. Explore just one or two of the many parks and you’ll see things like canals, caves, lagoons, lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and volcanoes along with collections of ancient relics from pre-Columbian days and plenty of flora and fauna.
Located in the central Pacific region is Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular in all of the country. This park is open from Tuesdays through Sundays and features activities like hiking, walking, swimming, picnicking, and observing creatures like anteaters, eagles, ocelots, and pelicans.
Another popular tourist attraction in Costa Rica is Tortuguero (turtle catcher, in English) National Park, open every day from 8am to 4pm, and home to animals including sloths and monkeys, birds like the toucan, and aquatic creatures such as the manatee and giant sea turtle.
On the Caribbean coast lies Cahuita National Park, a preserve founded in 1982 that is open every day of the week. Bring your snorkeling gear to Cahuita and head to the sandy, white beaches before exploring beneath the surface of the crystal clear waters.
Nearly all of Costa Rica’s national parks will have at least a few trails that are maintained on a regular basis, save for the rainy season when mud and muck are inevitable. If you aren’t familiar with an area, by all means hire an experienced travel guide or enlist the services of a park ranger before attempting to hike or explore on your own.
Parks like Corcovado or Santa Rosa have excellent trails and if you visit during the rainy season, chances are you’ll see fewer people and more wildlife.