Experience a Myriad of Adventures through Costa Rica Nature Travel
Costa Rica nature travel takes you from the fascinating rainforest to the picturesque beaches of this amazing country.
Truly a beautiful, peace-loving country, Central America's Costa Rica may be overlooked by those travelers eager to avoid the strife that is so rampant in that area. What a mistake! Nature travel in Costa Rica is among the best in the world!
Indeed, Costa Rica is a safe place to travel and a country that is sincerely dedicated to world peace. As a matter of fact, it abolished its armed forces in 1949 and in 1983, the country made a pact of perpetual neutrality.
Costa Rica Basics
Situated between Nicaragua and Panama, with the waters of the Pacific on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other, Costa Rica is divided by mountains and volcanoes, some active.
Technically, the country is considered to be of a tropical climate but due to the variations in elevation, Costa Rica boasts several different climatic zones. That's what makes it so popular with adventure and nature vacationers.
The variety of activities available here make it the perfect place for those who enjoy a number of different active pursuits, from diving to trekking. Average temperatures range between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit throughout most of the year so it's almost always comfortable here.
It does, however, rain quite a bit between the months of May through October. That means the best time to visit is from November through April.
Nature and Ecotourism
One of Costa Rica's premiere nature travel destinations is its expansive rainforest. A rainforest is defined as a wooded area that receives at least 78 inches of rain each year and where the temperature never falls below freezing. Hundreds of amazing plant and animal species thrive here, many facing extinction if the rainforest isn't protected.
Ecotourism companies that promote rainforest tours are concerned with responsible tourism; that is, allowing guests to visit the area without disrupting its natural flow.
Because many of the marvels of the rainforest are located in the treetops, "Canopy Tours" are a favorite among visitors to Costa Rica. Such tours allow you to travel from treetop to treetop via incredibly strong cables, explore the animals there, and return to the ground by zip line. Amazing!
The waters surrounding the country offer a myriad of water adventure as well. Go snorkeling or diving, grab a kayak for a guided tour of the coastline, or hop aboard a raft for an incredible whitewater excursion through the rapids of the Pacuare River.
Manuel Antonio National Park
Located near the town of Quepos on the Pacific Coast, Manuel Antonio is the quintessential National Park, loaded with the best nature has to offer. You'll find approximately 110 species of animals here and an additional 184 varieties of birds.
You can explore the forest, tour the mangrove swamps and lagoons, or enjoy the beautiful beach vegetation here. Visitors to the park can also ride horses, hike, sport fish, mountain bike, dive, or just enjoy viewing native birds and wildlife. This is a true Costa Rica nature travel extravaganza!
Natural Accommodations
Nature travelers will agree that staying at one of Costa Rica's jungle lodges puts the finishing touch on any Costa Rica ecotour. Some are quite basic while others are very luxurious. All of them, however, are dedicated to the country's issues of conservation, particularly the preservation of the rainforest.