Playa Esterillos Este, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Beach in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

My First View of Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Whales Tail, South Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy Casa Ramon

Playa Herradura, Central Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Playa Dominical, South Pacific, Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

Northern Plains Biodiversity

JUAN CASTRO BLANCO NATIONAL PARK

Located east of CIUDAD QUESADA in Alajuela province, this 35,700-acre park with approximately 50% primary cloud forest is surrounded by the districts of Aguas Zarcas, Venecia, Zapote, Laguna, Tapezco, Altamira, Sarchi Norte, Toro Amarillo and Rio Cuatro. Here visitors explore hot mineral springs, ancient cinder cones, craters (Fila Chocosuela), an active volcano (Platanar, 2183 meters), several inactive volcanoes (Cerro Viejo, Cerro Pelon) and other steep hills covered with lush vegetation. The park has a rich variety of wildlife - 44 species of amphibians, 32 species of reptiles, 107 species of birds and 30 types of mammals - especially noteworthy among them are the quetzal, wild turkey, chachalaca, black guan, peccary, monkey, armadillo, paca, tapir, deer and coyote. With elevations rising from 700 meters to 2183 meters, the park plays an important role in the regional ecosystem because approximately 50 rivers originate here on the north side of the central mountain range. The Pozo Verde Lagoon and some of the highest waterfalls in Costa Rica are found here on the rivers Toro, Aguas Gatas, Gorrion and Rio Claro. There are visitors' services in the San Jose de la Montana sector and in the district of Ciudad Quesada, including an information office, trails, restrooms and drinking water.

ARENAL VOLCANO NATIONAL PARK

Arenal Volcano is one of the most-photographed volcanoes in the world given its picture-perfect cone and idyllic countryside surrounding, and is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica. With an elevation of 5435 feet or 1657 meters above sea level, it has been in constant activity since July 19, 1968, when it woke up after 400 years of dormancy. There are daily eruptions of different magnitudes that produce expulsions of rocks, ash columns, and glowing red lava which can be seen brilliantly at night in the absence of cloud cover. It is considered one of the ten most active volcanoes in the world. The 30,000-acre park is located 7 km from the town of La Fortuna and about an hour’s drive from Tilaran along the scenic route that circumnavigates the west side of Lake Arenal. Adjacent to the park is the country’s largest hydro electrical project, the Arenal Dam. Two kinds of scenery are found in the lower regions of the park: one of lush vegetation where a large diversity of wildlife makes their habitat, the other a large area of rough lava and ash from the constant eruptions. The area receives a relatively high average of rainfall, about 200 inches a year. The park has an information center, warden posts, observation decks, trails, telephone, restrooms and drinking water. There are numerous viewpoints along the many trails around the foothill of the Volcano and guided hiking and walking tours depart regularly from the park gate.

CANO NEGRO WILDLIFE RESERVE

The Cano Negro wetland region is one of ecological importance; a vast variety of flora and fauna exist here and many are unique or endangered, among them are aquatic birds such as the jabiru stork and reptiles such as caimans and turtles. During the dry season this reserve takes on added importance when it becomes an area of food source for thousands of migrating aquatic birds that find respite in the wetlands. Plant and animal species have been found here that do not exist anywhere else. Services in the reserve include an information center, guard house, trails, lodging, restrooms and drinking water.