Hummingbird and Passion Flower, Costa Rica

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

My First View of Costa Rica, courtesy David Thompson

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

Beach in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

Rainforest Meets Pacific Ocean, Costa Rica, courtesy Casa Ramon

Southern Caribbean

CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK

Renowned for its coral reef, Cahuita National Park is located 42 kilometers (26 miles) to the south of the city of Puerto Limón on the Caribbean coast. The park protects 1067 hectares of land, 600 hectares of coral reef and 22,400 hectares of sea. Located adjacent to the park is the village of Puerto Vargas, where truly heavenly beaches and virgin jungle are found. The beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Vargas are ideal for observing the different types of corals; about 35 different species have been identified, as well as a rich population of mollusks, sea fans, crustaceans, turtles and resplendent multicolor fish. The town of Cahuita offers plenty of lodging facilities and restaurants. The park offers information, drinking water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, trails and campsites.

GANDOCA-MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE

South of Cahuita National Park, the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge has an area of 9449 hectares (4436 hectares of sea and 5013 hectares of land) and is located in the Talamanca region within the coastal limits of the Cocles River estuary adjacent to Puerto Viejo, and the Sixaola River estuary on the border with Panama. Within its territory are forested alluvial plains and hills notable for monkeys, crocodiles, collared peccaries and pacas. The dense vegetation provide habitat to a great variety of birds including parrots, falcons, currés and others. Along the coast, the beaches are not only beautiful but also very suitable for sunbathing, swimming and diving. This beauty of the area reputedly inspired a novel by Ana Cristina Rossi titled "La Loca de Gandoca." The Gandoca sector of the refuge is a protected area for leatherback turtle while the Gandoca estuary is the unique habitat of the manatee. The refuge offers trails, scenic overlooks, drinking water and restrooms. Its administration centre is in Manzanillo.

HITOY CERERE BIOLOGICAL RESERVE

The Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve is surrounded by three indigenous reserves: Telire, Tayni and Talamanca. It forms part of the La Amistad Biosphere Reserve. The name Hitoy and Cerere means "river of moss covered stones" and "clear-watered river" to the indigenous people. Located in the basins of the Estrella and Telire rivers, the reserve includes altitudes ranging from 100 to 1025 meters above sea level covering 9949 hectares of tropical humid rainforest. Among the most representative species of its flora are palms, espaveles, ojoches and guayabones. Wildlife such as frogs, reptiles, raccoons, white faced monkeys, tapirs, collared peccaries and ocelots are commonly observed. Around 230 species of birds have been recorded. There are rivers and streams where visitors can enjoy a refreshing swim. There is a beautiful waterfall along a nature trail that runs alongside the river. To enter this reserve, travel to Valle de la Estrella and look for the administrative office located five kilometers after Finca Cartagena. It has parking, drinking water, restrooms, information, trails, scenic viewpoints and areas for swimmers.