Corcovado National Park
Located on the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Parkcovers 40,000 hectares (100,000 acres). It is in one of the rainiest regions of the country with nearly 6 meters (20ft) of rain a year. Due to its enormous biological diversity, Corcovado had become an important international research center for the study of tropical rain forest ecology. This park is not easily accessible. It is a park only for those who are willing to make a considerable commitment in time and energy. There are several ways to sample the beauties of Corcovado, from charter flights and luxury eco-lodge accommodations, to grueling hikes, battling insects, and sleeping in a tent. Corcovado has something for everyone.
Corcovado National Park has three ranger stations.  Sirena Station, near the beach, has wonderful trails. The station’s food and accommodations are basic. Los Patos Station is a 11km (7 mile) hike from Sirena.  The new, airy Danta Corcovado Lodge is on the way to Los Patos Station and has dormitory and private rooms available.  The actual entrance to Corcovado is another 8 km (5 miles) away. The hike to the next station, San Pedrillo, requires careful planning.  Two rivers must be crossed during low tide. This 7-10 hour hike includes the beautiful Llorona Waterfall.
The main habitats in the park are montane forest, cloud forest, alluvial plains forest, swamp forest, holillo forest (with predominant growth of Raphia taedigera), freshwater herbaceous swamp, mangrove swamp, and rock or sandy seashores. Approximately 500 species of trees have been recorded in the park. This is a quarter of all the tree species in Costa Rica. Some of the giant specimens reach heights of 40-50 meters.  These include the purple heart (Peltogyne purpurea), poponjoche (Huberodendron allenii), butternut tree (Caryocar costaricense), espave (Anacardium excelsum), and crabwood (Carapa guianensis). In the lowlands stands what is probably the tallest tree in the country, a silk-cotton tree (Ceiba pentandra). It has enormous buttresses and towering over 70 meters high.  The fauna is incredibly rich and to date 367 species of birds, 140 mammals, 177 amphibians, and reptiles, 40 freshwater fish, and approximately 6,000 insects have been recorded in the park. Corcovado protects the country’s largest population of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) as well as other endangered species such as the jaguar (Felis onca) , crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus), tapir (Tapirus bairdii) and possibly the harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja).  The lake, a herbaceous swamp that covers around 1,000 hectares serves as an enormous wildlife refuge and as a nesting site for sea turtles.  Orchids, bromeliads, philodendrons, and ferns grow attached to trees high in the forest where they find light, airborne nutrients, and water. The dense growth of epiphytes creates the perfect home for the small red and blue poison arrow frog, who live in pools of water caught by bromeliad leaves. Mushrooms and fungi of interesting shapes and vibrant colors grow on rotting tree trunks.

Chirripo National Park and Parque Internacional de la Amistad Costa Rica- Panama

These two parks contain the greatest biological diversity in all of Costa Rica.  They protect the country’s largest stand of virgin forest. The region also has great hydroelectric potential. As a result of the difference in altitude, topography, soil type, and climate, an extraordinary number of habitats can be found.  These include paramos (flat land with stunted growth of Andean origin), highland swamps, oak forests (Quercus spp, characterized by straight tall trees), Arctostaphylos arbutoides forests, fern groves (Lomaria spp and Sphagum spp), and crystal clear glacier lakes. The fauna is incredibly rich and approximately 215 species of mammals have been sighted including the country’s largest population of tapir (Tapirus bairdii).  Some 400 species of birds have been recorded, including the quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno). 250 amphibians and reptiles and 115 species of fish can be found.  It has been estimatied that 60 percent of all Costa Rican invertebrate animals are found within these two parks.  The lakes that crown the summit were formed by glaciers over 25,000 years ago. The innumerable valleys with savannahs with valleys that exist in both regions are incomparably beautiful. The mountain peaks provide excellent scenic overlooks. The temperature ranges from 27 degrees C (80 degrees F) during the day to below freezing at night. Both parks, along with some of the neighboring areas, were declared a “Biosphere Reserve” by UNESCO in 1982.

Chirripo National Park and  is named after Cerro Chirripo. Chirripo covers 43,700 hectares (108,000 acres). Costa Rica’s highest mountain peak at 3,819 meters high. Most of this park rests over 2,000 meters above sea level. Climbing to the top of Chirripo takes 3-4 days.  Chirripo is worth visiting as well without climbing the summit. There is lowland trails, lush vegetation, waterfalls, and relaxing hot springs.The eastern boundary of Chirripo National Park and  coincides with the western border of Parque Internacional La Amistad.

The sizeable 1950 sq km Parque Internacional La Amistad is the largest protected area in Costa Rica. Amistad covers about 12% of Costa Rica’s total territory. This park continues into Panama, where it’s 2070 sq km are managed separately. In 1983 Amistad was given the status of a World Heritage site. All six species of Neotropical cats reside here, including the jaguar, puma, margay, ocelot, oncilla, and jaguarondi.  There are 20   species of hummingbirds and 3 inch long grasshoppers. Hiking near Las Tablas Forest Reserve is safe and rewarding, but only experienced tropical trekkers should venture into the interior.

Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is located south of Cahuita on the Caribbean coast. It is in one of most beautiful regions in the country.  The park features white sandy beaches, gentle surf, and a large coral reef about 500 meters (1,500 ft) long. The reef stretches out like a fan in front of Cahuita Point, where the snorkeling is fabulous. This is the only mature reef on the Caribbean coast. It is made up of patches of live coral, underwater prairies of turtle grass (Thalassia testudinum), as well as ancient coral debris.  Some of the more remarkable features seen by the underwater naturalist are the elkhorn corals (Acropora palmeta), smooth brain corals (Diploria strigosa), anemones, and Venus sea fans (Gorgonia flabellum). An infinite number of colorful fish such as the queen angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris)  and the rock beauty (Holacanthus tricolor) can be found in the waters of Cahuita National Park. 35 species of coral, 140 mollusks, and 123 species of fish are found here.  Most of Cahuita Point is swampland, but other habitats include unflooded mixed forest, mangrove swamp, and littoral woodland.  Some of the commonly-seen animals are crabs, howler monkeys (Alouatta palliate), raccoons (Procyon lotor), coatis (Nasua narica), and several swamp forest bird species such as the green ibis (Mesembrinibus cayennensis) and the rufous kingfisher (Chloroceryle inda).

Diving equipment may be rented in Cahuita proper. Camping is permitted in the park. The Puerto Vargas camping area is accessible through the south entrance of the park, 5 km (3 miles) from Cahuita.  Fresh water, outhouses, and picnic tables are available.

An 18th century shipwreck is the most interesting cultural feature at Cahuita. Vistors can explore the wreckage of British slave galleon.  The cannons, cannon balls, swords and copper manacles have all been retrieved.

Cabo Blanco National Park

Cabo Blanco Absolute Wildlife Reserve is a 2,900 acre tract located on the tip of Puntarenas Province about 11km (7 miles) from Montezuma. The reserve, established in 1963 by Swedish immigrant Nils Olaf Wessberg, is Costa Rica’s oldest protected wildlife region. Orginally, the park allowed no public access.  Today approximately one-third of the reserve is open to visitors. Cabo Blanco Absolute Wildlife Reserve is complete with ranger station, restrooms, and picnic tables.  The trails are well maintained and the beach is lovely for swimming.

Cabo Blanco is an important refuge for seabirds, especially the brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), the magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), and the brown booby (Sula leucogaster).  More than 500 pairs of boobies are found here, the largest colony in the country.  Cabo Blanco Island, located 1.6 km of the coast, is another important roosting area for seabirds.  This rocky island, colored white from the large deposits of bird guano, has many steep veritcal cliffs which several species use for nesting sites.

The coastal forest of Cabo Blaco Absolute Wildlife Reserve is predominately evergreen with a few deciduous species such as the spiny cedar (Bombacopsis quinatum), lemonwood , Panama wood, and chicle trees. To date, 119 trees species have been recorded in the reserve.  There is an abundant variety of intertidal and offshore marine life with large populations of fish, nerites (Nerita sp), chitons (Chiton stokesii), crab, lobster (Panulirus sp), shrimp (Penaeus sp) , giant conches (Strombus galeatus), and clams (Chione californiensis.  The land fauna is also varied despite the small size of the reserve.  Commonly seen mammals include white-faced monkeys (Cebus capucinus), squirrels (Sciurus variegatoides), and raccoons (Procyon lotor). The scenic beauty of the area is extraordinary. Interesting rock formations are carved out by the sea. Deep blue water fringed with dense green forest that grows right down to the edges of the rocky beaches.

Braulio Carrillo National Park

Located just north of San Jose, this park is dedicated to Lic. Braulio Carrillo, a national benefactor and Costa Rica’s 3rd Chief of State.  Bisecting the park is a highway built in 1987 that connects San Jose to Limon (home of one Costa Rica’s most valuable ports.) This road is the result of careful planning between politicians and conservationists and offers travelers many spectacular scenic overlooks.  The park lies on one of the most rugged regions of the country, where rivers have cut steep vertical canyons through mountains of thick virgin forest. The yellow waters of Rio Sucio (dirty river) carries volcanic minerals while the waters of Rio Hondura are crystal clear. Topography and high rate of rainfall (average 4.5 mm per year) combine to form an infinite number of waterfalls. Parque Nacional Braulio Carillo’s watershed is San Jose’s most important water source.

The park includes two extinct volcanoes, Barva and Cacho Negro. One of the many lakes at the foot of Volcan Barva is Laguna Barva, a green lake in an extinct crater.  About 95% of the country is covered with tall, dense, evergreen forest.  The tallest are those which grow in the lowlands facing the Caribbean plain.  It has been estimated that about 6,000 plant species exist in the park.  Tree ferns, heliconias, palm trees, oaks, bromeliads, and auraceous plants are abundant.  Birdlife is plentiful with 333 species recorded to date. These species include the barenecked umbrella bird, the solitary eagle, the clay-colored robin (Costa Rica’s national bird), and the quetzal (considered the most exquisite bird in the Americas).