Nature Reserves of Costa Rica

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Biologica del Bosque Nuboso de Monteverde) is where some of the best-kept cloud forest in all of Costa Rica can be found. It is a cloud forest, not a rain forest, due to its elevation of 4,724 ft (1,440 m) above sea level. Some of the best bird-watching can be done inside and outside the reserve.

Located in Costa Rica's southeastern Talmanca region is the large Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge, a collection of rainforest and wetland habitat complete with a coral reef. At 23,348 total acres (9,450 ha), this vast refuge begins south of Punta Uva-3 miles south of Puerto Viejo-until it runs into the Sixaola River at the Panamanian boarder. Besides Cahuita, this park is the only other place in the country with a coral reef.

Situated at the southernmost point of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve encompasses 2,896 acres (1,172 ha) of pristine dry tropical forest famed for its biologically rich ecosystems, which consist of unique plant and animal species. Anteaters, coatis, margays, ocelots, sloths, spider, howler and capuchin monkeys and a variety of snakes call Cabo Blanco home, not to mention over 150 species of trees that makeup the animals habitat.

An indispensable option for hiking and viewing this area's amazing biodiversity is the Children's Eternal Rain Forest (Bosque Eterno de los Ninos), also known as CERF. This gigantic reserve gets its name from the unprecedented support from children all over the world.

Isla del Caño – situated 20 km offshore from Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula – is an important island for Costa Rica, both archeologically and environmentally. The waters surrounding this biological reserve are swarming with marine creatures, while the island itself protects several artifacts that date back to pre-Columbian times.

Westbound on the road from Paquera is this small, yet biologically rich coastal refuge near the town of Curu. Before being purchased from the Pacific Lumber Company in the 1930's, the land that now makes up the Curu National Wildlife Refuge was used for small-scale cattle grazing and a sustainable development project consisting of agricultural production and selective logging endeavors.

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve (Reserva Bosque Nuboso Santa Elena) is the less visited sister reserve of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Just 4 miles (7 km) from the town center of Santa Elena are the less crowded, lush green forests full of flora and fauna. This reserve boasts one of the best places to hear and see howler monkeys in all of Costa Rica!

Just miles from the Nicaraguan border lays a phenomenal bird-watching and natural sightseeing heaven. Situated in the Northern Lowland plains is 25,000 acres (10,000 ha) of wetlands, rainforest and swampland that make up the Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Cano Negro).

Nestled in the northeastern corner of Costa Rica, on the Nicaraguan boarder, is this massive 225,365 acre (91,200 ha) national wildlife refuge-the largest in the nation. The reserve is a vast network of slow-moving waterways that feed into stagnant saline pools, lagoons, and swampy marshlands. Much of this refuge is inaccessible to eco-tourists due to poor roads and infrastructure which have kept Barra Del Colorado an isolated wonder.

The Orchid house is roughly a 15 minute boat ride from Golfito but is a world away and is a sanctuary for botanists and nature lovers. The gardens are a continuous work in progress but are meticulously maintained by the on site naturalists. Plants including, orchids, heliconias, bromeliads attract over 100 bird species that are attracted to the park’s grounds.

La Selva Biological Station (Estacion Biologica La Selva) was originally created for scientific purposes in 1954. Since then it has been converted into a leading research center for Costa Rican ecology and has been opened to the public. Providing some of the most immaculate primary tropical rainforest available, the well-kept trail system extends over 31 miles (50 km) and provides visitors the opportunity of exploring La Selva with a knowledgeable guide.

A crucial nesting site for the Olive Ridley sea turtle, the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge is made up of Nosara Beach (Playa Nosara), Ostional Beach (Playa Ostional) and the beachside town of Ostional. The reserve occupies 9 miles (15km) of coastline and protects 613 acres (248 ha) worth of precious sea and land habitat.

Located 60 km south of Puerto Limon is the 22,620 acre (9154 ha) Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve, a rugged and undeveloped park that offers few facilities despite its proximity to a major highway. Though the reserve offers no campsites or any other means of lodging, visitors can find plenty of accommodations in Puerto Limon and Cahuita, two nearby beach towns.

Following Highway 26 south of Puerto Limon, the river valley breathes life into the tropical vegetation, which is a burgeoning haven of unique flora and fauna. Here, 31 km south of town, is the small wildlife refuge of Aviarios del Caribe in the Estrella River delta.

An agricultural college with a focus on investigating sustainable agriculture in tropical environments, E.A.R.T.H. University (Escuela de Agricultura de la Region Tropical Humeda) is located in the town of Guacimo, just east of Guapiles in the Limon Province. This non-profit, private university encompasses 990 acres (400 ha) of lowland forest, including a large, 570,280 square foot (52,980 sq. km) campus that consists of a variety of facilities including classrooms, laboratories, administrative buildings, and residence halls for live-in students and professors.

Adjacent to Palo Verde National Park to the north lies the jointly administered neighboring wild life refuges of Lomas Barbudal and Dr Rafael Lucas Rodriguez Caballero. The former protects 5,631 acres (2,279 ha) of mainly dry tropical forest while the latter is an 18,172 acre (7,353 ha) mammoth. As part of the Tempisque Conservation Area, the two parks are a testament to environmentalists& efforts to protect the last remaining vestiges of dry tropical forest once prolific during the pre-Columbian era.

Along the southwestern coast of the Osa Peninsula, inside of Corcovado National Park, is where you'll find the Sirena Biological Station (Estacion Biologica Sirena). Unquestionably one of the most rugged and extreme areas in the country, Sirena provides the ideal location to witness amazing biodiversity. All it takes is a phone call to the park headquarters in Puerto Jimenez to reserve your spot in this amazing wilderness.

The Wilson Botanical Gardens (Jardin Botanico Wilson) are home to around 1,000 species of tropical plants from Costa Rica and beyond. The grounds, located within Las Cruces Biological Station, feature endangered species from Costa Rica as well as from other parts around the globe, many of which appear quite strange.