Costa Rica - an ethical adventure!

Costa Rica is a relatively small country in Central America, with an abundance of diverse ecosystems. It has a Pacific coastline, a Caribbean coastline, volcanoes, mountains, rainforest, cloud forest, wetlands and coral reef. As a result, it is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, containing over 5% of all known plant and animal species. In 1994, Costa Rica amended its constitution to include the right of every person to a ‘healthy and ecologically balanced environment’. It has the highest proportion of protected areas in the world with over 25% of its land mass dedicated to parks, wildlife refuges and reserves. Costa Rica’s ethical attitude, along with its diverse natural treasures and friendly people, make it a wonderful country to visit. Of course, a visit to Costa Rica should be all about its National Parks with their magnificent flora and fauna. There are twenty-eight National Parks; here’s five to get you started! The tiny Manuel Antonio National Park is a dot on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. I have never seen so much wildlife in such a small area, which is so easily accessible. Sloths, monkeys, snakes, anteaters, and more, all in tropical rainforest flanking a well beaten track, which leads you to a sandy beach. Incredible that so many animals can exist where there are also unfortunately so many people. The great news is that the number of people who can walk that path each day is now restricted. Get there early for a ticket and take a guide to point out those smart creatures hidden in plain sight. At the opposite end of the scale is the untouched Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula, ‘the most biologically intense place on earth’ (National Geographic). It is one of the largest lowland tropical rainforests in Central America; to get there is a challenge and usually requires a charter flight or jungle boat trip. Once inside the park there are no roads - travel is by foot. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a plethora of exotic flora and fauna. You could even glimpse one of a selection of big cats, including the endangered jaguar. For a family friendly destination head for Arenal Volcano National Park, in the centre of Costa Rica. The volcano itself is an amazing sight and you can enjoy this view from a soothing spot in the thermal hot springs. You might need this after a day enjoying some of the local adventure tours; pick from canyoning, white water rafting, or zip-lining. The area is also excellent for birdwatching; keep your eyes peeled for tiny hummingbirds! Just a short hop from Arenal is a completely different ecosystem, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. A ‘cloud forest’ is as the name suggests – where a tropical forest in a mountainous environment meets the sky. Cooler temperatures in a misty forest make for fantastic hiking and wildlife spotting conditions. This magical experience is enhanced by the addition of suspension bridges in the forest, allowing you to hike through the canopy and clouds. Over on the North East Caribbean coast is the Tortuguero National Park. Go for the dense jungle, travel by boat or kayak on the maze of waterways, and make sure you go between June and October. This is turtle nesting season and Tortuguero is one of the best nesting sites in the world; 22 miles of protected beaches offer a safe haven to several species of sea turtles. Of course, there is other wildlife to be seen in Tortuguero; jaguar, monkeys, sloths and many tropical birds. Caiman in the rivers and sharks in the sea mean this is not a recommended swimming area! Costa Rica is not only beautiful; it plays a vital role in the preservation of many species of plants and animals. Refreshingly, the country understands this and is forward thinking in its attitude to the environment. Go to Costa Rica for an eco-friendly wildlife adventure and you’ll come back full of inspiration and hope for our planet.