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Explore Natural Parks in Costa Rica

Manuel Antonio park beach

Image by souris via Flickr

Natural beauty abounds in Costa Rica and its natural beauty is sure to amaze and please. Come see the national parks in Costa Rica and experience the beauty of nature. One of the most popular national parks is Manuel Antonio National Park.

Getting To Manuel Antonio National Park

This is one of the most wonderful national parks in Costa Rica. It is located approximately south of the town of Quepos, Puntarenas and 132km from San Jose. This picturesque national park has an estimated 150,000 visitors per year. Four beaches are contained within the park: Manuel Antonio, Espadilla Sur, Escondido and Playita. Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio contain tidal pools which offer the possibility of snorkeling. Also there are many different animals such as dolphins, mantled howler monkeys and toucans that you can see here. With mangrove swamps and forest trails, there is something for everyone.

Poas Volcano National Park

Here is another one of the national parks in Costa Rica. This wonderful park is a two hour drive from San Jose and is accessible by wheelchair and has paved roads and a fantastic view of the second widest crater in the world. Poas is one of five active volcanoes in Costa Rica. The park is covered with giant ferns and it protects several backwaters. It is also home to a collection of wildlife such as Emerald Toucanets, frogs and sooty robins. One trail, the Botos leads to a cold water lake that is in an extinct crater. This park is almost as popular as Manuel Antonio National Park.

Corcovado National Park

This is one of the most bio diverse national parks in Costa Rica. It is located in Puntarenas Province on the Pacific Coast of Osa Peninsula, 208 miles from San Jose via the Inter-American highway. This is one of the most important natural preserves and it includes mountain forests, cloud forests, mangrove swamps and prairie forests. It supports white lipped peccaries, wildcats, sea turtles and whales just to name a few of the species that are found here. When touring this park, an adventuresome spirit is required. There are two archaeological sites in the park. El Cedral located at Sirena River and other archaeological digs are located near the river. The southeast part of the park is full of tectonic activity. There are also guided tours in the Drake Bay area of the park. This is not too far from Manuel Antonio National Park.

Tortuguero National Park

This is another place to see when discovering national parks in Costa Rica. Like its well known cousin, Manuel Antonio National Park, this park is full of surprises and delights for all types of animal watchers. This park is located in Limon Province, 155 miles from San Jose. This is a conservation area and has hosted over 100,000 visitors each year. Lush waterways snake through this park making it for excellent kayaking. Tortuguero National Park is also home to protected beaches and densely vegetated rainforests. This is home to turtles, jaguars, the West Indian Manatee and the beaches are perfect for strolling from dawn to dusk. These are just some of the wonderful national parks of Costa Rica which you can see while you visit this location.

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