In 2005 there were 1.6 millions of visitors in Costa Rica, the reason? Even been such a little country (only 51.100 km2), this mean only 0.03% of the surface earth, and 589.000 km2 of territorial sea, Costa Rica has approximately 6% of the world’s biodiversity. In Costa Rica, there is an unusual intensity in the natural world, thanks to the extraordinary combination of vast biological wealth, an extensive system of protected areas, and political stability. Its conservation system is one of the most respected: Costa Rica have more than 25% of territory  in some category of protection, nowadays this increase with the active participation of the private initiative that create private reserves specially for eco-tourism and research.  This is the reason of why Costa Rica has become one of the most famous places for eco-tourism.

Costa Rica is in the waist of America, between Nicaragua to the North and Panama to the South. The country has an extensive mountain-volcanic ridge that form the backbone of the country. This are part of the Andean Sierra Madre chain, and separates the Caribbean Sea to the east, from the Pacific Ocean to west. This specific geographic conditions make it great bio-diversity, 12 different climatic zones, and by some reports, as many as 27 different weather patterns; even been a tropical country, the extreme variations in altitudes provide the conditions to separate it from tropical climates elsewhere. The Pacific coast reach easily the 33 °C (91 °F), and the mountain Cerro Chirripó at 1820 m (12530 feet) have a daytime temperature around 0 °C (32 °F), and night even -10 °C (14 °F).

                    So what does Costa Rica offer you? 

                                Just 500.000 species!!!

1,000 species of butterflies         1,200 varieties of orchids

850 species of birds           135 species of freshwater fish 300,000 species of insects     174 species of amphibians

221 species of reptiles              240 species of mammals

9,000 species of plants             60 Volcanoes  (5 actives + 1 very active!)

Cloud forests                 Mangrove wetlands and swamps

And a lot more!!!

Want to learn more???

If you have interest in bio-diversity, Costa Rica is your place. Visit the Earth University http://www.earth.ac.cr/index.php

They offer daily round-trip shuttle service from most hotels in the San José area. 100% wheelchair friendly, with tours, Butterflies Garden, Farm, Lagoon, Aquarium, Educational Program, restaurant, Gift Shop, Tourist Information Center, Coffee Shop, Rooms for Social and Corporate events.

The Park is open Tuesday -Sunday 8 am to 6 pm (admissions closes at 4 pm), price $15 adults, $8 children.