Want to see a monkey in its natural habitat? Spot a tiny brightly colored poison dart frog along a trail? Stand beneath a giant tropical tree loaded with epiphytes? See a big blue butterfly too beautiful to believe? Would you like to observe toucans, quetzals, and scarlet macaws? How about a crocodile basking on the riverbank or a dolphin arching from the sea? Do all this and more in Costa Rica.
The chance for a close encounter of the natural kind with the tropical biodiversity found in this small, friendly country lures tends of thousands of visitors each year. And they must like what they find because many return again and again to explore the varied habitats: rain forest, dry forest, cloud forest, oak forest, high - mountain paramo, and wetland, mangrove, and other aquatic habitats.
What is out there? More than 850 species of birds, 209 mammal species, 13.000 plant species (including 1.500 trees and 1.400 orchids), 220 species of reptiles, and 163 species of amphibians. As for the usually diminutive world of arthropods - creatures with segmented bodies and jointed limbs, such as insects, spiders and crabs - look out: more than 365.000 weird and wonderful species have been identified so far.
Many of the habitats where all this life flourishes are under protective status, with about 16 percent of the country in more than 30 national parks, wildlife refuges, and biological reserves that are open to the public. Another 11 percent is in forest reserves, Indian reserves, and protected zones. In addition, individuals have established reserves for conservation purposes.
So, there are protected habitats, more than half a million known species doing their thing in the ecosystems, and tens of thousands of human visitors who hope to watch them doing it. How can this play out in harmony? Ecotourism offers sustainable strategies. Ecotourism means responsible travel to natural areas, tourism that has low impact on the environment and on local culture while generating income to help conserve natural resources and benefiting local people. Unless benefits reach the local populations, conservation is not sustainable.
Ecotourism in Costa Rica - Ecotourism is hugely popular in Costa Rica. Over half of the country’s visitors travel to biological reserves or national parks. Many of Costa Rica’s tourists are attracted to the exotic and diverse wildlife found in the various ecosystems.
Flora - Scientists and researchers have found over 10,000 plant species in Costa Rica and new species are being discovered every year. The national flower, called Cattleya Skinneri, is one of the most famous of the 1300 orchids species found in Costa Rica. This flower usually blooms in March. Each ecosystem has its own native plant life, with the tropical rainforests having the most diverse collection.
Fauna - Over 850 species of bird have been recorded in the country. There are more bird species in Costa Rica alone than any one of the continents of Europe, Australia or North America. The country is also home to more than 260 mammal species, about 180 species of amphibians, 235 species of reptiles and 835 species of fish.
Natural Parks and Reserves - There are 26 national parks, 8 natural reserves and a number of other areas that are protected by the State. The national park system began in the 1960s and now covers almost 11% of the country. Between national parks, wildlife refuges, biological and forest reserves and other protected areas, about 27% of the country is protected by the government. There is also a fair amount of privately held land that is protected by private citizens. All of these protected lands offer beautiful nature in its raw form. San Jose Costa Rica
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