On Location: Central America Lance Harrell

on location: central america O lance harrell The CostaessenTial Scenic beauty and exotic wildlife await tour groups in this eco-tourism hotspot The lush rainforest sweeps down to idyllic beaches at Manuel Antonio National Park, a slice of paradise bordering the Pacific Ocean. estled in the cradle of the Central American subcontinent and can also explore the lowland rain forest, swamp forest, caressed by the waters of both the Pacific Ocean and beaches and lagoons that cover the park. Caribbean Sea lies one of the world’s last great ecological Due to the remoteness of the region, which is only acces- treasure troves, Costa Rica. sible by boat or air, and the limited number of available Touted as one of the greenest places on Earth, this former accommodations, it is recommended that your group use a banana republic now prides itself on being a thriving eco- tour operator to handle the trip and that you set aside at least tourism destination with over 25 percent of its landmass pro- two nights to avoid being rushed. tected in national parks and preserves, more than any other country. Manuel Antonio National Park Let’s look at some of the highlights: Arriving in Manuel Antonio is like stepping into a postcard of n paradise. The verdant forests, bleach-white beaches and Tortuguero National Park abundant fauna of Costa’s smallest park seduce you into a Sprawling along the northern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero state of tranquil bliss. National Park is one of Costa Rica’s true natural wonders. With This national park is one of only two places where you can an endless network of canals, the park is sometimes referred see all four species of Costa Rican monkey (howler, spider, to as the “Venice of Costa Rica.” Its name actually means squirrel and white-faced capuchin). Even outside the park “Turtle Region,” and turtles are exactly what you will find. proper, it’s not uncommon to see them frolicking along the high The park encompasses the nesting grounds of four species ropes that have been strung across the roads to provide them of giant sea turtle, which evidence suggests have been using safe passage. the area for this purpose since as early as the 1500s. Green, In addition to our primate cousins, inside the park you hawksbill, loggerhead and giant leatherback turtles use the are likely to see sloths, crabs, red-eyed green tree frogs, more than 21 miles of beach to lay their eggs, and guided tours bats, countless butterflies and numerous bird species. When can be arranged to watch both the depositing of eggs and you’ve had your fill of terrestrial wildlife watching, enjoy the emergence of baby turtles from their sandy womb. sea kayaking, snorkeling, swimming, surfing and canopy tours Although the turtles are the star of the show here, groups that abound in the area. 18 April 2012 LeisureGroupTravel.com Rican naTuRe expeRienCe The jungles of Costa Rica’s national parks abound with toucans, sloths, red-eyed green tree frogs and other intriguing creatures. Chirripo National Park Corcovado National Park Those who desire to take their travels to new heights flock Occupying nearly half of the Osa Peninsula along the south- to the Talamanca Mountain Range in southern Costa Rica, ern Pacific Coast, Corcovado National Park is considered one where Chirripo National Park boasts the tallest peak in the of the most isolated places on the planet and contains the country. Both the Caribbean and Pacific are visible on a clear largest continuous expanse of virgin lowland rainforest in day from the summit. Central America. If you can stand up to the nearly 250 inches Near the trailhead outside the park are lodges where you of annual rainfall and oppressive heat and humidity, you will be will sleep before starting the 5 a.m. hike. The number of able to count the experience among the greatest of your life. people allowed in the park at one time is limited, so be sure to Home to an unbelievable abundance of fauna, including secure your passes several months in advance, especially if more than 150 species of mammals, 120 species of amphib- your group is large. ians and reptiles, and 380 species of birds, the park is within The hike itself can be grueling, but it is far from impossible day-trip reach of Cano Island Biological Reserve. even for the amateur hiker. You’ll ascend approximately 7,000 feet along the nine miles of trail, reaching the lodge where you Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve will spend the night before climbing the final 1,500 feet to the Long before you reach the end of the steep and winding 12,532-foot summit. dirt road that approaches the town of Monteverde, you will While an experienced hiker can reach the peak and return understand the origins of its name, which translates into in a day, I recommend taking a slower pace and spending at “Green Mountain.” least one night at the lodge so as not to miss the other sites, The area was originally settled by Quakers from the United including secondary trails and one-of-a-kind sunsets. You are States in 1951. Recognizing the need to preserve the rare also likely to encounter tapir, white-lipped peccary, puma, cloud forest that blankets the mountaintop, they set aside a jaguar, ocelot, jaguarondi, rabbit, coyote and a variety of frogs large tract of adjacent land that eventually became Monteverde and other small amphibians. Among the birds in the region Biological Cloud Forest Reserve in 1972. are the dazzling quetzal, black-faced solitaire, hummingbirds, Shrouded in the misty air of the reserve’s 25,688 acres is flycatchers, wood creepers and warblers. hidden an unbelievable diversity of life, with more than 2,500 LeisureGroupTravel.com April 2012 19 O Obtain International visitor guides and itineraries and contact group- on location: central america friendly suppliers directly at leisuregrouptravel.com/instant-info plant species, of which 400 are orchid species, plus 400 Monteverde Cloud Forest different bird species and over 100 species of mammals. has six hanging bridges. Cahuita National Park If you are looking for a true Caribbean experience, Cahuita’s reggae rhythms, blue-green waters and tranquil pace will not leave you wanting. This small, charming town has been a mecca for the hippie and backpacker crowd for years, due in no small part to Cahuita National Park, which abuts its southern end. The park encompasses a 55,000-acre marine park that includes a magnificent coral reef, one of the largest in the Caribbean. Snorkeling and diving in the park are tightly con- trolled, but you will have no trouble finding a licensed guide that can take you to a few of the more hard-to-find areas. However, if swimming with the resplendent blue parrotfish Costa Rica offers groups a variety ecological travel options, or angelfish is not your cup of seawater, then take a stroll along but the experiences in the country are by no means limited to the four-mile trail that skirts the coastline and stake out an that arena. Costa Rica also has many language learning, cul- isolated spot on the endless white sand beach. While soaking tural exchange, volunteerism, adventure tourism and luxury up the sun and listening to the waves gently lapping against the experiences available as well. For more information on all of sand, do not be surprised to encounter the occasional sloth, these options, keep an eye out at LeisureGroupTravel.com for monkey or iguana that has come to share the experience. our upcoming series of Site InSpections on Costa Rica. LGT .

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