Costa Rica's Rainforests

Set in the tropics with 1100 miles of coastline on two oceans, Costa Rica can get rather wet at times. More than 15 of the country's national parks protect a portion of rain forest terrain. These areas receive an average of 70 inches, (5.8 feet!) of rainfall annually.

One of the most accessible, but less visited rain forests is located just 30 minutes outside of San Jose! The Braulio Carrillo rain forest is a vast protected area totaling 44,000 hectares that encompasses seven different biodiversity zones! With varied landscapes stretching from 36 meters above sea level at the renowned La Selva Biological Station to the tip of the Barva Volcano at 2900 meters high. Leaves the size of elephant ears, several story waterfalls, winding streams and lots of damp, deep green vegetation dot what is one of the largest reserves in Costa Rica.

Further to the south, the Corcovado National Park on the Osa Peninsula is a biodiversity hot spot that attracts thousands of visitors each year to wander the largest primary forest on the Pacific coast of the Americas, and large tracks of lowland tropical rain forest. Take a 1.5 hour boat ride from Drake Bay to the remote La Sirena ranger station to appreciate the miles of pristine, untouched coastline that has been under protection since 1975. Wildlife spotting is a give-in here where you'll see any of four varieties of monkeys, tapirs, macaws, snakes, hummingbirds, butterflies and more!