Hotel rental in Playa Tortuga, Costa Rica - Casually elegant bungalow with ocean and jungle views - Property 209991

The Southern Zone of Costa Rica: The Southern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is claimed by National Geographic as ‘one of the most biologically diverse regions on earth'. The abundance of exotic wildlife, friendly and diverse people, and stunning natural landscapes has put this area on the map and makes it a travel must. The region has the highest percentage of protected land devoted to national parks and private reserves, including Ballena Marine National Park, Caño Island Biological Reserve, Corcovado National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, and Amistad International Park. Its varied topography, extending from high mountain plateaus to marine environments with beautiful unspoiled beaches and endless acres of lush rainforest and waterfalls, allows for the existence of just about every type of bird (over 450 species counted and more than found on the African continent!), animal and insect known to the country.

Corcovado National Park: Ecologically varied, the Corcovado National Park is among the most biologically intense places on earth. Located on the wild and untamed Osa Peninsula, this National park is breathtakingly beautiful and is one of the remotest parks in the country. Home to the largest and only tropical primary lowland rainforest in the world, the Corcovado National Park is also the habitat of numerous endangered plant and animal species. Created in 1975 to protect this gorgeous region from illegal gold mining and logging, the Parque Nacional Corcovado is today, an extremely popular ecotourism destination. Mostly undisturbed because of its isolation and inaccessibility, it is home to the magnificent Scarlet Macaws as well as the Resplendent Quetzals, the Red-Eyed Tree Frog and the Tapir, the largest terrestrial mammal in Central and South America. Visiting this park allows you to experience nature at its finest and promises an incredible adventure.

Caño Island Biological Reserve: If you look out over the Pacific Ocean from the Lookout, you’ll see Isla del Caño or Caño Island, an amazing marine biological reserve in Costa Rica. The island holds considerable geographical and archaeological importance and was formerly a cemetery or burial ground dating back to the pre-Colombian era. Evidence of the island’s history can be found in the incredible stone spheres that have been discovered here, all of which are hand carved and perfectly rounded. The real beauty of Isla del Caño is found underwater. This island’s virgin waters are some of the bluest in the country, and are home to a spectacular variety of stunning marine flora and fauna as well as some gorgeous coral reefs. Rated as being amongst the best underwater adventure diving spots in the world, the Isla del Caño Biological Reserve is also home to a huge variety of fish, whales and sharks.

Other Activities: Canopy zip-line, kayaking, ATV, whale watching