Palo Verde National Park - 16,804 hectares
noted for its' varied topography, and an important bird migratory zone
- particularly waterfowl.
OTS Palo Verde Biological Station
Las Pumas - largest private shelter for
wild cats in Latin America.
Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve -
2,279 hectares of tropical dry forest, rich with numerous species of
insects, birds, and other animals.
Rincon de La Vieja National
Park - comprises 14,083 hectares with active volcano "fumaroles",
geysers, fresh-water volcanic lagoon, thermal waters, waterfalls, and
Las Pailas or hot springs - the most volcanic
actions you can see in the whole country with mud pots, geysers, caves,
natural sauna steam bath, sulphur warm water springs and mud facial.
Blue Lake Waterfall - 90 f. high, it is
totally blue because of the copper in the water.
Playa Nancite - important nesting site
for Pacific Ridley turtle.
Tamarindo Wildlife Refuge/Las Baulas National
Marine Park - nesting sites for leatherback turtles (Oct-March)
Ostional Wildlife Refuge - just north
of Playa Nosara, is the nesting site for the Olive Ridley turtle, or
"lora", as the locals call it. If you're visiting the area
any time from July through December, You'll find yourself entranced
by the hundreds of turtles that make their ponderous way up on to the
Cabo Blanco Strict Nature Reserve - 1,172
hectares on the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula. The first nature
reserve established in Costa Rica, it has abundance of flora and fauna
including 119 species of trees and large colony of brown boobies.
Barra Honda National Park - 2,295 hectares
with, most notably, a series of ancient limestone caves (ancient human
skeletons have been discovered inside), many of which have yet to be
investigated. One of the largest is "Terciopelo" and is the only one
open to the public. The hike to the caves takes aproximately an hour
and winds through tropical dry forest.
Guaitil - Small indigenous village maintaining
the tradition of the Chorotega. Potey is excellent and for sale.
La Casona - Located in Santa
Rosa National Park, it is Costa Rica's most important historic site.
Three major battles were fought here and there is now a museum on the