Exceptional protected biodiversity
Costa Rica is a model of environmental preservation. More than a quarter of the country is classified as a nature reserve or national parkguaranteeing a fragile but precious balance between man and nature.
🌍 Some impressive figures:
✅ 500,000 species listed (many still unknown)
✅ 250 mammal species
✅ 900 bird species
✅ 1,200 varieties of orchids
✅ More than 350 types of amphibians and reptiles
Here, nature reigns supremeAnd every step in the forest or by the sea can lead to an unexpected encounter with fascinating creatures.
Costa Rica's wildlife: a unique animal kingdom 🦥🦜🐆
Whether you're walking through dense jungle, skirting a wild beach or climbing to the top of a volcano, the Costa Rican wildlife reveals itself at every turn.
Emblematic mammals
Costa Rica abounds in creatures as discreet as they are impressive. Among them:
🐒 The monkeys Howlers, capuchins and spiders bring the forests to life with their cries and acrobatics.
🦥 The lazy ones These lovable sleepers hide in the canopy and are true icons of the country.
🐆 The jaguar Corcovado: rare and mysterious, this legendary feline prowls the depths of Corcovado Park.
🦇 Bats They represent almost 50 % of the country's mammal species !
Birds: a festival of colors
Costa Rica is a birdwatcher's paradise. From jungles to mangroves, from mountains to beaches, every nook and cranny is teeming with spectacular birds.
🦜 The resplendent quetzal A jewel of the Monteverde forests and the Talamanca mountain range.
🐦 Toucans The most striking feature is their huge, colorful beaks.
🦩 Scarlet macaws Parrots: magnificent parrots to be seen on the Pacific coast.
🌺 Hummingbirds winged flashes of lightning.
Amphibians and reptiles: fascinating and sometimes venomous!
Costa Rica is a playground for herpetologists (reptile and amphibian specialists).
🐍 The spearhead snake one of the most feared in the country.
🐸 The red-eyed tree frog A postcard star with green skin and flaming eyes.
🐊 The crocodiles of Rio Tárcoles mastodons up to 5 metres long!
Marine giants: magical encounters
🌊 Sea turtles They come to lay their eggs on the beaches of Tortuguero (July to October) and Nicoya (September to December).
🐋 Humpback whales : visible in the Parque Marino Ballena between July and November.
🐬 Dolphins : often seen along the coast on boat trips.
Board : To see the animals, it's best to go on a morning excursion, when the wildlife is most active.
Costa Rica's flora: a tropical Eden 🌺🌿🌳
If wildlife amazes, Costa Rica's flora is not to be outdone. Rainforests, mangroves, dry plains and misty peaks are home to an exceptional diversity of plant life.
Tropical forests: real green lungs
🌳 Cedar and kapok trees Giant trees dominate the canopy.
🌿 Tree lianas and ferns a spectacle worthy of a Jurassic Park set.
🍃 Bromeliads exotic plants where frogs and insects hide.
Orchids: Costa Rica's floral treasures
With over 1,200 species Costa Rica is a kingdom for orchid lovers. Their elegance and variety a national emblemSome, like Guaria Morada, are revered by Costa Ricans.
Trees and medicinal plants
Costa Rican nature abounds in plants with medicinal virtues, used for centuries by indigenous peoples.
🌱 Guanacaste A tree that symbolizes Costa Rica, with its beneficent shade.
🍃 Noni and guayabo : renowned for their health benefits.
🌺 Ibiscus and frangipani ubiquitous in tropical gardens.
Mangroves: precious and fragile ecosystems
Visit mangroves of Costa RicaLocated mainly on the Pacific coast, they are home to an astonishing array of fauna and play a crucial role in coastal protection. They are home to numerous birds, crabs and fish, and filter the water to preserve the ecological balance.
