Top 5 Spots in Costa Rica for Ecotourism

Stephanie Kempker | July 25, 2016

Costa Rica is a shining example of a nation “doing it right” in terms of ecotourism and sustainable travel.

The small country has an estimated 26% of its land dedicated to wildlife reserves, nature preserves, and protected areas. Many of the tourists that arrive to the Central American nation come just for that, to participate in eco-friendly adventure activities.

While the whole of Costa Rica offers stunning landscapes, animal encounters, and adventurous activities, a few spots are even better than others.

Monteverde

The unique forest of Monteverde is a major draw for nature lovers from around the world. Offering protected wildlife areas, and many adventure opportunities, it’s a definite stop for animal loving adventurers.

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The Monteverde cloud forest is a special protected area that also offers many activities for tourists. One of the most popular is zipping through the canopy on a thrilling zipline. Costa Rica’s high safety standards combined with pristine forests make it one of the most secure places in the world to try a zip line experience. Whizzing above and into the forest canopy offers an unparalleled perspective of the forest, and gets your adrenaline pumping at the same time.

For an equally interesting view, but a bit less heart thumping, taking a stroll on a hanging bridge allows for a slower and more thoughtful understanding of the forest. Suspended above the ground, hanging bridges place visitors at tree-top level, the perfect place to see animals like monkeys and birds that spend most of their life there.

The Bat Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in bats, or with a fear they want to cure. The museum features an artificial, indoor, fully functioning bat cave that allows travelers to get up close and see the winged creatures acting naturally.

Christer Jansson

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