Costa Rica
Rainforest
The Lowland Rain
forests of Costa Rica are the most complex biological
communities that exist. A typical hectare (2.5 acres) of Cost
Rican rain forest might be home to nearly 100 species of
trees. The country comprises only 0.01% of the earth's
landmass, yet is home to 5% of the planet's biodiversity.
There are more than 10,000 identified species of plants, 850
species of birds, 800 species of butterflies, and 500 species
of mammals, reptiles, and amphibians found here.
Costa Rica's
lowland rain forests are true tropical jungles. Some are
deluged with more than 200 inches of rainfall per year, and
their climate is hot and humid. You can find these lowland
rain forests along the southern Pacific coast and Osa
Peninsula, as well as along the Caribbean coast. Corcovado,
Cahuita, and Manuel Antonio National Parks, as well as the
Manzanillo-Gandoca Wildlife Refuge are examples of lowland
rain forests.
Good places for
hiking are Braulio Carrillo National Park, near San Jose which
contains rain forest and cloud forest, and the hot and humid
rain forest in La Selva Biological Station. On the Pacific
coast, Corcovado National Park and Marenco Wildlife Refuge
have well maintained but muddy and steep trails where you can
meander for hours through impressive primary forests.
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