Costa Rica Bosques Lluviosos

Making your way through Manuel Antonio's rainforests is a treat! You can see all four types of monkey . You'll also have a chance to see sloths and anteaters . If you're an avid birdwatcher, prepare to break out your binoculars — 184 species are known to roam the forests.

Spotting wildlife is great, but what if you want a more rugged adventure? Well, you'll have a great time going on hikes; if you go with a naturalist guide, you'll be able to learn about all of the flora and fauna you may be passing along the way. For a wet and wild adventure, kayak through dense mangroves, or rappel down waterfalls there are dozens of exciting tours in Manuel Antonio. When it's time to retire after a day of adventure, you can fall asleep to the sounds of the rainforest when you stay in a resort or eco lodge situated in the heart of the jungle.

In Drake Bay, howler monkeys and tropical birds help you welcome the morning when you step out onto the balcony of your ecolodge. Anteaters feed in their natural habitat, and sloths are literally hanging out. Rainforest treks are a rugged adventure, but they're well worth it when you spot enough birds and butterflies to make even the most experienced birdwatcher or entomologist envious. This is a great opportunity to do some wildlife photography or sketching!

The best part about exploring Drake Bay is that you can immerse yourself in luscious rainforests, and still enjoy a beach getaway. Located on Costa Rica's exquisite Osa Peninsula, Drake Bay is the perfect combination of emerald forests and sapphire seas.

Both parks offer the opportunity to see over 400 species of bird, half of the mammal species in Costa Rica, and the iridescent butterflies. La Selva Verde is the smaller of the two, with 31 miles of trail through undisturbed nature. Braulio Carrillo makes an indelible impression with its volcanic peaks and the enormous San Fernando Waterfall. As you walk through these parks, there's a good chance a tapir, an armadillo, or a peccary will cross your path.

The area is rather spread out and offers a nice variety of eco lodge style accommodation where the surrounding plant and animal life takes center stage. Experience this environment at a rapid pace on a rafting excursion down the Sarapiqui River. One of Costa Rica's premier rivers with sections of water that are calm and others that are class IV & V and only for experts.

Listen to the mantled howler monkey screech from behind the leaves of emerald trees. Watch for the emerald and turquoise plumage of the great green macaw flying overhead. If you venture to the parts of the forest that merge with marshy swamps, you might be able to spot green herons and spectacled caimans. Tread lightly, peek carefully, and you may be able to find a blue-jeans frog — these little creatures prefer undisturbed areas.

The sounds of the rainforest can help you greet each day and lull you to sleep in the evening when you stay in one of the region's popular and rustic lodges. For an extra special treat, choose accommodations situated near Tortuguero National Park — 46,815 acres of natural beauty, which includes rainforests, swamps, and coastline.

The overwhelming beauty of the rainforest of waiting for you when you book your Costa Rica rainforest vacation in the verdant region of Tortuguero.