BARRA DEL COLORADO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Created in 1985, this refuge is located at the north end of the Caribbean region, on the border with Nicaragua. Its 78,977 hectares shelter canals, lagoons, rivers, marshes, forests, hills under 250 meters high and continental or fluvial islands. Receiving some 5,500 to 6,000 millimeters of precipitation per year, the region has no dry season to speak of.

The refuge is home to a wealth of biodiversity in plants and animals, some species of which are endemic to (found only in) this protected area. The region's plant life is made up of three types of vegetation: flooded forest, yolillo palm and tall grass. With regard to wildlife, there are crocodiles, caimans, manatees, tapirs, jaguars, Congo and white-faced monkeys and three-toed sloths, as well as Gaspar fish-considered living fossils.

Barra del Colorado's abundant fish life makes it a sport-fishing paradise. A permit is required. There are several fishing camps in the area, where record-breaking catches have been taken. To get to Barra del Colorado, tourists can take a boat from Moín, Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, Sarapiquí or other points, or a plane from San José.

TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK

Established in 1975, Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica's most biologically diverse wildlife areas. Featuring one of the most verdant landscapes in the country, the 26,156-hectare park was created with the main purpose of protecting the western Caribbean's most important green sea turtle nesting area. Tortuguero owes its very wet tropical forest to the 5,000 to 6,000 millimeters of rain it receives per year. These climatic conditions are favorable to more than 400 tree species, around 2,200 species of other plants and more than 400 bird, 60 amphibian and 30 freshwater fish species, as well as several endangered animals, including tapirs, monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, manatees and sloths. Tortuguero is characterized by beautifully scenic canals, lagoons and rivers that may be toured by boat, canoe or kayak. In addition to the green turtle, three other sea turtle species nest on the park's beaches.

BARBILLA NATIONAL PARK

First declared a biological preserve in 1982, this protected area became a national park in 1998. Sheltering a large tropical wet forest, the park's 11,994-hectare territory is an important water resource. Located some 20 kilometers from the city of Siquirres, the park is difficult to access. For this reason, and because necessary facilities are not available, visits are only recommended for those accustomed to hiking and should be led by local guides from the community of Las Brisas de Pacuarito, where the national park's administration office is located. Pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, monkeys and many bird species inhabit the park's forests.

HITOY CERERE BIOLOGICAL PRESERVE

Created in 1978, this 9,949-hectare preserve is surrounded by three indigenous reservations-Telire, Tayni and Talamanca-and is part of the La Amistad Biosphere Preserve. Hitoy Cerere, whose indigenous names mean "river of moss-covered rocks" and "river of clear waters," respectively, is located in the Estrella and Telire river basins. The altitude here ranges from 100 to 1,025 meters above sea level. Swimming is possible in rivers and streams, one of which features a lovely waterfall that may be visited by hiking a natural trail alongside the river. To get to the preserve, visitors must travel to Valle de la Estrella; five kilometers after Finca Cartagena is the administration office.

CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK

Established as a national monument in 1970 and made a national park in 1978, this wilderness area protects 1,067 hectares of land, 600 hectares of coral reef and 22,400 hectares of marine territory. Its two main areas, Cahuita and Puerto Vargas, feature highly scenic beaches as well as the largest fringing coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean. Various species of marine life may be seen here, including coral (brain, moose- and deer-horn, fire, rose and lettuce), mollusks, crustaceans, turtles, multicolored fish (angelfish, isabelitas, etc.) and many others.

The park also protects its distinctive plant life, both marsh and coastal, as well as wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, squirrels, coatis and many birds and insects. Light-sand beaches, thousands of coconut palms, turquoise-blue seas and a coral reef make this one of the most scenically beautiful areas in the country. The park offers various activities, such as hiking, swimming, diving, sunbathing, beach volleyball, observing the wealth of biodiversity or simply doing nothing and enjoying the marvelous scenery.

GANDOCA-MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE

This beautiful refuge has an area of 9,449 hectares (4,436 marine and 5,013 land). Located in Talamanca, its coastline stretches from the mouth of the Río Cocles near Puerto Viejo to the mouth of the Sixaola on the Panamanian border. Its highest point is the Manzanillo hills at 185 meters above sea level. Its wooded floodplains and hills are home to tree species such as cativo, caobilla, yolillo palm, mangrove and mountain almond. Monkeys, including spider monkeys, crocodiles, peccaries, agoutis and other animals make up the predominant wildlife. There is also a large variety of birds, such as parrots, harriers, toucanets and more. Beautiful beaches cover the entire coast, excellent for walking, sunbathing, swimming, nature-watching and diving in the reefs. Trails, viewpoints, drinking water, restrooms and other services may be found all along this corridor and in towns such as Manzanillo, where the refuge's administration office is located. The giant leatherback turtle is protected in the Gandoca area. Boat tours are available to Gandoca Lagoon, lush with tropical vegetation and habitat to the manatee.