BAHÍA JUNQUILLAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

This wilderness area is characterized by its dry forests and their guanacaste, rain and legume trees. It also contains mangrove swamps featuring black and red mangroves. Animals that may be observed include spider, Congo and white-faced monkeys, white-tailed deer and iguanas. Trails, a camping and picnic area, restrooms, public telephone and other services are available. Though Bahía Junquillal is the refuge's main attraction, it also comprises Jicote and Cuajiniquil bays and Islas Los Muñecos.

SANTA ROSA NATIONAL PARK

This park has two sectors: Murciélago and Santa Rosa itself. Located in the northern part of the Santa Elena peninsula, Murciélago features several beaches, including El Hachal, Danta, Coquito, Santa Elena and Blanca. The administrative area offers parking, picnic tables, bathrooms, drinking water and camping. There are also viewpoints and trails.

The Santa Rosa sector shelters the largest tract of tropical dry forest in Central America. Wildlife here includes white-tailed deer and Congo and white-faced monkeys. This area features two beaches: Naranjo, which permits camping, and Nancite, which is operated as a biological station and where olive ridley turtles come to nest. Finally, Santa Rosa has great historical importance as the site of the Battle of Santa Rosa.

This sector offers several trails and viewpoints, as well as other points of interest such as the Monument to the Heroes of 1856 and 1955 and the historical house, which was completely rebuilt in 2002.

GUANACASTE NATIONAL PARK

At just over 32,000 hectares, this park contains Orosí and Cacao volcanoes, which are its main attractions. It is divided into three sectors: Maritza, Pitilla and Cacao.

The Maritza sector is located on the slopes of Orosí volcano, at 650 meters above sea level. It shelters a dry to wet forest that gives birth to rivers and streams, a variety of birds and a large population of collared peccaries. Available services include drinking water, outhouses, trails and general information. Located one kilometer south of La Cruz, the Pitilla sector's main feature is its wet forest. Birds and other animals can be seen on the trails, as well as a spectacular view of Lake Nicaragua.

The Cacao sector is located on the slopes of the volcano of the same name, at some 1,100 meters above sea level. Trails connect dry forest to wet and cloud forests. With the proper permit, visitors may climb to the top of the volcano.

RINCÓN DE LA VIEJA NATIONAL PARK

Comprising the massif that contains Rincón de la Vieja volcano, this national park has an area of 14,083 hectares and is divided into two sectors: Las Pailas and Santa María. The park contains nine volcanic cones and one lake, La Jilgueros. Pailas Sector: Trail (7.5 km) to the Von Seebach (1,898 meters above sea level) and Rincón de la Vieja (1,806 meters above sea level) craters; trail to las pailas (2.77 km); trail to La Cangreja (5.1 km) and Escondidas (4.3 km) waterfalls; trail to the Río Blanco pool (600 m); trail to fumaroles and mud volcanoes.

Santa María Sector: Trail to Enchanted Forest waterfall (1.1 km); trail to Pailas sector (8 km); trail to coldwater springs (1.6 km); trail to hot springs (2.75 km). In the vicinity of the administrative office there are restrooms, picnic areas and a camping ground, as well as a historical house and sugar mill. The park may also be accessed from Buenos Aires de Upala.

VOLCÁN TENORIO NATIONAL PARK

Located in Guanacaste's Cordillera Volcánica, this park features several life zones, including low montane rainforest, very wet tropical forest and very wet premontane forest. Its maximum altitude is 1,916 meters above sea level. Plant species include palms, ferns, bromeliads and orchids. In terms of animals, there are white-faced and Congo monkeys, giant anteaters, pumas, tapirs and peccaries. Birds include a variety of trogon birds and bellbirds.

The park offers parking, drinking water, outhouses, researcher accommodations, information, trails and viewpoints that allow visitors to enjoy its features. These attractions and the hot springs are located not far from the administrative office, and are connected by a trail called Misterios del Tenorio (Mysteries of Tenorio). It is simply wonderful to swim in the sky-blue river, and to take in the park's natural environs.

VOLCÁN MIRAVALLES PROTECTED AREA

This protected area's main attraction is its volcano, the tallest one (2,028 meters above sea level) in Guanacaste's Cordillera Volcánica, Bagaces canton. Its slopes feature hot springs that may be enjoyed at the pool in Guayabo. Volcanic fumaroles can also be visited. There are beautiful waterfalls in the area, such as Cabro Muco and the waterfall on the grounds of the college in La Fortuna, near to which are several lakes. In addition, this area is home to Costa Rica's only geothermal electricity production project.

LAS BAULAS NATIONAL MARINE PARK AND TAMARINDO NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Both these wilderness areas are located mainly in the Playa Grande area and in the Tamarindo estuary; however, they also include Playa Carbón, Playa Ventanas and Playa Langosta, Morro and Hermoso hills and the San Francisco and Ventanas mangrove swamps. Nesting giant leatherback turtles are the park's main tourist attraction. Largest of the world's sea turtles, the endangered leatherback is protected in Costa Rica.

The refuge's main attraction is its mangrove swamp, with its fast-growing trees. Most common mangrove species here include red, black, white and piñuela. These mangrove forests are ideal breeding grounds for fish, crustaceans and mollusks. Reptiles, amphibians and birds may also be seen here. Tours are available for observing nesting leatherbacks and touring the Tamarindo estuary.

Source: Content and Images from Costa Rica Tourism Board - www.visitcostarica.com