BARRA HONDA NATIONAL PARK

Located 22 kilometers northeast of Nicoya, this park's 2,295 hectares protect an important geological feature: a system of calcareous caverns with stalactite and stalagmite formations. At 450 meters high, Barra Honda hill is made up of ancient coral reefs pushed up out of the earth by tectonic faults.

Around 19 caverns have been explored. Terciopelo is most accessible and is open to the public. Its stalactites and stalagmites are formed by calcium carbonate in the cavern ceiling dissolving upon coming into contact with water. The park offers parking, drinking water, outhouses, lodging, information, trails and viewpoints showing landscapes of the Río Tempisque.

DIRIÁ NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Located in Santa Cruz, this refuge protects the area's hydrographic basin system and around 1,500 hectares of forest. Above 700 meters, evergreen species prevail, hosting moss and gigantic bromeliads.

OSTIONAL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

Ostional was established as a refuge to protect the olive ridley turtles that nest on this shore. The most important nesting area stretches from a place known as La Roca to the Ostional estuary. In addition to the olive ridley, which nests in the refuge year-round, giant leatherback and green turtles nest from September to February, as well as the occasional hawksbill. Olive ridleys can lay more than 100 eggs each on the refuge's beaches. Once a year, a phenomenon called la arribada ("the arrival") occurs between September and November. For three to seven days, hosts of olive ridleys descend upon the refuge to lay thousands of eggs. In order to make reasonable use of this resource, the law permits eggs to be taken from Ostional for commercial purposes. This activity is coordinated with the Ostional Development Association, as are guided turtle-watching tours.

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