The Corcovado National Park is considered to be the most precious gem of the system of national parks in Costa Rica. The Corcovado National Park boasts of an amazing ecological variety, and the National Geographic has termed it to be the “most biologically intense place on Earth”. The uniqueness of the national park lies in the fact that it encompasses a tropical forest as well as a Pacific shoreline. The combination of these two natural forms gives the Corcovado National Park an unparalleled status. The biodiversity offered by this natural park attracts nature lovers, photographers as well as researchers.
In its 41.788 hectares of land, it houses a stunning variety of flora. The vegetation varies from mountain forest, cloud forests, alluvial soil forests, prairie forest to mangrove, palm swamps and herbaceous swamp. This astounding variation in the vegetation has led to the growth of about 500 species of trees. The main varieties of trees include purple heart, crabwood, poponjoche and nargusta. Trees like banak, cow tree and espave can also be found in these forests. The wildlife of the Corcovado National Park include squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, agoutis, giant anteaters, great curassows, black hawks, spectacled owls, hummingbirds, butterflies, golden orb spiders, otters and raccoons. If one wishes to have a glimpse of the wildlife of this natural park, then the beach is probably the best area. Scarlet Macaws, hermit crabs, spider monkeys and tamandua anteaters are only a few to name. With such a collection of wildlife, the Corcovado National Park is sure to win you over.
The coral reef present in the Cahuita National Park covers an
offshore area of about 240 hectares. The site is favorite among
tourists for scuba diving and snorkeling. The wide varieties
of corals like brain corals, sea fans, sea feathers, elkhorn
corals and gorgonian corals form the major part of the coral
reef. Besides the corals there are also many colorful varieties
of fish that play around the coral reef.
|
