Costa Rica has become a mecca for the nature lover and the conservationist. As of 1992, Costa Rica is the world headquarters for the Earth Council because of its natural resource conservation activities. Currently, the National Parks Service is responsible for the care and conservation of twenty natural parks, eight wildlife refuges, and one area declared a national archeological monument. At the same time, the Forestry Service is in charge of twenty—six protected areas, nine forest reserves, seven fauna sanctuaries, and a national forest. These protected areas total about 22 percent of Costa Rica’s territory, meaning that Costa Rica has a larger percentage of its total area set aside in parks and preserves than any other country in the world. Tortuguero National Park on the Atlantic coast is one of the most important nesting sites for the green turtle. A natural system of canals and navigable lagoons cross the park, forming the habitat for seven species of land turtles, the sea cow, and the crocodile. This is one of the rainiest and most biologically diverse regions in the country. Turning to the Pacific coast, the main attractions of the Manuel Antonio National Park are two white, sandy beaches called Espadilla Sur and Manuel Antonio. The park includes twelve islands located a short distance from shore that serve as seabird sanctuaries. The seas contain dolphins and, occasionally, migrating whales.
Back on the Atlantic coast is Cahuita National Park one of the most beautiful areas in the country. Cahuita’s pluses are its white sands, miles of coconut groves, coral reef, and tranquil clear seas. Some of the reefs most beautiful fish include the French angelfish, rock beauty, and blue parrotfish. The area is full of howler monkeys and many species of endemic birds. If you love water sports, you’ve come to the right place. Costa Rica is a paradise of lakes, natural water basins, coasts, and rivers. You can enjoy some of the best fishing in the world here. You can enjoy both Kayaking and River Rafting along more than sixty miles of navigable rivers. You can enjoy boating, windsurfing, water-skiing, and skin diving along the coastline and in crystal-clear lakes. Whatever you desire to do, you can do it here.
Costa Rica has 767 miles of coastline on two coasts beckoning the surfer, snorkeler, swimmer, Sheller, and sunbather. There’s Plaza Blanca in Santa Rosa National Park, which may be the most isolated beach in Costa Rica. Playa Nosara, a lovely white-sand beach surrounded by lush hills and a residential community of foreigners. There are playas Blanco and Flamingo, which look like Hawaii with their posh resorts and gourmet restaurants.
There are many businesses that cater to both the highly skilled and the novice fishing enthusiast. Many companies rent boats, provide charters, and organize fishing excursions. Sport fishing. Along the Pacific coast is best from facilities in Golfito, Drake Bay and Sierpe, where snook, snapper, roosterfish, and corvina are caught. The Caribbean coast has a season from January to June for tarpon and snook, with a shorter season from September to October, mainly for snook. Inland, freshwater fishing is mainly for rainbow trout, bass, tarpon, and snook. A fishing license is required to fish in Costa Rica. Local tackle shops, fishing camps, and professional guides can provide these licenses for you.