Nature

Costa Rica translates in English to Rich Coast, and it's certainly one of the richest nations in biodiversity. Varied natural environments include lowland rainforests, ancient dry tropical forest, coral reefs, majestic mountain ranges with cloud forests.

Approximately 850 different species of birds have been identified here, more than are found in the United States and Canada combined. Home to 9,000 different kinds of flowering plant species including 1,200 different types of orchids, 205 species of mammals, 376 species of reptiles and amphibians and nearly 10 percent of the world's butterfly species are found here. Costa Rica has 20 national parks, 8 wildlife refuges, 1 national archaeological monument, 26 protected forest areas, 9 forest reserves, 7 wildlife sanctuaries.

Protected areas total 25% of the national territory more than any other country on earth.