National Park, which covers about half of the peninsula and is populated with tropical birds, monkeys, sloths, and endangered jaguar and puma; and Caño Island Biological Reserve, which lies 12 miles offshore in Drake Bay, was once a pre-Columbian cemetery but is now a sanctuary for snorkelers and divers chasing colorful fish. Where to Dock: Marina Bahia Golfito Caribbean Coast Destinations TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK In the northeast part of Costa Rica next to Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge, this park is best visited by boat from April to mid-October if you’re here for turtle nesting season. Four species of sea turtles — green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead — arrive each year to lay eggs. The Sea Turtle Conservancy runs a research center and visitor station. Other attractions that showcase the region’s biodiversity in this maze of wetlands, canals, rivers, lagoons, beaches and thick rain forest include hiking trails, zip lines, hanging bridges, sport fishing, bird watching (300 species) and spotting endan- gered species such as macaws, manatees and jaguars. VERAGUA RAINFOREST Located about 30 minutes east of Puerto Limón, Veragua presents fabulous views of the Talamanca mountains’ flora and fauna. This 3,000-acre rainforest reserve and scientific research center encourages visitors to watch the antics of its protected inhabitants – monkeys, sloths, tree frogs, reptiles, birds, butterflies and more. To find them, you can choose among hiking trails, aerial gondolas or zip lines that glide above the treetops.
Samara Beach
Rainforest tree frog
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