Abundant wildlife and different climatic zones in Costa Rica

By Maren Landwehr Jan 17, 2012, 3:06 GMT

San Jose, Costa Rica - Visitors to Costa Rica can experience an impressive and varied natural landscape with volcanoes, rain forests and abundant wildlife, although the climate does take some getting used to for most tourists.

Clouds, rain showers and low temperatures have to be endured on the climb to the summit of the 3,432-metre-high volcano Irazu. The conditions make it impossible to see the volcano's green crater while the view of the island's coastline is also obscured.

However, Costa Rica's different climatic zones and unique biodiversity are immediately noticeable on the descent into the valley below, as the sun emerges from the clouds and cows graze in meadows surrounded by vegetable fields and trees. Soon the temperatures have risen to 28 degrees Celsius and the walkers have taken off their winter clothing and are kitted out in t-shirts and shorts. Locals stand by the side of the road, selling strawberries and cashew nuts.

Not a word is spoken by the group the following day during the trip along the Pan-American Highway to Cerro de la Muerte as otherwise the quetzal bird could not be heard. Once considered the bird of the gods by ancient Central American cultures, today the quetzal is much sought after by hobby photographers.

However, the colourful bird tests the patience of this particular group before a green and scarlet quetzal appears for a brief moment in the treetops.

Not all animals are so shy and there is plenty of wildlife to see en route along the trails and through the forest, for example curious coatis - a type of raccoon - which emerge from the dense forest in search of a piece of banana.

The drive to Monteverde in north-western Costa Rica is worth it for a visit to the mountain village of the same name alone, but also for the cloud forest that grows at an altitude of approximately 1,600 metres, where temperatures stay between 13 and 24 degrees all year round.

The last 35 km to the 10,500-hectare bio-reserve involves a drive along bumpy gravel roads but despite the effort required, the forest has become so popular with tourists that it is advisable to set out in the early morning to avoid crowds. Later risers are better off taking a trip to the neighbouring Santa Elana national park.

Tortuguero national park has also grown immensely in popularity. Around 100,000 tourists each year endure a near four-hour journey from Cariari or Moin to visit the 19,000-hectare conservation area with its canals and hills even if the sight of turtles laying their eggs is only possible in certain months of the year.

Visitors stay at the many hotels and jungle lodges, which generally have fly-screens instead of windows due to the constant high temperatures.

The sound of howler monkeys in the morning seems louder than expected but is tempered by bird song. There is approximately one hour of rainfall per day but it's the humidity, which makes the hotel feel like a sauna --- a real problem for travellers.

Locals advise those travelling to the mango groves to set off at 6 am and there are already lots of boats with tourists out and about at this early hour in search of the poison dart frog. This blue and red amphibian grows to about five centimetres in length and can only be seen after long periods of keen observation in certain areas of the park. Tourists are warned not to get too close to the frog as he secretes a poison from his skin.

Mosquitoes are everywhere when travelling through the Caribbean but the itching doesn't seem so bad in a rainforest full of colourful toucans, cute monkeys, beautiful butterflies and unique flowers. However, it's impossible to forget about the sun, except when it gets dark, albeit not cooler, punctually around 6 pm each evening.