What to See and Do in Costa Rica     page 3.

     Rain Forest. In the foothills and lowlands of both slopes, Costa Rica's rainforests harbor thousands of know life forms and thousands more yet to be described. They are among the last strongholds of biodiversity on earth. Resonating with the song of birds, at dawn, the rainforest is quiet in the heat of the day, its stillness punctuated by the insect-like call of poison dart frogs, rasping of cicadas or the whistled notes of wrens and ant birds. The dark, cool interior of the primary rainforest is surprisingly free of entangling vegetation. Only where light manages to filter though the interlocking canopy to the forest floor dos vegetation proliferate. Walking in the rainforest is like taking a step back in time.
     Dry Forest. Relatively small ecoregion lies on the Pacific Slope, spanning the borders of northwestern Costa Rica and Nicaragua, between the crests of Costa Rica's central chain of volcanoes on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The amount of birds in the area will permanently be with you as well as cicada, monkeys and other species of wild life.
     Wildlife. For the most fulfilling experience in the forest, it is important to growth an experienced naturalist guide. These woods do no give up their secrets easily. Indeed, the uninitiated can be overwhelmed by such all-pervasive greenness. A naturalist guide will explain the complex inter-relationships of species in the forest, help you identify the birds, spot well-camouflaged creatures and, with luck, maybe even point out tracks of those ever elusive tapirs of jungle cats. Of Costa Rica's 840 birds species, visitors usually spot the big or colorful birds such as hawks, ducks, toucans and tanagers,, plus the noisy parrots and macaws. Monkeys, coatimundis, peccaries, agoutis, armadillos, sloths, deer, squirrels and bats are the most commonly seen mammals. Also frequently found are iguanas, crocodiles and various species of lizards. During the sea turtle nesting season, lucky visitors can witness one of natures' ageless miracles, as these prehistoric looking creatures return to the same beach room which they were hatched to laboriously dig their nests and lay the eggs from which the nest generation of turtles will emerge. Bizarre and colorful insects, vast numbers of flowering trees, shrubs and plants in every color of the rainbow are all art of an infinitely rewarding experience with tropical nature. 
    Trekking. Costa Rica 's National Parks are ideal for trekking, although you definitely need a guide if you plan to venture away from well-marked trails. It's all too easy to get lost in the rainforest, where everything looks the same. Overnight treks can be arranged though local outfitters and a climb up Mount Chirripo is highly recommended for those in good physical condition.    

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