| Costa Ricans take pride in their extensive national park
system. The country is rich not only in natural beauty but
in all varieties of wildlife. Costa Ricans have set aside
25 percent of their territory and established 36 national
parks and preserves to protect the flora and fauna of their
country. This is reportedly the largest percentage of any
country in the world. In fact, Costa Rica is in first place
in ecological tourism in the world.
Five percent of the world's biodiversity can be found in
Costa Rica. The variety of birds, butterflies, amphibians,
mammals, trees and flowers has to be seen to be believed.
The country has 850 species of mammals, 218 species of reptiles,
160 species of amphibians, 845 varieties of birds, 360,000
species of insects and 1000 varieties of orchids as well as
10,353 species of other plants.
Costa Rica's parks are in every region of the country, with
some parks more accessible than others.
Additional information and a list of parks may be obtained
by calling 233-5673, 233-5284 or 233-4160. Most hotels and
tourist information centers can be helpful to nature lovers.
Foreigners pay about $6 admission and Costa Ricans and residents
$1 to enter Costa Rica's parks. After an international uproar
over hikes in park fees, the Green Pass was instituted to
offer the most affordable way to visit Costa Rica's world-famous
parks. For $29, you receive a coupon booklet with four tickets
to any national park and one ticket to one of 10 parks.
Costa Ricans take the same pride in their urban parks. Every
neighborhood in Costa Rica, from the biggest cities to the
tiniest villages, always has a park usually adjacent to the
Catholic Church. San José's La Sabana Park is the country's
largest city park. The park is crisscrossed by miles of jogging,
biking and walking trails. Ticos flock by the hundreds
to this park to indulge their love of family, children, sports
and the outdoors. Go to the park any Sunday and you will see
people walking, jogging, picnicking, cycling or playing soccer
on one of the many playing fields.
Waterland Aquatic Park
There are also free tennis and basketball courts. The park
is located at the site of the old national airport and the
terminal building now houses the Costa Rican Art Museum. La
Sabana is also the home of the National Stadium and National
Gymnasium, where events of all types are held. There is an
Olympic-size swimming pool just west of the gymnasium. In
the center of the park, a large lake and fountain attracts
many people. It is a favorite gathering spot for families.
Another popular weekend destination in San José is
Parque de la Paz. It does not have the peaceful seclusion
of La Sabana, but it still has all the activity. The park
is set around three artificial lakes. Waterland is the country's
first U.S.-style water park. There are several pools, water
slides, miniature golf and a soon-to-be-completed pool with
artificial waves. An even more spectacular water park is being
built a few miles off the coastal highway between Quepos
and Dominical. When completed, it will have artificial waves
and a whole lot more.
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