BIODIVERSITY IN COSTA RICA:

The tropical zones of the American continent, the Neotropics, contain more species than other tropical regions of the world and, definitely, many more species than the Planet's temperate and cold zones. Costa Rica has been considered one of the most diverse regions and it is estimated that 4% of all living species are found here, even though this country comprises only 0,01% of the global territory.
 
When comparing Costa Rica with large countries well-known for their biological resources, such as Colombia or Brazil, our great biodiversity becomes evident. For example, if we consider the number of species for every 10,000 km2, Costa Rica has 295 tree species, while Colombia has 35 species and Brazil, 6.

Out of the 500,000 species estimated for the country, more than 87,000 (17.4%) have been described. Over 79% of these species are arthropods. Plants comprise another important group, of which some 10,979 (91%) species have been described. Such data indicate that out of the entire biodiversity described in the world, approximately 6% belongs to Costa Rica.
 
At present, we know 98.8% of vertebrates (excluding fish), close to 90% of plants and 60% of fish. However, out of the most diverse group (arthropods), less than 20% of species have been described. The same goes for other invertebrates, excluding mollusks. Groups such as fungi, bacteria and virus are almost unknown, since more than 98% of expected species are yet to be described.

 NATIONAL PARKS OF COSTA RICA

Greenway Nature Tours is a Travel Agency and Tour Operator specialized in rain forest tours and adventure. We have many tours to the most famous National Parks of Costa Rica. For more information about every national park, please click on the park´s name for a full description.

Arenal National Park

Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge

Poás Volcano National Park

Juan Castro Blanco National Park

Irazú Volcano National Park

Tapantí National Park

Guayabo National Monument

Santa Rosa National Park

Guanacaste National Park

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Barra Honda National Park

Palo Verde National Park

Lomas Barbudal Biological Reserve

Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

Braulio Carrillo National Park (Barva Volcano sector)

Braulio Carrillo National Park (Zurquí sector)

Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge

Tortuguero National Park

Cahuita National Park

Gandoca - Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge

Hitoy - Cerere Biological Reserve

Peñas Blancas National Wildlife Refuge

Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Islands Biological Reserves

Curú National Wildlife Refuge

Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve

Carara Biological Reserve

Manuel Antonio National Park

Ballena Marine National Park

La Amistad International Park

Corcovado National Park

Caño Island Biological Reserve

Golfito National Wildlife Refuge

Cocos Island National Park

Chirripó National Park