You can find nature tours all over Costa Rica, from the beautiful cloud forests of Monteverde to the raging crater of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. If you’re an avid wildlife observer, you might have certain species in mind that you would like to see, and you’ll know that certain species live in certain habitats that vary throughout the country. While San Gerardo de Dota is the best spot to find a Resplendent Quetzal, Ostional is the number one place to spot an Olive Ridley sea turtle (or thousands of them!).

Now, if it’s intense biodiversity you seek, two of the best places in Costa Rica are Tortuguero and the Osa Peninsula. The latter is probably one of the best places in the world! Tortuguero is in the north-Caribbean side of Costa Rica, and is known for its beautiful mangroves, birds and sea turtles. All the tours here are on a small boat through the channels of the mangrove. The Osa Peninsula is on the south Pacific side of Costa Rica, and was once described by the National Geographic as the most bio-intense place on the planet! Here you can see all four of Costa Rica’s monkey species, Scarlet Macaws, toucans, coatis, even the elusive Baird’s Tapir if you venture into Corcovado National Park.

Click here for a better description of Costa Rica’s many destinations.