Any travel plan to Costa Rica should include a stay in the tropical rainforest. The last Pacific lowland rainforest of sustainable size in Central America is found in Corcovado National Park. Corcovado has been called "The most biologically intense place on earth" by no less an authority than the National Geographic Society.

Costa Rica established the National Parks System in 1970 to prevent the destruction of

wilderness areas.

Now 12 percent of the country is protected as national parks, and a further 16 percent as Indian reserves, biological reserves, wildlife refuges and wildlife corridors. This means that more than a quarter of Costa Rica has been set aside for conservation.Costa Rica is truly an Eden...