Egypt will keep pushing for Gaza peace, aid: PM    EGX ends week in green on Wednesday, July 23    Kibing Group plans $685m solar glass plant in Egypt's Sokhna – SCZONE chair    Remittances from Egyptians abroad surge 70% YoY in July–May: CBE    Sudan's ambassador to Egypt holds reconstruction talks on with Arab League    Egypt's current account gap narrows, but overall BoP records deficit    Egypt hosts international neurosurgery conference to drive medical innovation    Egypt, India discuss expanding industrial, investment partnerships    World Bank proposes Egypt join new global health initiative    Egypt's EDA discusses Johnson & Johnson's plans to expand investment in local pharmaceutical sector    I won't trade my identity to please market: Douzi    Egypt welcomes 25-nation statement urging end to Gaza war    Egypt, Senegal sign pharma MoU to unify regulatory standards    Famine kills more Gaza children as Israel tightens siege amid global outrage    Kuwait's Crown Prince, Egyptian minister discuss strengthening cooperation    Egyptian Drug Authority discusses plans for joint pharmaceutical plant in Zambia    Egypt's FM seeks deeper economic, security ties on five-nation West Africa tour    Two militants killed in foiled plot to revive 'Hasm' operations: Interior ministry    Egypt, Somalia discuss closer environmental cooperation    Egypt foils terrorist plot, kills two militants linked to Hasm group    Giza Pyramids' interior lighting updated with new LED system    Egypt's EHA, Huawei discuss enhanced digital health    Foreign, housing ministers discuss Egypt's role in African development push    Korea Culture Week in Egypt to blend K-Pop with traditional arts    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Three ancient rock-cut tombs discovered in Aswan    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Egypt's Irrigation Minister urges scientific cooperation to tackle water scarcity    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    Egypt's Democratic Generation Party Evaluates 84 Candidates Ahead of Parliamentary Vote    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Abundant wildlife and different climatic zones in Costa Rica
Published in Bikya Masr on 17 - 01 - 2012

San Jose, Costa Rica (dpa) – Visitors to Costa Rica can experience an impressive and varied natural landscape with volcanoes, rain forests and abundant wildlife, although the climate does take some getting used to for most tourists.
Clouds, rain showers and low temperatures have to be endured on the climb to the summit of the 3,432-metre-high volcano Irazu. The conditions make it impossible to see the volcano's green crater while the view of the island's coastline is also obscured.
However, Costa Rica's different climatic zones and unique biodiversity are immediately noticeable on the descent into the valley below, as the sun emerges from the clouds and cows graze in meadows surrounded by vegetable fields and trees. Soon the temperatures have risen to 28 degrees Celsius and the walkers have taken off their winter clothing and are kitted out in t-shirts and shorts. Locals stand by the side of the road, selling strawberries and cashew nuts.
Not a word is spoken by the group the following day during the trip along the Pan-American Highway to Cerro de la Muerte as otherwise the quetzal bird could not be heard. Once considered the bird of the gods by ancient Central American cultures, today the quetzal is much sought after by hobby photographers.
However, the colorful bird tests the patience of this particular group before a green and scarlet quetzal appears for a brief moment in the treetops.
Not all animals are so shy and there is plenty of wildlife to see en route along the trails and through the forest, for example curious coatis – a type of raccoon – which emerge from the dense forest in search of a piece of banana.
The drive to Monteverde in north-western Costa Rica is worth it for a visit to the mountain village of the same name alone, but also for the cloud forest that grows at an altitude of approximately 1,600 meters, where temperatures stay between 13 and 24 degrees all year round.
The last 35 km to the 10,500-hectare bio-reserve involves a drive along bumpy gravel roads but despite the effort required, the forest has become so popular with tourists that it is advisable to set out in the early morning to avoid crowds. Later risers are better off taking a trip to the neighboring Santa Elana national park.
Tortuguero national park has also grown immensely in popularity. Around 100,000 tourists each year endure a near four-hour journey from Cariari or Moin to visit the 19,000-hectare conservation area with its canals and hills even if the sight of turtles laying their eggs is only possible in certain months of the year.
Visitors stay at the many hotels and jungle lodges, which generally have fly-screens instead of windows due to the constant high temperatures.
The sound of howler monkeys in the morning seems louder than expected but is tempered by bird song. There is approximately one hour of rainfall per day but it's the humidity, which makes the hotel feel like a sauna — a real problem for travelers.
Locals advise those traveling to the mango groves to set off at 6 am and there are already lots of boats with tourists out and about at this early hour in search of the poison dart frog. This blue and red amphibian grows to about five centimeters in length and can only be seen after long periods of keen observation in certain areas of the park. Tourists are warned not to get too close to the frog as he secretes a poison from his skin.
Mosquitoes are everywhere when traveling through the Caribbean but the itching doesn't seem so bad in a rainforest full of colorful toucans, cute monkeys, beautiful butterflies and unique flowers. However, it's impossible to forget about the sun, except when it gets dark, albeit not cooler, punctually around 6 pm each evening.
BM
ShortURL: http://goo.gl/TD6uu
Tags: Climatic Zones, Costa Rica, Rainforest, Wildlife
Section: Animals, Environment, North America, Travel


Clic here to read the story from its source.