Approximately 10 percent of Costa Rica’s total land area has been set aside as a national park, while 25 percent has been declared protected areas. Costa Rica’s diverse wildlife, boasting more than 9,000 plant species, of which 1,200 are orchids, 850 species of birds and numerous tropical mammals make this 90-mile wide and 180-mile long isthmus a pretty special place. So if you have a chance to experience this living laboratory, we recommend visiting the Braulio Carrillo National Park, the Carara Biological Reserve and the Monteverde Cloud Forest.