If you are planning a trip at all this year, then maybe you should consider taking a fun-filled excursion to Costa Rica! In 2008 more than two million people decided to take that small step in visiting Costa Rica and that did not just happen by chance! Costa Rica is a tropical oasis with over half of its land mass protected by natural reserves! It has been deemed politically stable and economically prosperous making it a hot-spot for those business men and women looking for a good getaway from the hustle and bustle of North American culture.

Even with all of these facts stated, a person cant help but wonder what to do once you get off the plane. After you get off the plane, what you do depends on which direction you set off in! The trip from the West coast of Costa Rica to the East coast takes about three to four hours on land and only 45 minutes by air. But in that small distance a person could tour a coffee plantation, go rafting on the beautiful tropical rivers, or even climb a volcano! Taking a pit-stop in San Jose, the Costa Rican capital city, would be a must for any serious sightseer. Experiencing things like the National Symphony Orchestra, the Marriott Costa Rica, eyeballing the 1880 piece gold collection at the Gold Museum or even touring the National Museum that is built within the former Buenavista fortress.

But if big cities arent your thing, you could easily find some of the most relaxing, tropical hideaways in the area within a couple of hour from San Jose. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve would be the place to go in February to witness not only the mating habits of the beautiful Quetzal but also the 2,500 types of plants, the 399 other species of birds, and the 110 different kinds of mammals! Or you could visit the Arenal Volcano Nation Park for a hiking excursion, the Caribbean coast to visit the Tortuguero Lodge that is placed inside the exotic Tortuguero National Park, or even the Manuel Antonio National Park that is found on the Central Pacific Coastline. There really is something for everyone that can be found in Costa Rica!

Book your trip today at TropicalTravel.net!

 Trinidad & Tobago offer a rich natural experience full of birdwatching where you will find spot bird species you won’t find anywhere else in the world, and lodging that is as devoted to the environment as you may be.www.hotmail.com

 There are over 430 species of birds in Trinidad, with more and more stopping by daily, making Trinidad the ideal destination for birdwatching.  One stop you should take is the Caroni Bird Sanctuary located at the Caroni Swamp.  This sanctuary is located on the west coast just south of Port of Spain, and is the protected home for scarlet ibis, one of the national birds.  Here you will also get the chance to see herons, egrets and cormorants.  Many companies operate daily tours in the area, including guides that will explain the ibis and its habitat.

 Located in the west is a nature conservatory devoted to preserving rare breeds of bird and waterfowl species.  They have reintroduces birds such as the blue and gold macaw, the red bellied macaw, purple and azure gallinules, yellow hooded blackbirds, and more.  This conservatory is located on 62 acres of land that surround two lakes, and also feature a Learning Centre, where you can access more in-depth information about the birds you have seen and the history of the area.

 There are many eco-lodges and conservatories located on the island that are devoted to the island and its environment, such as the Pax Guest House.  This eco-lodge puts you in arm’s reach of hummingbirds and tanagers, and is one of the oldest on the island.  one of the largest conservation areas on the island, the Asa Wright Nature Centre covers 270 acres of Trinidad’s Northern Range, and is home to over 400 species of birds.  This tropical, forested region is home to 97 native mammals, 55 reptiles, 25 amphibians, and over 600 butterfly species.  The Centre also offers a 27-room lodge, where you can spot many birds as soon as you wake up, such as the turquoise tanager, the channel billed toucan and the bearded bellbird.  From here you are able to explore the area as you please, all day or for just a little bit of time on your own trail or on guided walks.

 There are 240 species of birds on the island of Tobago, and many areas to spot them best at.  The Grafton Caledonia Sanctuary, a 200-acre former cocoa estate, offers beautiful hiking trails that offer you views of birds like the blue crowned motmot, the white fringed antwren, and one of the national birds, rufous vented chachalaca.  These birds are in plan view most of the day, especially around 4 p.m. each day, and are unafraid of the people, allowing you to get the change to hand feed them yourself.  Established in 1765, Tobago’s Main Ridge Rainforest Reserve is the oldest forest reserve in the Western Hemisphere, and is great for birdwatching.  Here you can spot bird species from the golden olive woodpeckers, to the streaked flycatchers, to the blue backed manakins.  Also, the island of Little Tobago (formerly called Bird of Paradise Island), is a 250-acre island that is home to sea birds such as the red billed tropic and the brown booby.

 The southern Mexican state of Chiapas is where you will find many spots perfect for bird watching.  One of these spots is the Lacandon rain forest, where you can go to the Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve.  The Reserve was designated in 1979 as the first biosphere reserve in Mexico, which protects more than 1,200 square miles, and is home to nearly 350 bird species (which comprises nearly a third of the country’s total), along with more than 3,400 plant species and more than 100 species of mammals (such as endangered jaguars, ocelots and tapirs).  Some of the rare birds you will find here are quetzal, scarlet macaw, harpy eagle, king vulture, and muscovy duck, all of which are threatened with extinction.

 Last year, Mountain Travel Sobek began a new wildlife-focused trip that includes active exploration of Montes Azules and other nature areas, guided boating trips along the reserve’s rivers, hiking jungle paths lined with 200-foot ceiba trees, and visits to Maya archaeological sites.  You can also take part in swimming in the water falls, “crocodile wrestling” (where you can help scientists catch, measure and tag crocodiles for a local conservation program), staying with indigenous communities, and interaction with local researchers who work on ongoing biosphere conservation efforts.