Costa Rica is famous for its incredible biodiversity, which draws naturalists, explorers, and hikers from every corner of the globe. With complete profiles of forty-six accessible parks and preserves, including five newly protected areas, Costa Rica's National Parks and Preserves guides visitors through this unique, exotic terrain. Explorers will find descriptions of hikes, nature walks, and water trails, plus information on each park's facilities, attractions, and history. Thoroughly updated, sidebars on flora and fauna are new to this edition, accompanied by beautiful illustrations to help readers identify different species. A complete planning section details when to go, what to expect, what to bring, and what health precautions to take.