-Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve: Countless rivers of crystalline waters that run through rocky currents and cascades several metres high crisscross the slopes of the Cordillera of Talamanca, southeast of the Estrella Valley, conforming a spectacular landscape.
There is a great variety of wild fauna within this extremely beautiful natural area, although it is hard to watch it in view that most of the species have nocturnal habits or dwell on the treetops. In general, 40 mammal species, 230 birds and 30 amphibious and reptiles have been reported in the area.
Several areas within the Park remain unexplored due to its inaccessibility. Experts believe that species of great importance could be found in those sectors, such as the royal or golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) and the Jesus Christ caimans (Alluropodus melanoleucos), called so because they can walk on the surface of the water.
On the other hand, the flora at the Park is vigorous and the forest is thick with bush trees covered in moss, likens, orchids and lilies; it is an ideal setting for long hikes.

The Park was created in 1978 and it has an extension of about 10 thousand hectares of misty tropical forest. Its name is formed by two indigenous words that mean "sheathed in moss" (hitoy) and "clear water" (cerere). It is located at 45 kilometres from Limon but access is rather complicated, although it is an effort worth of making. It is forbidden to camp in the Park, therefore you can only go on one-day excursions.

-Barra del Colorado Wildlife National Refuge: Here the rivers enlarged by the revitalising raindrops winding across the forest moisten the ground, caressing the short shores of several fluvial isles, such a La Calero and Isla Brava.
The presence of manatees (Trichechus manatus), caimans (Caiman crocodilus), crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus), frogs, white faced (Cebus capuccinus), congo (Alouatta palliata) and spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi), and manigordos or ocelots (Leopardus pardalis), has been reported in this Refuge created in 1985; besides the three-fingered sloth (Bradypodidae) and 240 bird species, such as ospreys (Pandion haliaetus), rainbow beak toucans (Ramphastos sulfuratus), blue herons (Egretta caerulea), tricolour herons (Egretta tricolor) and white hawks (Leucopternis albicollis).
There is a fabulous phenomenon taking place in this isolated natural area: the confluence of the Tortuguero Canal with the San Juan River. If you wish to be witness to the union of both watercourses you will have to fly over the zone on a light aircraft or onboard a panoramic boat.
One of the activities yet to be developed in Barra del Colorado is sport fishing. The Refuge has perfect lagoons where to try your luck with hooks and rods within its 80 thousand hectares. In addition to this, the Refuge has 50 kilometres of shores.
It is located in the northern end of the country, near the border with Nicaragua, in the port of Barra del Colorado.

-Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife National Refuge: Coral reefs, charming beaches surrounded by palm trees, a thick tropical forest, a lagoon and even a small mangrove are the natural jewels seducing travellers who excursion on this bastion, which every year between March and July, turns into the nesting area of the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), the biggest sea turtle on the planet.
With an extension of more than 3 thousand 800 hectares the Refuge threads precious sea and land environments on a thick necklace of flora and fauna with numerous species. It is possible to watch dolphins (Delphinus delphis) and manatees (Trichechus manatus), so-called marine cows, an animal on the brink of extinction, in here.
You will have the chance of diving in the reef sector, going on excursions on horseback riding across the forest along trails in the company of native guides, watch birds, and cleave the waters on amusing motorboat rides during your adventuring journey through Gandoca-Manzanillo.
It is located 71 kilometres away from Limon, at the mouth of the Cocles and Sixaola Rivers, in the Canton of Talamanca, nearby the border with Panama. The protected area borders the Town of Manzanillo (accessible and with the basic essentials) and the Town of Gandoca (hard to access and more austere).