By Reena Shah 27 January 2021
I drove to Sarapiquí, a little-known region in Costa Rica, during a brief respite of dry weather between Hurricanes Eta and Iota in search of a miniature tropical bat. Here, conservation efforts big and small are fighting to preserve a lowland tropical rainforest with astonishing biodiversity, including one of the smallest and most adorable mammals:
Ectophylla alba, also known as the Honduran white bat or Caribbean tent-making bat. It was impossible not to coo
I d been warned that these bats aren t always easy to find. They live in selected lowland rainforest habitats from Honduras to eastern Panama. In Costa Rica, I tried my luck at Tirimbina Rainforest Center, a 345-hectare private reserve. At first glance, the neighbourhood seemed an unlikely locale for a rainforest. Pineapple plantations dominated on all sides and spiky green shrubs stretched to the horizon. But tucked away behind an unassuming green gate was an ecological oa
The Best Eco-Friendly Experiences That Costa Rica Has to Offer
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Costa Rica is a true sanctuary where fauna and flora thrive. In fact, the country shelters 6.5% of the world’s biodiversity. Safeguarding this land for future generations is of utmost importance to its residents, which is why Costa Rica is an international leader in conservation, sustainable development and ecotourism.
Locals espouse this way of life and lead by example. Energy from renewable resources like hydro, solar, geothermal and others is already generating more than 90% of the country’s electricity. The government has set an ambitious goal of achieving net-zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2050.