Volcano Rainforest

Tropical Rainforest Arenal Volcano

The rainforest biome is so important (basically, a biome is a set of similar ecosystems) because it is home of 2/3 of all species of animals and plants on our planet. In fact, the tropical rainforest is home to more species than all other biomes combined! Furthermore, hundreds of millions of new species of plants, insects and microorganisms living here remain uncatalogued. The rainforest is divided in five different layers, each with different plants and animals adapted for life in their particular area.

The Costa Rican rainforest is characterized for having plenty of rivers and springs. Among the animals that can be seen here are the basilisk, the sloth, butterflies, howler monkeys and coatis. Rainforests provide bird watching delights: the colorful toucan, parrots, hummingbirds, tanagers, honeycreepers, robins, etc can be seen here. The dominant rainforest tree is tall, evergreen, with a leafy canopy whose upper ceiling shelters orchids, bromeliads, mosses and lichens. The closely grouped canopies restrict the sunlight that reaches the ground, making space for animals (and people) to walk through.

Bromeliads play a fundamental role as water containers at the canopy and over ground rainforest ecosystem layers. Because of their rigid leaves, concentrically arranged at their convergent bases, they serve as natural water dispensers. They also function as a home for insects and frogs in their metamorphosis aquatic phase. As a result, frogs that live in the water stored by bromeliads have evolved specialized body shapes to fit into the narrow spaces among their leaves.

Don't forget that after an intense and active tour day you can relax in the hotel’s natural hot springs and enjoy the health and beauty of our Fangus Spa.