Land of the Ticos and toucans.

Sloths and poison arrow frogs, howler monkeys and caimans - for a boat trip in Costa Rica are highlights in the animal minutes on the program. But for tourist guides changes are obvious: It is always difficult to detect rare creatures.
  Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí - In Costa Rica, one of the world's leading countries in ecotourism, locals and tourists to enjoy together the lush flora and fauna as well as the stability of the country. The crater lakes, smoking and dormant volcanoes, Pacific and Caribbean beaches and rain forest with howler monkeys, toucans and sloths lure more tourists each year.
In "Musterländle" Central America are small animals Great Stars: A red arrow poison frog looks at Sarapiquí River in shrubland upwards in two cameras. The tiny, barely as large as a thumb is, is mighty swell his neck. The two tourists from Germany and the other in the small group followed the advice of their leader from the capital, San Jose: They are quiet and without flash photography. The usually shy animal with the bright colors, this seems to reward and not jump away.
On the hike Karla Barquero told that each animal's smallest benefits for the balance of nature: "The children learn in our school. Environment and Natural play a huge role in the classroom," says the 28-year-old biologist. She has studied in Ulm, specializes in bats and now offers night walks to the flutter of animals.
Before a suspension bridge on the river remains Karla and displays to bottom: Between wild orchids, aerial roots and large ferns hangs a sloth on a branch bemoosten jungle giants. The eyes are firmly closed, the long claws encircle also sleeping in the wood. The animal makes his name and is of the intruders do not disturb. The holidaymakers from Europe are impressed: "This is better than the zoo," says a teacher from Rome. "Everything so close, without a grid," says a student from Madrid.
Even the two-boat ride on the river town of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí animal brings highlights from the minute: screaming howler monkeys defend their territory and hop from branch to branch. Small bats are asleep in a shady ledge. The head of a Cayman Lugt from the water, two toucans in the treetop show their big green yellow-green beaks.
Trip captain Juan Arrieta sees tourists that his satisfaction. But he admits: "Today I have earlier - by 7 or 8 clock - with the boot, if I so many animals like earlier showing." 15 years ago still saw it from the original. Many new houses and huts have been built on the shore.
Arrow poison frogs and Urkakao
At least the toucan was here earlier in larger groups to see to confirm residents. A number of exotic animals draw from this river section in quieter areas back. But they have plenty of space: About 30 percent of the "rich coast", as Costa Rica from the Spanish translated means are protected.
The district Sarapiquí that in 90 minutes by car from San Jose on a scenic road through the Braulio Carrillo National Park to achieve, feuchtheißen lies in a fertile plain. On the pastures graze cattle. In small gardens and orchards flourish mangos, avocados, papayas and cooking bananas.
Vast regions provide for the replenishment of pineapple in North America and Europe. Fiestas to meet the locals here often on horseback with Cowboy hat, boots, far from chic shirt or blouse. A large part of the region is intact jungle.
Prudent Ticos, as the locals in the vernacular hot, as well as some foreigners Ökolodges operate and environmentally friendly hotels, which use solar energy, natural gas to convert waste into recycling and water filter. Besides holidaymakers are also students, academics and travel experts from around the world to preserve their research and to learn - from nature and from sustainable tourism in the country.
Willy Aguilar cuts carefully with the four yellow-green fruits cocoa directly from the root. The trees grow here for teaching. The 28-year-old and his team, which also includes Karla Barquero, in demonstration nonprofit La Tirimbina rainforest center west of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, as the natives 500 years before the drink and Rohschokolade produced. Seed production and roasting is a lengthy process, the guests will be shown here.
The cocoa-slogan "Las más dulce experiencia del Bosque lluvioso" ( "The sweetest experience of the Rainforest") sounds tempting. But some visitors forgiven at the first taste of the face: The Urkakao is grainy and not sweet. Sugar fortified with a second version meets the taste of modern times, people have more. Munden Schokoladenbröckchen contrast, the guests all at once - the recipe of the natives was something "revisions".