Although Costa Rica is a really small country (think of West Virginia), it has been one of the top ecotourism destinations in the world since the late 80’s, when bird watchers started to arrive in large numbers thanks to a book by Alexander Skutch and Gary Stiles named A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica. Around 1.5 million foreigners visit the country on a yearly basis, and many of those are not just coming for the nice weather and the stunning beaches, but also to appreciate and study the biodiversity and wildlife present in Costa Rica’s national parks system. The word ecotourism, coined by Hector Ceballos Lascurain (an environmentalist from Mexico) three decades ago, has nothing to do with adventure tourism (practicing extreme sports in natural environments), but according to him, the two terms are unfortunately often mixed.

Although adventure tourism and sustainable tourism are two different things, it doesn’t mean that tourists whom are looking to practice sports such as Kayak, Rafting, Diving, Cycling, Surfing, Climbling, Fishing or Horseback Riding can’t have a green experience. Ecotourism involves being environmentally responsible while traveling, which means that it all depends on the impact the tourist is going to have on the general environment of the visited place (going to fish in a boat run by a diesel motor is not considered ecotourism-friendly).

Now, there are things that even the most compromised eco-tourists can’t avoid. These include traveling using polluting transportation such as airplanes and ships, or renting a car and using a bus while in the country. But there are things you can actually do to make of your stay in Costa Rica as green as possible, such choosing an eco-friendly hotel, avoiding crowded places, and making sure that the local businesses you deal with have sustainable policies.

Here are the top conservation areas to visit while in Costa Rica:

Volcanic Mountain Ranges: Poas Volcano, Irazu Volcano, Turrialba Volcano, Guayabo National Monument and Braulio Carrillo National Park.

Caribbean: Gandoca Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge, Cahuita National Park and Barbilla National Park.

Pacific: Chirripo National Park, Tapanti Macizo de la Muerte National Park, La Amistad International Park.

Osa: Corcovado National Park and Ballena Marine National Park.

Tempisque: Barra Honda National Park, Ostional National Wildlife Refuge, Las Baulas National Marine Park, Diria National Park, Cipanci National Wildlife Refuge and Cabo Blanco National Reserve.

Arenal-Tempisque: Palo Verde National Park and Tenorio Volcano National Park.

Arenal-Huetar Norte: Arenal Volcano and Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge.

Guanacaste: Santa Rosa National Park, Rincon de la Vieja National Park, Guanacaste National Park and Bahia Junquillal Wildlife Refuge.

Tortuguero: Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguero National Park.

Central Pacific: Manuel Antonio National Park, Carara National Park, Los Qutzales National Park and La Cangreja National Park.

Coco Island Marine Conservation Area: Coco Island National Park.