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Forget Kermit's self-doubts. Kids and adults will discover how much fun they can have within an incredibly well sustained biosphere on the Osa Peninsula.

Named one of the most biologically intense places on the earth by National Geographic magazine, the Osa Peninsula of Costa Rica is THE place to see throngs of animals and birds, including many rare and endangered species.  In this remote area, howler monkeys will replace your alarm clock, as we found out on a recent visit.

Arriving in Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose after an easy, direct flight from New York, our first night was spent in the beautiful Hotel Grano de Oro, the former Victorian mansion of a coffee plantation owner who named his home in honor of the golden soil of the land. With the comfort of a private home, every room is individually decorated.  The vibe is cozy and comfortable; my room had a small private garden space with a fountain.  The outdoor dining courtyard was surrounded by leaded glass windows and beautiful woodwork.  After a restful night's sleep, breakfast was delicious and elegantly served.

This was a great introduction to what was to come during my visit to this amazing country.

Celebrating Biodiversity

Most of our time was spent on the Osa Peninsula, located in the southern part of the country and surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and the Golfo Dulce.  The Osa is covered by largest expanse of tropical rainforest on the Pacific coast and receives more than 200 inches of rainfall annually.  We were there during the Green (rainy) Season, typically April through December.  Rain, it did, like I've never seen before.

Lush greenery and wildlife are everywhere - the Osa Peninsula is one of the most biologically intense places on the planet and is home to more than 350 species of birds, 115 species of reptiles, 750 species of trees and 10,000 species of insects.  If you want to experience wildlife, this is the part of Costa Rica to visit. 

I'd been in Costa Rica's Guanacaste region several years ago and, while it was very enjoyable, promises of wildlife sightings were somewhat disappointing.  We were told to "look very, very carefully up into that tree, at a precise 87-degree angle, at this exact moment, and you might see an iguana." I didn't...  However, here in the rainforest of the Osa Peninsula, I felt as if I was in that very copy of the National Geographic magazine.

Commitment to Sustainable Tourism and the Community

The Costa Ricans appreciate what they have and they are seriously committed to preserving it.  We have many lessons to learn from this peaceful nation (the only one without an army), which is aware of its gifts and focuses on protecting its natural resources. As an example, we flew from San Jose to the town of Puerto Jimenez on the Osa Peninsula on Nature Air, Costa Rica's carbon neutral airline, the first in the world. 

The airplane (a 19-passenger Twin Otter Vistaliner) was quite small, but comfortable for the short flight. Nature Air began seven years ago with just one plane and currently operates with seven aircraft.  The Twin Otter was chosen so as not to disturb the animals and birds, as it is relatively quiet. The philosophy of the company is both to be "part of the solution, not part of the problem," and that a sustainable business can be profitable. And the average one-way fare is US$80.

To that end, they use recycled cooking oil for fuel for their planes and ground equipment, and take off and land at secondary airports.  Currently they service 17 destinations within Costa Rica and one destination in Panama, as well as running charter flights to Central America. The company employs a staff of 140 people, 98% of whom are Costa Rican.

Nature Air has also founded NatureKids, a foundation dedicated to working with low-income families.  In addition to teaching English, their goal is for local children to learn about the importance of their area, some of which is so remote that many were not aware of the existence of the world famous Corcovado National Park right on the Osa Peninsula.

Currently, two English language schools (one near San Jose, and one in Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula), serve over 200 students in classrooms and as community centers, so that families have a place to come together for meetings, educational workshops, and to borrow books from bi-lingual libraries. A third school is in the planning stages.  NatureKids also provides environmental programs that teach about recycling and composting, and offers other pertinent activities, such as field trips to turtle nesting areas for children and their parents.