There is no wonder why Costa Rica is so green and full of biodiversity.  It contains one of the largest rainforest formations in the world and is protected as national parks and reserves.  During my stay on the Pacific coast side of Costa Rica, I was able to explore deep in the rainforests near Corcovado National Park.  Our guides were well educated and knew what they were talking about as they guided us through the thick vegetation.  They pointed out the importance of certain plants and how some are used for medicinal purposes.  There were plants that if you ingested even a small dose of its leaves, it would be enough to kill you…good to know.  There was the small Poison Dart frog with its patch of red on its top warning potential predators of its lethal taste.  This frog only measures one inch in length and I must say I was lucky to spot one and photograph it.  In addition to the frog, we spotted the stick insect, black and yellow grasshoppers, the Jesus Christ lizard which runs over water, alligators, bats, and howler monkeys.  And this was all on one hike!  So as you can see, it is vital to keep the rainforests alive to preserve this diversity.  I must acknowledge the hard work from all the staff at the ecotourism board for their perseverance and dedication in educating people of the importance of our rainforests.