Page 38 - EPUB OYW

SOUTHERN CARIBBEANNORTHERN CARIBBEANUpon visiting the Southern Caribbean zone, you will discover striking multicolored beaches of black, yellow and gray sand, extraordinarily beautiful National Parks bursting with huge tropical flowers and a blend of both Afro-Caribbean and indi- genous cultures unique to the area. The zone extends from Limón to the Panamanian border, with Limón once again acting as the tourist hub, Hiking, surfing, snorkeling, diving and canopy tours all allow visitors to combine adventure with natural history, complemented by culture, gastronomy and music. There are stunning coral reefs, coastal vegetation, waterfalls and deep forests. Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca Manzanillo Reserve have received worldwide recognition, not only for their natural beauty but also because they are unique conservation sites in almost all of the Greater Caribbean.The Northern Caribbean zone comprises the Caribbean coast from Rio San Juan to the city of Limón. Limón city is the tourist hub for the area, where the majority of the tours for the region are organized.The main attractions are the green turtle nesting beaches of Tortuguero National Park and the amazing snook and tarpon sport fishing in the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. This is complemented by the unique system of canals which link the port of Moin to Barra del Colorado. The canals are the only means of transportation for the area.It is an internationally recognized protected wildlife area, known especially for nesting turtles and the variety and number of birds located here. Other activities available in the zone include jungle hikes, canopy tours and kayaking the canals.