Cloud forest, Costa Rica

Most people come to Costa Rica for its incredible wildlife and national parks. 27% of the country is protected with more than 14% within the national park system. The 35-odd national parks and dozens of private reserves attract visitors from all over the world making tourism Costa Rica's top source of income.

Although Costa Rica has been more forward thinking about protecting its environment (school children are obliged to spend an hour a week planting trees or visiting an ecological reserve), deforestation is taking place at an alarming rate, to make way for farming land and banana plantations.