8 Rainforest Vacations You Must Take Once in your Life

The Luxury Villa Travel Guide Y O U R GU I DE TO LU X UR I OU S ES C APES

MIA MI V AC A T ION R EN T A L S

S AN DIE G O V A C AT IO N RE N T A LS

APRIL 19, 2015 SERENA

8 Rainforest Vacations You Must Take Once in Your Life “Rainforests are natural theme parks…” Federico Solano, Rainforest Alliance Adventurous souls: You only live once. Ready to forgo beaches , cruises, and spa weekends for your next vacation…get out of your comfort zone…and do something you’ve never done before? Want to get up close and personal with diverse plant and wildlife, lush scenery, and breathtaking natural wonders? Then a rainforest vacation awaits you! Imagine visiting a theme park – with rides, water parks, animal attractions, activities that engage the senses, and fun for all ages. Only, it isn’t man-made but nature-provided! But be aware: Rainforest vacations, like all adventures, behoove you to expect the

unexpected! Unexpected! 60 types of orchids, anacondas looped around massive tree branches Where: Cuyabeno Wildlife Reserve in Ecuador – Be in awe of its dense web of beautiful (and navigable!) lakes and creeks. They provide openings that, with daylight lighting, let you see the trees – and the immense diversity of flora and fauna. No other rainforest can boast 60 kinds of orchids, 580 species of birds, 350 species of boas, crocodiles, anacondas. No wonder it is said to be the world’s best Amazon park. You Only Live Once (YOLO): Ride a canoe down the river, alongside cute pink dolphins. Unexpected! A 160-million-year-old rainforest Where: Khao Sok National Park in Thailand – Check out one of the oldest evergreen rainforests in the world, with its impressive limestone formations, cascading waterfalls, dew-drenched thickets, amazing lakes, exciting caves, abundant flora and wildlife. To name just a few: clouded leopards, barking deer, Kingfisher birds. Go canoeing, tubing, bamboo rafting, jungle trekking. YOLO: Enjoy the Elephant Experience, an up-close encounter with the world’s largest land animal. Unexpected! The emerald-green Quetzal, a rare, resplendent, and elusive bird Where: Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica – Take in this cool, high-altitude rainforest (7,500 feet above sea level). Discover some of the 100 species of mammals (like jaguars and howler monkeys) and over 400 types of birds (including the Quetzal) that thrive in the forest’s variable climate. Enjoy guided treks, horseback-riding, a fun and educational coffee tour, or a night tour to see what the forest’s nocturnal creatures are up to. YOLO: Zip-line atop the rainforest canopy from a 100-ft hanging bridge. Pure exhilaration! Unexpected! 1,000-year-old cedars Where: Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia, Canada – Marvel at a landscape that includes centuries-old cedars, waterfalls, mountains, and fjords. See cougars, wolves, grizzly bears, and the rare Kermode bear in their natural habitats. Also abundant in this remote 25,000-sq-mile Pacific Coast rainforest: sea lions, sea otters, and humpback whales. Go hiking, salmon fishing, or shopping for jewelry and other handcrafted treasures created by First Nations (Canada’s aboriginal people) artists. YOLO: Go on a grizzly bear viewing tour and understand the intricate ecosystem that sustains this magnificent animal. Unexpected! 4.4 million acres that hosts thousands of flora and fauna species Where: Manu Rainforest, Peru – Trek through this World Heritage Site that houses 15,000 species of plants, 1000 species of birds, 200 species of mammals. Among its residents:

macaws, jaguars, red howler monkeys, caiman crocodiles, capybaras (world’s largest rodents). It is also birdwatcher heaven – home to tanagers, toucans, quetzal, flycatcher, and hummingbirds. It’s not easy to get there, but the rewards are great for both nature and photography lovers. YOLO: Float on a raft down one of Manu’s 13 beautiful lakes, and you just might encounter a giant caiman, otter or spider monkey – face to face. Unexpected! Flying squirrels, 15-pound flowers Where: Danum Rainforest in Sabah, Malaysia – The lush green forest abounds with unique wildlife – from human fingernail-sized tree toads to hornbill birds and orangutans, from Asian elephants to rare jungle rhinos. And as for flora? Discover wild orchids in every color, pitcher plants that eat insects and flies, and the largest flower in the world (the rafflesia, some weighing more than 15 pounds). Go on jungle treks, canopy tours, river explorations. YOLO: Get a up-close and spectacular view of the jungle’s canopy from a hanging bridge (length – approximately 300m long, height – 26m at the highest point). Unexpected! 3400 mm of rainfall annually Where: El Yunque National Forest in Puerto Rico – Enjoy a gentle rainforest experience in the only tropical rainforest managed by the US Forest Service. Pristine, quiet, and serene, the forest has an abundance of Serra Palms and epiphytes. It also hosts rare plant and animal species like the endangered and rarely seen Puerto Rican Parrot and the miniature indigenous coquis tree frogs that sing during the evenings. Hike the trails, relax in the waterfalls and pools, or enjoy a picnic lunch. YOLO: Leap into the cool waters of La Mina Falls – a 35-ft cascade. Unexpected! Six-step pyramids Where: Tikal National Park in Guatemala – Savor not just the wildlife – the cougars, ocellated turkeys, spider monkeys, and gray foxes. Relish not just the mahogany and tropical cedar trees that blanket the forest. But revel also in the archaeological remains of the Mayan civilization, lovingly restored to their original beauty. Temples, museums, and plazas attest to the fact that Tikal is not just a rainforest, but also an important center of Mayan life. YOLO: Watch the sun rise as you climb to the top of the pyramids. Visiting Puerto Rico? Make the most of your rainforest vacation by staying in a Luxury Villa vacation rental. Our premium properties are full-service, tailored-to-your-needs luxury getaways with spacious interiors and state-of-the-art kitchens. Luxe amenities, lush surroundings and access to activities and local attractions. For more information, visit http://www.luxuryvilla.com/

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