The Costa Rica Tourism Board has announced that Manuel Antonio was named one of the world’s most beautiful national parks by Forbes magazine. The ranking was developed with the input of Matt Villaro, Outdoors Expert for DiscoverAmerica.com, and Jack Ezon, a national parks expert and president of Ovation Vacations, a luxury travel company.

Of the 12 parks that make up this prestigious list, Manuel Antonio was the only national park featured from Central America. Nestled on Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, just south of the city of Quepos, this small biological peninsula is part of the Central Pacific Conservation Area and the perfect place to encounter white-faced and squirrel monkeys, a variety of birds and two and three-toed sloths, as well as many other creatures. The timing of this recognition was particularly significant since it followed the annual observance of National Parks Day in August. Costa Rica is home to five percent of the world’s biodiversity and 26 percent of its territory is protected land, which includes 28 national parks.

Costa Rica boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, four types of forest and 12 different types of microclimates, and over 500 species of flora and fauna, with more than 26 percent of its territory designated as national parks and other protected areas. Some notable recognitions and awards it has received include Trip Advisor’s Readers’ Choice Award 2011 recognizing Costa Rica for having five of the top 10 beaches in the Americas, including the top ranked beach; the Conde Nast Traveler Readers Choice Award 2010 rating it as having the best resort in the Americas and best overall hotel in Central America; Lonely Planet’s recognition of Costa Rica for encompassing two of the top 10 places to visit in Central America; and Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Award 2010, which for the seventh consecutive year, acknowledged Costa Rica as the best destination to visit in the Americas.

Costa Rica Tourism Board, www.visitcostarica.com