Posted 02 Jul 2010

Gap year travellers heading to Central America on their journey might want to take a tour that will enable them to see ecotourism in action.

According to Suite101 contributor Laura Susan Henry, night hikes in the country are an excellent way of experiencing the "quiet and mystical" side of the jungle and its inhabitants.

The journalist noted guides are very familiar with the surrounding area and are able to take participants directly to where nocturnal animals can be found.

These can include tarantulas and snakes in their holes and birds asleep in trees.

Most expeditions begin at sunset to allow tourists to get used to the situation and acclimatise to their locations and surroundings, the writer explained.

She added this is "a beautiful time of day" to be present in the cloud forests and provides an excellent opportunity to see the setting sun.

Fellow Suite101 reporter Matthew Holiday recently advised visitors to Costa Rica to head to Rincon de la Vieja National Park as it is home to numerous walking trails.

Category: South America