Even though the Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the smallest in Costa Rica, this wasn’t a problem to name it one of the best in the world by the Forbes magazine.

The U.S. magazine, specialized in business and finances, published the list of the 12 countries with the best national parks of the world, with Costa Rica as the only country from Central America. The judges were Matt Villaro, nature expert for DiscoverAmerica.com, and Jack Ezon, specialist in national parks and president of the luxury travel company Ovation Vacations.

The Manuel Antonio National Park is the perfect place to find white-faced and squirrel monkeys (titi monkeys), a great variety of birds and two and three-toed sloths, besides many other animals. You can also find coral reefs, beautiful beaches, mangrove swamps, and practice kayaking, rafting and horseback riding.

Costa Rica shelters 5% of Earth’s biodiversity and 25% of its territory is protected, including 28 national parks.

With this recognition Costa Rica will continue caring for the sustainability of the country, because it’s surrounded by thousands of natural resources that tourists and Costa Ricans can enjoy.