WorldStrides Updates

5 Places to Celebrate World Rainforest Day

According to worldrainforestday.org, deforestation causes 15% of global carbon dioxide emissions that accelerate climate change. Celebrated each year on June 22, World Rainforest Day aims to raise awareness about the deforestation of the earth’s rainforests and encourages action to preserve these natural resources. Read on to learn more about five rainforests around the world you can visit on a WorldStrides trip!

Tortuguero National Park Rainforest, Costa Rica

Tortuguero translates to “Land of Turtles” or “turtle catcher,” and this rainforest is famous for—you guessed it—the many kinds of turtles that nest on its beaches. You’ll spot Green Sea Turtles, leatherback turtles, and Hawksbill turtles digging their nests and laying eggs on the sandy shores here, in addition to several species of monkeys, birds, and more than 50 kinds of freshwater fish. Located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, this national park is one of the rainiest areas in the country and is best explored by boat.

Did you know…? The rainforest has four layers: the forest floor, the understory, the canopy, and the emergent layer.

Daintree Rainforest, Australia

Only a two-hour drive north of Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest is the oldest tropical rainforest in the world. Explore this vast forest from aerial walkways and raised lookout points that offer incredible views of the park, or cruise down the Daintree River to get an up-close and personal look at the beautiful flora and fauna. Afterwards, make your way to Cape Tribulation, a coastal village where the Daintree Rainforest meets the world-renowned Great Barrier Reef.

Iguazú National Park, Argentina

Located on the northeastern tip of Argentina, this subtropical rainforest encompasses nearly 260 square miles of lush landscape. Home to rare species like the harpy eagle, ocelot, and jaguarundi, Iguazú National Park is popular for its namesake waterfall (a series of 275 distinct drops), which happens to be the largest waterfall system in the world. Devil’s Throat, the tallest point of the falls, measures nearly 269 feet high!

Did you know…? Rainforest trees can release up to 200 gallons of water into the atmosphere each year through transpiration.

Amazon Rainforest, Peru

Arguably the most well-known rainforest in the world, the Amazon extends into multiple South American countries including Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana. Interestingly, more than half of the dust that fertilizes the rainforest comes from the Saharan desert! One of the most biodiverse destinations in the world, the Amazon is home to an estimated 390 billion individual trees (covering 1.4 billion acres) and represents more than half of Earth’s remaining rainforests.

Maquipucuna Reserve, Ecuador

Northwest of Ecuador’s capital of Quito, you’ll find nearly 15,000 acres of cloud forest nestled amongst the Andes Mountains. Known as “the crown jewel of the Andes,” Maquipucuna Reserve is home to South America’s only surviving bear species, in addition to more than 45 species of mammals and over 400 different kinds of birds.

Did you know…? More than half of the world’s animals live in the rainforest!