Costa Rica is a Central American country known for its incredible biodiversity, with over 5% of the world's species found within its borders. Located between Nicaragua and Panama, it features diverse landscapes including pristine beaches along both the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, lush rainforests, cloud forests, active volcanoes, and mountainous terrain. The country is a global leader in sustainability and eco-tourism, with more than 25% of its land protected in national parks and reserves. Costa Rica embodies the "pura vida" lifestyle, reflecting the locals' relaxed approach to life and appreciation for natural beauty. Visitors can enjoy adventure activities like zip-lining and white-water rafting, wildlife viewing in numerous national parks, and relaxing on beautiful tropical beaches.

Denali National Park encompasses six million acres of Alaskan wilderness centered around North America's tallest peak, where protected ecosystems support remarkable wildlife concentrations across taiga forest, alpine tundra, and glacier-carved valleys. The park's centerpiece, 20,310-foot Denali (formerly Mt. McKinley), creates its own weather systems and dominates the landscape when visible, though clouds often obscure the summit, maintaining a sense of mystery that indigenous Athabascan people acknowledged by naming it "The High One." Beyond mountain majesty, Denali preserves extraordinary subarctic wildlife viewing opportunities along its 92-mile Park Road, where visitors might spot grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep (the "Big Five" mammals) against undeveloped landscapes, while restricted private vehicle access maintains wilderness character through a regulated bus system. The park protects intact ecosystems where natural processes like predator-prey relationships continue largely uninfluenced by human activity, creating an exceptional living laboratory for scientific research and a time capsule of pre-development Alaska. Denali offers immersive wilderness experiences through structured activities including ranger-led discovery hikes, sled dog demonstrations connecting to Alaska's transportation heritage, and flightseeing tours providing aerial perspectives of the Alaska Range, alongside backcountry camping permissions for experienced visitors seeking solitude without established trails. This flagship park represents genuine wilderness where seasonal extremes transform the landscape dramatically, from summer midnight sun and autumn tundra colors to winter dog sledding and northern lights viewing, providing visitors rare opportunities to experience untamed nature in one of America's most remote national parks.

Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is America’s first national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Known for its stunning geothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful geyser, and diverse wildlife such as bison, elk, and grizzly bears, Yellowstone offers breathtaking landscapes of mountains, forests, and lakes. Visitors can explore numerous hiking trails, campgrounds, and scenic drives, making it a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts.