About Howler Magazine
Howler Media has been publishing Costa Rica to the world for over 29 years. The premier digital interactive platform that can be translated into 12 languages. A variety of articles for you to read and share. Thank you to our partners for their support. Over 9 million unique readers since 2022.
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This June edition:
This vibrant editorial collection from Howler Magazine captures the wildly diverse spirit of Costa Rica through a compelling mix of adventure, culture, conservation, and quirky local truths. From rain-slicked jungles and mysterious surf breaks to music legends and ghost stories, every story offers a unique window into the country’s rich landscape—natural, human, and supernatural.
We open with a deep existential musing: why time speeds up as we age. It’s a mental segue into how Costa Rica moves at its own pace—where fishing bans protect marine life, and locals balance tradition with modern sustainability. The Gulf of Nicoya, for instance, pauses from May to July, allowing marine populations to regenerate. It’s not just a policy—it’s a lifeline for fishing communities and species like shrimp and snapper, driven by drone patrols and public education.
Sportfishing features heavily, from the legacy of Joan McDonald Vernon and the Presidential Challenge tournaments to the Flamingo Fishing Rodeo. These aren’t just competitive events—they’re community anchors that fuel scholarships and conservation funding.
The jungle gets its fair share of stage time too, especially when two bold souls enter with nothing but a basket and a machete for a survival-foraging challenge. It’s part comedy, part culinary experiment, and entirely Costa Rican—complete with snakes, bugs, thunder, and triumph.
Rainy season sets the scene for love stories, earthy cuisine like olla de carne con ñampi, and unexpected gourmet obsessions—like jungle mushrooms that chefs are now treating like rainforest truffles. From chanterelles to hallucinations, it’s fungi meets fine dining.
In the surf world, Costa Rica isn’t just known for its waves. Articles spotlight a new kind of surfer—eco-warriors who clean beaches, rescue sea turtles, and defend reefs. Then there’s El Fantasma, a ghost wave so elusive it only breaks once a year. You’ll find no signs, no maps—just locals and luck.
Creativity flows through every cup of coffee in Costa Rica. Artists and writers find inspiration in cloud forest cafes and buzzing city corners. It’s more than caffeine—it’s fuel for imagination. And if you’ve ever wondered why locals call themselves Ticos, there’s a language lesson wrapped in national pride to answer that, too.
Legends come alive with tales of haunted mangroves, one-eyed monkeys, and shapeshifters. They’re told with enough sincerity to make even sceptics squirm. Meanwhile, worms rain from the sky, frogs turn the rainforest into a nightclub, and baby sea turtles stage one of nature’s greatest sprints each July.
Whether it’s booming exports, coffee farm dreams, or the wet-season wisdom of buying property during floods, Costa Rica is a land of contrasts and constant motion—both grounded in heritage and leaping toward the future.