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Costa Rica’s Biodiversity: A Haven for Fascinating Wildlife

Renowned for its remarkable biodiversity, Costa Rica is a sanctuary for captivating wildlife species. From its lush rainforests to coastal expanses, diverse ecosystems nurture an array of creatures. The intelligence and comprehension displayed by these species have perpetually intrigued scientists and nature enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Costa Rican wildlife and experience the delicate balance of its ecosystems, a testament to the beauty of nature’s intricacy.

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American Crocodile

American Crocodile

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] American Costa Rica Crocodile: Visitors in Costa Rica can view the American crocodile at one of several prime spots, about 50 miles (85 km) west of San José, on the Tarcoles River. Here, they can be seen in abundance from the...

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Protecting One Species at a Time

Protecting One Species at a Time.  The theme of Earth Day 2019 is “Protect our Species.” With over 500,000 wildlife species in Costa Rica, it is vital to keep the biodiversity alive and thriving in this Central American isthmus.  Thanks to the preservation efforts of...

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Let’s Hear it For the Howler

Let’s Hear it For the Howler

[vc_row full_width="full_width"][vc_column][vc_column_text] Howler Monkeys in Costa Rica: The Jungle Alarm Clock You’ll Never Forget Costa Rica’s howler monkeys are the loud, leafy neighbours you hear long before you ever see them. These tree-dwelling primates are...

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Bullet Ants: Pain You Don’t Want to Feel

Bullet Ants: Pain You Don’t Want to Feel

Bullet Ants in Costa Rica: Tiny Forest Giants with a Bullet of Pain Walking through a lowland Costa Rican rainforest, you expect birdsong, dripping leaves and the rustle of lizards. What you probably do not expect is a single insect capable of delivering a sting that...

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Scarlet Macaws Return to the Guanacaste

Scarlet Macaws Return to the Guanacaste

Scarlet Macaws Return to the Guanacaste. In a flurry of crimson, blue and yellow feathers, seven scarlet macaws took flight into the green of the Costa Rican coastal forest, signaling the historic return of a species once vanquished from this area.

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Mussurana: More Friend Than Foe, Except to Other Snakes

Mussurana: More Friend Than Foe, Except to Other Snakes

[ Costa Rica is sold to the world with images of surf breaks, volcano skylines, coffee farms and ceviche by the sea – but the same lush landscape that draws beach lovers, foodies, real estate hunters and business investors is also home to some seriously fascinating...

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Creature Feature: Oropendolas of Costa Rica

Creature Feature: Oropendolas of Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Gregarious and loud, their unmistakable calls resembling a crowd of people all gargling at the same time, they are heard before being seen. Oropendolas, the largest member of the blackbird family that includes blackbirds, orioles,...

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Tree Boas

Tree Boas

Three species of tree boa are common throughout many areas of Costa Rica: garden, annulated and black-tailed. As their name indicates, all three types of tree boa are characterized by their arboreal existence. They are very efficient constrictors, preying on lizards...

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Elephant Beetle

Elephant Beetle

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]     Costa Rica is full of big characters—scarlet macaws that sound like rock bands, surfers who swear the next set is “the one”, chefs plating mango with chilli like it’s confetti, and beetles the size of a child’s fist patrolling...

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Arribada: They Have Arrived!

Arribada: They Have Arrived!

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Over a five-day period, arribada nesting turtles will lay up to 10 million eggs on Ostional's beach. Have you witnessed the arribada of olive ridley green turtles in Ostional, Costa Rica? This is a must-see if you are...

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Roosterfish in Costa Rica: The Ultimate Adventure Catch

Roosterfish in Costa Rica: The Ultimate Adventure Catch

Costa Rica is a land where adventure meets nature, culture blends with entertainment, wildlife thrives, and opportunities in real estate and business attract global attention. Among its many treasures, one experience stands out for thrill-seekers and anglers alike —...

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Toucan Species in Costa Rica

Toucan Species in Costa Rica

    [vc_row full_width="full_width"][vc_column][vc_column_text]Probably one of the first things you hear from a new visitor is, “Where can I see the ‘Fruit Loops’ Bird”? Toucans are the quintessential bird of the tropics: big, bold, colorful and always a treat to see....

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Jungle Babies: Wildlife Births in the Green Season

Jungle Babies: Wildlife Births in the Green Season

As the green season sweeps across Costa Rica, the jungles come alive with new life. From tiny coati kits to playful howler monkey infants, September’s abundant food supply supports the birth of many species. This time of year is not only an enchanting sight for nature...

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Fins in the Fjord: Dolphin Encounters in Golfo Dulce

Fins in the Fjord: Dolphin Encounters in Golfo Dulce

Why is September the best month for dolphin watching in Golfo Dulce? September brings calm seas, warm waters, and an abundance of food, making it the perfect month for dolphin encounters in Golfo Dulce. The reduced wind and glassy surface improve visibility and...

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Manatee Moments: Quiet Encounters in Tortuguero

Manatee Moments: Quiet Encounters in Tortuguero

Tortuguero, a tranquil paradise in Costa Rica, offers a rare opportunity to witness manatees in their natural habitat. September, when boat traffic is lower, increases the chances of spotting these elusive creatures in the calm freshwater canals. Whether you’re a...

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Shadow Kings: Tracking Costa Rica’s Jungle Royals

Shadow Kings: Tracking Costa Rica’s Jungle Royals

What are Costa Rica’s jungle apex predators? The top predators in Costa Rica’s jungles are jaguars, pumas, ocelots, and jaguarundis. These big cats rule the tropical terrain with stealth and power. As the rainy season reaches its peak in August and September, the...

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Wings in the Wetlands

Wings in the Wetlands

Costa Rica’s Migratory Bird Season Takes Flight What makes Costa Rica’s wetlands a hotspot for migratory birds?Costa Rica’s wetlands serve as critical rest stops and breeding grounds for migratory birds, offering an abundance of food, mild weather, and diverse...

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Baby Turtle Frenzy: A Wet-Season Miracle on the Sand

Baby Turtle Frenzy: A Wet-Season Miracle on the Sand

Every July, the beaches of Costa Rica come alive with an unforgettable scene: thousands of baby sea turtles hatching from sandy nests and scrambling toward the Pacific or Caribbean surf. No bigger than a bottle cap, these tiny creatures navigate a dangerous path in...

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Cracking the Code of Animal Communication with Ai

Cracking the Code of Animal Communication with Ai

AI and the Animal Kingdom: Decoding the Language of Whales, Elephants, and Beyond Imagine a future where humans and animals have real conversations—not just commands or cues, but full-fledged exchanges of thoughts and emotions. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI),...

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The Comeback of the Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica

The Comeback of the Scarlet Macaw in Costa Rica

How has the Scarlet Macaw made a comeback in Costa Rica? The Scarlet Macaw (Ara macao) has rebounded in Costa Rica thanks to conservation efforts, habitat restoration, and breeding programmes. Once nearly wiped out due to deforestation and poaching, the species is now...

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The Fascinating World of Sloths

The Fascinating World of Sloths

Sloths are among the most unique creatures on Earth, famous for their slow movements and relaxed lifestyle. These tree-dwelling mammals spend most of their time hanging upside down, moving at an unhurried pace that has made them a symbol of tranquillity. But why are...

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The Mysterious Migrations of Costa Rica’s Wildlife

The Mysterious Migrations of Costa Rica’s Wildlife

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica, a small yet biologically rich country, is a global hotspot for wildlife migrations. From the lush rainforests of the Osa Peninsula to the...

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Costa Rican Culture: A Rich Blend of Tradition, Family, and ‘Pura Vida’

Costa Rica, though small in size, boasts a culture that’s vibrant, warm, and deeply rooted in both indigenous heritage and Spanish colonial influence. Whether you’re strolling through a lively town during a festival or enjoying a home-cooked casado meal, Costa Rican...

American Crocodile

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] American Costa Rica Crocodile: Visitors in Costa Rica can view the American crocodile at one of several prime spots, about 50 miles (85 km) west of San José, on the Tarcoles River. Here, they can be seen in abundance from the...

What Circle Of Hell Is This?

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text The circle of life so lovingly narrated on nature documentaries plays out daily in Costa Rica. Toucans raid nests like feathered burglars. Iguanas—those smug, sunbathing “vegetarians”—will absolutely nibble the wrong...

The Tigrillo (oncilla) of Costa Rica: A Secretive Wild Cat You’ll Rarely See

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Costa Rica creature feature oncilla: Oncilla, often referred to as the little spotted cat, or in Costa Rica as the tigrillo. This Costa Rica cat is the smallest species of wildcat in this country. Living in the mountain forests at...

Costa Rica Whitewater Rafting Guide: Which River Should You Choose (and When)?

“During high water, the ‘Aye, mami!’ rapids become ‘Oh, crap!’ rapids,” my guide informed me — and honestly, that’s the most accurate river forecast you’ll ever get in Costa Rica. Whitewater rafting here is a beautiful contradiction. One minute you’re folded into the...

Protecting One Species at a Time

Protecting One Species at a Time.  The theme of Earth Day 2019 is “Protect our Species.” With over 500,000 wildlife species in Costa Rica, it is vital to keep the biodiversity alive and thriving in this Central American isthmus.  Thanks to the preservation efforts of...

What Brings People to Live In Costa Rica

Costa Rica living – what draws people to this country? Let’s look at just a few of the many things that make people decide Costa Rica is where they want to call home. 1. Sand and sea Because the country is so small, you’re never too terribly far from one of its...

Chasing Costa Rica’s Green Flash: The One-Second Sunset Secret

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]   What is the green flash? The green flash is a brief burst of green light that can appear on the very top edge of the sun for roughly one to three seconds as it meets the horizon. It’s most often spotted at sunset over...

Costa Rica Cacao and Dark Chocolate: A Local Story With Global Flavour (and Real Health Perks)

Cacao in Costa Rica isn’t just “the ingredient before chocolate” — it’s a living thread that runs through rainforest ecology, Indigenous heritage, smallholder livelihoods, and the modern obsession with seriously good dark chocolate. If you’ve ever snapped a square of...

Stand-Up Paddle Surfing: From Ancient Watercraft to Modern Wave-Riding

...historically, humans have regarded paddling small watercraft while standing up as an efficient and ergonomic way to fish and travel in the ocean... Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) looks modern, but the idea is ancient: humans have been standing to paddle small craft...

Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Ziplining, Wildlife and 10% Off With Code HOWLER

Planning a trip to Guanacaste or staying near Liberia, Coco, Hermosa or the Riu hotels? Diamante Eco Adventure Park is the one place where you can tick off Costa Rica adrenaline, wildlife, beach time and proper food in a single day – and when you book directly or pay...

Torunes: Founded by Fatigue, Fueled by Coffee, Haunted by Excellence

(and Now Buzzing with Bees, Beans, and Global Bragging Rights) Let’s rewind to 1897, when a man named Jacinto Avila Araya decided to climb a hill in Palmares so steep even the local goats looked up and said, “Hard pass.” After dragging himself up from the...

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February’s Howler Real Escapes is Costa Rica as it’s actually lived: a “quick drive” that turns into a roadside saga near Liberia—smoke, standstills, single-lane bridges, and the choice to honk…or help. We walk Rohrmoser’s layered story from coffee fields to 1960s planning to today’s high-rise rhythm, then head to Palmares for Torunes Farms—volcanic Arabica, stubborn founders, and Melipona bees turning blossoms into liquid gold. Cacao takes the spotlight too, linking sacred traditions and Caribbean resilience to modern fine-flavour chocolate and smarter bar choices.

Adventure runs through every page: SUP history and beginner-proof tips, ziplining and wildlife at Diamante Eco Adventure Park (code HOWLER saves 10%), and rafting picks from Río Pacuare to Río Tenorio by region, season, and nerve. Surfers get plain-English swell angle, the Galápagos energy effect, and Papagayo winds that can polish waves—or steal your towel. Practical life guides cover ATM mishaps, verdurería shopping, packing kids, fiesta-season style, epiphanies, decluttering, and self-respect that doesn’t feel cheesy. Business and real estate get clarity on RTBF filing changes, who powers the economy, beachfront rules, and financing paths. Food and wildlife round it out: micheladas, mamón chino ceviche, special-diet travel, the elusive oncilla, American crocodiles, and conservation inside private reserves. Plus: brass coffee fichas, telenovelas, Lake Arenal Condos, organic shrimp, and the green flash

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