The Wildlife of Costa Rica - Howlers Costa Rica Real Escapes

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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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January in Costa Rica: A Haven for Migratory Birds

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica transforms into a bustling hub for avian activity every January. This period marks a significant phase in the annual migration patterns of...

Beautiful Birds of Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] MORE ADVENTURES IN COSTA RICA HERE [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]To fully appreciate that Costa Rica has no clear boundaries defining where heaven on earth begins or ends, you...

Costa Rica Birds Diversity: Exploring the Avian Beauty

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_column_text]The birds of Costa Rica offer a fascinating glimpse into the incredible diversity and beauty of the country's avian population. With over 900 species calling Costa Rica home, it is no wonder that birdwatching has become a...

Meet Costa Rica’s Latest Bird Celebrity

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]It seems that nature, especially the avian sector, is doing everything possible to help reactivate tourism in Costa Rica. In late 2020, the country’s first known appearance of an Orinoco...

Tarcoles River Trip

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Tarcoles River begins on the southern slopes of Costa Rica’s Cordillera Central volcanic range and flows southwest to the Gulf of Nicoya. It flows 69 miles through an area famous for the large population of American crocodiles,...

Cocos a Bird and Wildlife Wonderland

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] Cocos a Bird and Wildlife Wonderland As incredible as it sounded when we told friends about our Cocos Island trip plan, seeing sharks was not the main purpose. Our most compelling reason for the excursion was to search for...

Buzzing Beauties: The Serene World of Costa Rica’s Stingerless Mariola Bees

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]As the sun peeks through the lush greenery of Costa Rica, a buzz of activity unfolds in the most serene and unexpected way. We're talking about the...

The White Ibis of Costa Rica: Nature’s Elegant Avian

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Nestled within Costa Rica's diverse wildlife, the White Ibis stands out as a distinctive bird, adorning the country's wetlands and coasts with its...

Costa Rica’s Mahi Mahi: From Ocean Depths to Culinary Delights

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Mahi Mahi, known for its vibrant colors and remarkable fighting spirit, is a prized catch among anglers and a popular delicacy in many cuisines. Off...

Olingos: Costa Rica’s Hidden Eco-Heroes

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica is a place where Mother Nature displays her wonders at every turn. While most visitors come in search of charismatic megafauna like sloths...

Bird’s Eye View of Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]After living here for over three years, I was looking forward to this trip to gaze at the beauty of this region of Guanacaste, via air. The gyrocopter was blue like the sky above us. The pilot did the pre-flight checklist...

Walking on Water: The Jesus Christ Lizard of Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica, a land of ecological wonders, is home to one of the most fascinating creatures, the Jesus Christ Lizard. Known scientifically as Basiliscus...

Nature’s Palette: The Roseate Spoonbill and Its Colorful Presence in Costa Rican Wildlife

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The Enchanting Roseate Spoonbill of Costa Rica: A Natural Wonder Costa Rica, a land of rich biodiversity, is home to one of the most visually...

Sleek and Stealthy: Exploring the Life of the Tropical Gar in Central American Waters

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Tropical gar, an intriguing and vital species in aquatic ecosystems, is a fascinating topic, especially for those interested in Costa Rica's diverse...

The Tamandua: Costa Rica’s Unique Anteater and Its Role in the Ecosystem

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text] Costa Rica is home to a fascinating creature: the Tamandua, or lesser anteater. This small, tree-dwelling mammal is a vital part of Costa Rica's...

Soaring Beneath the Surface: The Eagle Rays of Costa Rica’s Seas

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Eagle rays, with their distinctive and elegant appearance, are one of the ocean's most mesmerizing sights, especially in the biodiverse waters of Costa...

Why Opossums are Costa Rica’s Secret Environmental Warriors

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The Unlikely Hero: Costa Rica's Wonderful Opossums Costa Rica, a country renowned for its rich biodiversity, is home to a multitude of...

The Most Elusive Creatures in Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica is a treasure trove of biodiversity, home to 5% of the world's species despite making up just 0.03% of the Earth's surface. While tourists...

Costa Rica Primate Guide: Discover the Four Monkey Species in their Natural Habitats

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Greetings, fellow primate aficionados! Are you ready to unravel the vivid landscapes of Costa Rica, diving deep into the habitats that host our...

Scalloped Hammerhead Sharks of Costa Rica: Oceanic Treasures Facing Extinction

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]A Hammerhead Shark! Yikes! These magnificent beings have a special place in the waters of Costa Rica, particularly around areas like the Cocos Island...

Discover the Baird’s Tapir: Costa Rica’s Elusive Jungle Guardian

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The Baird's tapir—Costa Rica's very own jungle mascot. These lumbering and somewhat adorably awkward creatures might not win a beauty contest against...

Swimming with the Whale Sharks in Costa Rica: A Majestic Journey

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica, a of diverse ecosystems and unparalleled natural beauty, offers a unique and thrilling experience: swimming with whale sharks. These gentle...

Dance of the Blue Morpho

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/4"][vc_column_text]In lands where verdant forests sway, Where nature weaves its vibrant play, A fluttering dream, a sight so rare, The Blue Morpho's wings take to the air. With azure hues, like sapphire skies, These winged wonders...

Unmasking the White-faced Capuchin Monkeys’ Thieving Adventures

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The mesmerizing world of "white-faced capuchin monkeys", is known for their antics and mischief. Imagine you're traipsing through the luscious...

Swinging with Kinkajous: A Moonlit Journey in the Rainforest

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Adventure seekers and animal lovers! Picture this: nestled in the dense, vibrant tropical rainforests of Central and South America is an enigmatic...

Monkeying Around with a Camera in Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]You're on the verge of an absolutely exhilarating adventure, stepping into the vibrant world of photographing the fascinating primates of Costa Rica....

Difference between two-toed and three-toed sloths

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_btn title="Sloth Tours in Costa Rica" color="danger" link="url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.viator.com%2FsearchResults%2Fall%3Ftext%3DCosta%2BRica%2BSloth%26pid%3DP00052356%26mcid%3D42383%26medium%3Dlink%26campaign%3D424|target:_blank"][vc_single_image...

Equestrian Ballet in Costa Rica: The Vibrant Narrative of Doma Vaquera con Garrocha

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Certainly, connoisseurs and mere enthusiasts of equine grace will find themselves engrossed in the visual banquet presented through Eugenio Garcia's...

Safeguarding the Sanctuary: Sawfish Breeding in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Region

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Sawfish, a distinctive and endangered species of fish, find sanctuary in the Guanacaste Region of Costa Rica, which serves as crucial breeding grounds for these remarkable creatures. With their long, flat snouts adorned...

Red-Eyed Tree Frog Embryos: Nature’s Marvels

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Red-eyed tree frog embryos, scientifically known as Agalychnis callidryas, possess a remarkable level of complexity and development even at their...

Celebrating Our Sloths on October 20th

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] Costa Rica's Sloth Conservation Foundation (SloCo) was founded in 2016 by sloth researcher Dr. Rebecca Cliffe and is dedicated to saving sloths in the wild. Dr. Cliffe has worked extensively in the field with sloths for...

Unveiling the Elegance of the Blue Morpho Butterfly

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]In the vast tapestry of the natural world, few creatures can match the exquisite allure of the Blue Morpho Butterfly. With its resplendent azure wings, delicate flight, and captivating charm, this winged marvel never...

The Impressive Brahma

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The Brahma of Costa Rica are a fascinating breed of cattle known for their size, strength, and adaptability. These magnificent animals have been bred...

I Love Booby Birds – Fascinating Pelagic Birds | Costa Rica

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Okay, stop giggling. The Booby family is one of my favorite pelagic birds. Pelagic means they spend most of their time at sea. Boobies spend most of...

Bizarre Adventures in the Ferocious Isles

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Traveling to the Danish Faroe Islands is like a short vacation in an asylum for the criminally insane. Not that this is unexpected considering the...

Pallas’ Long-Tongued Bat: A Fascinating Nectar-Loving Marvel of South and Central America

[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]The Pallas' Long-tongued bat (Glossophaga soricina) is a fascinating mammal native to South and Central America. Its exceptional metabolism and...

Macaws Making a Costa Rican Comeback

Scarlet Macaws Making a Costa Rican Comeback: The Return of a God. Depicted as the fiery god of light, Itzamna, in ancient Mayan legends, the scarlet macaw (Ara macao) is unmistakable. With a wingspan of nearly five feet and a squawk that can’t be ignored, these majestic birds are crowd pleasers that seem to love the attention.

Costa Rica’s Whale-Watching Season: A Dance with Gentle Giants

[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4"][vc_column_text] Costa Rica's Whale-Watching Season: A Dance with Gentle Giants Ah, Costa Rica! A land where verdant jungles meet azure oceans, and the song of exotic birds accompanies the gentle rustling of palm leaves. There's a season...

Tropical Flowers and Hummingbirds

[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking to learn all about our tropical flowers and the hummingbirds that visit them. Costa Rica has a diverse range of flowers due to our unique climate, enabled by our location...

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

by John Quam | February 1, 2026 | Arts Culture Entertainment | 0 Comments

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

by Vern Veer | January 30, 2026 | Wildlife | 0 Comments

[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?

by John Quam | January 30, 2026 | Arts Culture Entertainment | 0 Comments

[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

by Vern Veer | January 30, 2026 | Wildlife | 0 Comments

[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)?

by Terry Carlile | January 30, 2026 | Travel & Adventure | 0 Comments

“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

by Howler Staff | January 30, 2026 | Wildlife | 0 Comments

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

by Howlers Staff | January 30, 2026 | Real Estate | 0 Comments

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

by Terry Carlile | January 30, 2026 | Pura Vida | 0 Comments

[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)

by John Quam | January 30, 2026 | Cover Stories, Pura Vida | 0 Comments

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

by Valarie K Taylor | January 30, 2026 | Travel & Adventure | 0 Comments

...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

by John Quam | January 30, 2026 | Travel & Adventure | 0 Comments

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

by John Quam | January 30, 2026 | Arts Culture Entertainment, UP FRONT | 0 Comments

(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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