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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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Coatis the Clowns of the Forest
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Oh, the adorable Coatis of Costa Rica! These charming creatures never fail to captivate the hearts of visitors with their endearing antics and lovable nature. When you encounter a coati in the wild, prepare yourself for a...
Motmots of Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Motmots are proof that common birds are not necessarily common looking. A stunning family of birds — one or more of the six motmot types — are readily found in and along the edges of forests throughout Costa Rica. Both...
Rufous-Vented Ground-Cuckoo
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] Rarely Seen Roadrunner Relative For birders with a “life list” of sighting dreams come true, the rufous-vented ground-cuckoo will commonly disappoint. Reports of fleeting glimpses have always been rare, even among the...
Check Out These Seven Amazing Jaguar Facts
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica’s jaguars are both mighty and mysterious. What we know about these unique big cats is fascinating. What we don’t know might be even more intriguing. GoEco’s Jaguar Research and Conservation program aims to...
Whale Spotting on Many Bucket Lists
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]One of the most sought-after experiences in Costa Rica is watching a whale breach the surface of the Pacific. Better yet, a pod of whales gliding on the surface. Everyone wants to know, "Will we see one?" No guarantees...
These Bees Don’t Sting
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Unlike My Bee Farm Visit Part 1, in last month’s Howler, this story will not start with, “Owww!” That’s because mariola bees, which I’ll talk about here in Part 2, can’t sting. You may ask what mariola bees are. Well,...
Birds of Gondwanaland?
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Next time you are at a bird feeder in Costa Rica, or walking in the jungle, enjoy the knowledge that flying all around you is a living history of the planet. As someone with a degree in geology and a passion for birds,...
My Bee Farm Visit
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1679446951471{background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.49) !important;*background-color: rgb(255,255,255) !important;}"][vc_column_text]Howler is delighted to feature this first-hand account of an 11-year-old’s journey in...
Monkeying Around In Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] There are four types of monkeys in Costa Rica, and three of them can be found in the wild in the Guanacaste region. The four species of monkeys native to Costa Rica are the white-faced capuchin (mono cariblanco), spider...
Rare Albino Whale in Costa Rica Draws Waves of Global Attention
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]What aerial photographer Felipe Chávez initially mistook for ocean trash was actually so extraordinary that the resulting waves of international attention took some time to calm down. “An incredibly rare albino humpback...
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...
Wild Side of Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/3"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica is home to hundreds of wildlife species. Thanks to Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring, you can watch dozens of the creatures through their live video segments. Howler offers a variety of articles on wildlife. Enjoy...
Snowbirds In Paradise
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]After spending all our lives enduring the cold Canadian winters of western Canada, my wife, Donna, and I decided to make the giant step toward living part-time in Costa Rica's paradise. I had worked as a surface landman...
Sunbitterns: A Spectacular Sight to Seek in Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]One of the more sought-after prizes for birding tourists here in Costa Rica is the sunbittern (Eurypyga helias ). Found in a range extending south from Guatemala and throughout South America. It lives near water in...
Operation Sailfish
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]Did you know Costa Rica still allows the commercial harvest of over 16,000 sailfish per year for consumption? With more than 150,000 tourists traveling here each year to catch and release their dream fish, our country is...
Wildlife of Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text] The Wildlife: read all our stories It’s no wonder that nature is the key reason why four in 10 international tourists come to Costa Rica. That’s because the country’s extraordinary abundance and diversity of wildlife,...
Costa Rica’s Newest and Rarest Animal
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One of our planet's rarest and most secretive animal species — the bush dog (Speothos venaticus) — was recently discovered on the Pacific slopes of Costa Rica’s Talamanca Mountains, near the Panama border. The BriBri, Cabecar and...
Expat Birds of Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="1/2"][vc_column_text]How many of you came to Costa Rica to visit … and decided to not go home? Here in Costa Rica, humans are not alone in making this their new home. A variety of Costa Rican birds are also “expats.” For...
Ten Species Inhabit Costa Rican Waters
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A Playground for Whales: Ten Species Inhabit the Waters for Whale Watching in Costa Rica. The Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, embracing Costa Rica on its opposite shores, are both teeming with life. Ten species of whales call these...
On the Wings of Butterflies
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] BEST COSTA RICA ADVENTURE DEALS [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text] When visitors come to Costa Rica, they are often thinking more about monkeys and toucans and sloths, rather than...
The Sweet and Slow Sloth
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] BEST COSTA RICA ADVENTURE DEALS [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width="2/3"][vc_column_text]In July 2021, the universally popular sloth was officially designated as a national symbol of Costa Rica. Of...