Up Front Featured Articles
Wow…how do we decide what to feature from a country with so much to offer? You can review all our cover stories by the photos on the front covers of Howler Magazine. You’ll soon see the diversity as we highlight1 one particular story to be “up front.”
Editorials
We are thrilled to share our thoughts in editorials about Costa Rica! This enchanting country, brimming with biodiversity and natural wonders, never fails to captivate our imagination. Our own personal experiences create our editorials. Daily we immerse ourselves in what is going on in our beautiful country. Sometimes it’s about shedding light on some of the most pressing issues faced by the nation, these editorials serve as a rallying cry for all who wish to protect and preserve the unparalleled beauty of
Costa Rica. As we delve into each editorial, you’ll discover a variety of topics. At Howler, we pursue to share the positive attributes, but we do not ignore some of the not-so-positive attitudes and trends we experience. – John Quam, Owner, Editor in Chief
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Came for the Sloths, Stayed for the Chaos: When Costa Rica Becomes Home and Your Hometown Doesn’t Feel Like Yours
Why do so many people dream of Costa Rica? People come to Costa Rica chasing beauty, wildlife, and the mythical ease of “Pura Vida.” Before I ever boarded a plane to Costa Rica, the country existed in my imagination as a place of endless green. It was sloths in trees,...
Why Costa Rica Is a Global Hotspot for Sportfishing and Sustainability
When most people picture Costa Rica, they think of misty volcanoes, chirping toucans, and sloths in the treetops. But if you ask any angler worth their salt, they’ll tell you the real Costa Rica magic happens offshore, where the ocean boils with life, and the thrill...
The F Word’s Rise from Taboo to Triumph: How the Most Notorious Word in English Took Over Our Daily Lives
There was a time—not too far in the past—when uttering the F word would’ve gotten you kicked out of class, scolded at the dinner table, or labeled a degenerate. It was the linguistic equivalent of chewing with your mouth open in church. Now? It’s in bestselling books,...
Erupting Earth – 2025’s Fiery Wake-Up Call: Costa Rica and the World’s Most Active Volcanoes
🌍 A Planet Built on Fire Beneath our feet, the Earth never sleeps. From the steaming jungles of Central America to the icy plains of Kamchatka, volcanoes are constantly shifting, groaning, and—when they’ve had enough—exploding in spectacular displays of raw energy....
Why Time Speeds Up As We Grow Older—and Feels Endless When We’re Young
There’s a universal truth about time that unites schoolchildren and pensioners alike: nobody experiences it the same way. Ask a child in the middle of the school term when Christmas is coming, and you’ll hear dramatic sighs, exaggerated eye-rolls, and complaints that...
10 Advantages of Riding Horses on Costa Rica Beaches
There’s something timeless about exploring Costa Rica’s pristine beaches on horseback. The gentle rhythm of hooves against the sand, the whisper of palm trees, and the glimmer of endless blue water create a dreamlike journey. There’s something timeless about exploring...
“The Last Resort” Song by the Eagles: is A Haunting Reflection on Humans Impact
“The Last Resort” by the Eagles is a haunting and deeply reflective song that critiques humanity’s tendency to destroy the very things it claims to cherish. Written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey, the track appeared on the Hotel California album in 1976 and is often...
The Ultimate Costa Rica Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know
Lake Arenal and volcano Arenal
Costa Rica’s Blooming April: The Colors of Nature Awakening
April in Costa Rica: Blooming Beauty and Protecting Our Bees Why is April the best month to experience Costa Rica’s floral beauty? April marks a spectacular transition in Costa Rica, bridging the dry season's end and the rainy season's onset, resulting in vibrant...
Crime and Public Safety in Costa Rica: A Nation at a Crossroads
Costa Rica’s government has allowed its once-pristine reputation to be dragged through the mud of lawlessness, corruption, and incompetence. The country that once stood as an oasis of peace in Central America is now a paradise lost to crime. And while Costa Ricans...
The Marvel of Hummingbirds in Costa Rica: Nature’s Dazzling Jewels
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Hummingbirds are one of nature’s most mesmerizing creatures, blending speed, agility, and beauty into a tiny, iridescent package. Costa Rica, with its...
A Journey Through Illness and Healing: How Costa Rica’s Medical Professionals and Hospital Clinica Biblica Became My Lifeline
My Journey Through Prostate Cancer: A Life-Changing Experience in Costa Rica I am a very private person and generally don’t share much outside of my very close circle. However, after my recent experience, I thought it was important to share my experience as well as...
From the Rainforest to the Lab: Exploring the Ethics of Bioprospecting in Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Bioprospecting in Costa Rica: Balancing Promise and Ethical Practice Bioprospecting in Costa Rica, situated at the heart of Central America's...
The Marina Flamingo: A Catalyst for Economic Growth in the Guanacaste Region, Costa Rica
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Nestled along the pristine Pacific coast of Costa Rica, Marina Flamingo has emerged as a cornerstone of economic development and tourism in the...
Single-Use Plastic Ban in Costa Rica: Progress or Pretense?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica's bold initiative to ban single-use plastics by 2021 was hailed as a groundbreaking step towards environmental sustainability. This policy...
Why Costa Rica in 2025?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]To kick off 2025, Howler has created a decision-making tool to assist you when it comes to considering Costa Rica for whatever your intention. Based on...
A Year of Resilience: How 2024 Shapes a Hopeful 2025
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Reflections on 2024 and Looking Forward to a Hopeful 2025 As 2024 draws to a close, we find ourselves at a poignant moment—a time to pause, reflect,...
The Power of Water
[vc_row][vc_column width="2/3" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]From the November flooding of Costa Rica to the abundant thermal springs, waterfalls, and coastline, we've all experienced the extremes of water. For...
Is Noise Pollution Eroding Pura Vida?
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] This scenario is totally dependent on where you live in Costa Rica. For those areas where the noise level is steadily rising, is it just the way of “progress” or “culture” or is it just another unwanted invasion of the new reality?...
Road Rage in Paradise: Why Does Everyone Drive Like They’re Late for a Surf Session?
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Navigating the roads of Costa Rica can often feel like an unplanned adventure, mimicking the nation's lush, untamed landscapes in both beauty and...
The New Face of Paradise: Gentrification and Its Impact on Costa Rican Communities
[vc_row][vc_column width="3/4" css=".vc_custom_1691013008333{background-color: #f9ecc5 !important;}"][vc_column_text]Costa Rica, renowned for its lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and biodiversity, has become a paradise for both tourists and expatriates. However,...