Costa Rica » Puntarenas

Ario Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 00:14:54 +0000

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Location: between Manzanillo and Caletas Beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates to Ario beach entrance: 9.729647, -85.208097 (°43’46.73″N, 85°12’29.15″W)
Canton: Puntarenas
District: Cóbano

Ario beach is an isolated beach, part of the Playa Caletas-Ario National Wildlife Refuge since 2006, as its a principally Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle nesting beach. It also hosts an important number of one of the world’s most endangered species of sea turtle, the Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea). Olive ridley nesting peaks in September and October, while Leatherback nesting peaks in December and January. The beach also receives occasional visits from nesting Pacific Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) sea turtles.

Getting to Ario Beach in Puntarenas:

From San José go to Puntarenas and then take the Ferri to Tambor or Paquera. (Tambor Ferri is the largest and most comfortable, we recommend you get to Puntarenas an hour before the ferry leaves). Go through Tambor to Cobano. In Cobano cross the village and after about 8 miles, and just before the beach, there is a junction, turn right onto Manzanillo Beach, passing through Carmen, Santa Teresa and Manzanillo towns. From Manzanillo to Ario beach you can continue through a stretch of beach, by which you can pass only if the tide is low and using a 4×4 vehicle. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful). Or you can go through the mountains until you reach the junction that leads to Ario Beach, this way takes longer, but it’s the official road and its use is not dependent on the tides. This route requires a total of five hours from San Jose.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Nosara, Samara and Coyote, cross the Bongo river to get to Ario beach. It is a very scenic trip which exemplifies rural Costa Rica.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tambor Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Nature Air every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Cobano and then to Manzanillo Beach, passing through Carmen, Santa Teresa and Manzanillo towns, which is about 40 minutes.

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Ario Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Manzanillo Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Nati — Mon, 30 May 2011 14:55:52 +0000

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Location: between Hermosa and Ario Beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.683697,-85.201871 (9°41’01.24″N, 85°12’06.72″W)
Canton: Puntarenas
District: Cóbano

Manzanillo beach is a beautiful white-sand beach that makes its way to the turquoise waters and moderate waves of the Pacific, famous for its stunning sunsets. It form some low tide pools where you can swim, cool off or do some snorkeling and admire the exotic marine life.

Getting to Manzanillo Beach in Puntarenas

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Nosara, Samara and Coyote, cross the Bongo river and continue through Ario to Manzanillo Beach. Between Ario and Manzanillo you can continue through a stretch of beach. Make sure the tide is low and only use a 4×4 vehicle for this route. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful). Or you can reach the junction that leads to Ario Beach and go through the mountains, this way takes longer, but it’s the official road and its use is not dependent on the tides.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tambor Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Nature Air every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Cobano and then to Manzanillo beach, passing through Carmen and Santa Teresa towns, which is about 40 minutes.

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Manzanillo Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Hermosa Beach in Cobano, Costa Rica

Nati — Mon, 16 May 2011 16:31:57 +0000

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Location: between Santa Teresa and Manzanillo Beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.668817, -85.187414 (9°40’07.74″N, 85°11’14.69″W)
Canton: Puntarenas
District: Cóbano

Getting to Hermosa Beach in Cobano

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Nosara, Samara and Coyote, cross the Bongo river and continue through Manzanillo to Hermosa Beach. Between Ario and Manzanillo you can continue through a stretch of beach. Make sure the tide is low and only use a 4×4 vehicle for this route. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful). Or you can reach the junction that leads to Ario Beach and go through the mountains, this way takes longer, but it’s the official road and its use is not dependent on the tides.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tambor Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Nature Air every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Cobano and then to Hermosa beach, passing through Carmen and Santa Teresa towns, which is about 40 minutes.

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Hermosa Beach in Cobano, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Santa Teresa Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Thu, 12 May 2011 15:29:17 +0000

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Location: between Carmen and Hermosa Beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.644389, -85.167897 (9°38’39.80″N, 85°10’04.43″W)
Canton: Puntarenas
District: Cóbano

Santa Teresa is a beautiful white/gold sand beach with swells that are superb all year round. Santa Teresa beach is well known for a relaxing atmosphere and good surf conditions, as it is renowned worldwide for some of the best surfing in the entire country.

Santa Teresa is an ideal beach for surfers of any level. Here, swells range from moderate to strong. While surfing conditions are excellent throughout the year due to consistent off shore winds, the best time to visit Santa Teresa beach is from May to December.’ During this time, swells at Santa Teresa beach are at their peak. However, it is important to keep in mind that inexperienced surfers should avoid trying to surf during this period.

Besides surfing, you can also practice some other activities like horseback riding, hiking, deep-sea fishing, ATV and canopy tours, as well as explore Costa Rica’s diverse wildlife since it has plenty of tropical vegetation nearby, as it so close to the Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve. Santa Teresa beach has also become known for its many excellent restaurants, all started by various chefs who have moved to the area from various other countries. Here visitors can also find a wide variety of hotels, cafes, bars and pubs to suit all budgets.

Getting to Santa Teresa Beach

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Nosara, Samara and Coyote, cross the Bongo river and continue through Manzanillo to Santa Teresa. Between Ario and Manzanillo you can continue through a stretch of beach. Make sure there is low tide and only use a 4×4 vehicle for this route. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful). Or you can reach the junction that leads to Ario Beach and go through the mountains, this way takes longer, but it’s the official road and its use is not dependent on the tides.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219).

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Santa Teresa Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Carmen Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Mon, 09 May 2011 15:46:26 +0000

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Location: between Malpais and Santa Teresa Beaches in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.628744,-85.150897 (9°37’43.48″N, 85°09’3.23″W)
Canton: Puntarenas
District: Cóbano

Carmen beach is a beautiful white sand beach with moderate to strong waves ideal for surfing. However, the force of the waves is lower than its neighboring beaches.

Carmen beach has been awarded with the “Blue Flag” which certifies the high environmental standards and safety compliance.

Besides surfing, you can also do some other activities such as horseback riding, hiking, swimming, kayaking, deep-sea fishing and ATV and canopy tours, as well as explore Costa Rica’s diverse wildlife since it has plenty of typical dry tropical forest nearby, as it is so close to the Cabo Blanco Absolute Reserve, where you can spend a day hiking through nature.

Carmen beach also has a lot of options for accommodation, food and entertainment to suit all budgets.

Getting to Carmen beach

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Nosara, Samara and Coyote, cross the Bongo river and continue through Manzanillo to Carmen. Between Ario and Manzanillo you can continue through a stretch of beach. Make sure the tide is low and only use a 4×4 vehicle for this route. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful). Or you can reach the junction that leads to Ario Beach and go through the mountains, this way takes longer, but it’s an official road and its use is not dependent on the tides.

By bus

Take a local bus from the San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma route, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219).

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Carmen Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Malpais Beach, Costa Rica

Nati — Mon, 09 May 2011 06:28:51 +0000

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Location: between Cabo Blanco and Carmen Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
GPS Coordenates: 9.604067,-85.141428 (9°36’14.64″N, 85°08’29.14″W)
Canton: Puntarenas
District: Cóbano

Malpais beach is a great place to relax and surf some great waves. This quaint beachfront village is fast becoming one of Costa Rica’s hottest tourist attractions, as well as a surfer’s paradise.

Malpais is a rocky beach with sandy stretches and is covered with pretty sea shells. With lush vegetation growing alongside the coast, this uncrowded area is prefect for those who want a peaceful and quiet vacation away from the crowds.

Malpais beach forms a very irregular and rocky shoreline, where the visitor can find secluded coves, capes, platforms, reefs, rocky sheets streching out from sandy portions of the beach and tide pools which form individual eco-systems each.

Malpais beach also offers plenty of water sports such as fishing, scuba diving, kite surfing and snorkeling, as well as horseback riding, mountain biking, quad biking, canopy tours and some great hiking trails to explore its wildlife, as it is a huge number of coastal and migratory birds that are a treat to see.

The nightlife at Malpais beach is also plenty of fun, with a wide number of bars and restaurants, as well as hotels to suit all budgets.

Getting to Malpais beach

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Nosara, Samara and Coyote, cross the Bongo river and continue through Manzanillo to Malpais. Between Ario and Manzanillo you can continue through a stretch of beach. Make sure the tide is low and only use a 4×4 vehicle for this route. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful). Or you can reach the junction that leads to Ario Beach and go through the mountains, this way takes longer, but it’s the official road and its use is not dependent on the tides.

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219).

By plane:

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Malpais Beach in Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica

Nati — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 19:09:16 +0000

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The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is a state owned non-profit reserve created in March 1992, in order to help preserve the unique cloud forest surrounding them and to use tourism as a tool to benefit community development, thanks to the help of Youth Challenge International, a Canadian Non-profit Organization, the Costa Rican government and the Santa Elena Community, making it one of the first community managed reserves in the country, located high on the Tilarán Cordillera slopes.

The original vision was to use this land for agricultural research and education. But, for multiple reasons, the farming proved to be unsuccessful, and in 1989, it was decided to convert the land into a cloud forest reserve. The philosophy of this reserve is unique, where long term sustainability is not only a concern of the Reserve, but of the community as a whole, making it an excellent example of what people can do to preserve and learn from their environment.

A cloud forest is a highland forest characterized by nearly 100% humidity throughout the year. Here in the Santa Elena Clod Forest Reserve, warm North-Easterly trade winds, filled with moisture, blow in over the Atlantic. As the winds sweep up to the Continental divide, they cool and condense to form clouds, bathing the forest in a constant soft mist.

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is even cloudier and wetter than the Monteverde Reserve because of its higher elevation. Here, the cloud forest receives an incredible 4m (12 ft) of rain every year.

Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve has 83% of primary forest, with the remainder being mature secondary forest. Birds are less abundant than in Monteverde Reserve, but you can find a wide variety of birds as the spectacular Resplendent Quetzal, Three-wattled Bellbird, and animals such as Red brocket deer (Mazama Rufina), sloths, coaties, ocelots, howler, capuchin and spider monkeys, as well as a wide variety of insects, amphibians and mammals which never even come down to the forest floor, making it a perfect place for hiking, bird watching, volunteering or do some research.

One of the most characteristic features of the reserve is the abundance of vegetation, where competition for growing space is so intense that trunks and branches are almost entirely covered with a variety of lichens, liverworts, bryophytes, mosses and epiphytes, mats store moisture, which is especially important in the dry season (from February to May).

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve trails will take you on an amazing journey of discovery as you blaze your way through the hanging vines and moist vegetation. The reserve has four main trails: the Caño Negro Trail, the longest trail (4.8km – 3.5hrs); the Encantado Trail, excellent for bird watching (3.4km – 2.5hrs); the El Bajo Trail, extends through more secondary growth forest (2.6km – 1.5hrs); and the Youth Challenge Trail, ideal for lookouts (1.4km – 45min), which are more natural and more difficult to walk than those of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. There is also a tower offering beautiful views of 5 Costa Rica volcanoes on a clear day: Arenal, Rincon de la Vieja, Tenorio, Miravalles and Poas, where visitors can even appreciate the Nicaragua Lake, as well as similar habitat and wildlife like the one in Monteverde reserve.

This reserve together with the Children’s Eternal Rainforest (El Bosque Eterno de los Ninos), the Arenal Conservation Area and the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, constitute a contiguous conservation area of approximately 28,000 hectares (69,000 acres), with plans to raise funds to buy and restore adjacent farmlands for future inclusion into the Santa Elena Reserve. Conservation efforts in the area are concentrating on establishing forest corridors, so the Resplendent Quetzal, American Pumas, Jaguars, Ocelots and Red Brocket Deer have large territories in which to forage and breed.

The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is the less visited sister reserve of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Less crowded, lush green forests full of flora and fauna, this reserve boasts one of the best places to hear and see howler monkeys in all of Costa Rica.

The Reserve is administered by the Professional Technical School of Santa Elena. All the profits from entrance fees, guided tours and the souvenir shop are dedicated to help and to give support to the education of Santa Elena’s youth. They are also invested into the development of courses in environmental education, biology, agriculture, language and tourism. In using the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve as a natural classroom, students and teachers harness an unlimited educational resource that can be used for anything from studying tropical plant ecology to leading tours.

At the entrance of the reserve, you can find a visitors center, a restaurant, a souvenir shop, boots for rent, etc. The reserve also has a canopy tour with pulleys and cables running between platforms. Other nearby Costa Rica parks includes Monteverde Biological Clod Forest Reserve.

Getting to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve:

From San Jose take the Pan-American highway North to kilometer 133, then turn right towards Sardinal, 1 km after the Aranjuez River and Cuenca Restaurant, until you reach Santa Elena (about 29 Km). Once you reach Santa Elena, continue for another 6 km following the signs. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the same directions to the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. From Sardinal to Santa Elena, you will need a 4×4 car, even during the dry season, since some 20 km correspond to a gravel road.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south on the Pan-American Highway through Liberia, Bagaces, Cañas and Las Juntas to Sardinal. Here, turn to the left at the gas station to Santa Elena (about 29 km). Once you reach Santa Elena continue for another 6 km following the signs to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. From Sardinal to Santa Elena, you will need a 4×4 car, even during the dry season, since some 20 km correspond to a gravel road.

By bus

Take a bus San Jose – Monteverde, which takes about 5 hours, making the stop at Santa Elena (Transmonteverde S.A, 2222-3854). We recommend buying the ticket the day before to secure your space.

You can also take a bus Puntarenas – Monteverde, which takes about 2 hours (Transmonteverde S.A, 2222-3854). There is also a bus service leaving from downtown Santa Elena to Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Location: 5km (3 miles) north of Santa Elena town, between Puntarenas and Alajuela provinces, Costa Rica.
Santa Elena GPS Coordinates: 10.317369,-84.824386 (10°19’2.53″N, 84°49’27.79″W)
Size: 310 ha (765 acres)
Altitude: from 1,300 m (4,800 ft) to 1,700 m (5,600 ft.).
Schedule: from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. all the year round. Night walks from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (with previous reservation)
Toll Free: 1-888-456-3212
Telephone: +(506) 2479-8811
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Website: www.monteverdeinfo.com

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Sardinal intersection (Rancho Grande), Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, Costa Rica

Nati — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:30:21 +0000

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Monteverde is the most famous cloud forest reserve in the world and one of the most important protected areas in Costa Rica. It is visited by nature lovers from various countries desiring to enjoy, appreciate and study the abundant biodiversity of its ecosystems. It was created in 1972 in order to protect the watershed above the village of Monteverde (“Green Mount”), a small town in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Although majority of the reserve is located in the Puntarenas province, however parts stretch to the Alajuela province, along the Tilarán Mountain Range.

It is often considered a major tourist destination in Costa Rica, primarily frequented by ecotourists drawn by the high biodiversity of its numerous reserves, the most famous of which is the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. The area is also frequented by researchers and naturalists who come to study specialized areas of mountain and tropical biodiversity. The Monteverde area has been christened number 14 of the Americas in Newsweek’s 100 Places to Remember Before They Disappear, besides been deemed one of the Seven Wonders of Costa Rica, and also has been called “the jewel in the crown of cloud forest reserves” by National Geographic.

The reserve consists of 6 ecological zones, 90% of which are virgin forest, filled with extravagantly tall trees that range from 30 to 40 meters in heigh, with pathways that are embellished in orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. The unique landscape is home to over 2,500 plant species, so is also known as the site with the largest number of orchids in the world, as well as has over 161 species of amphibians and reptiles, been known worldwide as the habitat of the golden toad (Bufo periglenes), a species that disappeared in 1989.

The variable climate and large altitudinal gradient has helped produce an extremely high biodiversity, with more than 100 species of mammals such as marsupials, squirrels, porcupines, agouties, deer, monkeys, muskrats and felines such as the Jaguar, Ocelot, Baird´s Tapir, Three-wattled Bellbird, Bare necked Umbrella bird and the famous elusive Resplendent Quetzal. The beginning of the migration of the bell bird (Procnias tricarunculata) is similar to that of the quetzal, with reproduction occurring from March to June, and followed by a post-reproductive move downhill on the Pacific slope during the months of August and September. Besides, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has about 400 bird species, where 21% of them are long distance migratory birds, which reproduce in North America and pass through Monteverde during their migration. Three of these species, the Swallow-tailed Kite (Elanoides forficatus), the Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius), and the Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis), reproduce in Monteverde and migrate to South America during their non-reproductive phase.

The majority of the bird species in Monteverde are primarily insectivores, given that the plants in the region offer a wide variety of fruit. The epiphytes are important resources for both, frugivores and insectivores in Monteverde. On a global scale, the cloud forests of Monteverde are home to ten species of birds that are considered to be endangered by the Birdlife International Organization, due to their very restricted habitat worldwide.

Resting roughly at 1400 meters above sea level, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is misty and windy, with a mean annual temperature of 18°C (64°F) and an annual rainfall averages around 3,000 mm (118 in), where humidity oscillates between 74% to 97%.

Early in the 50′s, a group of quakers from the United States and their families arrived to Costa Rica. Led by Hubert Mendenhall, John Cambell, Howard Rockwell, and Wilford Guindon, they settled in Monteverde, when colonization in the region was just beginning.

It was in 1972 that biologist George Powell joined Wilford Guindon, one of the Monteverde Quaker pioneers, to promote the establishment of the natural preserve now known as the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, an area of extraordinary beauty and biodiversity; it is today the best-known private reserve on the Central American. The establishment of the reserve was fully backed by the Quaker community. During the first years they helped to obtain financing, and during the construction of “La Casona”, they received scientists and visitors as guests in their homes.

After the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve creation, the Tropical Science Center continued to secure the financial and human resources necessary to expand, consolidate and properly protect and manage the non-profit reserve.

The spectacular Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve feels like walking in a grandiose green Cathedral, where poorly drained areas support swamp forests while parts dissected by numerous crystal clear streams tumbling over rapids and waterfalls. With its unique cloud canopy, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is a paradise for nature lovers and avid photographers. It comes as no surprise that people who visited Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve rank it as one of the most beautifully, stunning and breath taking nature reserves in the world.

The number of visitors to the preserve has risen consistently from 471 visitors in 1974 to 70,000 in 2005, so the income derived from entrance fees and charges for scientific research provides the budget to cover the cost of all administrative, managerial, security and educational expenses.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve offers ideal facilities for research, education and ecotourism. It has a lodging mountain “La Casona” with capacity for 47 persons with an agreeable service of cafeteria and restaurant, a room of audiovisuals and a sale of tickets, a center for environmental education, a scientific laboratory with a classroom of study, administrative offices and a shop of crafts and souvenirs. Other nearby Costa Rica reserve includes the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve.

Getting to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve:

From San Jose take the Pan-American highway North to kilometer 133, then turn right towards Sardinal, 1 km after the Aranjuez River and Cuenca Restaurant, until you reach Santa Elena (about 29 Km). Once you reach Santa Elena, continue for another 6 km following the signs. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway to Puntarenas and then follow the same directions to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. From Sardinal to Monteverde, you will need a 4×4 car, even during the dry season, since some 20 km correspond to a gravel road.

From Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR), drive south on the Pan-American Highway through Liberia, Bagaces, Cañas and Las Juntas to Sardinal. Here, turn to the left at the gas station to Santa Elena (about 29 km). Once you reach Santa Elena continue for another 6 km following the signs. From Sardinal to Monteverde, you will need a 4×4 car, even during the dry season, since some 20 km correspond to a gravel road.

By bus

Take a bus San Jose – Monteverde, which takes about 5 hours (Transmonteverde S.A, 2222-3854). We recommend buying the ticket the day before to secure your space.

You can also take a bus Puntarenas – Monteverde, which takes about 2 hours (Transmonteverde S.A, 2222-3854). There is also a bus service leaving from downtown Santa Elena to Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Location: 6km (3.7 miles) southeast of Santa Elena in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Santa Elena GPS Coordinates: 10.317369,-84.824386 (10°19’2.53″N, 84°49’27.79″W)
Size: 17.000 ha (42.000 acres)
Altitude: 1,200 m to 1,600 m
Schedule: from 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. all the year round.
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve Telephone: +(506) 2645-5122 / (506) 2645-5579
Fax: +(506) 2645-5034
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Website: www.montever@cct.or.cr

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Sardinal intersection (Rancho Grande), Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Cocos Island National Park, Costa Rica

Nati — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 14:05:44 +0000

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Cocos Island was declared a Costa Rican National Park on June 11th, 1978 because of its unique ecological diversity and the habitats the site provides for marine wildlife, including large pelagic species, especially sharks. In 1997, the Cocos Island National Park, located approximately 500 km off the pacific coast of Costa Rica, was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2002, the World Heritage Site designation was extended to include an expanded marine zone of 1,997 km². In addition, it is included in the list of “Wetlands of International Importance”. This rugged and incredibly beautiful island is the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s many National Parks.

The island was discovered by the Spanish Joan Cabezas in 1526. Thanks to its palm trees and plentiful drinking water, this oceanic island became very well know, and today is famous because during the 17th and 18th centuries, it was a heaven and served as an excellent hide-away for pirates and corsairs, who thrived along the Pacific coast. Stories tell of buccaneers burying treasures here, like Edward Davis in 1685, Benito Bonito in 1820, and William Thompson in 1821. It is said that over 300 expeditions have gone in search of treasure, because some incidents of small caches have been discovered, leading many to believe the stories of vast pirate treasures to be true, of what some say that it was the inspiration for “The Treasure Island” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Cocos Island is an area that emerged from an underwater mountain range (the Cocos ridge) which has an irregular coastline. Its landmass is punctuated by four mountain peaks, the highest of which is Cerro Yglesisas, at 634m (2080ft). It is a terrain of volcanic origin with a vast number of rivers and streams which plunge over the spectacular cliffs that line its coasts. The largest rivers are the Genio and the Pittier, which drain their water into Wafer Bay. The mountainous landscape and the tropical climate combine to create over 200 waterfalls throughout the island. With four bays with safe anchorages and sandy beaches, three of them in the north side, Wafer, Chatham and Weston.

The climate of the island is humid and tropical with an average annual temperature of 24ºC (75ºF) and an average annual rainfall of over 7,000mm (275 in), resulting in a covering of lush green foliage. Rainfall is high throughout the year, although lower from January through March and slightly lower during late September and October. Numerous oceanic currents from the central Pacific Ocean that converge on the island also have an important influence. This extremely wet climate and oceanic character give Cocos Island an ecological character that is not shared with either the Galapagos Archipelago or any of the other islands (e.g., Malpelo or Coiba) in this region of the world, being home to dense and exuberant tropical moist forests; thus is a place of great scenic beauty and an ideal laboratory for nature studies. Everywhere there are ferns, bromeliads, rivers, streams, waterfalls, valleys, cliffs and islets.

The island was never linked to a continent, so the flora and fauna arrived via long distance dispersal from the Americas. The island has therefore a high proportion of endemic species. In fact, the Cocos Island National Park has 235 known species of flowering plants, of which 70 (nearly 30%) are endemic; also 74 species of ferns and fern allies (lycopodiophytes and pteridophytes), as well as 128 species of mosses and liverworts (bryophytes), 90 species of fungi and 41 species of slime molds. The coastal forests extend from the seacoast up to 50m elevation. Purple Coral Tree (Erythrina fusca), Coconut Palm (Cocos nucifera), and Pond-apple (Annona glabra) are the predominant trees, as well as the endemic trees such as the Cupey (Clusia Rosea) and the Huriki (Sacoglottis holdridgei), all this with an understory of ferns, spermatophytes or phanerogams, shrubs of the Rubiaceae and Solanaceae families, sedges and grasses, mosses, herbaceous plants of the Leguminosae and Malvaceae families and the endemic Rooseveltia frankliniana palm.

The island has over 400 known species of insects, of which 65 (16%) are endemic. The greatest diversity is found among the Lepidoptera and Formicidae, as well as over 50 species of other arthropods have been described such as spiders, centipedes, millipedes and isopods. Besides, two species of lizard are found on the island, an anole or lizard (Norops townsendii) and a salamander or gecko (Sphaerodactylus pacificus); both are endemic.

Nearly 90 bird species have been reported. The island and neighboring rocks are home to large nesting colonies of migratory seabirds, including the Brown Booby (Sula leucogaster), Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor), White Tern or the Holy Ghost dove (Gygis Alba) and Brown Noddy (Anous stolidus), as well as even species of land birds inhabit the island – including three endemics – the Cocos Cuckoo (Coccyzus ferrugineus), the Cocos Flycatcher (Nesotriccus ridgwayi) and the Cocos Finch (Pinaroloxias inornata). In the other hand, the island has five land mammal species, including pigs, deers, cats and rats. All these land mammals were introduced by humans, which is why the Costa Rican government has vowed to control the populations of these animals, as they are harmful to the local ecosystems.

The underwater world of the national park has become famous due to the attraction it holds for divers, who rate it as one of the best places in the world to view large pelagic species. The most important scuba reefs are located in Punta María, Punta Presidio, Punta Pacheco and some areas of the Iglesias, Chatham and Wafer Bays.

The rich coral reef, the volcanic tunnels, underwater caves, massifs and deeper waters surrounding Cocos Island are home to more than 30 species of corals, 60 species of crustaceans, 600 species of mollusks and over 300 species of fish. These include large populations of yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares), Giant Manta Rays (Manta birostris), Sailfish (Istiophorus platypterus), Parrotfishes, Catfishes, Giant Moray Eels, Marbled Rays, Marlins, Octopus, the exotic Red-lipped Batfish (Ogcocephalus darwini), as well as dozens if not hundreds of sharks, such as White-tip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) and Scalloped Hammerhead shark (Sphyrna lewini), the Silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis), the Silvertip sharks (Carcharhinus albimarginatus), the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), besides other large marine animals like the Humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), Pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus), Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus), Hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and Olive Ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). In fact, thanks to the breathtaking marine life in its waters, Cocos Island was named one of the best 10 scuba diving spots in the world by PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors).

Unfortunately it takes more than a decree to protect an ecosystem. One of the biggest problems on Cocos Island is the loss of native species to species introduced by man (pigs, goats and rats). These numerous accolades highlight the urgent need to protect Cocos Island and surrounding waters from illegal large-scale fishing, poaching and other problems. Cocos Island was short-listed as a candidate to be one of the New7Wonders of Nature by the New Seven Wonders of the World Foundation.

This is why the only persons allowed to live on Cocos Island are Costa Rican Park Rangers, who have established two encampments, including one at one in Wafer Bay and other in Chatham Bay. Tourists and ship crew members are allowed ashore only with permission of island rangers and are not permitted to camp, stay overnight or collect any flora, fauna or minerals from the island. It has been estimated that Cocos Island Costa Rica receives an annual visitation of about 1,100 people, mainly concentrated in the period between March and May. Easy anchorage can be found in Wafer and Chatham Bays, where there are also dining huts and rest areas, with sanitary services and showers.

Cocos Island in fiction
The book “Desert Island” proposed the highly detailed theory that Daniel Defoe used the Isla dell Cocoze as an accurate model for his descriptions of the island inhabited by the marooned Robinson Crusoe. However Defoe placed Crusoe’s island not in the Pacific, but rather off the coast of Venezuela in the Atlantic Ocean.

The Michael Crichton novel Jurassic Park, centers on the fictitious Isla Nublar that is off of the west coast of Costa Rica. Supporting this argument is the Dreamworks Interactive game Jurassic Park: Trespasser (1998), which used Cocos Island’s topography as a substitute for the fictional island on which it takes place. Also, “Isla Nublar” is intended to mean “Cloudy Island”, and Cocos Island is the only island with cloud forests in the eastern Pacific. (Source: en.wikipedia.org)

Getting to Cocos Island National Park:

From San Jose take the Pan-American Highway to Puntarenas, passing through San Ramon and Barranca. From the port of Puntarenas Isla del Coco can be reached by boat, a journey that takes approximately 36 hours. For more updated information regarding the tours and how to get to the Cocos Island, communicate directly with the offices of the island (see telephone number below). Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway, until you get to Puntarenas. The Caldera trip takes about 1 hour from San Jose while the other takes about 2 hours.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south to Puntarenas. From the port of Puntarenas Isla del Coco can be reached by boat, a journey that takes approximately 36 hours. For more updated information regarding the tours and how to get to the Cocos Island, communicate directly with the offices of the island (see telephone number below).

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Puntarenas, which takes about 3 hours (Empresarios Unidos, 2222-0064).

Location: 330 miles (523 km) southwest of Cabo Blanco in the eastern Pacific Ocean, in Puntarenas province.
GPS coordinates: 5.527958,-87.057419 (5°31’40.65″N, 87°03’26.71″W)
Size: 4660 hectares (11,500 acres)
Altitude: from sea level to 634m (2,100ft)
Satellite Telephone: 0087-468712-0010
Cocos Island Marine Conservation Area (ACMIC) Telephone: +(506) 2291-1215 / 2291-1216
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Cocos Island Websites:
www.cocosisland.cr
www.cocosisland.org
www.minae.go.cr

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Puntarenas port, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, Costa Rica

Nati — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 20:23:15 +0000

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The Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve protects tropical forest and beach areas at the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, in Costa Rica. Cabo Blanco received its protected status in October 21st, 1963, due primarily to the efforts of the late Olof Wessberg, who a decade earlier had come to Costa Rica from his native Sweden. Living on a farm in the southern end of the Nicoya Peninsula, Wessberg was saddened by the amount of deforestation in the region and took steps to interest the government in doing something to save a patch of remaining forest. He was instrumental in gaining the financial support of conservation organizations in Sweden, England, Austria and the United States. Enough funds were contributed to allow the purchase and administration of what is now the Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve. Cabo Blanco is the only government protected area created before the inception of the park service in 1970 that has survived to this day.

The absolute part comes from the fact that for the first 25 years of its existence Cabo Blanco was absolute and completely a nature reserve and nothing else, where no visitors were allowed. Offshore from the point lies the Cabo Blanco Island (“White Cape”), from whence the area’s name is derived. This rugged piece of rock is devoid of plant life, but harbors abundant roosting seabirds. It is estimated that more than 800 Brown Boobies alone live here, making it the largest colony of this species in Costa Rica. The accumulated guano from so many birds causes the white color visible from the mainland.

Even though this sector of the Nicoya Peninsula receives an average of 2.3 meters of rain annually, making it the wettest part of the region, there is still a pronounced dry season from December through April. In fact, the southern zone of the peninsula receives more rain than the area to the north which results in a different look and feel to the forest, with some 2300mm (58in) more than the rest of the area. Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve is characterized by tropical moist forest with many evergreen areas, although numerous plant species found in the tropical dry forest also occur here. One of these is the spiny cedar, or “Pochote”, which can be identified by the sharp, conical spines protruding from the bark, with white “shaving brush” flowers are pollinated at night by bats.

About a15% is primary forest, with the remaining secondary forest some 50 years old. Around 150 trees have been identified in the zone; evergreen species predominate, but dry forest types are found as well. Among the most common trees are Bastard Cedar, Wild Plum, Gumbo-limbo, Lancewood, Frangipani and Spiny Cedar – mentioned before.

The forest is home to a wide variety of animals, including Howler, Capuchin and Spider Monkeys, Armadillos, Coaties, Anteaters, Agouties, Porcupines, Kinkajous, Curassows, Crested Guans, Brocket Deers, Collard Peccaries and Raccoons. Smaller cats such as the Ocelot and Margay leave traces, but are unlikely to be seen, and with some luck even the Jaguarundi, the most diurnal of Costa Rica’s six species of wild cats. The shoreline is inhabited by many sea birds, such as Brown Pelican, Laughing Gulls and Frigatebirds, while Cabo Blanco Island is the nesting site of up to 800 pairs of Brown Boobies. The forest contains a rich array of birds, such as the Magpie-Jay, Motmots, Long-tailed Manakin, Crested Caracara, Elegant Trogon, White-bellied Chachalaca and Sulphur-winged Parakeet. Butterflies, such as the Blue Morpho and Owl Butterfly are common. Beware of snakes, Boa Contrcitor have been reported.

There is an area along the beach at the southern end of the cape where marine fossils dating back at least 20 million years can be found in the exposed rocks, where an extinct species of giant oyster is among the more common fossils.

The rich concentration of nutrients from the seabird colony on Cabo Blanco provides for abundant fish life around the point and ocean currents bring in pelagic species such as billfish and tuna making for excellent sport fishing opportunities.

Despite its restrictive sounding administrative category, visitors allowed into the reserve are only permitted to use one of the existing trails that run for 5km (3 miles) down through the forest to the beach. Visitors to Cabo Blanco are limited to 40 a day, so it is better if you book in advance and report to the Ranger Station.

There are trails that lead between the Administration Station and Cabo Blanco Beach, Balsitas Beach and the San Miguel Station – the San Miguel Biological Station of Costa Rica was developed to promote and support teaching, research, and environmental education, taking advantage of the well-protected tropical marine and dry forest habitats present on site. Potable water and restrooms are available at stations, picnic areas and showers at Playa Cabo Blanco and the San Miguel Biological Station include classrooms, laboratories and a reference library. Camping permits are limited.

Getting to Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve:

From San Jose take the Pan-American Highway to Puntarenas, passing through San Ramon and Barranca. Probably the easiest way to get there is by taking the Ferri to Tambor or Paquera. (Tambor Ferri is the largest and most comfortable, we recommend you get to Puntarenas an hour before the ferry leaves), and then drive through Tambor, Cobano and Cabuya. The Administration Station is 2 miles south of Cabuya. To get to Montezuma, continue south for approximately 40 km from Paquera. The reserve lies 11 km south of the funky beach village of Montezuma (the nearest accommodations). From Montezuma, a four-wheel-drive vehicle is practically a necessity, even during the dry season. Now you can also take the new Caldera Highway, until you get to Puntarenas. The Caldera trip takes about 3 hours from San Jose while the other takes about 5 hours.

From Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR), drive south through Santa Cruz, Nicoya, Nandayure, Lepanto, Paquera, and then drive through Tambor, Cobano and Cabuya. The Administration Station is 2 miles south of Cabuya. It is a very scenic trip as you go down the coast (this route exemplifies rural Costa Rica and is very beautiful).

By bus

Take a local bus from San Jose – Malpais – Montezuma, which takes about 5 hours (Transportes Rodriguez, 2642-0219). We recommend buying the ticket the day before to secure your space.

You can also take a shuttle bus that goes several times a day from Montezuma to the park entrance.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tambor Airport, either with Sansa Airlines or Nature Air every day. From here you can rent a car and drive, or take a bus or taxi to Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, which is about 15 minutes.

Location: 11km (7miles) from Montezuma, in Puntarenas province.
GPS coordinates: 9.562392,-85.112881 (9°33’44.61″N, 85°06’46.37″W)
Puntarenas Ferry GPS Coordinates: 9.977431,-84.848553 (9°58’38.75″N, 84°50’54.79″W)
Size: 1175ha (2903 acres)
Altitude: sea level to 150m (942ft)
Ranger Station Schedule: from Wednesday to Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve Telephone: +(506) 2642-0093
San Miguel Station Telephone: +(506) 2645-5277 / 2645-5890
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Telephone: +(506) 2686-4967 / 2686-4968
Tempisque Conservation Area (ACT) Fax: +(506) 2686-4969
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Cabo Blanco Absolute Natural Reserve, Puntarenas, Costa Rica at Google Maps