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Toucans in Costa Rica

The Toucans of Costa Rica

Toucans are among the cutest vicious killers in the world.  Yup.  That colorful little guy on the Froot Loops box is really a cold blooded assassin. find toucans? | toucanets | aracaris | froot loops | wildlife Chestnut Mandible Toucans calling from a tree above Jaco Beach Costa Rica. Their … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Río Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge

Dozens of huge american crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus)

One of the edgiest and most dangerous wildlife watching walks in Costa Rica will soon be tamed forever.  The famed Tárcoles River "crocodile" bridge is losing its fear factor. The MOPT (Ministerio de Obras Públicas y Transportes) announced that the three month long project to widen the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Turtle Nesting

Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle nesting on Playa Ostional

Costa Rica is a sea turtle paradise.  If you’re flexible with your destinations it's possible to see them nest and/or hatch nearly anytime you plan to visit. Sea Turtles lay eggs on beaches on both the Pacific and Caribbean shores of Costa Rica every month of the year which in turn means … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Stop Animal Selfies

Toucan Selfie

Late in 2019 the government agency that administers the the national parks and other natural areas, SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación, National System of Conservation Areas), along with the ministry of the environment and the tourism board launched a huge social media publicity … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Don’t Feed the Animals

Monkeys at Breakfast Table

Pursuant to Costa Rica's Articulo 116 de la Ley de Conservación de Vida Silvestre N.7317 the minimum fine for feeding crocodiles by hand is $100... if they can locate your hand as evidence to prove your guilt. birdfeeder? | wildlife rescues | birds & bees | selfies & mugshots | … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Bird Feeder Ban

Humming bird feeder

Based on a seemingly environmentally enlightened avalanche of catchphrases, Articulo 116 de la Ley de Conservación de Vida Silvestre N.7317 outlawed "all feeding of wild animals by hand or using feeders." Politicians determined that the appearance of "large" quantities of "unnatural" food at … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Best Places to See Monkeys & Sloths in Costa Rica

Sloth reaching for a snack

It's not as exotic as the end of a muddy trail through the remotest rain forest but the trees along the highways and roads are one of the easiest places to see sloth and monkeys especially if you're riding with a guide or local driver.  Of course national parks and wildlife refuges provide … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Resplendent Quetzals

Male Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomacrus mocinno, Spanish-Quetzal or Feníx del Bosque)

Although the northern Quetzal subspecies (Pharomachrus mocinno mocinno) is the national bird of Guatemala we've been told by birders that they are easier to see and there is a much larger population in Costa Rica because the forests are better protected here. Quetzal - Pharomachrus mocinno … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Macaws in Costa Rica

Green Macaws Ara ambiguus Tortuguero Costa Rica

Macaws were once nearly extinct in Costa Rica - we were told there were more pet Macaws in New York City than in the wild in Central America.  Since 2005, isolated populations of Scarlet Macaws in Corcovado and Carara National Parks have expanded into healthy flocks the entire length of the Pacific … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica

Wildlife viewing tips

The Big Three - monkeys, sloths and macaws - are easy to find.  Put yourself in the right place - Manuel Antonio and Corcovado are two of the best places to see wildlife, at the right time - early morning.  Listen carefully, pay attention to signs and use the rest of these tips and techniques and … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Whale & Dolphin Watching

Whale Watching in Costa Rica - Calendar and Locations

Costa Rica is One of the Best Places in the World to Spot Humpback Whales Costa Rican waters are home to dozens of marine mammal species and spotted, or bottle nose dolphins commonly escort small craft on any offshore excursion. If you take fishing or snorkeling trips you’ll most likely spot the … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Humpback Whales

Costa Rica is unique for whale watching with two humpback populations that visit

Like all cetaceans Humpbacks are endangered. Their status varies somewhere between critical and imminent extinction depending on the list and who is making the prediction. The total world population may be as high as 50,000 which would represent a few percent of their numbers before … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Turtle Egg Harvest

Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea) sea turtle

Sustainable Harvest of Sea Turtle Eggs at Ostional National Wildlife Refuge Millions of turtle eggs are legally collected and sold by the residents of the community of Ostional every nesting season under the supervision of the rangers and biologists at the refuge. There are both good and bad … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Ostional Mass Arrival of a Different Sort

Mob scene on Playa Ostional during turtle nesting

Under the waning moon in rainy season Olive Ridley sea turtles arrive by the thousands to nest on normally isolated and deserted Costa Rican beaches in what's know as an arribada.  Unfortunately in September of 2015 there was a mass arrival of a different sort - hundreds of visitors from San José … [Read more...]

Ray & Sue

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Wildlife

Wildlife
  • Toucans in Costa Rica
  • Río Tárcoles Crocodile Bridge
  • Turtle Nesting
  • Stop Animal Selfies
  • Don’t Feed the Animals
  • Bird Feeder Ban
  • Best Places to See Monkeys & Sloths in Costa Rica
  • Resplendent Quetzals
  • Macaws in Costa Rica
  • Best Places to See Wildlife in Costa Rica
  • Whale & Dolphin Watching
  • Humpback Whales
  • Turtle Egg Harvest
  • Ostional Mass Arrival of a Different Sort



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