Turtle Nesting in Costa Rica (part II)

13 Oct 2010

The Arribada


New mother


“If we don’t see some turtles this time, I’m gonna be ticked,” Kris said as we approached Playa Ostional.

It was 5:10 a.m., and for a half hour we’d been on the Gilded Iguana’s ATVs, and crossing the same precarious bridges and rivers as yesterday – although today they somehow seemed less perilous. After leaving at 3:00pm the day before, we found out the hard way that turtles don’t like to nest in bright sunlight – the best time to come is at night or first thing in the morning. I sent a mental hug of gratitude to Dave, the owner of Villa Tortuga, for stocking our room with so much coffee, without which none of us would have been able to drag ourselves out of bed so early.

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Turtle Nesting in Costa Rica (part I)

03 Oct 2010

If At First You Don’t Succeed…Try,Try Again!


Olive ridley sea turtle in Ostional


You really have not experienced Nosara until you experience it on a semi-automatic all-terrain vehicle. Staring, open-mouthed, at the narrow, rickety bridges and roaring rivers on the way to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, your brain will tell you, “FORGET ABOUT IT. THIS IS IMPOSSIBLE.” Conversely, locals passing by will smile at your hesitation with reassuring messages like, “take my lead and don’t be a wimp.” My advice is: follow the locals. You’ll feel great for overcoming your fears, and get to see some turtles.

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Dragon Fruit Cookie Pizza

24 Sep 2010


Dragon fruit, also known as 'pitaya' or 'pitahaya'


One of the only sweet fruits to come from a cactus, the pitaya – or Hylocereus undatus, also known as pitahaya – blooms in Costa Rica and Nicaragua between June and November. Known as dragon fruit in English, pitaya is a bright pink globe with pointy bits that look like peeling leaves. Before picked, it vaguely resembles the magenta head of a dragon with a spiky cactus body. In Costa Rica, the pitaya is most often used for blending thick juices and smoothies. However its sweet, jello-like consistency is also perfect for eating as is, right out of the shell with a spoon.

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Patriotism and Parades in Playa del Coco

18 Sep 2010

Independence Day is a big deal in Costa Rica – you can forget about the mere 24 hours of observation customary in the U.S. and other English-speaking countries. Each year, Ticos – and the rest of Central America, for that matter – dedicate nearly three days of civic ceremonies and colorful traditions to appreciate their autonomy.  September 13th marks La corrida de la antorcha, September 14th Los faroles, and September 15th student pride parades.

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Shark Diving at Islas Murcielagos (Bat Islands)

11 Sep 2010


Fish at Bats Islands

Fish at Bats Islands


Apart from Isla del Coco (inconveniently located in the 310 miles offshore in the middle of nowhere), there is really no other place in Costa Rica where you can see giant mantas, zebra eels, squids, spotted eagle rays and massive schools of fish all in one day – except of course at Islas Murcielagos, affectionately known in English as the Bat or Bats Islands.

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