Butterfly Botanical Gardens is just one of many tours offered by Finas Natural Wildlife Refuge in Manual Antonio
Did you know that there are approximately 2000 species of butterflies in Costa Rica? Or that of all of the eggs laid, only about 2% complete metamorphosis to become butterflies? Did you know that some butterflies copulate for four hours at a time? Or that all butterflies lay their eggs at mid-day? How many of you know that the Blue Morpho’s brilliant color is not a pigment, but actually a reflection? Have you ever noticed the snake’s head on the Owl Butterfly’s wings? Well you’ll learn that, and much, much more at the Butterfly Botanical Gardens in Manuel Antonio.
The Butterfly Botanical Gardens is part of a 30-acre nature reserve and conservation project created through the efforts of the guides from Adventuras de la Naturaleza, and Jim Damalas of Ecovision S.A., General Manager of the Hotel Si Como No and is supported by Association Grupo Manuel Antonio (GMA).
Once arriving, the best thing to do is pay (about $15USD) for a one-hour tour with a guide who will give you a short historical overview of the Fincas Naturales Nature Farms, as well as the goals of the conservation project. Read more...(553 words, 1 image, estimated 2:13 mins reading time)
We get emails all the time about traveling in Costa Rica, so we thought it might be a good ideal to point out some of our top 20 tips about a vacation and/or maybe retiring in Costa Rica.
One thing you must understand is the culture and society; manners and respect play an important role and sometimes a simple misunderstanding can become a big deal.
Costa Ricans by nature do not like auguring and confrontation; so knowing about the basic life, culture, customs, and laws of a country can help you to be prepared and have an enjoyable vacation.
1) Costa Rica legal system is based on Napoleonic law; Guilty until Proven Innocent. If you get into a confrontation, do not tried and bribe the officer. Give respect and unless you are portraying the ugly American, you should not have a problem.
2) The most cost efficient transportation is the community bus, shuttle bus, taxi and then rental car, which is the most expensive. If you do rent a car, the new vehicle laws have changed. Get caught passing on a double yellow line, and expect to pay around a $500 fine. Read more...(871 words, 1 image, estimated 3:29 mins reading time)
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tourism is Costa Rica’s top industry and new research shows North Americans traveling there in 2008 to fish generated $599 million – or about two percent of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product.
The study, conducted in 2009 by The Billfish Foundation, Southwick Associates and the University of Costa Rica, revealed 283,790 anglers visited Costa Rica and their economic impact even overshadowed commercial fishing. It was estimated 22 percent of those tourists visited the country for the exclusive purpose of fishing.
Recreational fishing surpasses commercial fishing revenue; more CR jobs.
From that $599 million the study also showed sportfishing generated almost $78 million in tax revenues for Costa Rica and 63,000 jobs. In comparison, the effect of commercial fishing for the same species sought by anglers generated approximately $528 million to Costa Rica’s gross domestic product. Commercial fishing contributed $68.6 million in tax revenue and created 57,000 jobs.
“We have already had the opportunity to present the results of this study to the incoming vice president and minister of tourism,” said Ellen Peel, president of The Billfish Foundation. “And we will be making a formal presentation to a wider cross sector of government and business leaders this summer. The leadership in Costa Rica had no idea that their country receives more benefits from a sustainable recreational harvest than from the subsidized excessive effort in the commercial fishery.” Read more...(964 words, 2 images, estimated 3:51 mins reading time)
Marlin fishing is considered by many game fishermen to be the pinnacle of big game fishing, due to the size and power, relative rareness and difficulty of capture. In Costa Rica, fishing for the striped, blue and black marlin fishing season is year round and why the country is becoming the hot place to fish for these big gamers.
Marlin has been billed as the battler of literature and legends. Author Ernest Hemingway, so loved the marlin that he wrote about it. The Old Man and the Sea, one of Hemingway’s most famous works, centers upon Santiago, an aging Cuban fisherman who struggles with a giant marlin.
In past years, it was a customary “trophy” carcass hung in offices and seen in fishing magazines and executive office-wall photographs. However, that has since change in Costa Rica. Costa Rica was the first country to practice the catch and release program, and other conservation programs, like the banning of billfish meat. And because of this, an angler’s bragging rights have been reduced to nothing but videos or photos. A Costa Rica marlin will rarely be hung on some wall or cut up into steaks. Only on rare occasions will the fish be brought in and that is usually when the fish is dying due to a tail hook up (causing drowning) or the hook has some how damage the fish. Read more...(814 words, 1 image, estimated 3:15 mins reading time)
When I was in Jaco last week, the town was gearing up for an intense coast-to-coast bike across Costa Rica’s rugged terrain known to all as La Ruta de los Conquistadores. To date, more than one decade later, “La Ruta” is considered to be the most difficult Mountain Bike multi-day race on the planet.
However, this Costa Rica’s coast-to-coast bike race which is suppose to begin in Jacó Wednesday, now may not start. For some reason, it appears the the national bicycle federation has pulled its approval of the race even as foreign racers were getting off planes. Organizers said they expect 200 participants.
This now 3-day event (it used to be four-day event) that takes bikers to Limón with overnight stops in Santa Ana and Turrialba is under threat of being terminated.
The Federación Costarricense de Ciclismo made a last-minute decision to pull its approval of the race and to threaten fines and penalties against any licensed Costa Rican bike racer who participates. The federation also said it was considering unspecified criminal action.
Editors Note: What in the hell is unspecified criminal action for a race that has been going on now for years. And why would you stop something that helps bring in the bucks to a struggling economy. Read more...(485 words, estimated 1:56 mins reading time)
FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Tourism is Costa Rica’s top industry and new research shows North Americans traveling there in 2008 to fish generated $599 million – or about two percent of Costa Rica’s gross domestic product.
