Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching

[16 Nov 2009 | One Comment | 257 views]
Recreation & Education at Alajuela’s Butterfly Farm

There’s something about a butterfly that brings to mind words like “enchanting” and “ethereal” – butterflies are beautiful, and many cultures see them as more than just a colorful animal. With this in mind, Alajuela’s Butterfly Farm, the Finca de Mariposas, explores both the scientific and mythical aspects of these beautiful insects, affording its visitors a rare look into the culture and biology of the butterfly.
After pickup at the international airport, it took less than 20 minutes to drive to the Butterfly Farm, located in La Guacima de Alajuela. Along the way, I saw gorgeous …

Location: Alajuela, Central Valley »

Activities: , »


[26 Oct 2009 | One Comment | 549 views]
Day 6: Sport Fishing Success and an Exciting Canal Tour

When we met Elvin at 5:00 a.m. for this morning’s fishing excursion, he had good news and bad news. I asked for the bad first and he told me that the ocean was even rougher than it had been two days ago. A look of horror must have registered on my face — I had been worried about seasickness and capsizing in the “calmer” seas — because he laughed and told me the good news: we would be fishing the canals and not venturing into the ocean.
Good is relative, of course. Ocean fishing generally yields …

Location: Northern Caribbean, Tortuguero »

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[25 Oct 2009 | 4 Comments | 839 views]
Day 5: Wild for Wildlife

After yesterday’s unseasonal rains — the Caribbean is usually dry during September and October — I was happy to awake to a sunny, beautiful morning. We ate a big breakfast, packed our bags and hopped across the canal to Mawamba Lodge, our final stop in Tortuguero.
As soon as I got off the boat, I felt a tug of nostalgia — more than ten years ago, I made my first visit to Tortuguero. I couldn’t remember where I had stayed, but the question was answered as I toured the lodge: I remembered Mawamba’s wooden decks, rustic …

Location: Northern Caribbean, Tortuguero »

Activities: , , »