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Costa Rica Wildlife – My First Terciopelo Encounter

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‘Do you smell that? It smells like a snake.’ That’s what my hiking companion stated as we slipped off of the gravel road into the cover of the surrounding jungle. I didn’t smell it. I couldn’t smell anything. I had a sinus infection. So, I shrugged my shoulders and said as much. We continued hiking.

We had been monitoring this patch of jungle for several months now, and every time we left the stoney road and started into the forest I thought to myself, ‘You’d better be careful where you put your feet. If I were a snake, I’d live here.’ Some types of forest don’t make my brain scream snake, but this type of forest, extremely humid, bordering water, dense with huge trees that drop their leaves and fronds onto the forest floor, seemed like the perfect habitat for an unlimited number of snakes that I don’t want to step on.

Up until this point we had successfully installed and reviewed our camera traps without a single snake sighting. Actually, even though the forest felt very alive, we hadn’t seen much wildlife at all. On this particular day, we started seeing wildlife before we even reached the site. We stopped to observe several species of hawks that were doing their thing on the side of the road. Later, when a tayra ran across the road in front of us I proclaimed, “Wow, we are having great wildlife luck today!”

After moving forward from the area that supposedly smelled like snake, I was steeling myself for the known bullet ant obstacle that was ahead. As I wrote about before, this very trail contained a series of downed logs that crisscrossed each other. At the base of one of the logs, under the soil, was their nest.

As you look at the logs, you notice a huge black ant patrolling the top of it, then another, then another on the next log. The trick was to ready yourself, take a deep breath, then hop over each log, being sure not to touch any part of them, in a quick series while saying ‘Ah! Ah! Ah!’, after you successfully hurdled each one.

Just before the bullet ant logs, there was a large stand of some kind of tree that dropped huge oval leaves all over the forest floor. Each leaf was at least a foot and a half long and six inches wide. They laid in piles all over the forest floor, and it made me uneasy to walk on them because it seemed like there could easily be something hiding under there.

With all of the snake talk in the beginning of the hike, I wasn’t taking any chances. I was leading the way and before I put my next boot anywhere, I was flipping the giant leaves out of the way. I probably flipped six leaves out of the way and then under the seventh, Ahh! I quickly retreated.

“Terciopelo!” Though this was my first official encounter, I knew exactly what I was looking at. We stared at the snake in excited fear for a few minutes but then it was time to move on. I’m not the snake-chopping type, so I retrieved a strip of cut-up white undershirt that I keep in my backpack to mark trails and tossed it alongside the curled-up snake. We took a leaf-flipped detour around our new friend and continued, even more carefully than before, on our mission.

When it was time to return on the same trail, we did the scary bullet ant hop a second time and also returned to find the snake in the same spot next to the white strip of fabric. This being 2023, you have to take a cellphone pic, right? So we did, and it’s the photo that grabbed your attention and invited you to read this article.

About the Author

Vincent Losasso, founder of Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring, is a biologist who works with camera traps throughout Costa Rica. Learn more about his projects on facebook or instagram. You can also email him at: vincent@guanacastewildlifemonitoring.com





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Costa Rican Romance: A Guide to Finding Love in the Land of Pura Vida

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You’re strolling through the vibrant streets of San Jose, Costa Rica, surrounded by the tropical beauty and the rhythmic sounds of life. You’re not just there for the coffee or the stunning vistas; you’re on a quest for love. Costa Rican women, renowned for their natural beauty and charm, have captured your heart. But where to begin? Whether you’re packing your bags or logging into a dating site, let’s explore how you can meet the Tica of your dreams.

Costa Rica’s Beauties: More Than Just a Pretty Face

Costa Rican women are the epitome of grace and beauty, but they’re not just eye candy. These ladies are known for their strong family values, spirituality, manners, and class. It’s no surprise that men from around the globe are flocking to this Central American paradise in search of a life partner.

Where to Find Your Costa Rican Love

In the Heart of San Jose:

San Jose, the capital city, is buzzing with potential. This metropolitan hub is teeming with life and is the perfect playground for love-seekers. With numerous malls, coffee shops, and cultural hotspots like theaters and museums, you’re never short of places to meet someone special. Remember, showing interest in their culture can be your golden ticket.

Costa Rican Bars and Nightclubs:

If nightlife is more your scene, then the local bars and nightclubs are your battlefield. Places like El Cuartel de la Boca del Monte and Stiefel Pub are just a few hotspots where you can mingle with the locals. Be bold, buy a drink, and who knows, you might just dance your way into someone’s heart.

Beaches: Where Love and Waves Collide:

Costa Rica’s beaches are not just for sunbathing and surfing. They’re also prime spots for meeting laid-back, beach-loving beauties. From Guanacaste Province to Puerto Viejo, the coastline is dotted with resorts and beach bars brimming with potential love interests.

Malls and Supermarkets: The Unexpected Cupid:

Don’t overlook malls and supermarkets. These everyday spots are teeming with stunning women, both shoppers and staff. Strike up a conversation at a stall; it’s a great way to meet someone in a relaxed setting.

Parks and Coffee Shops: Where Romance Brews:

Take a leisurely stroll in one of San Jose’s parks or grab a cup of the world’s best coffee. Costa Rica takes its coffee seriously, and so do its women. A casual chat in a coffee shop could lead to something more.

Online Dating: Love in the Digital Age

If a trip to Costa Rica isn’t on your agenda, don’t fret. The digital world brings Costa Rican beauties right to your screen. With online dating platforms, you can start your romantic journey from afar. It’s convenient, effective, and who knows, your perfect match might just be a click away.

Finding love in Costa Rica is an adventure in itself. Whether you’re exploring the lively streets of San Jose, dancing the night away in a local club, lounging on the beach, or browsing profiles online, the journey is as thrilling as the destination. So, pack your bags or power up your laptop; your Costa Rican romance awaits in the land of pura vida!



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Costa Rica’s Forests: Not Quite the Climate Change Superheroes We Hoped For

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In a twist that might make a sloth sprint, Costa Rica’s lush forests, while impressive, are falling short in the battle against climate change. The 2023 State of the Nation Report reveals a hard truth: Costa Rica’s forests, though expanding, can’t shoulder the burden of climate change alone. It’s like expecting a single umbrella to keep an entire soccer team dry during a downpour.

Forests: The Green Crusaders with Limitations

Costa Rica’s forests are like natural air purifiers, but they’re struggling to keep up with the greenhouse gases we’re pumping out. The report points out that forest degradation is reducing their ability to gobble up carbon emissions. The energy sector, agriculture, industrial processes, and solid waste are throwing more at the forests than they can handle.

More Than Just a Tree Hugger’s Problem

The issue isn’t just about loving trees; it’s about revamping our energy habits. The transportation sector, still cozy with fossil fuels, needs an electric shock of change. The report nudges towards a shift in energy and agricultural practices and pokes at the sluggish adoption of electric vehicles.

Positive Green Strides

But it’s not all gloom and doom. The report applauds Costa Rica’s green cover, covering 57% of the national territory in 2022, and the consistency of protected wild areas. The expansion of payment schemes for environmental services also gets a nod, marking a 760% increase after a two-year slump.

Karen Chacón Araya’s Environmental Insights

Karen Chacón Araya, the environmental chapter researcher, reminisces about Costa Rica’s long-standing conservation efforts. The rebound from the deforestation spikes of the 1950s and 60s is a tale of triumph. Yet, she points out, the forests, though carbon positive, are not enough to tackle the entire climate crisis.

The Forest Degradation Conundrum

The report dives into forest degradation, an unseen villain causing a dip in carbon storage capabilities. Chacón emphasizes that to truly aim for decarbonization, Costa Rica must tackle energy and agriculture sectors head-on.

Wildfires: The Unseen Enemy

Adding fuel to the fire, literally, are the increasing forest wildfires. In 2022, these blazes affected over 43,000 hectares, nearly doubling from 2021, further hampering the forests’ ability to combat carbon emissions.

A Call for Wider Action

The report is clear: leaning on forests alone is like trying to bail out a boat with a teaspoon. It’s time to rethink energy usage, water resources, and agricultural land use. Stagnation in these areas is essentially backpedaling on environmental progress.

The Threat to Marine Life and Species

The increase in protected areas doesn’t shield the growing number of threatened species or the deteriorating health of the oceans. The report warns of a rise in total fishing hauls, further stressing marine ecosystems.

Franz Tattenbach Capra’s Reality Check

Minister of Environment and Energy, Franz Tattenbach Capra, admits the forests’ limitations. But he’s quick to defend their value, arguing that if the world followed Costa Rica’s lead in taxing fossil fuels for reforestation, we’d be in a greener place. He points to sustainable agro-landscapes and energy initiatives as part of the solution.

Budget Constraints

The conservation efforts are like a car running on fumes – there’s just not enough budget. Sinac’s budget cuts have led to a 70% decrease in hours dedicated to protecting natural assets.

A Collaborative Future

The solution may lie in a joint effort involving international funding, private enterprise, and civil society. It’s about getting everyone on board, from big corporations to the average Joe.

So, Costa Rica’s forests, while doing their best, need a bit of help from their friends – us. It’s about making changes in how we use energy, get around, and grow our food. With a collective push, maybe we can turn Costa Rica’s forests from climate change sidekicks into superheroes.



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Costa Rica Seizes 1.7 Tons of Marijuana in Boat Bust :

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In a significant operation conducted by the Costa Rican Coast Guard in collaboration with US authorities, a boat named “Lexus” was intercepted in the South Pacific region, 24 kilometers off Cape Matapalo. The vessel, spotted by a US Maritime Patrol Air Patrol (MPA) on Thursday afternoon, was carrying a substantial illicit cargo.

The 38-foot-long boat, with foreign registration CP-01-3333, was equipped with two powerful outboard engines of 250Hp each. The interception, which took place at 1:36 in the afternoon and lasted 12 hours, resulted in the seizure of approximately 1,724 kilos of marijuana and 36 kilos of cocaine.

Costa Rica strictly prohibits the consumption of marijuana for recreational purposes; only medicinal use is allowed. The intercepted vessel was manned by two Nicaraguan nationals, a 44-year-old captain named Wilson and a 27-year-old sailor named Julias.

Both individuals, found to have irregular status in Costa Rica, were residents of Laguna Perla.

The Costa Rican authorities, alerted by the US MPA, initiated a chase, successfully capturing the vessel and detaining the crew members. The suspects were subsequently handed over to the Public Prosecutor’s Office.

This operation comes on the heels of another recent success for the Costa Rican coast guard, which seized almost two tons of cocaine two weeks prior after chasing a boat in the Caribbean. The country has been actively combating drug trafficking, with data from the Costa Rican Drug Institute revealing that 24.7 tons of cocaine were seized in 2022.

The intercepted vessel, “Lexus,” was not only carrying a significant quantity of drugs but also had 17 tin cans containing approximately 500 liters of fuel and unspecified illicit substances. The successful coordination between the Costa Rican Coast Guard and US authorities highlights the importance of international collaboration in tackling transnational criminal activities.

The detained crew members, facing charges related to drug trafficking, are now under the jurisdiction of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, emphasizing the commitment of Costa Rica to combatting drug-related crimes and ensuring maritime security in the region.



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Costa Rican Romance: A Guide to Finding Love in the Land of Pura Vida

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