Route

On this map is drawn the route that was followed. Purple for land transportations, blue for boat and black for air.

San José

Tortuguero

San José

Carrara

Monteverde

Arenal

Rincon De La Vieja

Tamarindo

Quépos / Manuel Antionio

San José

Generally speaking, roads in Costa Rica are in poor condition. Only 15% of the roads are paved (the asphalt is as rule of thumb ueven, damaged and full of craters) and elsewhere you have to travel on dirt tracks of even worse quality. The good thing travelling in the dry season is that moast roads should be passable, but on the other hand they are often dusty... Do not expect an average speed of more than 50 km/h on asphalt, and 30 km/h on tracks. Whenever possible and the distance "as the crow flies" is more than 100 km I would recommend flying (Costa Rica has a good network of airstrips and reliable domestic flights).

The pictures are posted in rough chronological order, i.e. the blog should be visited in bottom-to-top order.

Dreaming...

Dreaming of the big one... This wall painting welcomes you at the International Airport.

Fishing lures

Squid-shaped lures for fishing after billfish. The lures are towed in the surface behind the boat at a speed of 6-7 knots and will attract billfish (e.g. sailfish) but also other fish such as tuna, mahi-mahi, wahoo...

Mahi-mahi

Mahi-mahi, estimated at some 17-18 kg. Mahi-mahi are spread around the world tropical oceans, and also known as Dorado or Dolphin depending on which part of the world you are. Mahi-mahi are hard fighters and excellent to eat.

Sailfish

Sailfish, estimated some 2 meters and 60 kg., which is pretty big for a sailfish. Sailfish are known for their spectacular leaps when hooked and Costa Rica is one of the best places in the world as far as sailfish is concerned. Most sailfish caught while sportfishing are released in water - as was this one.

White Faced Monkey

White faced monkey in aggressive posture, Manuel Antonio National park.

Spider

Species unknown. Manuel Antonio national park.

White Faced Monkey

White faced monkey, here a dominant male with scarred face resting in a tree in Manuel Antonio National park.

Squirrel Monkey

Squirrel monkey, Manuel Antonio national Park. Squirrel monkeys are common and are the smallest of the four species of monkeys found in Costa Rica. The other species are White Faced Monkey (medium sized, common and easily spotted), Howling Monkey (quite large, dark, quite common but can be hard to come close to) and Spider Monkey (medium size, black, with disproportionately long, spindly limbs and sadly an endangered species).

Squirrel Monkey on high voltage line

Squirrel monkeys often use the high voltage power lines to quickly move between feeding areas.

Breaking surf

Playa Espadilla Norte, Manuel Antonio.

Playa Espadillo Norte

This is the public beach, outside Manuel Antonio national park. Picture is taken on a weekend day. On working days the beach is far less frequented.

Black Iguana

In spite of the name, some specimens have pronounced yellow patterns. Picture taken in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Hermit crabs

Hermit crabs, here eating what is left of a slice of water melon disposed on the beach.

Rock formations

Rock formations outside Manuel Antonio national park.

Playa Espadillo Sur

This fabulous beach within the limits of Manuel Antonio national park is a great place to swim and relax.

Manzanillo Trees

Manzanillo trees are common along the beaches of the Pacific coast, and produce a toxin to protect them from animals. The warning is justified.

Sleeping Bat

Picture of a leeping bat taken through a spotting scope, Manuel Antonio National Park.

Black Iguana

These are easily found around the shores of Manuel Antonio National Park

Beautiful flower

Manuel Antonio National Park.

Mimosa flower

Mimosa are found in a variety of places in Costa Rica. They will contract their leaves when touched, as a protection against heavy rain.

Hoffmans's Two-toed Sloth

These sloths are not as common as the three-toe sloths, but we were lucky so see one at close range. Manuel Antonio National Park

Boa Constrictor

Tree frog

Picture or a resting tree frog taken through a spotting scope. Manuel Antonio National Park.

Land Crab

Picture of a colorful land crab taken through a spotting scope in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Coffee

In the wild, coffee beans grow in cluster formations. Manuel Antonio national Park.

Howling monkey

Picture of a resting howling monkey, taken through a spotting scope. Manuel Antonio National Park.

Three-toed sloth

A three-toed sloth, picture taken through spotting scope in Manuel Antonio National Park.

Locals fishing in the sunset

Locals at Tamarindo fishing for jacks using simple hand lines.

Foster's Tern

I think this is a Foster's tern, but I may be wrong. Picture taken at Tamarindo.

Bridled Tern

Bridled Tern, picture taken at Tamarindo.

Hoffman's Woodpecker

There are several species of woodpeckers, and with some luck you will get a good close view of them. This picture is taken at Tamarindo.

Diving Brown Pelican

Fishing Pelican at Tamarindo, frozen in a charactacteristic posture just before it folds it wings before impact.

Tamarindo Beach

Dead tree on the beach.

Tamarindo Beach

Blossoming tree on Tamarindo beach.

Brown Pelicans

Adult pelicans have a white cap on the head, whereas young ones are brown all over. Tamarindo Beach.

Brown Pelican and local fishing

Competitors at Tamarindo beach.

Sunset through breaking wave

Tamarindo Beach.

Surf and surfers

Tamarindo Beach offers some good surfing opportunies.

Pattern in sand

Patterns in the sand left by the falling tide on Tamarindo beach

Crocodiles and Black Vultures

Vultures are true opportunists in search for left-overs, yet they will stay at safe distance from the crocs.

Crocodiles

Crocodiles in large numbers are easily spotted from the bridge on the River Tàrcoles. The largest specimens reach sizes of six meters.

Crocodile

Shot taken from the Tarcoles River bridge.

Yawning Crocodile

A decent shot at a full-grown croc, from the bridge on Tarcoles river.

Hammock

Hammocks are popular souvenirs to bring home.

Replica of Spanish Mission

This replica of a Spanish mission is located by Hotel Villa Lapas close to Carrara National park.

Black Vulture

Black Vulture and a sign advertizing birding tours on the river.

Wood Stork

Wood storks are huge birds. Picture taken by the Tarcoles River estuary.

White Egrets

White Egrets on the Tarcoles River.

Yellow-crowned Night Heron

A shy bird often hiding in the trees, I was lucky enough to come close enough. Tarcoles River.