Between the months of May and September, whale sharks (Tiburon ballena) congregate off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. The biggest fish on the planet, a whale shark can weigh several tons and can grow to more than 45 feet in length. Seeing masses of dorsal fins in the water can invoke an adrenaline rush […]
Read PostThe months spanning June through November correspond to the rainy season in Costa Rica. However, unlike the four season we have here in the US, Costa Rica only has two seasons (1: Dry Season from December to May and 2: Rainy or “Green” Season). If given the choice between the two, we recommend traveling during […]
Read PostDid you know that Costa Rica is home to four species of monkeys and that all of them can be found in the Osa Peninsula? These New World monkeys include the mantled howler, white-faced capuchin, squirrel and spider. All four are considered threatened due to habitat loss throughout their home ranges. Mantled Howler Monkey (Alouatta […]
Read PostDay 1: Spending the morning with WIDECAST’s “In the Water” sea turtle project in Golfo Dulce. Day 2: Waterfall rappelling at El Remanso Lodge. Day 3: Having the beach all to ourselves. Day 4: Searching for monkeys and finding several troops just by walking along the road near El Remanso Lodge. Day 5: Learning about […]
Read PostThe summer vacation season is well under way and many Americans will be heading out of town for the upcoming holiday weekend. US workers get fewer vacation days than any other developed nation with only 14 days a year, yet the national average of vacationing Americans sits at only 34 percent. There are many good […]
Read PostWe are saddened by the news from Costa Rica last week regarding the tragic death of Jairo Mora Sandoval, a turtle conservationist working with WIDECAST in Moin on the Caribbean Coast (http://dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/01/costa-rican-turtle-defender-found-slain-on-the-beach-he-patrolled/). We have walked beaches at night in Costa Rica with the goal of helping protect endangered sea turtles, a goal shared by Mr. […]
Read PostWe spent two nights at Veragua Rainforest after Estacion las Tortugas. During our stay, we learned about a variety of research projects currently under way at the center including a conservation project focused on critically endangered tiger leaf frogs. Tiger leaf frogs are rare in most of their range (Costa Rica and Panama), but a […]
Read PostIt doesn’t take long for us to find evidence of leatherback sea turtles, the ancient mariners we’ve come looking for, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Large areas of disturbed sand are telltale signs of nesting activity on this beach. Female leatherbacks can weigh 1000 lbs and span 6-7 ft in length, making them the largest […]
Read Post1. Explore the underwater world nearby. Isla Mujeres provides an ideal starting point for snorkeling and scuba diving. Manchones Reef is one of the best sites for snorkelers and divers of all levels. Sea turtles, brain coral, colorful tropical fish, and even nurse sharks are common sights in the area. Cruz de la Bahia (Cross […]
Read PostEver since first hearing about the play of light and shadow on El Castillo during the spring and fall equinoxes, I’ve wanted to see it first-hand. The Mayan site of Chichen Itza, located in Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, is the most visited archaeological site in the region and even more so during the equinoxes. Equinox (“equal […]
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