Costa Rica Spotlight: Como En Casa, A Great Restaurant in Alajuela

COMO EN CASA is Alajuela's newest chic restaurant  "parrillada Argentina."

 

[caption id="attachment_1986" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Ezequiel and Cristina with her painting "Calla Lilies""][/caption]

The owners are Ezequiel Ruiz and Cristina Gutierrez Sori. Ezequiel was born in Argentina and immigrated to Costa Rica where he met Cristina.   She was born in Columbia and also immigrated to Costa Rica.    They fell in love, married, and opened a small cafe  near Alajuela’s  Cathedral Agonia.  There was seating for only 10 people and  the popularity of Ezequiel and Cristina’s food spread far and wide.   Time passed, they worked hard and were able to move to a larger space.
Then came the opportunity for a new and upscale restaurant which they named Como En Casa.  In English the literal translation is "like in your own home."   Making the decision to specialize in Argentine cuisine especially beef,  was just the right niche for Ezequiel and Cristina.

Argentine cuisine  is famous all over the world, especially the beef,  for its “all natural” fantastic flavor.  The cows are grass fed in a region known as the Pampas, a few hours outside Buenos Aires. Once populated by gauchos (the wild-living handsome Argentine cowboy) it is still the center for cattle ranches. In the small towns of this region the word for restaurant is synonymous with parrilla or parrillada.

[caption id="attachment_1997" align="aligncenter" width="150" caption="strawberry and chocolate crepes with vanilla ice cream and a capuchino"][/caption]

This means that the restaurant specializes  in beef,  and the name is taken from the deep waist high grills used to cook the meat.

Como En Casa's  architectural design is modern. All exterior walls are glass.   Exotic dark wood, mixed with earth tone colors grace the interior.   Adoring the walls are Cristina’s oil paintings reflecting life in the barrios of Buenos Aires with it’s music and melancholy lyrics of the Tango.

The menu is extensive.  And the specialty is  the grilled  steaks.  The menu is divided into the following categories:  appetizers,  salads,  grilled meats,  pasta,  and sea food, deserts,

Deserts are to die for!  I stopped in one  afternoon for coffee and choose the crepes filled with strawberries and chocolate served with vanilla ice cream.  (pictured above)  and a cup of Costa Rican capuchino.  Wow, what a delight!

The wine list is extensive in both white and red- covering many regions of Spain, Argentina, and Chile.

The wine can be purchased by the glass.

The  chef is from Alajuela and works  under the direction of Ezequiel and Cristina.  The recipes are their own, having evolved from  many years of experience and perfection.

Service is excellent with professional waiters dressed traditionally in the Argentine style black trousers and black shirt.

Prices: The head waiter states that among the best cuts is the filet mignon for $27.00. And the sirloin butt for $21.00.  These prices include all taxes and 10% tip.   The menus also offers chicken and sea food specialties.  The fabulous deserts are around $4 to $6.  And house wine is from $4-$6 a glass.

www.restaurantecomoencasa.com click here to view the full menu

Hours: Seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

Location: 250 meters ( 2 1/2 blocks) east of the Gas Station La Tropicana.  For those people not familiar with Alajuela:   Coming from San Jose, just before the San Jose international airport, at the big intersection take a right and then a sharp left-following  the route into Alajuela central.   Don't make  any turns until you see McDonalds on your left and a big gas station on your right. Here is where you make a right turn- then go 2  1/2 blocks and you will see the shopping center -Plaza Real Alajuela.   Como En Casa is easily seen when you make a right turn into the shopping center.

www.restaurantecomoencasa.com Click here for in depth information regarding the menu,  the private dining  room, and more.....

Highly recommended!!  We would love to hear your comments if you visit this unique restaurant .  Please click on no comments at the end of this post, tell us about your experience and  we will share your thoughts with our readers.  Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

Sardimar Tuna, Best Canned Tuna in Costa Rica

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"Costa Rica's Tuna is some of the best in the world."

Just want to share with you one of Costa Rica's best kept secrets.  It's the Sardimar canned tuna found in all of Costa Rica's grocery stores .  The yellow fin tuna and black fin tuna  is caught in the Pacific waters from the northern Pacific all the way down to the Southern Pacific.

Sardimar  S.A. is the name of the company located in Puntarenas on the western central Pacific coast.  I recommend   lomo in trocitos en aceite.  Translated into English this means hunks of tuna cut up into little bite pieces and mixed in soya oil.

It makes a great tuna salad.  Finely chopped fresh onion, mixed with Lizano mayonnaise and chopped jalapeno peppers from a can , simple but delicious!  I serve it on a bed of lettuce or make  a sandwich with my favorite bread-Bimbo multigrano.  This bread has five different grains.  1. Centeno, a rice grain 2. ajonjoli which is sesame seed 3.avena which is  oats  4. trigo which is wheat  5. cebada-a white grain larger than a grain of rice.  Bimbo muligrano bread is found in the larger grocery stores in Costa Rica such as Mas Por Menos or Auto Mercado.  I have found Bimbo integral in the smaller neighborhood grocery stores  know in Costa Rica as pulperias.

If you have a great tuna recipe  please share it with our readers.  click on no comments at the bottom of this post.  Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

The Story of Monteverde,Costa Rica's Golden Toad

[caption id="attachment_1906" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Monteverde Cloud Forest's Extinct Golden Toad"][/caption]

"Since 1989 not a single golden toad has been found anywhere in the world."

A small, shiny bright orange colored toad, about two inches in diameter was once abundant in a 3.9 square mile radius  (1o square km) in the high altitudes of the wet Monteverde Cloud Forests of Costa Rica, thus given the name the Monteverde Golden Toad.  It was last seen twenty years ago and is now declared an extinct species.  The reason for it's extinction is not known but scientist speculate that it is from the world's climate change due to global warming, causing disruptions in weather patterns.   Or possibly a fungal which adheres to the toad's skin.   The female is slightly larger than the male and has a color of dark olive to black with scarlet spots encircled in yellow.

These toads burrow deep into the earth and can be seen only when they come out at night. The golden toad's breeding season is April through June , when there is very heavy rainfall forming small pools of water where the toads gather in enormous numbers.  The males out number the females by 8:1.  Successful mating produces about 200-400 eggs, taking around five weeks to metamorphose.

In 1987 there was much lesser rainfall due to a phenomenon called "el Nino".  This caused these small pools of water to dry up before the larvae had time to mature.  Out of a possible 30,000 toads only 29 toads were found to have survived.

Today this area where the toads once reproduced is protected, and there are hopes that one day the golden toad will return.

Recently a group of British scientist from Manchester University and Manchester Zoo came to the Monteverde Cloud Reserve to again look for the infamous golden toad.  They spent two weeks but were not able to locate a single golden toad.

Ann welcomes your comments.  If you have a story about the golden toad, please share it with us.   Click on no comments at bottom of this post.  Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

Guide to Driving from San Jose International Airport to Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna l

If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica and plan to drive to the Arenal Volcano, here are some detailed  driving directions from San Jose  international airport to the Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna, going through  San Ramon, the shortest route,  and the roads are in good condition all the way.

I wrote this because roads in Costa Rica are not always well marked and directional signs often are missing.  Distances look short when really the driving time takes longer than it looks .

From San Jose  international airport head north on the inter american highway (Highway 1)  Go 33.5 km -21 miles to the San Ramon exit..here you exit to the right. Go straight on through and you will see a hugh Cathedral on your left..keep on going  straight about 8 blocks until the road dead ends-take a left and then an immediate right- here there is a sign that says to San Juan and Villa Blanca.  Now you continue on straight until you see a green church- here you take a left.   A sign says San Juan-Villa Blanca.  The road becomes narrow and very winding passing thru areas with small homes.  You will come to a little community called Los Angeles,  also the  small community of Villa Blanca. Keep going (it is usually foggy in these areas)   You will see on the right a tourism destination called Lands in Love and a small restaurant on the right hand side of the road called Loves Eat in a lovely setting.  This is a good place to have breakfast or lunch.  Full breakfast is around $6 and looked delicious.  We had coffee-very good for $1 per cup. Service was excellent.  A young woman from Israel  was the waitress,  very friendly and efficient.  Place was spotless. Up to now you have been driving around 1.5 -2 hours.

Just down the road on the left is a Tico soda if you want tortillas and cheese, or something light.  Now from the  San Jose  international airport you have been driving around 1.5-2 hours.

You come to a town called La Tigre (no signs to let you know its name) but a sign says 41 km -26 miles to Arenal Volcano. Here you turn right , then an immediate left.  Follow this road and it takes you to La Fortuna.  You will pass a small community called Chachagua, just keep going on same road.  In Chachagua there is a gas station, if you need to gas up.

In La Fortun, a very small town, look to the northwest and you will see the mighty Arenal Volcano.  There is a road that heads out of La Fortuna- the main road thru town which goes along the base of the volcano for about 6 miles  -3.7 km  until you come to Lake Arenal.  Along this road  are  located most of the hotels and attractions.   La Fortuna also has a good number of small hotels.

Driving at a moderate speed the trip from the international SJO airport to La Fortuna is around 3.5 hours.

In the small communities the speed limit is 45 km per hour and when you see a school it is reduced to 25 km per hour. And there are usually hugh speed bumps just before the school.

What do I see along the way?  After you leave San Ramon the scenery gets nice with mountainous terrain.  Large farms which grow many varieties of ornamental plants can be seen along the way.  This region is very lush and tropical because of the vast amount of rainfall and the rich volcanic soil.  You see coconut trees, banana trees, papaya, pineapple, platanos, and hundreds of varieties  of flowers.  You may even see a toucan.  These birds are prevalent in this  region.

Driving Tips:

1. Road conditions-good all the way.  Some mountainous terrain

2. Try not to drive after sunset.  Mountainous areas are foggy

3. Drive the speed limit in the small towns and school districts- 45km per hour -30 miles per hour   Speed limit in school districts is 25 km per hour  or  16 miles per hour

4. People walk in the road, animals such as dogs and chickens walk in the road so be watchful and aware of this.

5. Costa Ricans don't drive like north Americans and Europeans.  They tend to be more reckless and break the driving rules.  So keep this in mind.

6. Stop and ask directions if you feel lost.  Costa Ricans are very helpful and friendly.

7. Don't leave car unlocked if you stop.  Don't leave cameras and such in the car where they are visible.  Petty theft is common.  And breaking a window to enter the car can happen.

8.  Very good  detailed maps of San Ramon area as well as La Fortuna and Arenal can be found:

www.costa-rica-guide.com Go to the sections on maps of Costa Rica-on left hand side of page one.  Also your car rental company should have given you a map of Costa Rica.  These areas are easily viewed on these maps.

Here at costaricalearn we would like to hear if you had a good experience driving from the central valley of San Jose international airport to Arenal and La Fortuna.  We would love to share this with our readers.  At the end of this post simply click on comment or reply.

Figurative Wood Sculptures by Maria Fonseca

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"Amparo" by Maria Fonseca

"The wood is transformed in my hands and it absorbs my emotions, my joy."  Maria Fonseca,   July 2009

Maria Fonseca began her work in wood sculpture at the School of Fine Arts at the University of Costa Rica.  Today she works from her  outdoor studio located on a coffee farm, near the small  hillside town of Naranjo.

What are the characteristics of Maria's work, her personal style and what are her subjects?  People, animals and birds,    inspired by nature and  human emotions are her subjects.   Her sculptures of indigenous men and women of Costa Rica express  family warmth, kinship, and tenderness between mother and child,  husband and wife.  Her forms are round and voluptuous, often arms, legs, hands, and feet are entwined ..a mother embracing her child, two lovers in a warm embrace.

When the tourism season is highest-January through March-Maria can be found working out of her studio/gallery at Hotel Martinos in La Garita  de Alajuela.   Her work is found in collections in the United States, Europe, Mexico, South and Central America as well as in Costa Rica.

For more information on how to obtain one of Maria's  sculptures contact Ann by clicking on contact us at the very top of the page.

Costa Rica's Own Maria Fonseca

This  series on Women Artist  is designed to give recognition to the enormous amount of talent among women who are working artist  here in Costa Rica.
Maria Fonseca was born in Costa Rica on a coffee farm near the town of Naranjo.  Today  she still lives there with her husband and children.  As a child she loved to play outside in the coffee fields and passed her leisure time drawing.  Maria states, “When I drew I felt free.  Her teachers at school soon recognized Maria’s special talent and encouraged her to develop it.  After graduation from high school, Maria entered the Program of Fine Arts at the University of Costa Rica.  There for the first time, she was able to consider the art of sculpting.  She began with shaping stone and then came the opportunity to work with wood.  And in Maria’s words, “ At that moment I felt an internal transformation take place, an irrepressible desire to shape this marvelous material of unparalleled

[caption id="attachment_1807" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Maria at her home near  Naranjo"][/caption]

beauty.”  Thus her work in wood sculpture was born.  Maria stresses that an artist never stops learning, with each new design, with each stroke of the chisel a unique and different work of art is created.

Please read on:  The next article talks more about Maria's sculptures.  It is titled Figurative Wood Sculptures by Costa Rica's own Maria Fonseca

Costa Rica Spotlight: Unusual Frog Exhibit at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica

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small transparent green frog with baby

Costa Rica Spotlight:  Yes, the La Paz Waterfall Gardens is open for visitors!   A few days ago I was lucky to be able to spend a few hours. One of the exhibits which impressed me most was the frog exhibit.  The colorful tropical frogs climbing  freely in a natural setting amid tropical plants and small rocky water falls.   My knowledgeable guide , Carlos explained all about each frog. The poison dart frog, the tiny red one with black feet is prevalent in the tropical lowland of Costa Rica's rain forest.  So watch where you step when you are out there hiking.   This poisonous frog comes in many different colors and sizes.  One of the most beautiful is the orange and black spotted poison  dart frog.

Under  a hugh banana tree leaf I spotted a large green transparent frog with its baby on its back.  In all my travels into the Costa Rica jungle I had never seen anything like this one.  You could actually see the tiny veins and organs inside the frog.

Of course the red eyed tree frog (the poster frog of Costa Rica) is more beautiful than any photo. I was so excited to actually see one close up.

I highly recommend this exhibit for adults as well as children, a fun as well as educational experience. Please go to the web for more information about La Paz Waterfall Gardens   www.waterfallgardens.com

You may contact Ann, the Costa Rica Travel Expert  for further information or travel advice by going to top of page and clicking on contact us.

Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

Costa Rica Spotlight: Unusual Flowering Plants of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, Costa Rica

[caption id="attachment_1768" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="rare "fan" bromeliad"][/caption]

carnivoras plant, eats insects

rare orchid "species stamnopea wardi"

Costa Rica Spotlight: The La Paz Waterfall Gardens, now open, is not only about waterfalls.  It is about exotic and unusual flowering plants.

Lets start with the orchid species stamnopea wardi or "torito" .  This orchid pictured above is rare orchid species and  blooms only once a year in the month of July, and the bloom lasts only one week.   It has a smell, which is uncommon for an orchid.  It smells like vanilla, mint, and chocolate.  Costa Rica is home to ten different species of this rare and exotic flowering plant.

Also I was enchanted with a plant that is carnivorous (eats insects).  Pictured above, this plant holds water inside its bell shaped blooms.  The unlucky insect enters to drink  water and never comes out again!

La Paz Waterfall Gardens has an extensive collection of miniature orchids which I was unable to photograph because I don't have the telephoto lens.  These orchids were really tiny, so small that I had to look really hard to see their blooms.

A special treat is the many species of bromeliads, in all shapes and colors.

For the orchid and exotic plant lover, this area of the La Paz Waterfall Gardens is not to be missed!

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED BY ANN, the Costa Rica Travel Expert go to www.waterfallgardens.com for further information

If you would like further information or help with your travel plans to Costa Rica you can contact Ann.  Go to page one at the top of the page  click on " contact us"  Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

Costa Rica Spotlight: La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge Are Now Open!

[caption id="attachment_1753" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Blue Morpho Butterfly"][/caption]

Costa Rica Spotlight:It has  been six months since the January 8th earthquake which caused damage in and around La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge.   Major restorations have been under way and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge are now open!

And I had the pleasure to visit the Gardens a few days ago.  And it never ceases to amaze me.  It is not just a garden with waterfalls. It is a education unto itself for the entire family.  Yes, it is the perfect place to bring children of all ages. The Gardens have added "Monkey Pass"   Here you see white face monkeys, spider monkeys, and the added treat of a very small monkey from Brazil, the white tufted eared Marmoset.  I tried without success to get a photo of this strange looking little creature but it would not stop darting from one limb to another.

A few steps away is the Aviary filled with exotic colorful birds.  Toucans, scarlet macaws, tanagers, and many more small colorful birds flying freely within the aviary

The Butterfly Observatory is home to over twenty different species of butterflies, the blue morpho being the most beautiful.  Exotic tropical plant and flowers provide a sanctuary for all these wonderful creatures.  The life cycle of the butterfly is beautifully displayed and as well as an extensive collection of butterflies found in Costa Rica.

The Humming Bird Garden adds a special treat especially for the children as well as the adults.    Here the hummingbirds  come in all sizes and colors, twenty four different species in all.   Some of them,  fluttering briskly around your head, are tame enough to eat from your hand.

My favorite is the Serpentarium, where thirty of the most beautiful but the most deadly snakes found in Costa Rica are housed in large glass cases.  The ten foot long Boa had just had a baby rabbit for lunch.  My guide explained that the boa will not eat again for one month.  I wish I had been there to see the snake swallow the rabbit!  Of course it strangled the rabbit first by squeezing it's neck.   The most deadly snake in Costa Rica ,the Fer de Lance was quietly sleeping. My guide said that if one is bitten by this snake, the only hope is to get the victim to a medical clinic as  rapidly as possible.

Then I took a walk through the Ranarium, thats where the frogs live. There were very small red poison dart frogs,  the red eyed tree frogs , and a large green frog that was transparent.  You could actually see thru it.

The newest addition to the Gardens is are the  Jungle Cats.   Yes, these are cats that make their home in the jungles of Costa Rica.  Beautiful creatures with large yellow green eyes.  The Ocelot, the Margay, and the Jaguarundi  (big names for small cats)

By now I had really worked up an appetite and had lunch in the Colibries Restaurant.  What a delight!  Everything was tipico from the black beans and rice to the fried plaintains, and of course rice pudding for desert topped off with a hot cup of Costa Rican coffee.

I ended my adventure by walking the steps down to two of the waterfalls.  Still pristine and beautiful,  so be sure you have your camera along for this.

The Peace Lodge, adjacent to the waterfall gardens,  is now open for guests.  Each room has a jacuzzi tub, stone fireplace,  and handcrafted canopy bed.  Here you can awaken to the sounds and smell of the rain forest  just outside your balcony door.

Ann, the Costa Rica Travel Expert gives  the La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge  her HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION.

Location and driving directions Central Valley of Costa Rica..from Juan Sanata Maria International Airport travel straight thru the adjacent town of Alajuela  and connect to the road to the Poas Volcano.  approx 19  km ( 12  miles)  miles up this  road you will turn right (see the sign for the Waterfall Gardens or the restaurant Churrascos  Steaks is there on the right.   Then go  5.7 km (3.56 miles)  down this road you will make a left turn at a gas station...(only gas station around there) This little settlement is named Vara Blanca. Then 6 km (3.75 miles) or 10 minutes drive ..you will see the entrance to the Gardens and Peach Lodge.

Weather at the La Paz Waterfall Gardens in Costa Rica:  dry season of mid December through mid April there is less rain.  The temperature is cool since the elevation is around 8,000 feet.  Rainy season is good also.  ( May through November)  September and October are very rainy months.  Try to go in the morning when there more sunshine.

How long does it take to see all these things at the Waterfall Gardens? Plan on three hours and have lunch there.  Great typical Costa Rican food and cost $12 for a delicious buffet.   There is a golf cart available to transport the older people to and from the restaurant .  There are a lot of steps to climb here..but the guides are great help with  the older people.

To further information or help with travel advice or travel plans  you can communicate  with Ann, the Costa Rica Travel Expert - go to the very top of this page - click on  contact us.

For Prices and reservations to La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge is on the web  www.waterfallgardens.

You do not need reservations for the La Paz Waterfall Gardens, but it is best to make reservations for the Peace Lodge. For further information on The Peace Lodge go to   www.peacelodge.com

Our Tour to Alajuela's "Feria" or Local Farmers market

Guanabana

Our small group of tourist were in the Central Valley of Costa Rica and wanted to have a unique cultural experience so our guide said, “Let’s go into Alajuela's farmers market better know in Spanish as the “feria.”  It was a wonderful sunny Saturday morning in July.
When we arrived we were amazed at the dozens of individual stalls where all these  farmers had come to sell their  fruits and vegetables..all grown on their own plots of land .  Some even used  organic farming methods.  The whole scene was  joyful and  very colorful, with a marimba band playing the  favorite songs  of Costa Rica.  Plus a very beautiful booth selling fresh cut flowers of all varieties including orchids.

An added plus is that we were able to interact with some of the locals. They came in droves, all the family members from the small children in strollers to old people with walking canes.  They smiled, seemed to know each other, and caught up on the latest gossip.

We bought some of the more exotic tropical fruits as well as some of the usual- bananas, mangos, papaya, watermelon, and pineapple.  The more exotic ones however got most of our attention.  There was the strange looking fruit called guanabana, a very large round green fruit with what looked like scales on its peel.  This one was very expensive, around $3.00 per pound.   The lady selling it told us that this is grown on the Caribbean coast and is not plentiful.  We bought only a small slice to take home and make the exotic   drink.  In the blender mix the fruit pulp with fresh milk and sugar.  Also,we bought a fresh coconut, cut it cross wise and drank the coconut water through a straw.  Costa Ricans callcoconuts "pipas"  My first experience with a pipa!  The taste was very refreshing but quiet different.

The vegetables were all fresh and neatly arranged.  I never saw such variety.  The chayote caught my eye because we had recently eaten a “picadilla de chayote”, a typical Costa Rica dish, eaten almost daily. The chayote is finely chopped and slowly cooked with a tinly amount of cooking oil or butter, and seasoned with salt and pepper. This vegetable grows on a vine, almost wild, very inexpensive to buy-around five cents each.

You name the vegetable and it was at this market, all freshly harvested.  And very inexpensive.  I was completely amazed!   And very happy I had brought my camera.

Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

Six Months After major Earthquake hit Costa Rica

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Earthquake January 2009 Vara Blanca, Costa Rica

At 1:21 p.m. on January 8, 2009 a massive 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Costa Rica with it’s epicenter  nineteen miles NW of the capital city of San Jose , on the southeastern  flank of the Poas Volcano.  The populated areas of Vara Blanca and Cinchona were greatly affected.   Homes were destroyed, mudslides occured, and bridges were downed. Forty seven people were killed and over one hundred were injured.
Tourism to this area was completely disrupted.
Now, six months later, homes are being repaired and rebuilt with the help of many volunteer groups and the roads are under reconstruction by the Costa Rican government.
Tourism is back to normal except one cannot drive to the Arenal Volcano going the “back route”  around the eastern flank of the Poas Volcano.

The biggest tourism attraction in the area, The La Paz Waterfall Gardens and Peace Lodge was hard hit.  However, it is now July and they have reopened to tourism after a major reconstruction.  The road leading to the lodge is under major repair but is navigable.  Tourist buses as well as cars are getting there  without any problems.the Poas

The Volcano National Park Entrance station, the small museum, and coffee shop located near the walk up to the crater did not sustain much damage and  was open for tourism after one week of repairs.  And now hundreds of visitors each day arrive and enjoy the park.
I include these photos so you can see the major damage that some of the homes sustained.  Also you can see the massive  reconstruction under way to rebuild  the roads.

Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com We strive to keep you informed on the events of interest in Costa Rica.

Want to See Birds, Travel to Palo Verde National Park, Costa Rica

If birds are what you want to see  travel  to Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica's northern province of Guanacaste,  because the  biggest attraction in the park is the BIRDS.  The months of mid December through mid March over one half million birds migrate south to Palo Verde,  escaping the extreme cold weather in North America, and feed here in these shallow marshlands  rich in small fish and plant life.  You see for many different species of birds!  Egrets, storks, spoonbills, herons, ibis, ducks and many many other species.
There is an island in the middle of the Tempisque River (within the park) called bird island or Isla de Pajaros.  I had  never seen so many birds in one place, so be sure you bring your binoculars.

We departed from San Jose early on a January morning  for our "Unique Costa Rica Journey."  Destination Palo Verde National Park.  We headed north on the interamerican highway (highway 1).  We were a group of 10 very enthusiastic tourist hoping to see lots of birds.    Four hours later we arrived to a very small settlement named  Bagaces, then we turned west on a dirt gravel road (across from the gas station)  The road forked and we thought we were lost but kept following signs to Refugio de Fauna Silvestre and Palo Verde National Park. I think we drove around 17 miles or 28 km.  It seemed a really long way on this beat up road, luckily we were in a jeep-not a small car.
We were to spend the night at the Organization of Tropical Studies Biological Station inside the park. We had called ahead to make reservations 2 524 0607. The station is rustic,  like camping when we were girl scouts but had really good typico Costa Rica food.
There are three main walking trails within the park. We started out early in the morning, and our guide explained that Palo Verde National Park was established to protect not only the birds but also the tropical dry forest of this area, (meaning there is less annual rainfall in this area of Costa Rica)  Also for the protection of the  brackish and freshwater marshlands, and mangrove swamps, and also the wildlife within the park.   These trails wind  in and out of the wetlands.   We were lucky to see a group of howler monkeys on their morning outing.

There were birds and more birds, big ones, little ones...I spotted a Jabiru Stork.  Our guide said that he resides permanently in the park. The Jabiru Stork is an endangered and rare bird. It is the tallest flying bird in South and Central America, weighing around 8K or 17.6 lb, and  is one of the largest birds in the world.  The male stands  5 feet tall  with a wing span of eight feet, and is powerful and graceful in flight.

As we continued our walk along the trails we saw a few white egrets wading in the marshes eating small fish.  Further along we spotted a small group of blue herons.

The next morning we hired a small boat to take us to bird island, and I have never seen so many birds!  Most of them were white, making the island look like snow had fallen.

I highly recommend this tour for bird lovers.  I would say it is the best place in Costa Rica for birding, with the added plus of  seeing other wildlife such as the howler monkeys, whitetail deer,  and the capuchin monkey.

Best time of year to visit: Costa Rica's dry season of mid December through mid March ( to see the migratory birds)

Bring mosquito spray because I encountered quite a few mosquitoes.  Binoculars, camera (great photo opportunities)

Weather here is very warm so dress in cottons and wear good walking shoes such as your most comfortable tennis.  (don't need hiking boots)

If you don't stay overnight at the Organization of Tropical Studies Biological Station in the park, then bring along a sack lunch and bottled water.  There is no public restaurant.  Although there are restrooms at the ranger station.

I highly recommend Palo Verde National Park!

If you have visited Palo Verde or have questions I would like to hear from  you and share your thoughts with my readers.  Please post a comment.  Just click on no comment at bottom of this post.  Ann  Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

Leatherback Sea Turtles Nesting in Costa Rica By Jan Yatsko

Pura Vida in Costa Rica

Take a bi-monthly peek into artist Jan Yatsko’s daily life in Costa Rica.

Humor, reflection and inspiration are woven into her experiences that revolve around her passion for art, nature, culture and food.

June 2009

“Creation is a huge beginning not a finished end.”       John O’Donohue

A month ago I witnessed ecological history.  Under the night sky and with the help of infrared light, I saw a 5 foot long endangered leatherback turtle lay her eggs on a beach about 10 miles north of Limón, Costa Rica. To arrive at this special private reserve called La Estación de las Tortugas (The Turtle Station), I traveled several hours by van and another 30 minutes by outboard boat on the only “road” (canal) system north of Limon, located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.  For the leatherback to arrive at this beach she traveled the ocean waters from North and South America until the pink spot on the top of her head told her that it was the right time of day and the right place to be to lay her eggs.  From February to June, these soft shelled sea turtles leave the comfort of the water to drag their 1200+ lb. body across the sand and dig a 2’ deep hole with her back flippers to lay up to 100 white 2” diameter eggs.  The effort is so difficult that she groans with every step.  It is a mystical rhythm dating back 150 million years.

Protected nest area at La Estacion de las Tortugas                I drew the back half of the turtle in the dark as we were not allowed to take photos with flash.

Sea turtles become disoriented and frightened by light and if this happens a female will return to the sea without laying her eggs.  Infrared light directed at the back half of the turtle was the only available means of seeing the egg laying process.  I had to rely on my five senses to observe what was happening.  I looked up and saw a partially cloudy sky with the moon peeking through.  I heard the constant and rhythmic waves behind me.  I looked real hard and under the night sky I blindly began to draw the turtle as she dropped her eggs into the nest.  I felt the sand against by face and body as the turtle used her powerful front and back flippers to cover her nest.  Then there was silence as she entered the sea.

Positive and negative intervention by man will determine the ecological fate of the leatherback turtles.  Poachers eat the eggs and meat; bright lights from development disorient the turtles; plastic bags mistaken for jellyfish (their favorite food) plug up the stomach cavity; commercial fishing nets entangle them and global warming is tipping the sexual orientation scale of the eggs to mostly female.  Private and national reserves are scrambling to reverse the accelerated decline.  Volunteers gather the eggs and place them in protected nest areas, hatchlings are protected from bird predators as they scamper to the ocean and turtles are measured, checked and tagged in an effort to learn more about their behaviors.  Even with all the effort, out of 2,000 eggs that are laid, 1,000 will hatch (50% natural/50% from private reserve) and only one will survive to adulthood.  The animal symbolism of the turtle represents Order, Creation, Patience, Strength, Stability, Longevity, Innocence, and Endurance…characteristics that are needed for them to continue for another million years.

Copy write 2009

Jan Yatsko is a very talented writer and artist who lives in Atenas, Costa Rica.  She and her  husband came to Costa Rica several years ago on a biking excursion, fell in love with Costa Rica and have been able to make it their permanent home.   You can visit Jan at her web site to learn more about her beautiful artwork www.janyatsko.com

Jan  writes a bi monthly newsletter titled "Pura Vida in Costa Rica" about daily living in her adopted country of Costa Rica.  To subscribe to her newsletters you can go to her web site www.janyatsko.com

Costa Ricans "Some of the World's Happiest People"

Costa Rica has some of the world's happiest people. They live long lives with an average life expectancy is 78.5 years,  and many live longer into their nineties.   Costa Rica ranks second in the world in life expectancy.  Canada is number one.

So, why is that?    It seems that Costa Rica has a very positive ecological footprint.  Sounds scientific doesn't it?  Well what is the definition of a positive  ecological footprint:  To achieve this a country (it's people) must consume only it's share of the earths natural resources:  Achieve a goal defined as "one planet living."

But how is this measured?  By measuring the amount of land necessary to provide for all the  personal resource requirements  of each individual.  And then add  other measurements to this:  Measure the amount of vegetated land required to absorb the carbon dioxide emission each individual produces,  and also  measure the carbon dioxide emission of the products consumed by each individual.

So how does Costa Rica fit into this?   By converting  it's natural resources into longer and happier lives for it's people.  One of  it's major achievements:   setting  aside more than 20% of it's land surface under protection and  conservation by the establishment of national parks and wildlife reserves.  Much of this land contains valuable and irreplaceable  primary rain forest which absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, thus reducing global warming.  These forest are also home to many endangered species of plants and animals.

Additionally, Costa Ricans eat healthy. Much of the food is locally grown by small farmers often using organic methods.  Not by large corporations and then shipped hundred, even thousands of miles to the grocery stores.  You can find every week end in most Costa Rica towns a local farmers market where all the freshly harvested  fruits and vegetables are beautifully displayed and sold at very reasonable prices.

And the weather, it's wonderful.  Lots of sunshine and sunshine makes people happy.  Then comes the soft warm rain, and rain makes people relaxed.

Costa Ricans walk a lot, thus exercising more.   Many do not own cars.  On the streets of the towns and along the roadsides we see them happily walking with friends and family.   They love the  beautiful sunny mornings and get outside to enjoy the warm weather.

Costa Rica is politically stable and operates as a social democracy.  Basic public education is provided to all, thus  90% of Costa Ricans are literate, although a large percentage of the youth do not pursue a university education.

A universal system of health care administered by the government is available to all.  Not for free...each has to pay according to his earnings.  A private health care system is also available and is ranked among the world's best. This is more expensive but one can avoid the long lines and long waits for elective procedures associated with the government run system.

Also most Costa Ricans are not in deep debt.  Many do not have a credit card, and are not tempted to purchase unless they really need something.

Talk to the average Costa Rican, he or she will tell you that he is happy with his life and lifestyle.  Most live simply  with close family ties and valuable  friendships.

Thanks for choosing costaricalearn.com

The Mojito, Costa Rica's Famous Rum Drink

No one call tell you better than Marina Villatoro, the Travel Experta  about this wonderful drink made with rum called the Mojito.

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Hey you cocktailers! Welcome to the monthly International Cocktail Hour - Drinks 'Round the World. Your two lovely hostesses Lifecruiser and Travel Experta(Me) are super happy to have you here.And guess what - this round is on us!!!!!

Today I want to share my absolute favorite, hands down, drink in the whole wide World - the Mojito! I can't even tell you how much I love this drink.

Since I live in Costa Rica, I've figured I'll try a little Costa Rican flavor to yummy up my Mojito. Instead of the customary Cuban rum, I've added Cacique - Guaro to the mix. And so far, I'm loving it!

So here's one on me!

Ingredients

1.25 oz Cacique - Guaro
12 mint leaves
1 tbsp brown sugar
freshly squeezed lime juice
2 oz water

Shake It Up!
Get out your favorite cocktail glasses and stick them in the fridge for a cooler effect.

In a cocktail mixer pour in the Guaro (or rum), water, lime juice and crushed ice. Now shake it up!

Take out the glasses, throw in the mint leaves and mash it around to get the juice out, now pour and enjoy.
Your turn! What's your drink specia

Read more of Marina's fun filled articles about Costa Rica travel and Costa Rica daily life at www.travelexperta.com

Travel Tip: Did you Know About the Tamarindo Shuttle?

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Travel tip:  If you are planning to travel to Costa Rica let me tell you about the Tamarindo Shuttle.   From the Liberia international airport to Tamarindo it's only $18 per person (one way)  with a minimum of 2 persons.  Can't beat that!

Their fleet of buses are up to date, air conditioned, and very comfortable, and the drivers speak English.    The Tamarindo shuttle also offers transportation  all around the NW Pacific beache areas.  Additionally:  they offer GREAT tours to the many exciting sites around  the NW Pacific Beaches.    Their tours include white water rafting,  Palo Verde National Park, Canopy or zip line tours,  and  fishing.  Also tours to Arenal Volcano National Park and  Rincon de la Vieja National Park, and much more.  I thought it very interesting that they do also do tours to Nicaragua.  Day tours and well as overnight.  Granada is a wonderful tour. It is a beautiful Spanish colonial city founded in 1524 by a Spaniard named Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba.    Best part is they include the Masaya Volcano in the tour, plus the handicraft markets.  The Nicaraguan people make beautiful hand crafted pottery, hammocks in all styles and colors, fine wood crafted bowls, vases, and much more.  All at very reasonable prices.  Much cheaper than in Costa Rica.

A  little about Granada,  Nicaragua  because it is one of my favorite places to visit.  Granada is only about 40 km south east of Managua.   From the NW Pacific beaches around Tamarindo in Costa Rica-the ride by van to Granada is not so far  (however you have to pass thru the border check points and this can take time.)  Granada is a gorgeous old Spanish Colonial City and a special treat because we don't  have anything like it in Costa Rica.  (no Spanish Colonial Cities filled with this grand architecture)  Granada has twenty Spanish Colonial Churches, each is different with its own unique design.  This reflects the strong influence of the Catholic Church when Catholicism was brought to the New World by the Spanish conquerors.

Tamarindo Shuttle also has tours to San Juan del Sur,   located on the pacific coast in South Western Nicaragua. It's basically a fishing town,  however every year more and more tourist are going for the beautiful beaches and great surfing.  It's very low keyed  unhurried and less expensive than Costa Rica.  The weather here is warm  but most hotels have air conditioning.   Also the snorkeling and diving is good and you can purchase these tours near  the beach areas.

To contact Tamarindo Shuttle go to their web site   www.tamarindoshuttle.com for  all the transportation routes, daily tours to the NW Pacific beach areas  and also the tours to Nicaragua.

Thanks for reading costaricalearn.com