Global Adrenaline :: Latin America

Costa Rica

Preparing for a day of kayaking.
(Curu Sea Kayaking, Costa Rica)

Costa Rica is a country of amazing biodiversity. Its wildlife, natural attractions and reputation for conservation attracts nature lovers from all over the world. Governmental initiatives have made efforts to preserve the country's image as an ecotourism destination, making Costa Rica one of the best places to experience the tropics naturally and with minimal impact. As much as 27% of the land is designated to National Parks, forest reserves and Indian Reservations. The cultural activity in Costa Rica has only begun to flourish in the last 100 years, due to a historical European influence erasing most of the indigenous culture. This leads to the country being noted more for its natural beauty and friendly people than for its culture.

Nestled in between Nicaragua and Panama in Central America, Costa Rica borders both the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. A series of volcanic mountain chains runs from the Nicaraguan border in the north-west to the Panamanian border in the south-east. This splits the country in two and leaves a high-altitude plain in the center, with coastal lowlands on both sides. The diverse coastal topography offers a multitude of outdoor activities for everyone, such as bird-watching, deep-sea fishing and wind surfing.

San Jose
The capital at first sight offers an energetic atmosphere with narrow streets, noisy vendors and tooting drivers. However below this surface you will find a more civilized city with quiet places to eat, drink and meet and multiple museums displaying everything from paintings and precious stones to colonization memories and archeological findings.

Pacuare River
The Pacuare River is one of the top five rafting rivers in the world for its scenery and rapids. This quintessential tropical river is a trip of pure magic, unsurpassed beauty, wildlife and exhilarating rapids. Located on Costa Rica's Atlantic slope, the Pacuare River borders the Talamanca mountain range, home to native Cabecar Indians and an incredible variety of wildlife. Our rafting trip down the mighty Pacuare River travels through virgin forests and steep gorges towering above the riverbanks. This is a rafting experience that quite simply will never be equaled - an exciting journey down a breathtaking tropical river that winds deep inside one of Costa Rica's most impressive primordial rain forests.

Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal
At the center of a national park in the northwest of the country, the perfectly conical, 1,633 meters (5,356 feet) Volcán Arenal is everyone's image of a typical volcano. The volcano has been exceptionally active since 1968, when huge explosions triggered lava flows that killed several dozen people. The degree of activity varies from week to week; sometimes there is a spectacular display of flowing red-hot lava and incandescent rocks flying through the air; at other times, the volcano is more placid and gently glows in the dark. Don't even think about climbing Arenal. The best views at night (when the weather is clear) are from the western or northern side. Because the park was only created in 1995 there are very few facilities - only one lodge and camping is not permitted - so the best base from which to explore the area is the small town of La Fortuna de San Carlos.

Arenal Volcano. (Costa Rica)

Undisputedly one of Costa Rica's foremost tourist attractions, the highly eruptive Arenal Volcano is the centerpiece of this new national park declared in October of 1994. In addition to including in the national park system what is currently one of the world's most active volcanoes, the area now under park service protection encompasses the watersheds of several rivers and streams that flow into Lake Arenal, the country's most important source of hydroelectric power.

The imposing Arenal Volcano rises in nearly perfect conical form out of the western end of the San Carlos plains. Its periodic eruptions of ash and molten rock, accompanied by thundering sonic blasts, are an unforgettable experience anytime, but become extremely spectacular after dark. When the light of day has dimmed, the glowing red igneous rocks ejected with each eruption trace fiery arches in the night sky before crashing down on the steep slopes and finally extinguishing themselves. Columns of lava also push their way down the sides of the volcano and pieces of the advancing sections continually break off under the weight of new flows bearing down from above.

At night, these falling pieces are visible as chunks of rolling red rocks, adding to the natural fireworks display between the frequent eruptions. From the 600-meter elevation where visitors are allowed to approach atop a lava flow from the 1968 eruption, Arenal rises another 1000 meters to its 1,633-meter summit, and although the peak is still 3 kilometers away, it is definitely "in your face!"

There is little vegetation or wildlife to be seen in the immediate area of the main viewing site since the effects of the major devastating eruption of 1968 are only slowly being overcome. Nevertheless, this area offers a unique opportunity to witness the early stages of lava flow colonization by a handful of plant species adapted to the task. Farther away there are other areas which escaped direct damage and provide better wildlife viewing in the forested sections, however, as yet the park service does not maintain any well-marked trails in these areas, which include the dormant Volcano Chato to the southeast of Arenal.

Being under the influence of Caribbean slope weather patterns, Arenal Volcano receives anywhere from 3.5 to 5 meters of rain per year. Even when it isn't raining, clouds often gather around the volcano's peak, obliterating a full view of the mountain. At lower elevations within the park (e.g., the viewing area at the volcano's western base), the temperatures are warm during the day, but can get chilly at night, especially if there is a breeze.

The settlers that colonized this region in the early part of the 20th century referred to Arenal Volcano as "the mountain" and apparently, despite its conical shape, did not realize it for what it is. Thus, when the quiescent volcano exploded on July 29, 1968, producing a cloud of hot volcanic gases and covering several square kilometers with lava, some 87 people living in the areas of Tabacón and Pueblo Nuevo lost their lives. Since this tragic eruption (the first following at least 300 years of inactivity, according to some geologists), Arenal has remained active, but fortunately at a level posing little threat to visitors.

Arenal Volcano Safety Issues

August 2000 Incident
On August 23, 2000 a naturalist guide took a mother and child up the skirts of the volcano on a hike. At approximately 10:30 am, the poisonous gases of a pyroclastic flow, an avalanche of burning gases and superheated rocks that travels at speeds of 70 mph, reached the guide and his guests. The guide and child died, the mother was severely injured.

As a result of this tragedy, the Costa Rica National Emergency Commission has issued a report that defines high-risk areas that should be avoided. Based on that report and consultations with various experts on volcanoes here in Costa Rica, the following visitation policy has been designed that we feel allows guests to enjoy the magnificent views of the volcano safely.

Rules
The rules are really quite simple; the road that skirts the volcano serves as the borderline between what is considered acceptable risk and unacceptable risk. Everything from the road toward the volcano is too dangerous, and everything from the road away from the volcano is relatively safe. It is important to understand that local tour companies are still offering dangerous tours to the skirts of the volcano, these include horse back rides, hikes, and drives. The reason these tours are not safe is because they go into the dips and valleys below the volcano and should there be an avalanche of burning rocks and gases this is the route that the flow would take down the volcano. We should emphasize that the most dangerous thing about these flows is that the poisonous gases travel further than the solid material and they are deadly when inhaled.

For your reference, we have prepared a list of some of the places that we think should be avoided. Please note that this list does not cover all of the dangerous spots in the Arenal area, it is important to use your common sense when deciding where to and where not to visit.

High Risk Areas
Treat these areas the same way you would treat a high-risk avalanche zone in the states, leave the area as soon as possible.

We realize that many have booked the area in order to enjoy the Tabacon Hot Springs. We strongly recommend that you avoid the spa. To give you an idea of the magnitude of the danger and the probability of a catastrophe, in June 1975, before the spa was built an avalanche of rock and burning gases passed over the very spot where the spa is today, killing 1 person. Had the spa been in operation there would almost certainly have been fatalities, perhaps hundred's of fatalities.

For guided tours, our guides have specific instructions as to where they can and cannot take guests. Please do not ask our guides to put their lives and their jobs in danger by taking you into a high- risk zone. If you are on a guided tour and you insist on going to a high-risk site, our guide has been instructed to ask you to take a taxi so that you can go on your own. Our guides and drivers will not visit high-risk areas in Arenal.

Please note that the Los Tucanes trail is on the skirts of the volcano, the lava here dates from 1992. The reason that we are including it in the reduced risk area is because the lava is not flowing on this side of the volcano at this time. The lip of the crater is now tipped toward the east, and any pyroclastic flows or lava flow will be falling in that direction. This is not to say that there couldn't be flows toward the west and that you are completely out of danger if you use this trail. However, the experts think that if there were to be an eruption of big enough size to cause a change in the shape of the crater allowing the flows to go west, there would be previous warning giving the National Parks System time to close the trails and get people out of harms way. The Los Miradores trail is far enough away that in order for there to be an eruption big enough to harm this area it would have to be an eruption of historical proportions.

Instructions in Case of Eruption
In case of an eruption: It is very important to stay calm. The best thing would be to go to your hotel. The safest hotels in the area are Arenal Lodge, Volcano Lodge, Montaña de Fuego , Arenal Paraiso, and Arenal Observatory. Stay at your hotel until we communicate the best form of evacuation. While in Arenal, we recommend that you stay together or at least know where each member of your party is at all times.

Summary
After all this, is it wise to visit the Arenal Area. We believe it is--- if you take proper precautions. Finally, you have to decide for yourself how much risk is acceptable.

Costa Rica's Forests

Bird watching from a cabana at Selva Bananito. (Costa Rica)

Most of Costa Rica’s forests can be lumped into three more general groups: rain, cloud and dry forests. Rain forests, with their massive trees, very high canopies and little growing on the dimly lit forest floor, can be found in the Atlantic lowlands and the southwest. The northwest contains some of the last remnants of the tropical dry forest, a less exuberant life zone that shares much of the diversity of the rain forests. Cloud forests, which cover the upper slopes of most mountains and volcanoes, are the most luxuriant of the tropical forests, with mosses and other small plants covering the trunks and branches of trees. They are all beautiful, and in many ways similar, but each one has plants and animals that won't be found in the rest.

Monteverde
Monteverde is a small community in northwestern Costa Rica was founded by Quakers in 1951 and is now a popular and interesting destination for both local and international visitors. Its attractions include a cloud forest, walking trails, quetzals, a cheese factory, a butterfly garden and a number of art galleries.

Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve
In 1972 under the threat of homesteading in the surrounding cloud forest, visiting scientists George Powell and his wife joined forces with long-time resident Wilford Guindon to promote the establishment of a nature preserve. The Tropical Science Center was receptive to these efforts and accepted institutional responsibility for ownership and management of the protected areas. An initial land purchase of 328 hectares formed the core of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve.

In 1975 the 554-hectare community watershed reserve, founded in the mid-60s by members of the Quaker community and named Bosque Eterno S.A., was annexed under an administrative contract to the Preserve. After the Preserve's creation, the Tropical Science Center continued to secure the financial and human resources necessary to expand, consolidate, and properly protect and manage the Preserve's current 10,500 hectares.

The Monteverde Cloud Forest Preserve has earned its fame as one of the most outstanding wildlife sanctuaries in the New World tropics. Positioned atop the Continental Divide in western Costa Rica, the Preserve extends down both the Caribbean and Pacific slopes. The resultant combination of climatic and geographic factors creates temperature and humidity gradients which change dramatically over relatively short distances. The altitude varies from about 600 meters in the lower reaches of the Peñas Blancas River, to 1842 meters at the top of Cerro Tres Amigos.

Wind-sculptured elfin woodlands on the exposed ridges are spectacularly dwarfed, whereas protected cove forests have majestically tall trees festooned with orchids, bromeliads, ferns, vines, and mosses. Poorly drained areas support swamp forests, while parts of the Preserve, dissected by deep gorges, have numerous crystal clear streams tumbling over rapids and waterfalls. The variable climate and large altitudinal gradient has helped produce an extremely high biodiversity.

The Preserve supports six different vegetational communities (Life Zones). There are over 100 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 120 species of amphibians and reptiles, and 2,500 species of plants (among them 420 different kinds of orchids), as well as tens of thousands of insect species. Spectacular wildlife includes the jaguar, ocelot, Baird’s tapir, three-wattled bellbird, bare necked umbrella bird and resplendent quetzal. The Preserve offers short courses on biodiversity.

The visitors' center and field station at the entrance to the Preserve include administrative offices, restaurant, store, classroom, and dormitory-style lodging for up to 40 people. A small research outpost has recently been constructed lower on the Atlantic slope to provide access to Monteverde's tropical rain forest. Three backpacking shelters are also available throughout the Preserve with basic facilities. The Preserve counts on facilities to receive up to 120 visitors at one time. These facilities comprise 7 trails that extend for 12.4 kilometers. Visitors may also be attended by naturalist guides. Visitors should bring a sweater, rain gear and footwear. The temperature ranges between 16 and 18 degrees Celsius, and average annual rainfall is 3,000 millimeters. The weather changes quickly, often making the air feel colder.

La Selva Biological Station
La Selva, situated at the confluence of two major rivers in the Caribbean lowlands of northern Costa Rica (10° 26' N, 83° 59' W), comprises 1,600 hectares (3,900 acres) of tropical wet forests and disturbed lands. It averages 4 meters (over 13 feet) of rainfall that is spread rather evenly throughout the year. The Station is bordered on the south by Braulio Carrillo National Park, which contains more than 46,000 hectares of forest land and is the core conservation unit of the 91,000-hectare Cordillera Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve.

Climbing in to the tree platform at
Corcovado Tent Camp.
(Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica)

Braulio Carrillo National Park extends down to La Selva through a forest corridor that descends in elevation from 2,906 meters at Volcán Barva to 35 meters above sea level at La Selva. This reserve, consisting of both La Selva's protected environs and the Park, has four major tropical life zones and includes more than 5,000 species of vascular plants, of which more than 700 species are trees. The fauna is similarly diverse. Large predators include jaguars, pumas, and bushmasters. Thousands of arthropod species are being currently recorded at La Selva, and more than 400 species of resident and migratory birds have been sighted in the reserve, representing almost half of Costa Rica's bird species.

Building on a strong base of systematic biology and evolutionary biology, research at La Selva has diversified to include ecosystem level projects, physiological ecology, soil science, and forestry trials of native tree species. These studies have resulted in the publication of more than 1,600 scientific articles, theses, and books and perhaps another 1,000 write-ups of course projects. La Selva's juxtaposition of protected ecosystems and state-of-the-art laboratory facilities is unique in the world's wet tropics. An extensive trail system of more than 50 kilometers provides access to a wide range of terrestrial and aquatic habitats. The entire property has been topographically surveyed to a high degree of accuracy and 3,000 permanent posts mark the 50 x 100 meter grids.

Two well-equipped laboratories, including a large analytical lab, offer air-conditioned work space, and house common-use equipment. Spatially referenced data are managed on the Geographic Information System (GIS) and the same work stations service the e-mail and Internet connections. La Selva can sleep 80 people in comfortable six-person dormitory rooms and cabins. A central dining hall accommodates more than 100 people for meals day in and day out. A large workshop serves both Station maintenance and researcher needs. These facilities, combined with the forest reserve and Braulio Carrillo National Park, make La Selva one of the world's premier sites at which to conduct ecosystem research.

Carara National Park
Carara National Park was created on April 27,1978, and measures at the present 5,242 hectares (about 12,952 acres). It was part of a huge hacienda called Hacienda Coyolar, one of the biggest ever in Costa Rica, where the last significant stand of primary forest of its kind has been preserved. Carara National Park is located in the Central Pacific region at only 25 kilometers from Orotina and 17 km from Jacó. There are three different life zones within the reserve, tropical humid forest, Transitional Forest from pre-montane tropical to pre-montane rain forest and the montane rain forest. The mean annual precipitation is 2,800 mm (1,002 inches) and the mean annual temperature is 27 °C (78 °F ).

There are also three different trails in this Transitional Forest Reserve, The Laguna Meándrica trail (4 kilometers) which is part of the secondary forest and finally Las Araceas trail (1.2 kilometers), Quebrada Bonita Trail (1.5 kilometers) both part of the transitional and Primary Forest. This transitional forest is very famous for the population of scarlet macaws found within it, as well as many of the other 360 species of birds which inhabit this area. The National Park is very famous for the population of scarlet macaws (Ara macao) which inhabit the areas, today there are 320 individuals living within the reserve, as well as many of the other 360 species of birds which inhabit this area.

It is very important to visit it as early as possible as it is the best time to encounter the active wildlife; for instance, when the scarlet macaws fly off in search of food for their young. There is also every opportunity of spotting capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, iguanas, American crocodiles, great anteaters, ocelots, great curassows, fiery billed aracaris, the endangered black and green poison arrow frogs and even the bluemorpho butterfly.

People
In principle over 90% of the Costa Rica population is of Roman Catholic faith. Most church attendance takes place at christenings, funerals and marriages. The Caribbean coast population, consisting mostly of black people, tend to be Protestant, and there are of course a few other beliefs in San José, including a small Jewish community.

Spanish is the main language throughout Costa Rica. On the Caribbean coast many people speak a lively dialect of English, known as Creole. Bribri is one of few Indian languages still spoken in remote areas. It is estimated to be understood by about 10,000 people. English is understood in most tourist destinations.

Costa Rican cuisine is not so much spicy and hot as it is tasty. Most dishes are centered around beef, chicken and fish/seafood dishes, served with rice or beans and fresh fruit as supplements or desert. If eaten as a snack, make sure the fruit is washed well.

Travel Tips
Tourism-oriented crime has been rising in recent years, but most crimes are non-violent such as pick-pocketings, car break-ins, etc. Costa Rica is a reasonably safe country, but criminals are showing a greater willingness to use violence in recent years.

Temperature/Weather

Corcovado Tent Camp is just steps away from the beach.
(Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica)

Costa Rica is a tropical country and experiences only two seasons: wet and dry. The dry season generally falls between late December and April. This is of course the most popular season, which is why you may find that many others that are visiting the country as well. The wet season lasts the rest of the year. This time of year can be an invigorating time to experience the country with out the interruption of the tourist season. The Caribbean coast is covered by tropical forest and tends to be wetter than other parts of the country.

Temperatures vary little between seasons and the main influence on temperature is altitude. San José which is at 1150m (3772ft) has a climate that feels like spring all year round - lows average 15°C (60°F) and highs average 26°C (79°F). The coastal regions are usually much warmer, with the Caribbean averaging 21°C (70°F) at night and over 30°C (86°F) during the day. The Pacific coast tends to be a few degrees warmer still. The humidity at low altitudes can be quite oppressive.

Reading List
In order to make the most of your trip to Costa Rica, we have provided links to the following reading list which will help you gain a better understanding of the landscape, culture and people. Here you can also purchase any books you might need for your Global Adrenaline trip!

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