Costa Rica Vacations

There are many different types of people in this world. There are coffee people, there are cookie people and we all know a few ice cream people. But one of the classifications we see down here quite often are chocolate people! When we chocolate people need our fix, it is easy, as there are so many of us that most grocery stores stock one form or another of our sweet chocolate vice. But do you know exactly where the coco comes from which gives your favorite treat its rich flavor?

The Theobroma cacao tree (food of the gods) is originality from South America near to the Amazon and Orinoco rivers and it was eventually spread to Central America and Mexico by the exchange of the Indians located there. The mythology said that God came to the Earth and gave one of the pots as a gift. The tribes from the south originally only used it as a fresh fruit; not acknowledging how many other sinful treats could come from the amazing plant.

Those pots or kakas (Spanish name) contain between 30 to 70 seeds or beans all of then covered with a sweet white skin or covering. All the sugar that the seeds contain help the fermentation process and finally the magic flavor will appear in the beans. That process takes no longer than eight days, after that you have to take them to the next step, which is the drying area. These beans have to be under the sun for around 22 days approximately depending on how warm it is.

Once the beans are dried they are ready to be roasted in the oven until they start to make a popping noise like popcorn, that is a sign to take them out, and then to start to peal off the thin cask-like layer that is covering them.

Now you can grind it and make 100 % pure chocolate powder… both delicious and healthy!

To view the process and to taste the real 100% pure and organic chocolate you have to go to the KoBo (which means Dream to the Indigenes tribe named The Guaymis) Chocolate Farm like the Donohoe family from New Jersey who came the last week, and found out first hand that Snickers Bars are now the second best chocolate in the world!

Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica
Eco Tour Report
February, 2010

Dennis Attencio Eco Director A common day…

At Crocodile Bay, we attempt to provide our clients with many different types of eco activities, which allow them to enjoy, and better understand this ecological wonderland that is the Osa Penninsula The Rainforest tour is the best to see and learn about this area as it offers an introductory lesson on all the secrets that this area contains. You take a leasurely drive for approximately a half hour with quaint views passing through little villages (pueblos in Spanish) and crossing very old metal bridges made it by the US Army 25 years ago.

Scarlet Macaws

Along the way you will observe what the people grow here agriculturally like rice, bananas, palm oil, cassava, and also pasture fields showing you the local’s way of living. Once the drive is over it is time to hike into a private preserve.

The first 30 minutes is in an especially picturesque area of secondary forest, where you will see beautiful butterflies, colorful birds, leafcutter ants and very interesting plants that can be used for an assortment of medicinal purposes. Later on the narrow trail you will note how the trees are expanding making shade and almost does not let the sun’s light even hit the ground, only three percent of the light will actually complete its journey to the forest floor (yes, this is one more reason sunburned fishermen claim it feels so good to be in the rainforest). The plants have to develop different techniques and adaptations; many of which involve the attempt to climb other trees.

This is the Primary Forest with hundreds of species of trees and thousand of plants making homes for many different types of wildlife like snakes, birds, mammals, reptiles, and insects. Some of the species that we saw on the last trip are:

Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)

Wood Stork

Leaf-cutter Ants (Atta cephalotes)

Costa Rica Tours

Eyelash-viper (Bothriechis shclegelii)

Eyelash Viper

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan (Ramphastos swainsonii)

Toucan

Howler Monkey (Alouatta palliata)

Howler Monkey

White-faced Monkey (Cebus capucinus)

By Dennis Atencio
Eco Director
Crocodile Bay, Costa Rica

As Crocodile Bay’s reservation office is located in the North Bay Area of San Francisco, we who live in the Costa Rcia jungle, often receive most of current news of “the real world” from this area.

As some might know, one of San Francisco’s many tourist attractions is Pier 39, which for several years has attracted not only many human sight seers from various parts of the world, but also a good number of non-human tourists. For the past several years a certain section of the docks at Pier 39 have been designated a temporary landing zone for at times up to approximately 1,500 sea lions. During the first few months, nobody understood why the animals chose that location, or why they seemed to make that their new home. And just recently, nobody really understood why they chose to pick up and leave. Of the estimated 1,500 Sea Lions that once used those docks as a semi permanent residence, only about 40 currently remain.

Just as our friends decided to inform us of this change, MINAE (Costa Rica’s version of Fish and Game) informed us they had found a young Sea Lion who seemed to be lost swimming up a Costa Rican estuary on the pacific side of the country, and that it was in bad shape as if it had not eaten in a significant amount of time.

As this government agency is the one who supervises and controls much of the animal related interaction in the country, they knew we had the only live bait permit in the country, and hence, contacted us to prepare breakfast, lunch and dinner!!

So after a few days of over indulgence regarding room service, this female Sea Lion affectionately known as “Sandy”, was back to tip top shape, and ready to be let free! Because of Sandy’s past confusion regarding her direction and going up to the estuaries, the Rangers asked that we help her get out offshore, so we gave Sandy and a few of the Park Rangers a boat ride 20 miles off-shore, where they fed her a few last blue runners, said some warm good byes, and let her get back to her days in the clear blue water.

Next time we are visiting back up in San Francisco, we will take a trip to Pier 39, for some clam chowder and we will not forget to stop by to look for Sandy the Sea Lion to see how she fared on her trip through the tropics.

Costa Rica Ecotour Photos from December and January By Dennis Atencio, Eco Director.

After the first two weeks of being open again this high season, we have been coming to terms with the fact that we - the employees, are not the only ones happy to be back in action. It seems that all of the animals in the rainforest are also happy to have new visitors in the area, and are doing their best to prove why Costa Rica is on the “to do list” of so many naturalists! Two of our first dedicated birders this season were Mr. Paul Olson, and Mr. Joe Benenate. Besides being extremely knowledgeable, they also had a level of enthusiasm that made them instantly loved by our staff and fellow clients alike.

They came to focus on our three day birding package, and after getting off the plane, and settled into their room, I met them in the lobby awaiting the departure of their first tour, and they said “We love watching birds, and we just saw so many passing through your parking lot, that you could put a few chairs out there and we could be happy for days!”

After their first day of tours, they were not the only ones who were impressed, our Head Guide Dennis Atencio was smiling for days knowing he was to be paired with these gentlemen, as it is not everyday he gets to spend time with people who share his same love. Here are a few of the more than 115 bird species that we saw on the bird watching tours with Paul Olson and Joe Benenate between 3 and 6 of December.

Guest Video of the Month!
Watch a Video Clip of 4 Year Old Christopher Sprague on the Rainforest Canopy ZipLine Tour!

More photos from our opening month Dec 1 - 15 2009!

Crocodile Bay Resort
Eco Report December 2009

About two weeks ago, after a few afternoons of rain, an 18-wheeler truck was on its way to Puerto Jimenez, which is the small town on the Osa Penninsula where Crocodile Bay Resort is located. As it was crossing the only bridge into the peninsula in Rincon (origionally installed by the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers many, many, many years ago), the bridge gave one final sigh and lied down forever- gracefully retiring into the soft mud. The trucker was not injured, other than being officially named by the town’s folk as “the one who killed the bridge”.

In the Osa Penninsula, one of Costa Rica’s, and even Central America’s most un-developed jungle tracts of land, because we live sprinkled amongst the wildlife (clearly outnumbered) it is necessary for us to “read the nature” so to speak. When a cloudy day suddenly starts to produce winds that seem to blow in both directions- we double tie all the boats on the dock in preparation for a serious rainstorm. When we are walking around the property and see a young crocodile hissing on the walking path- we give it a wide berth and sometimes even prepare to run in a “staggered fashion” (which is entirely differentiated from moving in a “staggering fashion” which of course makes the croc think you have been drinking and only makes you look like an easier target…). So when we heard that the 18-wheeler had destroyed the bridge, effectively stopping ALL road transportation in or out of the peninsula, we decided that was a sign that we at Crocodile Bay should completely remove our dependence upon the technologically advanced concept of bridges!

In order to get this done we reviewed all options open to us and ended up buying two brand new Toyota Land Cruisers off the lot, and upgrading them to the die-hard jungle work horses that they were originally designed to be!! When you live in an area so untouched by the rest of the world that you can still consider bridges to be “a technological advancement”, things such as interior carpet, automatic windows, and CD players get exchanged for “burro killer” offensive bumpers, long distance safari style roof racks for spare tires and supplies, winches powerful enough to pull the vehicle into a tree if the need arose, and a “snorkel” air intake which allows the vehicles to cross rivers with water higher than the car windows!!!

Often we at Crocodile Bay see many of our clients return from their eco tours with a look of pure amazement on their faces. While they always rave about the personalities of our guides, as well as the way in which the tours are handled, the majority of their questions usually revolve around the massive number of varied animal species they see on these relatively short trips. While we do believe we have some of the best naturalist guides in the area, the geographical positioning of Crocodile Bay on the Osa Peninsula has much to do with the continual flow of wildlife we see on a daily basis. Of all the individuals who have written about the Osa, we believe that Daniel Janzen came the closest to our personal feelings about the area in his book Costa Rican Natural History when he wrote:

“Jutting out from the southern coast of Costa Rica, lies the Osa Peninsula, the country’s wildest and most spectacular region. The peninsula is bordered on the east by the pristine Golfo Dulce and on the west, the Pacific Ocean. It is a little more remote than other, more developed parts of the country like Quepos, Dominical or Guanacaste. It is more lush and tropical here than in northern Costa Rica with spectacular wildlife, deserted beaches and virgin forests. Much of the peninsula is still without electricity and four-wheel drive is a necessity here. For those of us that live here, the Osa is what Costa Rica is all about.

The Osa’s unique bio-diversity is made up of eight different habitats including cloud forest and the largest and most exuberant lowland wet tropical forest remaining in all of Pacific Central America. Species density and geographical location make it totally unique. The Osa is home to Corcovado National Park, the crown jewel of Costa Rica’s National Park system and habitat where many endangered animal and plant species still thrive. The largest trees in Costa Rica are found in the forests of the Osa. Corcovado and the surrounding area has been called one of the most biologically diverse places on earth by none other than National Geographic. Truly a paradise lost, it is a place where jaguars still roam the jungles, Scarlet Macaws fly freely around the towns, and monkeys are found in numbers unmatched in all of Costa Rica and most of Central America. Non "mainstream" tourist’s have discovered this previously little known, rugged paradise and come from around the world to experience the "wild side" of Costa Rica and sample some of the world class fishing, surfing and exploring. The Osa Peninsula is unquestionably Costa Rica’s best kept secret! A naturalist’s paradise and an outdoor adventurer’s dream, Outside Magazine calls it... The last best peninsula”

Janzen, D. H. (ed). Costa Rican Natural History. University of Chicago Press. pp.9-41

While the green season weather is keeping some of us bi-peds inside out of the rain during the one or two hours of “cool down time” here in the jungle, the rest of the animal kingdom here seems to be making the most of it!

We have been noting a large number of new Scarlet Macaws coming into the property, perhaps after noting the many new almond trees that have apparently just reached maturity, offering hundreds of the most revered of tasty nuts, assuming of course you have a nut cracker, or an extremely powerful beak handy to get through that extremely hard outer shell.

Yesterday as I was walking to work, I passed under a troop of Howler Monkeys who seemed for lack of a better word… bored! They took only a minor interest in me until they realized that I was not only alone, but not carrying a camera either, at which time they seemed to forget that I existed all together, and went right back to full time resting. It is as if they too are waiting for the sun to come back out so they can get on with their more energetic monkey business!

The only ones who seem really restless are the dolphins! While I was at the beach a few days ago, and thinking not only of what a beautiful day it was, but also how quiet and secluded it felt out there to be the only person out there- I then realized that I was not the only one out there! Because every few minutes I would see a dorsal fin, or an extremely excited school of baitfish shoot out of the water in unison clearly trying to escape our water based mammal cousins. But the real sign of the dolphin’s energy excess came when I realized that in those few hours, I had seen only 3 boats cruise past the beach on the way to the blue water, and at all 3 times, the boat did not go alone. Instead within minutes of the time the boats caught my eye, they each soon grew a volatile grayish tail, which would randomly jump, shoot, spin, or just glide along on the white water wash behind the boats. Each time I could watch the enthusiasm of the dolphins aerobatics rise in direct correlation to the enthusiasm of the shouts and happy cries of those in the boats, as they screamed their appreciation and support for the free air show!

There are few times in life when you are given such a clear view of the subtle relationship that we humans have with our animal neighbors, but when this view comes it can be both powerful and life changing. As I sat on the beach that day pondering this issue, I came to the conclusion that while I cannot simply “teach” this lesson by describing it to you in words, what I can do is be clear on where you can encounter and learn from this type of lesson on your own. So come to Crocodile Bay in the Osa Peninsula, where the nature is as often the teacher as it is the lesson.

From 40 to 75% of all species on Earthare indigenous to the rainforests. It has been estimated that many millions of species of plants, insects, and microorganisms are still undiscovered. Tropical rainforests have been called the "jewels of the Earth", and the "world's largest pharmacy", because of the large number of natural medicines discovered there. Rainforests are also responsible for 28% of the worlds oxygen turn over, often misunderstood as oxygen production, processing it through photosynthesis from carbon dioxide and through breathing to carbon dioxide.

The undergrowth in a rainforest is restricted in many areas by the lack of sunlight at ground level. This makes it possible to walk through the forest. If the leaf canopy is destroyed or thinned, the ground beneath is soon colonized by a dense, tangled growth of vines, shrubs, and small trees called a jungle. There are two types of rainforest, tropical rainforest and temperate rainforest.

The lowland Costa Rican rainforest (Osa Peninsula) is home to an amaizing array of plant and animal species totaling about 124 species of mammals; 375 species of birds ; 117 species of reptiles and amphibians; 66 freshwater fish species; and 70 species of marine crabs.

Among the mammals are 4 monkey species, anteaters, sloths, southern river otter, crab-eating raccoon, 5-6 cat species (e.g. ocelot, margay, jaguar), peccaries and Baird's tapir. Crocodile Bay offers several full day and 1/2 day tours that will allow you to see a variety of wildlife during your trip to Crocodile Bay Resort.

View all Rainforest Tour Options

Sources: Janzen Daniel H. , 1983, Costa Rican Nature History, 816 p, the University of Chicago Press Chicago and London. Wikipedia

Costa Rica Birding:
Basic Recommendations for the Observation of Birds in the Field.

Birds in Costa Rica are found in a wide variety of different places, which vary from natural conditions to altered environments. They are commonly located in forest areas, second growth zones, mangroves, lagoons and rivers, including gardens, buildings, churches and parks in urban areas. Observing and studying birds is an interesting activity, providing knowledge and wonderful surprises.

The observer must have good visual and auditory capacities, patience, discipline and perseverance in order to obtain the essential information on a determined species. One must frequently remain quiet, silent, and attentive during long hours, generally under unfavorable field conditions. Nevertheless, in most cases, these difficulties are amply rewarded with the personal satisfaction of accomplishing the planned objectives and having the unique experience of admiring rare and beautiful birds in their natural habitat.

During Costa Rica Bird watching Tours, it is advisable to move in small groups, walking slowly and carefully, in the most cautious and silent manner. Unnecessary conversation with other companions must be avoided so that the birds will not be disturbed or scared away. In addition, it is convenient for participants to wear the correct clothing to avoid sharp contrast with the surroundings environment, thus disrupting the birds. In order to be successful in identifying birds in the field, it is highly advisable to locate them in their natural habitat at the correct time, according to the behavior pattern and ecological requirements of each species.

In general, most diurnal birds and those associated with forested areas are usually found active from sunrise until 8 or 9 am, and later after 2 or 3 pm. However, there are exceptions, such as aquatic species, which remain active throughout most of the day. In general, knowledge of periods of activity of the different bird species, their preferred habitats and other important aspects related to their behavior facilitates observation.

The minimum equipment necessary to observe and identify birds in the field consists of a pair of standard binoculars, a small notebook, field guides and possibly a telescope, camera or video recorder as optional accessories.If you would like to learn more about these birding tactics, or put some of your own ideas into practice in the jungle, come visit us at Crocodile Bay and show us what you have got!

Costa Rica Eco Report,
November 2008
by Alberto Herrera,

The New Monkey Tour
Every year at Crocodile Bay Resort, we insure that when our yearly clients return, that they will find many pleasant new surprises, that were not available on their past trips. The following are some of our new tours we have created specifically for this reason;

The New Monkey Tour The New World Monkeys are split into three families. The largest and most diverse family, with more than 30 species, is the Cebidae, which includes the four monkeys found in Costa Rica. Crocodile Bay Resort is located on the Osa Peninsula, in the southern zone of Costa Rica. This is the only place in the country than you can find all the four Costa Ricans monkeys species together such as the Mantled Howler Monkey, White-Throated Capuchin Monkey, Spider Monkey and Central America Squirrel Monkey.

At present, more than a third of the world’s primate species are listed as threatened by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and about one in seven are in imminent danger of disappearing. This tour was created specifically for those who want to focus on these amazing species of monkeys in their natural habitat, but perhaps choose not to take the entire Rainforest Hike due to physical restrictions or time restraints.

Costa Rican law protects 25% of its territory through the different Categories of Conservation. But there are many Privates Reserves that use their lands in Eco Friendly Activities. One of our most popular tours in the past year was our first Canopy Tour, due to its high popularity, we started providing it at night, for a new twist... and oh is it ever twisted in the dark! But because some of our clients were becoming addicted to the adrenaline of the activity, but at the same time, wanted a change of scenery, we added a new one!

Osa Palmas Canopy tour is a good example of Conservation in a tour of adventure and adrenaline. Our clients get to experience more speed every time in each of their five zip-lines, at the same time we are passing through and in between renewable plantations of trees, primary forest, secondary forest and wide open areas. Besides that, we have a total of eight platforms with heights from ground level to 36 meters over the ground, at the height of the canopy of the forest.

The great views, the speed and adrenaline, as well as the presence of the flora and fauna of the area make it a great combination of experiences.

For the last 50 years, more and more herpetologist and scientists have been concerned with the conservation of land, freshwater, and sea turtles. Finally, centers of protection and study have been created throughout the world, and controlled breeding has made reintroduction possible. Working to “secure a future where humans and sea turtles can live together in balance,” the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) is an innovative, proactive and inclusive mechanism for sustainable development on a regional scale. Since 1981, the WIDECAST network, with Country Coordinators in more than 40 nations and territories, has linked scientists, conservationists, resource managers, resource users, policy-makers, industry groups, educators and other stakeholders together in a collective effort to develop a unified management framework.

WIDECAST has one of the projects in southern Costa Rica, and we are proud to support them, as well as show you how we are doing it. The Osa Peninsula is one of the most important place for nesting of marine turtles in Costa Rica, specifically at Carate Beach. Crocodile Bay Resort is supporting WIDECAST selling their products in our gift shop and developing this tour where you can be a part of the baby marine turtles migration while running to the ocean after hatching.

In the hatchery the marine turtle eggs are safe because the wildlife enemies can’t attack them.

Every morning hundreds of turtles hatch at the beach and the people in charge of this project release the baby turtles at the top of the beach. It’s very important turtles run from the top of the beach to the water by themselves, because on this way they will collect the information about different parameters of the beach, because with this information they will return in fifty years for nesting. Want a hands on experience with mother nature, while at the same time getting to play mother to baby sea turtles? That option is now on the tour list if you do.

Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica Eco Tour Report February, 2010

More photos from our opening month Dec 1 - 15 2009!

Crocodile Bay Resort Eco Report December 2009

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Crocodile Bay Resort Costa Rica
Eco Tour Report
February, 2010

Crocodile Bay Resort
Eco Report December 2009