Science, Photography, and Trip Reviews
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Corcovado
Corcovado National Park, monkeys, birds, & coatimundi
Casa Corcovado, nature trails, mangroves, jungle, & beaches
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White faced monkey in Corcovado National Park. |
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Regions of Costa Rica
Costa Rica can be broken down into a number of regions or specific destinations. You can start with an overview of Costa Rica. For specific details of a region or destination choose the one of interest. There is the Central Region, which includes San Jose and the Central Valley, and features the Poas Volcano and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. San Jose area hotels are found on a separate web page. Hotels at other destinations are reviewed with a specific destination's web page. To the north of San Jose is Arenal where you find the spectacular Arenal volcano, and Monteverde where the very impressive Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located. Tortuguero is found in the eastern part of Costa Rica on the Caribbean Sea. There you see great wildlife from boats in rivers and canals. The region in the northwest adjoining the Pacific Ocean is Guanacaste. This is where you find popular beaches and the beach town of Tamarindo. This is the driest part of Costa Rica. The Central Pacific region includes the Jaco area and the near by Carara National Park. The Central Pacific also includes Manuel Antonio and the very popular Manuel Antonio National Park. In the southwest region on the Pacific coast is the Corcovado National Park. It is in a remote location, but is a great place to visit. Contact Us for more information.
Corcovado National Park
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Coatimundi in Corcovado National Park. |
The Corcovado National Park is located in a remote location in southwest Costa Rica near the Costa Rica-Panama border. The park borders the Pacific Ocean and consists of 109,161 acres. Rainfall is around 15 feet (4.5 meters) per year, which is why the park is described as a wet forest. You want to dress in proper clothing and foot ware. You will likely encounter some muddy areas. But by all means visit this wonderful park. There are numerous amphibians, birds, butterflies, insects, mammals, trees,and reptiles. There are more scarlet macaws in this area than anywhere else in Costa Rica. Many of the wildlife are endangered including the jaguar, ocelot, scarlet macaw, and several of the monkeys: howler, spider, and squirrel. There are trails for hiking, best done with a guide, and some of the trails are long. While walking we encountered the Coatimundi seen above.
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Rebecca learning about wildlife from the guide on a trail in Corcovado National Park. |
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White faced monkey jumping in Corcovado National Park. |
Our guide, Cynthia, from Casa Corcovado took us into the Corcovado National Park. In the picture above Cynthia is explaining to Rebecca about things in the park. The trails are beautiful, like those found in jungle areas all over Costa Rica. A highlight of our visit was seeing white faced monkeys in the trees above us. I was able to get the picture of one seen at the top of this page. Directly above is a picture I got of one jumping through the trees. In taking pictures of animals, birds, and other things in the jungle remember that you are shooting into an area where there are many things at different distances in view as well as quite variable lighting. So set your camera so that you choose a pin-point exposure setting, use pin-point focus, and than point at your subject and take the picture. If you look carefully at my monkey pictures you will notice areas of very bright light from the sky above, but the over exposed light did not ruin my pictures. Also, there are branches and other things that are not quite in focus. But my main subjects, the monkeys, are in focus and properly exposed..
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Wild flower in Corcovado National Park. |
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Rebecca in front of a really big tree in Corcovado National Park. |
You marvel about the size of the trees and plants that grow in tropical climates like Costa Rica. A good example is the tree in the photo above that Rebecca is standing in front of. You also see beautiful wild flowers like the one above. You are always entertained and amazed by the wonderful sights you see and sounds that you here when walking the trails. Below in the Pacific Ocean waters near shore there were three pelicans; their picture is below along with that of a lone bird.
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Pelicans in Corcovado National Park. |
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Bird in Corcovado National Park. |
Lodging
Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge
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Mangrove seen on river on boat trip to Casa Corcovado. |
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Boat that brought us to Casa Corcovado is docked where we got off. |
The Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge is the closest place to stay when going to the Corcovado National Park. It is a 170 acre private reserve, and is a destination in itself, and is where we stayed. The only access to the lodge is by boat. To get there we flew by a small commercial plane from San Jose to an airport near the town of Sierpe. A short taxi ride took us to La Hacienda, which is the reception center for the lodge. A boat was waiting in the river there to take us to Casa Corcovado. It is a ninety minute boat ride to the lodge. On the way you pass through a very interesting large mangrove wetland on the Pacific coast. See the picture above. You exit the river and follow the coast in the Pacific Ocean before arriving at Casa Corcovado. There is no landing dock, so the boat docks short of the beach. See the picture above. You want to wear pants and foot ware that you do not mind getting wet. Because from the boat you walk through the water over a rocky bottom the short distance to the shore. Do not worry about your luggage as the lodge staff moves it for you. Once on land you get in a wagon that a tractor pulls up a steep hill to where the lodge is located. The lodge is impressive, and once there you know the trip to this remote paradise was worth the effort.
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Bungalow where we stayed at Casa Corcovado. |
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Pool at Casa Corcovado. |
At the Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge you find luxury accommodations. There are bungalows and junior suites, and they are spread throughout the property with a large distance of separation between them. The bungalow that we stayed in is pictured above. It has a lot of room and was very comfortable. The shower and bathroom are in separate rooms. There are two pools. The one pictured above is the larger of the two, and is close to reception and the restaurant. The second pool is located nearby down a hill in the forest. It is fed by spring water, and offers more seclusion because of its location. The lodge also offers transportation by boat to a sheltered beach for swimming and snorkeling. A picnic lunch is provided.
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Walking the grounds at Casa Corcovado. |
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Flower at Casa Corcovado. |
The grounds of the Casa Corcovado are beautiful, and you will want to take walks. There are lots of attractive flowers and shrubs. Note the pictures above. From a lookout on the hill high above the Pacific Ocean you can view the ocean and especially sunsets. It is properly named the Margarita Sunset Point, as you can get drinks there while relaxing with friends and taking in the view. The lodge offers lots of tours including trails within the lodge property as well as the Corcovado National Park. There is a bird tour, and your chances of seeing lots of birds is high since there are 350 species in the area. A very good picnic lunch is provided on the tours if you are away at lunch time. If after walking the trails you would like a massage they offer traditional, Thai, and bamboo massages. The food is mostly served in the main restaurant. On arrival we had lunch at table in the bar. Both are pictured below. Rebecca is standing in the bar next to tables. Both places are comfortable, and the food is very good. Internet access by Wi-Fi is available at reception and the nearby pool. We look forward to another visit to Casa Corcovado and the Corcovado National Park.
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Main restaurant at Casa Corcovado. |
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Rebecca in the bar at Casa Corcovado. |
Regions of Costa Rica
Costa Rica can be broken down into a number of regions or specific destinations. You can start with an overview of Costa Rica. For specific details of a region or destination choose the one of interest. There is the Central Region, which includes San Jose and the Central Valley, and features the Poas Volcano and the La Paz Waterfall Gardens. San Jose area hotels are found on a separate web page. Hotels at other destinations are reviewed with a specific destination's web page. To the north of San Jose is Arenal where you find the spectacular Arenal volcano, and Monteverde where the very impressive Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located. Tortuguero is found in the eastern part of Costa Rica on the Caribbean Sea. There you see great wildlife from boats in rivers and canals. The region in the northwest adjoining the Pacific Ocean is Guanacaste. This is where you find popular beaches and the beach town of Tamarindo. This is the driest part of Costa Rica. The Central Pacific region includes the Jaco area and the near by Carara National Park. The Central Pacific also includes Manuel Antonio and the very popular Manuel Antonio National Park. In the southwest region on the Pacific coast is the Corcovado National Park. It is in a remote location, but is a great place to visit.
Photos by Sunny Breeding. We sell prints and images.
