Santa Elena Bay and Junquillal Wildlife Refuge , 11/23/2022, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Today we had a great day exploring the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica, including Santa Elena Bay, part of Santa Rosa National Park. National Geographic Quest is the first ship that has ever anchored in this beautiful bay.
We were the only people in the area, and we took advantage of the privilege. We had the bay and the trail to ourselves, and we explored the area at our leisure. We observed the unique dry forest ecosystem and some of its beautiful flora and fauna.
Federico Chacón, or “Fico” as he is better known by his friends, started guiding one-day nature tours on weekends and holidays at the age of 18 right at the time he started studies at the University of Costa Rica. It was just a part-time job, that wa...
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Morning brought a gorgeous peach sunrise as we sailed into Santa Elena Bay, a marine management area renown for hosting nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and over twenty species of rays, including a fan favorite, the spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari). Along the edges of the bay, we spotted common black hawks (Buteogallus anthracinus), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), and neotropical cormorants (Nannopterum brasilianum) making for a bird-filled morning. We also had great views of two different cactus species peppering the bay, a fascinating botanical presence to encounter in the tropics. In the afternoon, we explored Guachipelin via nature walks, swimming, and snorkeling. These excursions provided even more wildlife sightings, including white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica), capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator), and mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), the latter of which is famous for their resonant howl that can carry a whopping 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) away.
This morning, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure at Celestia Beach where our guests had two exciting options. Some chose a walk through the lush rainforest, immersing themselves in the vibrant ecosystem. Along the way, we were fortunate enough to witness a troop of howler monkeys, their distinctive calls reverberating through the trees. We also spotted a ferruginous pygmy owl perched quietly, its sharp eyes observing us from above. In the afternoon, we continued our exploration at Huevos Bay, known for its stunning mangroves and rich wildlife. Guests boarded our Zodiacs and kayaks for a thrilling cruise through the calm waters, offering a closer look at the mangrove ecosystems. During the excursion, we encountered several black iguanas basking on the shore, their dark scales absorbing the sun. We also observed a variety of intriguing bird species, adding to the diversity of our wildlife sightings. Throughout the day, the combination of dry forest exploration, Zodiac adventures, and abundant wildlife made for an exceptional experience. Our guests were captivated by the natural beauty and wildlife encounters, making this day one of the highlights of our journey. It was truly an amazing and unforgettable adventure.
Today was a sunny, muddy, wildlife extravaganza. Along our forest walks in Curu we saw greater white-lined bats (Saccopteryx bilineata), Central American agoutis (Dasyprocta punctata), white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus), howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica), bare-throated tiger herons (Tigrisoma mexicanum), and common black hawks (Buteogallus anthracinus). Curu is a multi-use sustainability development project that prioritizes forest protection, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife conservation. It has been involved in projects featuring scarlet macaws (Ara macao), a gorgeous parrot native to humid evergreen forests of the Americas. We spent the afternoon at Isla Tortuga where guests enjoyed coconuts and then watched charismatic collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu) feed on the leftovers. It was difficult to leave the beach, but we had the world premiere of our guest slideshow to enjoy, prepared by our magnificent Photo Instructor, José Calvo.