Rincon de la Vieja National Park , 1/13/2023, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
Once more today, we had the privilege of waking up in this majestic place on the Pacific side of the North Pacific tropical moist forest. We observed an active volcano and enjoyed ziplining, horseback riding, hiking on forest trails, and waterfalls with swimming holes. We observed this incredible tropical forest and some of its inhabitants, including monkeys, black iguanas, and tropical birds.
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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Today was a wildlife fiesta. Along our forest walks in Curu we saw scarlet macaws (Ara macao), greater, white-lined bats (Saccopteryx bilineata), Central American agoutis (Dasyprocta punctata), white-faced capuchin monkeys (Cebus capucinus), howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), and banded owl butterflies (Caligo atreus). Curu is a multi-use sustainability development project that prioritizes forest protection, sustainable agriculture, and wildlife conservation. Clouds broke in the afternoon for a lovely beach excursion to Isla Tortuga where guests swam, drank rum coconuts, and observed charismatic collared peccaries (Pecari tajacu). 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. This week we were lucky enough to experience the tail-end of rainy season here in Costa Rica, a climactic rhythm that defines the beautiful biodiversity that drew us here to begin with. Thank you, rain, for all you make possible.
Today, National Geographic Quest stayed in the oldest region of Costa Rica, the famous Santa Elena Bay, located in the conservation area of Guanacaste. In the morning we all boarded “pangas,” small local boats used to explore and admire the rock formations and geologic history of the country. After that, we challenged our guests with a nature walk inside the tropical “dry forest,” this time with a heavy rain in between. We had a lot of laughs and joy from everybody, as we found the trails flooded and the “dry” forest very “wet.” In the afternoon, our guests divided into groups for kayaking, Zodiac rides, and a power walk. In the end, it didn’t matter which of the options guests picked because they were all amazing. Whether watching an American crocodile from a kayak, spotting a bat falcon sitting in the Zodiac, or watching the white-faced monkeys while walking under the rain, this afternoon we were all winners on this journey. Photos by Federico Chacon and Bryan Obregon
Today, National Geographic Quest visited Bahia Huevos and the Platanares Mangrove Forest. Despite the rain, spirits remained high as guests embarked on Zodiac rides through the lush mangrove channels. We had the opportunity to observe a variety of wildlife, including iguanas basking on branches, parrots flying overhead, and numerous bird species such as herons, egrets, and flycatchers. The vibrant ecosystem of the mangroves provided a unique and memorable experience. After returning to the ship, guests gathered in the lounge for cocktail hour, reflecting on the day's adventures. It was a wonderful day immersed in nature.
