From the National Geographic Sea Lion in Costa Rica, 1/6/2011, National Geographic Sea Lion

This morning we anchored early in front of Playa Caletas, located south of Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula. This private refuge is a perfect buffer zone for Corcovado and shares lots of species with the National Park.

 

With overcast skies and eventual rain, the ocean was getting a bit difficult, so for about an hour we had to postpone our landing on shore. In the meantime our Naturalist Isa, an expert in primates, gave us a great lecture. By the time she finished, the weather was better and were ready for our departure.

 

The group going horseback riding left first, followed by the rest of the guests that were exploring the trails of the reserve. The forest in this area is lush. Despite the muddy trails after the rain, the colors of the forest were vibrant and the birds and animals were active. Among the species that we saw were dull-mantled howler monkeys, white-faced capuchins, chestnut-backed antbirds, black-checked ant-tanagers, common-black hawk and chestnut-mandible toucans. Right before embarking the National Geographic Sea Lion, it started raining again. With the transition between the rainy season and the dry season this was not surprising, considering that this region receives around 240 inches of rain per year.

 

After lunch the hotel manager opened the global market, offering beautiful local art craft, some made by the indigenous populations from Panama. Later in the afternoon, we visited Corcovado National Park; by then the weather had changed completely and we had a sunny afternoon.

 

Right at the park, we divided the group and visited two different areas, one group went on a walk on a flatter trail were the guests were able to see the cocoa woodcreeper, wedge-tailed woodcreeper and three species of monkeys: the howler monkey , the white-faced capuchin and the spider monkey. This last species is one of the rarest primates in Costa Rica, depending more than others on the old healthy forest. They travel the canopy fairly quickly, due to the fact that they do not have thumbs in their hands. This trait allows them to easily swing in the branches. Spider monkeys were spotted again high up in the canopy of the trail to the waterfall, where everyone enjoyed the experience of cooling off in the waters of the river San Pedrillo.

 

The day ended with cocktails and a magnificent sunset.