Los Inocentes Ranch and Santa Elena Bay, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica
After a short ride, we arrived at the ranch where we spent most of the day. We started on different activities: horseback riding, walks and a tractor ride. Though a little overcast, the weather was ideal to look for wildlife. We saw three species of primates: the mantled howler monkey, the white-throated capuchin and the Central American spider monkey. Some of us had a wonderful opportunity to photograph spectacular birds, such as white-throated magpie jays and keel billed toucans.
The long beaks enable toucans to reach the fruit at the end of the branch from a strong and comfortable perch. They also feed on other birds' eggs. The jays are very important seed dispersers in our dry forests that find a sanctuary in Santa Rosa National Park and its buffer zone of regenerating forest. It was recently declared a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The captain repositioned the ship to the waters of this protected area to allow us to enjoy the pristine waters for snorkeling and kayaking. Some of us took a Zodiac cruise into the mangroves and others swam from the stern. The young adventurers participated in various activities and they had amazing fun with the banana boat.
After a great Costa Rican typical buffet, we had almost all night at the small calm Bay of Santa Elena, where the forest starts right at the calm shore and the sky cleared at night to reveal the bright stars.
After a short ride, we arrived at the ranch where we spent most of the day. We started on different activities: horseback riding, walks and a tractor ride. Though a little overcast, the weather was ideal to look for wildlife. We saw three species of primates: the mantled howler monkey, the white-throated capuchin and the Central American spider monkey. Some of us had a wonderful opportunity to photograph spectacular birds, such as white-throated magpie jays and keel billed toucans.
The long beaks enable toucans to reach the fruit at the end of the branch from a strong and comfortable perch. They also feed on other birds' eggs. The jays are very important seed dispersers in our dry forests that find a sanctuary in Santa Rosa National Park and its buffer zone of regenerating forest. It was recently declared a World Heritage Site of UNESCO. The captain repositioned the ship to the waters of this protected area to allow us to enjoy the pristine waters for snorkeling and kayaking. Some of us took a Zodiac cruise into the mangroves and others swam from the stern. The young adventurers participated in various activities and they had amazing fun with the banana boat.
After a great Costa Rican typical buffet, we had almost all night at the small calm Bay of Santa Elena, where the forest starts right at the calm shore and the sky cleared at night to reveal the bright stars.
