This week we'll visit the Osa Peninsula and Corcovado National Park located in Costa Rica’s South Pacific region. Corcovado National Park is one of the most unique and biodiverse places on the planet and visiting the Peninsula should be a real treat. It contains over five percent of the world’s animal population just within that small area, making it a popular ecotourism destination. For example, the national park is said to contain the entire ecosystem of insects that is found between Panama and Mexico. Additionally, National Geographic describes it as the “most biologically intense place on Earth in terms of biodiversity.” (6 min)

In 164 square miles of the peninsula you’ll find the largest primary forest on the American Pacific, cloud forest, mangrove swamp, pristine beaches, waterfalls and lowland tropical rainforest. You can spot species of birds like scarlet macaws and the harpy eagle, tapirs, crocodiles, ALL 4 monkeys being the howler monkeys, spider monkeys, the white-faced capuchin and squirrel monkeys. White-lipped Peccaries, amphibians like the red-eyed tree frog, anteaters, sloths, jaguars and pumas (unlikely, but not impossible). You can also go diving in the Peninsula and spot marine animals rays, see turtles, sharks such as bull sharks, moray eels, dolphins, … Corcovado National Park is the explorer’s, ecotourist’s and backpacker’s dream. Even experienced beach lovers will be amazed by the incredible Corcovado beaches.
https://www.costarica.org/national-parks/corcovado/

Costa Rica - Sights and Sounds of Corcovado National Park. A day in the life of one of the most biologically intense places on the planet, Corcovado National Park. The program features footage from Corcovado National Park, Cano Island, Drake Bay, Carate and the Golfo Dulce. (19 min)

Here's another couples video take on the Osa Peninsula (7 min)

And for those just wanting a taste a 2 min clip

This clip is only recommended to "peace of mind" visitors who have time and the spirit to dive into the primary forest listening to the wonderful nature sound and get an glimpse of the incredible wildlife.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtKK04pmNy8 (29 min of unusual creatures)

Blue-crowned Mot Mot, Black and Green Dart Frog, Neo-tropical Bird Eating, Snake, Agouti, Mantled Howler Monkey, White Faced Capuchin Monkey, Spider Monkey, Squirrel Monkey, Orb Weaver, Black and Green Dart Frog, Black-hooded Antshrike, Northern Tamandua, Great Curassow, Black Hawk, Golfo Dulce Anolis, Red-Tailed Squirrel, Scarlet Macaw, Orange-banded Snail Eater, Boa Constrictor, Moth, Collared Peccary, Koati, King Vulture, Ant, Insect, Puma and Pink Eely.

One more Osa travel story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lunkkYfyLgY (6 min)

We are amateur birders and that is a big attraction on this journey. Check out some of the video below to experience a bit of the diversity.

One more for those interested
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My_LY0ZBGIs (23 min back yard CR birds)

Enough of the ecological nature, what about the people?
https://www.insightguides.com/inspire-me/blog/tico-culture-the-people-of...

Along with the overwhelming majority of Spanish-heritage Ticos, there are four other distinct ethnic groups. The people of Guanacaste have dark skin, and resemble their Nicaraguan neighbors in manner and accent. In the southern, mountainous regions of the country, the Amerindians of Costa Rica, who were here long before the Spanish, belong to six discrete linguistic groups. Though they increasingly speak Spanish, they still debate whether it is more important to retain their indigenous cultural identity or to assimilate more into mainstream Costa Rican culture. The blacks of the Atlantic Coast are the country’s largest immigrant minority; they speak Caribbean-accented English and talk with pride of their Jamaican heritage. Sino-Costa Ricans are called Chinos. Descendants of indentured laborers, they own many of the bars, restaurants, and stores, especially in small towns. And all these different races are Costarricenses.
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In the villages and small towns of Costa Rica there is a connectedness, a familial unity. On the street, people will nod and say "Buenos Días" or "Adiós" even to complete strangers passing by. The family is still the main focus in this country. Young people usually live at home until they are well into their twenties and thirties, and some even stay at home after getting married.

The pressure of life in the cities is essentially at odds with this national character. But even for busy city people, the extended family is the focus of their social life, and many city families retain close links with their rural past, spending most weekends and holidays at family fincas (farms).
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Though Costa Ricans may not be perfect, they are essentially a democratic, benevolent, and peaceful nation. There is a kind of strength in their fragility. After coming to visit, many people from all over the world are inspired to do whatever they can to ensure the survival and intelligent growth of this vulnerable country and its peaceable people.

The country is interested in electrifying their transportation system...
https://energytransition.org/2018/01/costa-rica-drives-for-a-new-green-g...

Here's an interesting take from a capitalist who wants more corporate growth. Otherwise it is a nice reflection of the country's green goals. (11 min)

Costa Rica is the eco-capital of Latin America, offering rich biodiversity and generating most of its electricity from clean sources. In fact 25 % of its land is designated a wildlife reserve or National Park and protected from development.
Costa Rica was on a mission to become the first country to have zero emissions by 2021. Last year, it had to revise that goal and admit it was overly ambitious. But it is still one of the greenest countries on the planet and setting the goal has increased environmental awareness and helped reduce carbon output. Grace Gonzalez visits Costa Rica and shows us why it’s a model for sustainability. She also tells us what the nation is doing to help preserve the planet. Check out Grace’s piece to see why some people call Costa Rica the Switzerland of South America.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=waDEmZHkcmM (20 min)

Sometimes Costa Rica is said to be the Switzerland of Central America. Here's one expat's take...
How Costa Rica is Like Switzerland

1. Both countries can boast high life expectancy of their inhabitants. Switzerland is number one for life expectancy in the world. Costa Rica holds an impressive position of 33 on the same list, well above its neighbors and ahead of the U.S.

2. This point from a Swiss acquaintance: The Swiss are very polite and dislike direct confrontation. However, they have subtle ways to let you know when they do not share your opinion. This lines up perfectly with the Tico reluctance to say “no.”

3. Both receive the vast majority of their electric power from hydroelectric sources.

4. Both receive about 3 percent of their GDP from the tourism industry, although the absolute amounts are vastly different of course.

5. Costa Rica and Switzerland are roughly the same size: 51,000 and 41,000 square kilometers, respectively.

6. Both have universal medical care, though that is common within Europe and much less so in Central America.

7. Both have palm trees (no kidding, see the Swiss shore of Lake Lugano)

8. Both have legalized prostitution.

9. Both maintain neutrality when it comes to international disputes. In fact, Costa Rica took that a step further by abolishing its military in 1948.

How It Is Not

1. Despite similar life expectancy, Costa Rica is decidedly a more dangerous place to live than Switzerland. Costa Rica’s homicide rate is 10 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, whereas Switzerland’s rate is 0.7.

2. Costa Rica is loaded with national parks, preserves and conservation areas whereas it appears the Swiss only have a single national park.

3. CR exports: Coffee, bananas, sugar, textiles, electronic components, electricity (chocolate fell off the list a long time ago, unfortunately). Swiss exports: medicinal and pharmaceutical products, watches and clocks, machinery for special industry and metalworking machinery and tools.

4. Switzerland has four seasons. Costa Rica just two.

5. Switzerland has four official languages, but Costa Rica has just one.

6. The Swiss drive Audis and VWs, whereas the Ticos drive Toyotas, Nissans and Hyundais. I have a feeling, however, even the Swiss would be appalled at the cost of cars here.

7. Over 1 million Swiss commute everyday via public transport and that public transport has a 99 percent on-time record.

8. Swiss trains were the first to install Starbucks kiosks. Costa Rica really does not have much of a rail system and I should live so long to see an espresso bar in one.
https://www.expatsblog.com/contests/884/is-costa-rica-really-the-switzer...

Now having been to both countries, I also see similarities and differences. But the joy of travel is in absorbing the vibe so to speak. Switzerland was like visiting four countries. Costa Rica has been a visit to three distinct ecosystems here in this SW corner of the country. We'll be on the beach next week. I hope you're enjoying this foray into the nature of Costa Rica.

Next week we're going over to Playa Zancundo to finish up with a beach experience.

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PS
I had hoped to share some pictures with you but internet connections here are tentative at best. However I would like to share my overall impressions of this remarkable neotropical rainforest. This environment is like an ecosystem on speed. Trees grow from seed to 20 ft trees in a matter of 5-6 years. Giant trees only last one to two hundred years before crashing to the forest floor opening up a lens of sunlight to begin the process again. There are six to seven hundred species of trees in North America, but over two thousand on the Osa. This is a biologically rich place.

Animals play an important role not only fertilizing and spreading seed, but also recycling and fertilizing soil. Giant mounds of leaf cutting ants farm fungus deep underground as their food source...really acting like a super organism (2.5 min)
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xxnmh4IDYaU]

Hey the pics decided to load...
Here's an leaf cutter ant waste pile -

Parts of the Osa are remnants of the Galapagos' carried by plate movement and scraped off on the peninsula, called exotic terranes. So, in a way we can now say we visited the Galapagos too.

Let's take a look at animals...
First a couple of great birds. A scarlet macaw and green parrot

Someone last week asked for butterfly shots. They are difficult to capture but we managed a few...

Here's a Coati a raccoon relative...they are everywhere

Well better quit monkeying around (spider monkey)

Time to sail off into the sunset...

Wishing you all the best. Have a great remainder of the weekend!