ISA World Surfing Games Billabong 2009

Surfer Costa Rica

Costa Rica is gearing up for their first ever world-wide sporting event.  From July 31 – August 9, the next ISA World Surfing Games Billabong will be held in Playa Hermosa, near the tourist city of Jaco.

35 countries have confirmed their attendance so far, which will make this competition the biggest in the world.  With eight surfers per team, that makes 280 of the best surfers in the world gathering in Costa Rica.  In other words, this event should be spectacular!

“All of Costa Rica is pretty excited,” stated José Ureña, president of the Costa Rica Surfing Federation.  “This is the first time we’ve ever hosted a world games of any sort.  In fact, this is the first time any sporting world event has ever been held in Central America!”

The organizers report plenty of hotel space for competitors and spectators alike.  In fact, the entire area has geared up to make life as easy as possible for the thousands of people who will be descending upon the city soon.

Given the fact that this is a first for Costa Rica, there are a lot of expectations.  Hopefully Jaco and Playa Hermosa will be able to live up to them!

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park

With the establishment of ManuelAntonio National Park in 1972, the people of Costa Rica decided to preserve, for future generations, one of the most beautiful and bio-diverse areas in the world. Although it is the country’s smallest national park, the stunning beauty and diversity of wildlife in its 683 hectares is unequaled.

Manuel Antonio contains a charming combination of rain forest, beaches and coral reefs. This beaches are the most beautiful in the country, lined with lush forest, and the snorkeling is excellent too. The forest is home for sloths, iguanas, the rare and adorable squirrel monkeys and millions of colorful little crabs. And the trail that winds around Punta Catedral affords some spectacular views. The park is easy to reach, south of the town of Quepos, and is near a good selection of hotels and restaurants.

Visiting the park, one is treated to an abundant diversity of wildlife. Cathedral Point, with its forest topped cliffs was once an island, but is now connected to the coast by a thin strip of island. This land bridge now forms the spine separating the parks two most popular beaches, Playa Espadilla Sur and Playa Manuel Antonio.
The southern facing beach, Playa Manuel Antonio, is a picturesque half mile long, white sand crescent bisecting deep green foliage to one side and a private, secluded cove to the other.

Standing with your feet dug into the sand and watching the wave crash against the rocks on either side of the lagoon, it is easy to believe that you are a thousand miles from anywhere.

Getting there
Travel to the area is easy and can be done in a number of different ways. Regularly scheduled air service is available through Sansa Airlines, the flight takes 20 minutes. It is a three and a half hour or more, drive by car from San José depending on the weather and traffic.

If you are renting a car it is advisable to rent a 4X4 vehible because certain sections of the road can be difficult.

The Manuel Antonio National Park entrance fee is US$10 per person. Children under 12 free. Hours: 7am. to 4pm. Closed on Monday.

Quepos/Manuel Antonio, the little slice of paradise for all interests and pocket-books.

Carara National Park
Carara National Park

GENERAL INFORMATION
Carara is located in the transitional area between the dry and moist forests of the Pacific Region. It can be said that no other wildlife area in the country protects the resources of plants and animals present in that bioclimatic region.

This wildlife area is considered an excellent living laboratory, where it’s possible to study the structure and function of tropical ecosystems and the relationship among them. The mean annual temperature is 27° C.

LOCATION

The Park is located 90 km from the capital city, following the coastal south road and the center of the banks of River Grande de Tárcoles. The time it takes from San José is approximately two hours and is a part of the Central Pacific Conservation Area.

ACCESS

San José – Orotina, 25 km by the road to Jacó

MAIN ATTRACTIONS

In Carara we distinguish three life zones: the tropical moist forest transition to pre-moist, the tropical very moist forest transition to moist and the very moist pre-montane forest.

Among the most outstanding fauna can be found the peccary, ocelot, white-faced monkeys, and macaws. Some of the animal species cited before are in danger of extinction or have reduced populations. This Park counts with numerous remnants of pre-Columbian indigenous occupations, that to this date are not open to the public.

SERVICES OFFERED

General information, bilingual staff, potable water, restrooms and trails, parking area; lodging for researchers and volunteers (prior request in writing, w/15-days anticipation and depending on vacancies), telephone, local bilingual guides, look-outs.

TRAILS
* Las Aráceas Natural Trail
Type of trail: Circular. Duration: 1 hour. Distance: 1200 m. Main Attraction: Variety of plants, trees, primary forest, bird watching.

* Quebrada Bonita Natural Trail
Type of trail: Circular. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Distance: 1500 meters. Main Attraction: Variety of trees, bird watching; has small look-outs and resting area.

* Meandric Lagoon Natural Trail
Type of trail: Linear. Duration: Two to four hours. Distance: 4350 meters. Main Attraction: Bird watching.

* Meeting of Ecosystems Trail
Type of trail: linear and circular. Main Attraction: Bird watching, flora; facilities for persons with some disability, with interpretation about the forest and its surroundings.

REGULATIONS

* In spite of its biological diversity, many animals living in Carara National Park are hard to observe because of their migratory or reproductive habits, because they are nocturnal or because the forest is too dense to see them clearly. Move quietly and sharpen your observation skills in order to have better appreciation of the richness of this area).
* All protected wildlife areas have rules that regulate the protection of resources and the activities of visitors. This reserve operates under these rules for public use and all visitors must respect them.
* If you need help or have questions, please ask the rangers or volunteers, they will be ready and willing to help you.
* All living things, plants and animals, alike, share this planet with you. Please respect them.
* Enjoy the forest’s peace and natural sounds. Do not play radios or make loud noises that might disturb the tranquility within it.
* Please keep yourself on the trails. The signs are for the benefit of all. Do not deface or destroy them.
* This area is a natural preserve. We invite you to observe, enjoy and take as many pictures as you like. Please do not remove plants, animals, stones or other materials as souvenirs.
* Please collect your garbage and take it with you.
* Do not feed the wildlife. They can suffer serious health problems if they eat people’s food.

Calypso Catamaran Cruise
Calypso Catamaran Cruise

“Calypso Catamaran Cruise” also known as the Pacific Island Cruise or the Calypso Island Cruise, is a one-day boat tour full of adventure that leaves daily from Puntarenas, Costa Rica’s major Pacific Port. Once on board the 71-foot Catamaran Manta Raya, you will cruise past some of the 23 islands in the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, where you can see porpoise, dolphins, sea turtles and aquatic birds. Calypso Catamaran Cruise offers two tour destinations daily: either the private reserve of Punta Coral, nestled in some of the world’s last remaining Tropical Dry Forest and home for many species of wildlife including yellow napped parrots, and howler monkeys; or Costa Rica’s famous palm studded, white sand beach Isla Tortuga (Tortuga Island). Once at your destination, enjoy the activities that include: sunbathing, volleyball, kayaks, bird watching or relax in a hammock. A wonderful gourmet meal is elegantly served accompanied with chilled white wine and live music.