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Jan
13
Going Green: Great Green Macaws Back in Talamanca
January 13, 2012 | Tags: Environment, Helping Out, Nature | 4 Comments
For the first time in many years, Great Green macaws (Ara ambiguus) are back in the Talamanca area! Great Greens are listed as endangered, with the last remaining population in Torteguero numbering only 300 individuals, with only 25-35 breeding pairs left. They are endangered due to deforestation and extensive poaching, primarily for the illegal pet trade. They are perfectly adapted for living in the rainforest and may live over 60 years in the wild. They depend mainly on the mountain almond tree, or almendro de montaña 
(Dipteryx panamensis) for food and nesting. These birds take ten years to reach breeding age and will mate for life!
The Ara Project, based in Alajuela, breeds Scarlet (Ara macao) and Great Green macaws with the sole intention of release into the wild. Find out more and donate at: www.thearaproject.org
We are now re-introducing Greens here with the hopes that once a sustainable population is established, they will eventually meet up with the wild population and re-create the Caribbean corridor. A reintroduction has never been attempted officially with the Great Green species, so the Talamanca area is witnessing the first release of these birds in the world! The first release consists of ten birds, nine of which have been released since August and are doing extremely well.
The success of this release is not solely dependent on the macaws; the community must be supportive of this effort if it is to be successful. We are encouraging people let us know if any macaws are in your area. This lets us know not only how they are using the release range, but also helps us identify birds that can fly farther and faster than we can keep up! With the help of reports, we have estimated they have established a range of 41 square kilometres! People can also help the macaws by planting fruit trees such as the almendros, and enjoying the birds from afar. They do best when left alone, and we hope people watch out for anyone trying to harm the birds.
Thank you so much for your support and interest in the Ara Project and the macaws! Please feel free to contact us at any time:
colline@thearaproject.org (506) 8524-4675
allan@thearaproject.org (506) 8971-1436
 Colline W. Emmanuelle is the Education & Community Outreach Manager for The Ara Project. She is originally from Baltimore, Maryland and has been involved with the Project since February 2011. In addition to macaws, Colline’s favourite animals include anteaters and yeti crabs. |
Jan
2
How wet was 2011?
January 2, 2012 | Tags: Environment | Leave a Comment
Weather trends 2011 vs previous years. Click the image for a larger version
Did you think 2011 felt wetter or drier than normal?
Well if you guessed drier you’d be correct.
A resident of Playa Negra, Charlotte, has been adding up rainfall numbers each month since 2002 on her rain gauge. Click the image for a full-sized version of the rainfall chart.
The average monthly rainfall is Puerto Viejo is 310 mm (12.2 inches) with November and December generally being the rainiest months and September and October being the dryest months. But in 2011 the dry period stretched from August to November and the average was only 260mm.
Of course, as any resident of the area knows, the rain comes and goes during the day and there’s rarely a day without sun!
The Puerto Viejo Weather page has more information and the most current forecasts.
Sep
12
Seeing Another Talamanca: Volunteering with ANAI
September 12, 2011 | Tags: Environment, Helping Out | Comments Off
Sleeping in an indigenous Bribri house 15 miles from any road, as part of an expedition as insightful and non-touristy as it gets. Listening to our Bribri friends relate the ancient beliefs of their culture, part in Spanish, part in Bribri. Eating lunch out of banana leaves next to a cool mountain stream. Watching a 5-foot eel narrowly escape our seine net. Looking at thousands of freshwater fish daily. These were all relatively normal events during my time volunteering with the Asociacion ANAI, which hopefully sheds some light on how interesting living and volunteering in Talamanca can be.
I spent about half a year living in Hone Creek, a small town 5km inland from Puerto Viejo, as a volunteer with ANAI. The organization’s objectives lie mostly within the realm of river and stream monitoring and environmental education, though in reality it is involved in a multitude of related activities. The field station in Hone Creek takes 25-35 trips a year,between February and May/June, to sites all over Talamanca, for 1-5 days each. The trips take place in many different places, from the border at Sixaola to Limon, from the coast to higher up in the mountains than most people knew existed, even into Panama.
Many of these expeditions take place high up in the watersheds, in places very few people see, where human impact is minimal to none, to get samples of fish near their breeding grounds, where the indicators of stream health are most present and significant. On these expeditions, 3-5 ANAI staff, usually a couple volunteers, and about 4-8 locals, all participate in biomonitoring to improve the health of the water systems in the region.
Everyone, including the volunteers, are directly involved in the work, and aren’t left standing and watching on the side. Fish are collected and identified, along with shrimp, eels and macroinvertebrates (larvaeof flying insects). Visual assessments are taken, water is tested, pictures are taken, and at the end of each day, a delightfully large cache of information has been made to be used in various ways. The information is put into a database and compared to previous years, then given to the local government, the Costa Rican government, the University of Costa Rica (which volunteers sometimes work with as a partnership), UNESCO, and other NGOs working in environmental management. Academic articles are also published from time to time in peer-reviewed journals. The field work can be physically demanding, but then again most rewarding things aren’t easy, right?
These expeditions serve as environmental education courses almost as much as they serve the goal of biomonitoring. The ANAI staff teach as they go, to the local people hired to help carry gear (and participate) as well as to any volunteers with ANAI at the time. These “courses,” at least in my opinion, are infinitely more helpful, practical, and interesting than the majority of courses in a classroom because everyone has the opportunity to ask questions all dht”ay long, see firsthand what the studies look like, and not worry about tests to pass or homework to do. The work is fun, the information is very interesting, and therefore learning becomes an enjoyable and interactive experience that doesn’t feel forced. After all, who could complain with being outside all day, learning about watersheds and tropical ecology?
The website is http://anaicr.wordpress.com and any inquiries can be made to Maribel Mafla, who lives permanently in Talamanca and co-runs the field work, at mmafla@anaicr.org (Spanish only) or to Diego Lynch, the President of ANAI, who lives in San Jose, at diego@anaicr.org (English or Spanish). They are happy to take phone calls at 2756-8120.
 Article by Kevin Wells. Kevin is a 25 year-old Biology/Spanish college graduate currently living in Talamanca. His current work is in the field of forest ecology and wildlife conservation, but is involved in other related projects. He is from Eugene, Oregon, USA, and is therefore well adjusted to the rain. Kevin welcomes any questions or comments, and can be reached via email at kjwells86@gmail.com |
Jul
27
Demolition begun on Hotel Las Palmas
July 27, 2011 | Tags: Environment, Government and Politics | 4 Comments
Officials begin demolition work on the Las Palmas Hotel this morning. Photo courtesy La Nación
Government officials this morning have begun carrying out a demolition order on Hotel Las Palmas in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
However, a judge has ordered a stay on the demolition at nearby Hotel Suerre pending a further appeal. Both hotels are located near Punta Uva.
The legal fight here goes back almost 20 years.
In the late 80′s, the Czech-born businessman Jan Kalina proposed a hotel in the area within the refuge Gandoca-Manzanillo. On June 17, 1990 he received a land use permit with the commitment to carry out the project in strict compliance with the environmental regulations for construction in the reserve and he proceeded to build the Hotel Las Palmas.
However, in 1992, apparent irregularities and environmental damage were detected. These included the construction of an artificial lagoon, the construction and expansion of drainage, the obstruction of natural water ways, tractor work, mercury lighting on the palm trees and use of coral to fill a swamp and unauthorized removal of trees.
On March 5, 1993, a court ruling gave the green light to a resolution issued by the then Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mines to revoke the original land use permit. This order required the eviction and demolition of everything that was built.
After that, Kalina appealed seeking to overturn the measure. In 2004 the appeal was rejected by the Sala Primera court which again ordered the resort demolished.
It was not until September 28, 2005 when the Ministry of Environment and Energy (Mina) took possession of the hotel, evicted the guests, then the employees and ultimately the owner and his wife. Two days later Sala IV court stayed the eviction and demolition order pending another appeal.
On October 8, 2009 an Administrative Court judge ruled again for the eviction and demolition of the hotel.
The work was finally begun today despite the opposition of some neighbors and protests over the last two days. Those protesters fear that the demolition of the hotel will lead to eviction and demolition of other properties which may also be in violation of the environmental regulations in the reserve or their land use permits.
When the officials entered the hotel, there were 14 tourists staying there who have been relocated elsewhere in the area.
Meanwhile, 28 employees were assisted by the Joint Social Welfare Institute (IMAS) to determine if they qualify for financial assistance.
Luis Diego Román, coordinator of the eviction operation, said the demolition of the buildings would start today and there is no deadline to finish it.
“Here they drained a wetland, cut down trees and modified the beachfront. And there is not even any wastewater treatment. The environmental damage was caused 20 years ago when the hotels were built. The owners have not paid the state for five years and now we will try to return to its natural state,” said Roman.
More:
- La Nación: Minaet toma posesión de dos hoteles en refugio de Manzanillo
- La Nación: Litigio de 18 años termina en demolición de hotel Las Palmas
- La Nación: Comenzó demolición del hotel Las Palmas
- Teletica 7: MINAET desaloja 2 hoteles en el Caribe sur
Jun
29
Playa Negra Croc Captured and Relocated
June 29, 2011 | Tags: Environment, Nature | Comments Off
This morning at around 5.30 am, a dog seems to have cornered the crocodile and continued barking until a local resident spotted the crocodile. The dog didn’t back off, the police were called and before you know there is a crowd there trying to find out what’s going on.
The police then left an officer there to make sure no one would harm the animal and called MINAE, the environment ministry. Before MINAE arrived at about 9 am, some bystanders had caught the crocodile. When MINAE officials arrived, the group helped them load the crocodile in the MINAE truck.
MINAE then took the crocodile to Puerto Vargas in Cahuita National Park where they will release it in a river. According to them it looks like it is a female looking for a place to lay her eggs.
There was some speculation that the multiple sightings over the last few days were more than one animal. So keep your eyes open in case there’s more to this story.
The crocodile pre-capture:
Catching a crocodile is a community event in Puerto Viejo:
Loading in the croc taxi:
Jun
16
Next meeting about water treatment facility set for July 7
June 16, 2011 | Tags: Community Calendar, Environment | 1 Comment
| July 7, 2011 | ||
| 3:00 pm | to | 6:00 pm |
There is broad community support for getting a proper water treatment facility operating in Puerto Viejo but the community still has many questions about the location, the methods used and how it will affect its neighbors if it is built in the proposed Cocles location.
The next community meeting with AyA and MINAE is the place to bring your questions and get more informed about the project. It is set for July 7 at 3pm at the Cocles School.
You can see more information on the event and sign up for updates on the event’s facebook page. You can also subscribe to the facebook group for more discussion on the project.
Jun
12
Cocles Neighbors Confront AyA Over Water Treatment Plans
June 12, 2011 | Tags: Environment, Government and Politics | 1 Comment
AyA engineer Ana Martinez tries to answer questions from the residents of Cocles at a community meeting.
Residents of the Playa Cocles area are asking the Costa Rican Water Agency, Instituto Costarricense de Acueductos y Alcantarillados (AyA), for more details on a planned water treatment facility.
While residents are supportive of improved water treatment plant they are critical of “lack of information and transparency” from AyA regarding the project and want to know more details about the facility and where it will be based. Plans for the treatment facility first came to light about a year ago when some local residents found AyA surveyors on their properties looking for sites for the facility.
On June 8, there was a community meeting to try and get some answers and residents asked many questions of the AyA representative.
In an interview published yesterday by La Nación, José Francisco Valverde also responded to questions about the project and why it is being proposed for Cocles instead of Puerto Viejo (where presumably most of the waste water will originate).
More:
- La Nación: Vecinos de Cocles enfrentan al AyA por planta de tratamiento
- La Nación: José Francisco Valverde, gerente de la Unidad ejecutora AyA/BCIE: ‘Será de la más alta tecnología’
Oct
17
Rare Dwarf Sperm Whale Spotted off Punta Mona
October 17, 2010 | Tags: Environment | 7 Comments
Biologist José David Palacios made the discovery in 2006 while on a project monitoring cetaceans in coastal waters off the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge in 2006. But the discovery has only now come to light with a recent publication in the journal Latin American Journal of Aquatic Mammals.
The discovery is significant because this species has never before been sighted in Costa Rica and is rarely sighted at sea. With this discovery there are now 29 species of cetaceans reported in Costa Rica.
The Dwarf Sperm Whale is the smallest species commonly known as a whale. It grows up to 2.7 meters (9 ft) in length and 250 kilograms (551 lb) in weight— making it smaller than the bigger dolphins. The species makes slow, deliberate movements with little splash or blow and usually lies motionless when at the sea’s surface. Consequently it can be observed only in very calm seas.
More:
La Nacion: Costa Rica reporta presencia de un cachalote enano en el Caribe
Wikipedia: Dwarf Sperm Whale (Kogia sima)
Oct
7
Dolphin Species Gather in Manzanillo to Communicate
October 7, 2010 | Tags: Environment | Comments Off
Bottlenose dolphin (rear) and Guyana dolphin (front)
A researcher from the University of Puerto Rico in San Juan, Dr Laura May-Collado, has published a paper in the journal Ethology about what could be two different species of dolphins attempting to find a common language to communicate.
The researcher made the discovery studying dolphins swimming in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge where both larger Bottlenose dolphins and smaller Guyana dolphins come together.
Both species make unique sounds, but when they gather, they change the way they communicate, and begin using an intermediate language. That raises the possibility the two species are communicating in some way.
“I wouldn’t be surprised that they can modify their signals to mimic, and even possibly communicate with other species” says May-Collado.
It is not yet clear exactly what is taking place between the two dolphin species, but it is the first evidence that the animals modify their communications in the presence of other species, not just other dolphins of their own kind.
More: BBC News: Dolphin species attempt ‘common language’
Sep
27
La Niña Will Bring Extra Rain to Costa Rica Except to Caribbean Coast
September 27, 2010 | Tags: Environment | 6 Comments
The national meteorological institute (INM) is predicting that the La Niña weather pattern will increase rains to Costa Rica in the final three months of the year by an average of 70% over normal rainfall.
But different parts of Costa Rica as expected to be affected very differently with the Caribbean expected to receive a fairly normal amount of rain while Guanacaste will be the most affected zone.
INM predicts that Guanacaste will receive 875 mm of rain (34.5″) during the months of October, November and December. The normal there is 514 mm.
The Central Pacific will receive 1,790 mm of rain, 672 mm more than normal. And the Central Valley area 880 mm, 330 mm more than normal.
But Limon province which includes Puerto Viejo is expected to about a normal amount of rainfall, perhaps 10% more than usual.
More: La Nación: La Niña’ casi duplicará lluvia en el último trimestre del año
Jul
30
Lionfish threaten Caribbean Reefs
July 30, 2010 | Tags: Environment | Comments Off
 Red lionfish. File photo courtesy of La Nación |
The venomous lionfish is being spotted more and more frequently along the Caribbean coast. The non-native fish is native to the Pacific but has somehow made the jump into the Caribbean and has been spotted all up and down the Central American Caribbean coast.
The red lionfish was only noticed for the first time by scientists in Costa Rica’s Caribbean waters a year ago but already the fish has now been spotted all up and down the coast.
Another species of lionfish, the Fire Fish, has not so far been spotted in the Caribbean waters. But it is actually one of the only predators of the red lion fish which has few predators in the Caribbean. It’s only other predators are grouper and sharks but due to it’s recent introduction it is so far remaining mostly untouched.
The fish has venomous spikes which can be very painful when stung although very rarely fatal. The symptoms could also include headaches, vomiting, and breathing difficulties. A common treatment is soaking the afflicted area in hot water, as very few hospitals carry specific treatments. However, immediate emergency medical treatment is still advised, as some people are more susceptible to the venom than others.
But this is not the only problem with the lionfish. It is also a voracious eater which can decimate other fish populations.
Local divemasters have been killing the fish on sight. In some jurisdictions, such as Cozumel in Mexico, a bounty has been placed on the fish to aid in its control but not so far in Costa Rica.
More information:
Jul
19
More Now Accepted for Recycling!
July 19, 2010 | Tags: Community Calendar, Community News, Environment | Comments Off
| July 31, 2010 | ||
| 9:00 am |
The Recycling Alliance has expanded the types of solid waste that it is collecting on the Caribbean Coast. Nearly everything can now be recycled. Recycle for a safer community and environment!
The following clean and separated items are now accepted:
- Glass bottles (topless)
- Aluminum and clean metal cans
- Plastic Bottles Pet (#1)
- and all other plastics; separated and CLEAN: jugs,gallons, food containers, bags from the super markets,
- Tetrapak! AKA Wine boxes or juice boxes and that metal-plastic bags examples: bags from coffee, powered milk, cookie and potato chip wrappers if they are that shiny metal!
- Cardboard, dry, separated, and broken down
- Office paper, dry separated packed in plastic bags, remove staples please
- Newspaper and magazines! Dry and separated
- Car batteries
- Used cooking oil
Collection Schedule:
Mondays: From Cahuita to Hone Creek
Tuesdays: From Manzanillo to Rockin’ Jay’s on the edge of Puerto Viejo
Wednesdays: Puerto Viejo to Black Beach
Thursdays: Collections from Banana Farms
Fridays: 1st and 3rd of the month: BriBri, 2nd of the month: Gandoca, 4th of the month: to the Indigenous Territory including Volio, Rancho Grande, Shiroles, Suretka, Bambu, Chase
Businesses and individuals can bring their recyclable materials to the Solid Waste Transfer Center in Patiño any time. The Center is open during normal business hours.
The Recycling Alliance is sponsoring an event on Saturday, the 31st of July at the Super Hone Creek starting at 9AM. The event is the first of several called “Talamanca Reciclando por la Vida” Or “Talamanca Recycling for Life”. It’s a grand opening of a community recycling deposit at the Super in Hone Creek. There will be music and information. Bring in your clean, separated recyclables and learn more about what’s going in with recycling in Talamanca.
Due to the new Integrated Waste Management Bill passed in Costa Rica in May, 2010, separation of solid waste is required for households as well as businesses (see article below…) The Recycling Alliance encourages other communities and community members to create their own community recycling points or “Puntos Verdes.”
More information is available on all these initiatives at www.greencoast.com.
Jul
16
Dry Weather Ahead for Caribe Sur
July 16, 2010 | Tags: Environment | Comments Off
Costa Rica’s National Meteorological Institute (IMN) is predicting that 2010 will be a drier than average year for the South Caribbean zone of Costa Rica.
While on the Pacific side, the El Nino effect is expected to bring much more rain than average (40% higher than average for the Central Pacific, 45% higher for the North Pacific and 20% higher for the South Pacific), the South Caribbean side will get about 15% less rain than normal and the North Caribbean side (Tortuguero) about 5% below normal.
The INM forecast for June, July and August by region of Costa Rica. The first number in the parenthesis is the expected deviation from the normal rainfall, the second number is the maximum deviation possible. Puerto Viejo and Cahuita are in the brown area expected to be in a dry (seco) pattern.
Jun
6
Clandestine minining operation discovered in the Talamanca mountains
June 6, 2010 | Tags: Crime & Punishment, Environment | Comments Off
Residents of the indigenous Bri Bri reservation in the Talamanca Mountains have discovered evidence of clandestine mineral exploration.
The community sent an expedition of 8 persons to investigate after the community noticed a helicopter entering the area. They found evidence including a landing zone for the helicopter, a camp and core samples taken. A second expedition returned to the area with cameras and three policemen from Bri Bri.
The area is very difficult to access, with no roads, only footpaths used by the indigenous Bri Bri.
Analysis of the photos by experts has confirmed that a exploratory visit by miners was the point of the visit.
The area has been known since the 70s to have high potential for mineral exploration. But the Asociación de Desarrollo de la Reserva Indígena Bribri–Talamanca (Aditibri), which owns the land, is opposed to mining.
Source, photos and video: La Nación: Indígenas descubren minería clandestina en Talamanca
Mar
15
Project Green Jungle: Achieving Conservation through Responsible Commercialisation
March 15, 2010 | Tags: Community Calendar, Environment, Helping Out | Comments Off
| April 17, 2010 |
Has anyone ever sidled up to you, eyes darting furtively left and right and offered you a baby frog, iguana, parrot, or snake for a ‘very cheap price’ ?
Illegal trade in wildlife is rampant in many corners of the world – and we’re not talking about just off the beaten track here. In countries where there is extensive wildlife and low wages the temptation to resist can be too great for the seller. If you can barely make enough to feed your family you are exactly what illegal exporters are looking for.
It works like this: these exporters turn to local indigenous and low income families to obtain wild animals/reptiles for a few dollars, organise the smuggling for a few dollars more and then sell the remaining creatures that survive the inappropriate transport for a handsome profit. And the end result? ‘Silent Forest Syndrome’, communities bent on capturing wildlife to eke out an inadequate wage and exporters banking the proceeds.
If we can assume that the industry in wildlife will always exist, due to demand coupled with global wealth inequalities, how can the damage to the environmental wildlife populations be contained?
Enter John Brickel and Tom Snyder, founders of Project Green Jungle, a non-profit conservation organisation intent on changing the current picture. With zoological backgrounds and extensive experience these two environmentalists share a passion for conservation through education and responsible commercialisation.
Wildlife and commerce is a connection most of us don’t feel comfortable with. It smacks of caged animals, lack of natural habitat, neglect, cruelty even … after all it’s just plain unnatural isn’t it?
But what if controlled breeding programmes of certain amphibians and reptiles:
• Increases numbers of certain species by reintroduction programmes.
• Benefits indigenous communities financially through capacity building programmes.
• Preserves more natural habitat for wildlife that would otherwise be ruined through traditional agriculture.
• Educates children, locals and tourists on conservation methods.
• Promotes cross cultural communication in pursuit of a common goal.
Then the picture begins to look significantly different.
The advantages of a captive breeding programme of this type are significant and far reaching.
If, for instance, an indigenous community is taught how to breed a certain snake such as the dwarf boa (Ungaliophis panamensis), just one of these snakes will net the community around a years worth of wages when legally sold to a zoo. This means that the community does not need to clear rainforest or jungle to make a meagre living from bananas or maize. Obviously it also makes poaching and the illegal trade of wildlife redundant in that area.
In a captive breeding programme reptiles/amphibians are healthier, transport is less stressful, control is exercised on who they are sold to and not unimportant, price is regulated. The initial investment is minimal, the profit made goes to the local community breeders and up to half of those bred in captivity will be released into the wild.
The educational and cross cultural communication aspects of such a programme are just as significant and may even help determine the future of a large area. If schoolchildren, tourists and locals living in this area become interested and/or involved, the opportunities to exchange knowledge on conservation methods and much more between differing cultural groups are legion. By learning from each other about each other we remove a barrier of ignorance and assumption that will have an important impact on our lives.
Project Green Jungle hopes to achieve all of the above and more! As a non-profit organisation they are concerned with integrating various factors to achieve a goal that is long term and pervasive. And that goal is ultimately a symbiotic relationship between humans, wildlife and the environment.
As Tom put it, “Puerto Viejo and its surrounds is an area dependent on its natural environment and its environment is dependent on degrees of conservation.”
Project Green Jungle believes that this area is “ripe for traditional progress” so that by promoting ecological, social and cultural conservation and preservation the community will create a balance between it and the environment.
To that end, Project Green Jungle are busy on a number of fronts. Whilst interviewing John and Tom it became clear that this is not a quick ‘flash in the pan project’, but a way of life.
But it could be said that this project does not belong to just John and Tom, the committed and dedicated founders, but to all of us: those who visit this area and those who live in this area, whether indigenous, foreigners or locals. As John said, “ the social aspect of this project is as significant as the conservation aspect, as one is dependant on the other. We are all involved in the development that happens here just because we are here.”
To leave a ‘positive footprint’ means getting involved. During Earth Days from April 5th to April 22nd, various activities will take place in Puerto Viejo, ‘from the Reef to the Beach to the Jungle’ to elevate environmental consciousness and have fun while you’re doing that!
There will be:
• Tours to watch a bio survey in progress.
• Tours to Kachabri to meet the people involved and share in some traditional celebrations.
• Kayak tours to Sixaola.
And on Saturday April 17th 2010 there will be a community day where there will be:
• A Beach Clean-up by our younger members followed by a party especially for them and awarding of prizes to the ‘most effective rubbish collectors’!
• Talks by local experts on various environmental aspects of this area.
• An Earth Day party for adults including live bands, food and a raffle with seriously good prizes.
Green Jungle is a project of a non-profit-making zoological organisation and their efforts will benefit us all. So spread the word and be part of Earth Day in April. Donate, Volunteer or simply Attend and do your bit for our community!
If you would like to make a donation or to offer a prize for the raffle, do contact John or Tom through their website www.greenjungle.org.
 Article by Zoë Courtier. Zoë along with her husband Tom Keller are the proprietors of Geckoes Rainforest River Lodge. Two luxurious holiday houses with private plunge pools in a magnificent rainforest and river setting minutes from Playa Cocles. More information at www.geckoeslodge.com |
 Photos by David Langs, founder/editor of www.packcamera.com and www.greenphototours.com. |
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