Peligroso! Very Dangerous! The Most Dangerous Snake in Costa Rica

If you are walking in the jungle and smell the fragrance of dog poo!  Be careful as these are the early warnings of a Fer de Lance - the most dangerous snake in Costa Rica.  Apparently their venom smells like dog poop. This is a picture of a dead Fer de Lance.  One of our our neighbours was clearing brush with a machete when he came across this fellow about 1.2 meters in length.  He killed it with his shovel.   Normally these snakes are shy and will get out of the way but sometimes they can become quite agressive and that is not a good thing!  I have travelled a lot of miles by horse, on quad, on foot and of course by car and I have only seen one of these babies.  Thats a good thing!  They are quite pretty for a snake and their skin is almost velveteen. Hence their spanish name terciopelo - 3 skins!

German airline will land first in Guanacaste

Air Berlin has decided to include for the first time to Costa Rica in its list of destinations 2011-2012.The first trip will be held on 12 November this year. The route will go to the International Airport Daniel Oduber in Liberia and is from Düsseldorf, Germany with a stopover in Cancun, Mexico and Tourism Minister Allan Flores says in an official statement that this achievement is the result of negotiations held in March at the ITB tourism fair in Berlin. This flight represents the first route between Liberia and Germany and will generate a significant increase in tourist arrivals to the country, “ Flores. In order of importance, Germany is the second largest European market for Costa Rica, surpassed by Spain. Second the Yearbook of Tourism ICT -2010, for that year, Liberia Airport received a total of 225.224 visitors. Of this total are 1.029 from Germany. AirBerlin is the second largest airline in Germany and flies to 163 destinations in 39countries.

Toucans for Lunch!

Our favourite little restaurant in Colonia Blanca on the edge of Rincon de La Vieja National Park always has some special guests when we stop by on our quad tours.  These two toucans are free to fly in and out as they please.  Quite often being a bit of a pain when you are trying eat.  Toucans are usually shy and very hard to get close to at any time.  These guys have it figured out!! On our side of the mountains the Keel Billed (Fruit Loops) toucan is abundant.  The Chestnut Mandibled Toucan is more common on the caribbean side of the mountains.  So given that Colonia Blanco is just over the divide we get both species.  Lots of entertainment with these characters plus the plethora of hummingbirds that fly by like little jet fighters.  Just another special treat in paradise.  Pura Vida!  

You NEVER know who you are going to meet in Costa Rica!

You never know what to expect when you tour the back country of Costa Rica.  We live in the mountains about one hour from the beach.  When we are not at the beach we spend a lot of time touring the back country by quad and by horse.  A few weeks ago we toured by quad out to our favorite little bar in the little pueblo of Colonia Blanca.  This is a great little lodge with a fine Tico restaurant and bar.  While we were there we met this little guy who was roaming the place.  Playing with the cat and of course my wife Donna who has never met an animal she does not love!  This little guy quickly became a favorite with Donna.  Always an adventure in Pura Vida Ville!