65. The Curú National Park

An unknown attraction
1
- Here we are on the western peninsula of Costa Rica, on the road between Montezuma (our future destination - green dots) and Paquera (the port city - blue dot - which is the main access of this area). Transport is flexible and predictable in Costa Rica.As soon as the ferry docks in Paquera, the bus picks the passengers up. And ten kilometers later, we get off to the park (red dot). The Curú beach is the yellow dot.
- To go back to civilisation, we take the bus of the 3pm ferry. Add one hour fifteen to cross and thirty minutes of bus, the bus is at the rendezvous at 4.45pm. Convenient!
Map of the park
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- The warden welcomes us in Spanish, provides us with a map and some instructions, tells us the park fee ($12) and agrees to take our big backpacks for the day. Without that extra weight, it's a good day ahead of us!
- The only constraint will be the meal: the restaurant is seemingly closed early December. Our provisions will suffice but if you plan to visit this park, ensure that you have enough food and water for the day.
- All the videos of the park are here:
- https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpkaK0yJ22Ox74Aqq4Uljjrv_S5QKUlYz
The common opossum
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- A funny-looking raccoon crosses the path at the park entrance. The guard designates him by calling him "zorro" meaning fox in Spanish.
- After more investigation, it is also called Southern Opossum, Pian or Pyan (in Guyana), Manicou or Manitou (in Martinique), or Sarigue with black ears or Opossum with black ears.
Oh deer...
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- A short time after, we see deers grazing in the meadows of the park. They are not at all afraid of man, that surprises us. But that does not prevent us from bombarding them ... of photos obviously.
- Identification:
- White-tailed deer, commonly referred to as mangrove dung in Guyana.
- https://youtu.be/uiwjidCM_RY
White-headed munia
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- Leaving the Ceiba trail to approach the spider monkey enclosure, we face munias! Here they are, trying to scare us:
- https://youtu.be/Wz9AnXPUzGQ
- We find a dozen of them a little further, performing all kinds of antics. Look for the pictures in the gallery below.
- https://youtu.be/XlALqdl824Y
Iguana
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- We catch that big lizard sunbathing. According to its appearance, I would say that it is a female because it has neither flashy color nor mane.
The spider monkey enclosure lake
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- We are looking but we do not see any shadow of them. But it is necessary to remain careful: crocodiles are present in the lake.
- https://youtu.be/fvmVBzQUBzw
The banana field
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- We are looking for a way to reach the Killer Trail, an extremely steep path, where trekkers need to be in good shape to follow it. But we almost get lost in this banana field. It is fun but the atmosphere around the field is very silent. It does not presage a lot of meetings with animals so we decide to turn back. We still find a pretty flower.
Howler monkey
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- It is easy to spot its presence: its monstery howl seems to come from beyond the grave. We have to sneak through the thickets, avoid stinging plants to distinguish the macaque through the branches, following its female.
- How to communicate with him? The answer in video (put the sound):
- https://youtu.be/hUfxnNFF5PQ
- The animal in video (put the sound):
- https://youtu.be/h1VuVtj0l1s
Agouti
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- During the howler monkey hunt, we come face to face with an agouti: this one cannot escape us!
- https://youtu.be/_Fd6fzGR0UY
Red squirrel
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- Never motionless, this rodent gives us a hard time to succeed our shots. The video will be more vivid:
- https://youtu.be/L-inCcMvCbY
- Twenty minutes later, its brother quietly nibbles his coconut.
Blue butterfly
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- Of all the butterflies in the park, only one kind really stands out. This butterfly is huge: 10 cm wingspan and has one side of the wings blue and the other brown. Very nice to admire in nature, not so easy to immortalize in all its splendor.
Black vulture
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- The vulture of Costa Rica, always at the rendezvous, with its crew.
- https://youtu.be/Mx4efxx99jc
Curú Beach
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- After more than seven kilometers of hiking, we reach the Curú beach. It is a huge and empty beach just for us! The sea is shallow and clear, it is a pleasure to swim there and to observe seagulls fishing.
Hermit crab
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- And on the beach, strange pebbles moving intermittently fascinate us. Here are hermit crabs:
- https://youtu.be/UPkUd3oVtf0
- Other form:
- https://youtu.be/YZqC8Cz9Wm8
- And the race of the bernards in video:
- https://youtu.be/N9zBBcpPXdA
Little raccoons...
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- These cute little raccoons are trying to steal our pittance. It is out of the question! We take the opportunity to reprimand local people that are feeding the raccoons’ mother in exchange of some photos.
- https://youtu.be/OFYeSty9O_4
- And the babies raccoons in video:
- https://youtu.be/Cw1_tPsfP1s
Woodpecker
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- That picture is obtained by an undeniably patient Adrien. The woodpecker overhangs in a tree and was very well hidden.
Why come to Curú National Park?
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- We almost forgot to mention whelks, giant termites, Costa Rican bees and beautiful shells.
- To meet face-to-face with wild animals.
- https://youtu.be/3H0N-IXL4UA
- To admire a large number of emblematic animals of the country.
- To discover the phenomenon of bioluminescence at night on the beach.
- To be isolated on a quiet beach.
- To go hiking.
- To enjoy their activities (kayak, diving, snorkel, boat, ...), even small, which are very cheap, compared to other prices in the country.
- To try in vain to photograph lizards more perennial than Usain Bolt.
- We recommend staying there one night. But you need to remember to book early on their website!
- http://www.turismocuru.com/

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