65. The Curú National Park

  • An unknown attraction

    1

    An image showing 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.
  • Map of the park

    2

    An image showing 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 common opossum

    3

    An image showing A funny-looking raccoon crosses the path at the park entrance. The guard designates him by calling him "zorro" meaning fox in Spanish.
  • Oh deer...

    4

    An image showing 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.
  • White-headed munia

    5

    An image showing Leaving the Ceiba trail to approach the spider monkey enclosure, we face munias! Here they are, trying to scare us:
  • Iguana

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    An image showing 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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    An image showing 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.
  • The banana field

    8

    An image showing 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

    9

    An image showing 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.
  • Red squirrel

    11

    An image showing Never motionless, this rodent gives us a hard time to succeed our shots. The video will be more vivid:
  • Blue butterfly

    12

    An image showing 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.
  • Curú Beach

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    An image showing 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.
  • Little raccoons...

    16

    An image showing 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.
  • Woodpecker

    17

    An image showing 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?

    18

    An image showing We almost forgot to mention whelks, giant termites, Costa Rican bees and beautiful shells.

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