José Calvo, certified photo instructor, and Rodrigo Moterani, staff
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Daily Expedition
Reports
22 Nov 2022
Playa Zapotal and Manglar Palmares, 11/22/2022, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Costa Rica, Panama & Colombia
After navigating all night, we arrived at the first stop of our Wild Costa Rica Expedition: Playa Zapotal, an idyllic, grey sand beach on the Nicoya Peninsula. Here we had our first taste of what the Guanacaste dry forest has to offer. It didn’t take us long to see our first troop of howler monkeys.
In the afternoon, we took Zodiac tours through the Palmares mangrove forest, where we saw numerous birds.
Rodrigo Moterani was born in Brazil, where he still lives. After spending his teen years playing with camcorders and VCRs, Rodrigo ended up working in the field of television journalism and video production in his home country. He graduated with a de...
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Today was an exciting and vibrant day for National Geographic Quest ! We started our morning with a visit to the Curu Wildlife Refuge where we embarked on a scenic hike through the lush forest. The area was teeming with wildlife, and we were thrilled to observe capuchin monkeys playfully swinging from the trees while howler monkeys added their unmistakable calls in the distance. We also spotted agoutis, coatis, iguanas, and a variety of tropical birds. The hike was a fantastic opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rich biodiversity of Costa Rica. After returning to the ship for a delicious lunch, we set sail towards Tortuga Island in the late afternoon. The island’s gorgeous beach welcomed us for a relaxing time where we enjoyed refreshing cocktails under the sun. To add an extra touch of fun, the group joined in on an impromptu salsa dance session, making for a lively and spirited end to a memorable day of exploration.
Morning brought a gorgeous peach sunrise as we sailed into Santa Elena Bay, a marine management area renown for hosting nurse sharks (Ginglymostoma cirratum) and over twenty species of rays, including a fan favorite, the spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari). Along the edges of the bay, we spotted common black hawks (Buteogallus anthracinus), osprey (Pandion haliaetus), brown pelicans (Pelecanus occidentalis), turkey vultures (Cathartes aura), great blue herons (Ardea herodias), and neotropical cormorants (Nannopterum brasilianum) making for a bird-filled morning. We also had great views of two different cactus species peppering the bay, a fascinating botanical presence to encounter in the tropics. In the afternoon, we explored Guachipelin via nature walks, swimming, and snorkeling. These excursions provided even more wildlife sightings, including white-nosed coatis (Nasua narica), capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator), and mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata), the latter of which is famous for their resonant howl that can carry a whopping 3 miles (4.8 kilometers) away.
This morning, we embarked on an unforgettable adventure at Celestia Beach where our guests had two exciting options. Some chose a walk through the lush rainforest, immersing themselves in the vibrant ecosystem. Along the way, we were fortunate enough to witness a troop of howler monkeys, their distinctive calls reverberating through the trees. We also spotted a ferruginous pygmy owl perched quietly, its sharp eyes observing us from above. In the afternoon, we continued our exploration at Huevos Bay, known for its stunning mangroves and rich wildlife. Guests boarded our Zodiacs and kayaks for a thrilling cruise through the calm waters, offering a closer look at the mangrove ecosystems. During the excursion, we encountered several black iguanas basking on the shore, their dark scales absorbing the sun. We also observed a variety of intriguing bird species, adding to the diversity of our wildlife sightings. Throughout the day, the combination of dry forest exploration, Zodiac adventures, and abundant wildlife made for an exceptional experience. Our guests were captivated by the natural beauty and wildlife encounters, making this day one of the highlights of our journey. It was truly an amazing and unforgettable adventure.
