South Pacific Costa Rica Magazine : simplebooklet.com

Ballena Properties+(506) 2786 5801Hotel 360 Rainforest Villas Exclusive Community$795,000USID 079-01094Oceanview Boutique Hotel and Two Homes in Uvita$995,000USID 079-00626Iconic Lodge at the Foothills of Costaricas Tallest Mountain$1,200,000USID079-01086Spacious Commercial / Residential lot in the Heart of Ojochal$49,500USID 079-00599Award Winning Beach Front Home on Golfo Dulce$1,600,000USID 079-00794WBudget property in a great location$73,000USID 079-01119One of Kind! Ocean Front B&B and Hotel on Playa Colonial$669,000 USID 079-00667Beautiful Commercial and Residential building lot, Avenida Principal, Ojochal$95,000USID 079-01089Property with mountain and sea views.$375,000USID 079-01137Nice at commercial / residential building lot on Calle Del Bosque, Ojochal$65,000USID 079-01079WLa Cima del Mundo Hotel.$1,495,000ID 079-01136Large 188 Acre Titled Drake Bay Property$2,500,000USID 079-01043

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Ballena Homes is a company that specializes in "Custom Home Construction". Included in ourcompetitive pricing are the services of specialist in home design, architectural adaptation of the chosendesign, non-compromising engineering to current code and a team of dedicated construction managers.The key of our success is quite simply, our Team. When you build with Ballena Homes you gain thebenefit of years of Costa Rica construction experience. Guaranteed quality materials - Guaranteed quality Construction -Guaranteed Pricing Ballena HomesEFFICIENT - EXPERIENCED - PROFESSIONAL/ Phone: 8856 9800Web Site: BallenaHomes.com / Email: Innovation@BallenaHomes.comCUSTOM HOME CONSTRUCTION  

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LODGING1. Hacienda Barú2. Hotel Cuna del AngelRESTAURANTS3. Pizza La Casita (Take-out Service)4. Hacienda Barú5. Cuna del Angel6. Scala7. Sibu CaféACTIVITIES8. Nauyaca9. Hacienda BarúSERVICES10. Dominical Surf School11. Eco Feria12. Pacic Coast Law13. Blue Morpho14. Body Revitalization InstituteLODGING49. Tangara Azul Boutique Hotel50. Hotel Diquis del Sur51. Hotel El Castillo52. Hotel Alma de OjochalRESTAURANTS53. Pancito Café54. Citrus Restaurant & Wine Bar55. El Castillo56. SudACTIVITIES57. Reserva Tortuga58. Lalo Tours Horseback RidingSERVICES59. Bahia Ballena Doctors60. Ballena Legal Team61. Plaza Ventanas62. Century 21 & Ballena Properties63. Ballena Homes64. Remax / We Sell Paradise65. Farmacia & Macrobiotics Ibarra66. Osa Tropical PropertiesOJOCHALLODGING15. Vista Ballena16. Cristal Ballena17. Bungalows BallenaRESTAURANTS18. Beehive19. Sibu20. Gelato21. The Dome22. House of Ginger23. Ballena Bistro24. Pura Vida (Cristal Ballena)25. Villas Leonor26. Moana Bahía Plaza27. Le French CaféSERVICES28. Osa Rides29. My Design30. Osa Property Management31. Iglesia La Costa32. Ropa Americana Buena Voluntad33. Correo de Uvita34. AAA AccountingUVITA35. Tecno Soluciones H36. Rincón de Uvita37. Royal Palm38. Mora & Valdéz39. Farmacia Ibarra40. RVA Engineer Roger Valverde41. Uvita Law Firm42. Costatika Language School43. Centro Llantero44. Legal del Sur45. El Mercado46. Ballena Tales47. Pointing Market48. Enjoy OSABUSINESS

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100% recyclable heavy-duty tropical rooﬁng material with a 20-years decreasing warranty*. Certiﬁed ISO 9001Techos Tropicales Palmex - Tel. (506) 2786-5126palmex@palmex-costarica.com - www.palmex-costarica.comCentro de visitantes Parque Nacional Tortuguero, Arq. Ibo Bonilla, Constructora REYCOAlready 15 years in Costa Rica* Conditions apply.PHONE DIRECTORYPOLICE STATIONS Police Emergency: 911Transit : 2537 0631Dominical: 2787 0406Uvita: 2743 8538Ojochal: 2786 5661Cortés: 2788 8030 HOSPITALS & HEALTH Hospital Tomás Casas (Cortés): 2786 8148Hospital Escalante Pradilla (Pérez Zeledón): 2785 0700Servicios Médicos Bahía-Ballena: 2743 8595Farmacia Ibarra: 2743 8558EBAIS: 2743 8170ICEInformation: 1113International Operator: 1116Electric Failures: 1119OTHERS VETERINARIA COSTA BALLENA: 8730 8282MINAE: 2786 5392 ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLAINTS: 1192TAXIS DOMINICAL Erick 8602 3394Guiligan 8847 0231Ricardo (minibús 4x4) 8605 0801Daniel (pick-up) 8920 2322 UVITA Alex (freight) 8989 2298Carlos (freight) 8308 2695 Geovanni (minibús) 8870 6040Greivin 8791 5680Hermes (minibús) 8855 3830Lusbín 8576 7606Mario 8839 8484Rodolfo (freight) 5711 6868PRIVATE TRANSPORT.comAll links are clickable. Try it out!Gilberth 8852 8271

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EDITORIALDear reader,Content #81Directory . . . . . . . . . . . .Editorial . . . . . . . . . . .Title Story . . . . . . . .Cultural Heritage / Susan Atkinson0709481012Enjoy OsaItellum The best Internet on the Coast / Estela Castellanos10 South Pacic18202324Eco Feria Dominical / Keina ACThe Locals: Steve Fergus / Greg GordonPath of the Tapir / Michael JarvisUnderwood Gophers / Jack Ewin14 Dominical38404244464748505238 OjochalLiquid Facelift / Dra. Monica AlfaroNew Marine Conservation & Education Center/ Ali Rubin InnoceanaTypically Costa Rica: Ceviche / Leonard Schutz Count Your Blessings / Beth Sylver Rewilding on the Osa Penisnsula / Nicole Joss Osa Sensorial / Cristiam A. Rodriguez Cultural Heritage / Susan AtkinsonWelcome High Season / Capt. Willy Atencio Good Realtor / Alexandra Luty262731323436French Savoir Faire / Dagmar ReinhardRestaurant List . . . . . . . . . Guide for Property Adquisition / Mauro Esquivel Academy of Futbooll Uvita / George FrostMiguel The Herbolist / Dagmar Reinhard Vegan Diet for Dogs / Vegan Pirates26 Uvita46La Palapa Restaurant 100% Gluten Free /Dagmar Reinhard17184832

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9Has it ever happened to you that at one point, you are so absorbed by apleasant occupation such as taking photos of the beauties in the environment or writing about a subject that resonates with you? With our eyes open and the camera at hand, we can detect many curious and beautiful things that we had not previously noticed. There is beauty in a vast eld where the grass moves in the wind, delimited in the background by the Brunqueña row. At every moment of the day, the ocean and the beaches show a different face; the tides move the shores, and the sun and moon tint the environment in endless nuances.Going for a walk or cycling through nature, mountains, or being near the sea is one of the greatest gifts that Costa Ballena offers us. Be captivated by a stream of fresh crystalline waters, a morpho buttery that opens its royal blue wings just when you are passing, or the most attractive bird reborn in recent years in Costa Ballena, the elegant scarlet macaw with its ordinary scandal.If you are looking for more challenging activities, check out ENJOY OSA, our newest creation, a page that offers a lot. Review and book what appeals to you the most!Other activities are soccer for children, the new Center for Education and Marine Conservation invites you to participate in its activities, and Osa Sensorial promotes inclusive tourism.To be even more attractive for the Holidays, Bahía Ballena Doctors ensures that a liquid Facelift will enhance your beauty. And the Herbalist Miguel, who gathers his herbs and roots in the forests of the high mountains, recommends his products to stay in perfect health.Christmas and New Year are just around the corner; all restaurants have a special menu for these days. Two exceptional suggestions are the 100% gluten-free La Palapa Restaurant at the Hotel Cuna del Ángel. The chef has created delicious menus that will please the gourmet, celiac or not. At Le French Café (near the Marino Ballena National Park), there is a menu of 17 cocktails to celebrate at any time of the day. Three dates to enjoy an authentic French Christmas dinner and New Year’s champagne brunch sound very tempting.Best wishes for the New Year 2022. Pura Vida!DAGMAR REINHARD Editor in Chief(506) 8914 1568 / 2743 8778ballenatales@gmail.comArt & DesignPOINTING MARKETAÑÑESKA ARRIECHE ROONDIGITAL COORDINATORCARLOS LEONcarlos@ballenatales.comCONTRIBUTING WRITERS: PHOTOGRAPHY COVER PHOTO: KRUA^DEN”KANEXT EDITION January 15th, 2022 Deadline December 13th,2021EDITORIALDear reader,anneska@ballenatales.comAlexandra LutyAli RubinCaptain Willy Atencio Carlos León Cristiam A. RodríguezDagmar Reinhard Dra. Monica AlfaroGeorge FrostGreg Gordon Jack Ewing Laura VanopdenboschMauro EsquivelMichael JarvisKeyna - Ecoferia Rosie CastleVegan PiratesBallena Tales PhotographyConecat Innoceana Jack Ewing John Deven Susie Atkinson Vegan Pirates

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WHALES AND DOLPHINSPrice per person: $63, special prices for groups and residentsGroup: minimum 01 - maximum 18Start time: 8:30 AM - Duration: 3 hoursPrice includes: safe parking, bilingual guide, fruit, water, snorkel equipment, park admission and a lot of fun.Description: Leaves from Punta Uvita, Marino Ballena National Park. Travel to the Whale’s Tail, Isla Ballena, and the caves at Ventanas Beach for snorkeling and sightseeing. Wath whales, dolphins, turtles, and rays.WILDLIFE AND SNORKELINGPrice per person: $55 - Group: minimum 04, maximum 12Start time: according to tides - Duration: 2 hoursPrice includes: free pickup, tropical fruit, water, bilingual guide, park fee. Description: Marino Ballena National Park harbors a lot of wildlife and the largest coral reef on the pacic coast of Central America. the tour takes you to places difcult to nd, near the Whales Tail reef and Isla Ballena. After the tour spend the rest of the day enjoying the beauties of the park.CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARKPrice per person: $110 - Group: minimum 01, maximum 08Start time: 07:00 AM - Duration: Full DayPrice includes: park admission, lunch and snacks, water, and soft drinks - pick up available for an extra charge.Description: tour departs from Sierpe Village. During the trip you can observe the wildlife of the mangroves and swamps of the Sierpe River delta. At the Corcovado Park´s San Pedrillo Station the guide takes you on a hike through the jungle and river mouth to wath wildlife and plants. Snorkeling on request.CANO ISLANDPrice per person: $135 - Group: minimum 01 maximum 18Start time: 6:30 AM - Duration: Full DayPrice includes: Biological Reserve admission fee, sandwiches, snacks, lunch, water, soft drinks, bilingual guide, humpback whale watching in season. De-scription: Tour departs from the village of Sierpe through the swamps and mangroves of the Sierpe river delta. The boat will take you snorkeling on the famous reefs near Cano Island. Emerge into the wonderous underwaterworld!SCUBA DIVINGPrice per person: $175 - Group: minimum 02, maximum 06Start time: 07:00 AM - Duration: Full TimePrice includes: lunch and snacks, water, and soft drinks - pick up available for an extra charge.Description: Tour departs from Uvita or Sierpe exploring the mangroves and swamps of the Sierpe river delta. Two dives, two tanks at the world-famous reefs at Cano Island - sharks, whales, tropical sh and more! All levels of classes available at various prices. Packages available for multi-day dives or to get your certication.WHITE WATER RAFTINGPrice per person: $95 - Group: minimum 04, maximum 09Start time: 6:30 am or 8:00 am - Duration: 5 to 9 hoursPrice includes: all necessary equipment, bilingual guide.Description: Pick your level and enjoy the ride! Savegre River: 5 hours. class 2 and 3, great for beginners. Swim at a waterfall, light lunch on the river. Then, another hour of rafting. Coto Brus river: 9 hours. Class 3 and 4, no children. 1.5-hour wild ride, then lunch, followed by two more hours of rafting!Enjoy OSA

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CANOPY ZIP LINESPrice per person: $45 - Group: minimum 01, maximum 40Start time: 8:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm - Duration: 2 hoursPrice includes: all equipment, bilingual guide, transportation available for an extra charge.Description: Get tted with your helmet and harness, then off you go! Start with a short tour of the rain forest, spotting birds and animals. Then, up to the rst platform for a jungle ride - 14 stations send you through the tree-tops, across ravines, and mountains!HORSEBACK RIDINGPrice per person: $35 - Group: minimum 02, maximum 08Start time: upon request - Duration: 3 hoursPrice includes: friendly tour guide, saddled horsesDescription: Take horseback riding through the mountains, jungles, or beaches! Start early for birdwatching, monkeys, and other wildlife - stop at a remote waterfall for a swim or start late for a sunset ride on the beach! MANGROVES WILDLIFEPrice per person: $68. special price for groups - Group: min. 02, max. 12Start time: 3:00PM - Duration: 3 hoursPrice includes: a bilingual guide, fruit, water - pick up available for an extra charge.Description: Sierpe River day trip or sunset cruise through the swamps and mangroves - watch the jungle around you come alive with the growing darkness! Enjoy from the comfort of a catamaran boat. A great end to a perfect day! NIGHT HIKEPrice per person: $55 - Group: minimum 02, maximum 08Start time: 5:00 PM - Duration: 3 hoursPrice includes: a specialized bilingual guide, snack, water, and juice - pick up available for an extra charge.Description: Watch the sunset, then discover the creatures during a night hike in the jungle: night plants, spiders, frogs, and snakes! Your specialized guide will keep you safe and sound exploring the rain forest!NAUYACA WATERFALL NATURE PARKPrice per person: $35. Transportation available for an extra charge.Group: minimum 01, maximum 20Start time: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm – Duration: according to your preferencePrice includes: Trolley ride from the reception to the nature park and hiking trails, admission fee, parking, bathrooms, showers, changing rooms, hiking trails through a primary rain forest. Description: Enjoy the epic beauty of; the Costa Rican natural wonder in a beautiful, privately owned nature preserve with clean, modern facilities and roads that provide the best access to Nauyaca waterfall. Enjoy a swim in the beautiful natural pool!SPORT FISHING DRAKE BAYPrice: Half Day $575 – Full Day $950 - Group: minimum 02, maximum 06Start time: 7:00 AM - Duration: 4 - 7 hoursPrice includes: all necessary equipment, park admittance fee, water, snacks, fruit, beverages, lunch (full day option) bilingual guide.Description: The Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica is one of the most exciting destinations in the world for shing. After a short 45-minute trip, you will be ready to chase a fantastic variety of coastal species. All the boats can sh either offshore or inshore because of our generally calm sea conditions.Enjoy OSA

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Life on the coast has extraordinary things to enjoy,such as a surng lifestyle, unforgettable sunsets, and the pleasure of living surrounded by nature. Connectivity to the internet is always necessary for people enjoying life on the coast and for the companies providing all sorts of services. Understanding this, Itellum has developed a powerful plan to be the regional leader in Premium Symmetric one-on-one internet. ey are oering services in stra-tegic areas to impact communities and their growth. We want to bring connectivity so all restaurants, hotels, peo-ple having a vacation, local commerce, and others can enjoy what is really having a top-quality internet con-nection. We have been operating in Costa Rica since 2011, being the rst operator to handle the concept of international 1: 1 symmetry, improving response times and global la-tency for all our clients. We have dierent international exit routes through both oceans. We can provide con-nectivity services at a regional level in Central Ameri-ca and several countries in South America, the US, and Mexico.With a focus on the client like no other provider and a quality standard that distinguishes us from the rst con-tact, our proposal is really specialized in the country’s coastal areas. We feel the satisfaction of taking the businesses and proj-ects of these communities seriously. Itellum provides a service level agreement with 99.50% stability of the ser-vices and NOC of support 24/7/365.We have a clear goal, which until today has been com-pleted successfully, to be able to fully satisfy all the needs of our clients and provide them with a value be-yond what their expectations dictate. We collect success stories throughout the country because we have a clear focus, not skimp on our characteristics; that is why all our connections are symmetrical, redundant, and never oversubscribed.Itellum provides links to local and international data ca-pacity, and we have a tier 3 data center for the placement of servers for disaster recovery cases or database backup. When you think of Itellum, you think of a truly premium service, which eliminates the frustrating negotiations with providers who don’t understand the importance of always being connected. Itellum also is on the way to having the rst satellite internet available in Costa Rica. For more information, visit our website itellum.com.THE BEST INTERNET ON THE PACIFIC COASTAUTHOR: ESTELA CASTELLANOS12

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Chef Memo will surprise you again with his deliciouscreations at Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners. Guillermo Sáenz, alias Memo, is the Chef of the Restaurant “La Palapa” at the Hotel Cuna del Ángel. He has a long career as a gourmet, trained in Spain and Italy. He worked for several years in renowned international restaurants in San José, allowing him to create an expansive vision of haute cuisine and legendary dishes fused with tropical ingredients from Costa Rica.In 2011 he moved to Costa Ballena to dedicate his experience to La Palapa Restaurant in the charming Hotel Cuna del Ángel. In 2013, Chef Memo and his team started a “Gluten Free” project to also satisfy celiac guests. For months they researched, tested and rened the recipes until the bread also had a consistency that Don Tom approved, the owner of the angelic hotel (https://www.ballenatales.com/cuna-del-angel-hotel/ )And in 2014, the Palapa Restaurant was declared 100% gluten-free. It was the rst in Costa Rica.Everyone, young and old, even celiac and non-celiac diners, can now choose from a wide range of exquisite international dishes (LINK TO THE MENU) and enjoy a homemade ice cream or a delicate crème brûlée for dessert. All the meals are full of avor and extraordinary quality that you, celiac or not, will enjoy without noticing the difference.The Permaculture Project itself, “Finca la Canción de Corazón” provides the restaurant with fresh herbs, some hydroponic vegetables, and tropical fruits, ingredients for the famous “Jungle Salad”, coffee and cocoa for desserts and ice cream.The creative Chef Memo will pamper everyone’s taste, serving gourmet meals 100% gluten-free. The bar offers a great selection of cocktails and wines. The atmosphere is romantic, and the views are incredible.The restaurant is open to our guests and the general public every day from 6:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.We serve breakfast, lunch, snacks, cocktails, and an exquisite menu for dinner.La Palapa extends the warmest invitation to spend this Christmas and New Year’s Eve enjoying a great special menu for the occasion.LA PALAPA RESTAURANT@HOTEL CUNA DEL ÁNGEL - 100% GLUTEN FREEAUTHOR:DAGMAR REINHARDPHOTOS: JOHN DEVEN17GASTRONOMY - DOMINICAL

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18For more than 1000 years, farmers' markets have ben a fundamentalelement of civilization. In mostcases, they are the heart of each community.A great place to share, connect, and exchangeideas with our community.Even more importantly, they are the ideal place tomeet the people who produce the food weconsume.If you think about it, what's more important thanknowing the person who provides the food younourish the body with?In a time when health is more important than ever,t is wonderful that we can count on a communityof loving producers committed to offering thehealthiest, most delicious products possible.In the Southern Pacific zone, we are blessed to have thecountry's best farms and organic producers. Sadly,obtaining organic food is difficult in most parts of CostaRica, something that perhaps not many of us are awareof.This provides us the opportunity to create healthy andhappy families is a blessing that we cannot pass up.Let's also not overlook the importance of upporting thelocal economy every day, a crucial factor for our villagesto prosper. Be part of this change wherever you go.For now, we leave you here with an invitation to visit usevery Friday at the Eco Feria Dominical at PlayaDominical, or to visit our website, where you will findwhat you need to stay beautiful and full of life.DOMINICAL ECO FERIAINITIATIVE - DOMINICAL& SURROUNDINGSAUTHOR: KEYNA AC

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I met Steve in 2001 when I was the director of the Spanish school – Adventure Education Center. He lived two lots over, and we shared a water line, so our rst conversations were about xing well problems. His laid-back attitude and perennial smile made it easy to become friends quickly.Back in the day, he and his wife Ruby Kim (also an amazing local) would host dinners on Wednesdays and cook and entertain 40 people each week. It was a packed house, and after the dishes were done, the guitars and drums and the occasional ddle or keyboard would come out, and we would jam until midnight.But at dawn, Steve would be one of the rst guys you would see on the beach. Most often, in the company of a happy dog, whether it was Ocean or Rio, he would check the surf and report back whenever I drove by and stop to say hi to him in the street on my way to paddle out. When he was younger, he would join me for some glassy dawn patrols, but these days he keeps busy with yoga classes, massage, giving guitar lessons, and writing for Medium.Twenty years ago, things were different in Dominical. The unpaved road, often muddy in the rainy season or dusty in the dry season, kept the pace slow. The smaller community meant you would see the same faces every day, and when the power went out, or the town ooded, neighbors would help each other with food and water. Before the giant stone dike was built, the Baru river owed right behind Steve’s house, and you could jump right in at high tide.The favorite meeting place for surfers was the San Clemente restaurant, owned by Mike McGuiness (where the Krazy Kinkajou is now). You could come in each morning for a ‘starving surfer’ breakfast – rice, beans, eggs, and toast, and watch the two small television screens at the end of a row of benches. One had CNN on, the other non-stop surf videos. The ceiling was covered with broken surfboards from Mike’s offer of a free shot and a taco for each broken board. The heavy beach break denitely took its toll. Not just on boards but on bodies, too.Steve has always stayed involved in the Dominical community. Because of his EMT training, he was often called when someone was severely injured. He helped organize the original lifeguard group and has been on the board of directors for many years. And for years, he provided surf advice in his monthly column – Dr. Shark.I hope that every expat who decides to move to Dominical will be like Steve – friendly, caring, creative, and protective of the environment and our community.Dominical Locals : Steve Fergus – Jazzy’S River HouseAUTHOR: GREG GORDON20SPORTS - DOMINICAL

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DominicalMore than Spa & MaSSage!Feel the effective difference with special therapeutic treatments created for your health & exclusive Spa enjoyments for your pure well-being...Spa beauty care:• Spa Facial Special high quality with many Appliances• Spa Hot Stone Relax Massage• Spa Organic Chocolate Body Scrub or Spa BlueClay Scrub Massage• Therapeutic Baths.Wellness - Massage - Therapy:• Full Body Special Deep Tissue Massage or Full Body 4 Hand Special • Deep Tissue Massage (with reiki, reexology, head massage & mini facial massage)• Bamboo Deep Tissue Massage • Feet and Hand Reexology• Acupuncture• Biomagnetism Therapy / Long distance / for Petsand so much more…+506 8678 7622massage.dominical@gmail.comhttps://body-revitalization-massage-dominical.business.site/ Body Revitalization Institutehttps://www.facebook.com/massage.dominical 21

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The Path of the Tapir follows an investigation into thedeaths of two young American women and the subsequent chase for an expat who befriended them, seen by some as an eco-radical. Philip Millege, in the employ of a multi-national palm oil company, shows up on Costa Rica’s southern Pacic coast to investigate the deaths of the free-spirited tourists, Chloe Summers and Peyton Paddington. They perished in a re on the company’s property—and to locate the missing male expat, Ellis Hayden, who was with them on the night of the incident.Millege enlists the aid of several locals—a bartender and kayaking guide, a solitary Boruca Indian, and a reclusive house tender—as he explores the territory. The hunters soon become the hunted when an unknown and unregulated mercenary joins the chase and raises the stakes to terrifying heights for locals and foreigners alike.Seeking answers to the girls’ deaths, Millege confronts a shifting view of his own life and his place in the world. In a heart-pounding read, The Path of the Tapir exposes the price of environmental despoliation and the communion of grief and blame and its deadly consequences. “The blue-green waters, vibrant green ora, and diverse wildlife of Costa Rica are the stars of Michael Jarvis’s mystery-thriller novel THE PATH OF THE TAPIR. In the novel, two young American women die in a re on a palm oil plantation in the Central American country. Witnessed eeing the re scene is a young man, an American expat, and an environmental activist named Ellis Hayden, who has been off the radar since. The palm oil company sends private investigator Philip Millege to Costa Rica to tie up any loose ends, namely to appease the insurance company and the girls’ parents to sweep the incident under the rug. As Millege gets to know the various people he encounters there, including a cocky surfer, a bartender and tour guide, and a woman running a spirituality spa specializing in ayahuasca (a South American entheogenic brew), he learns more about Ellis and the eco-warrior perspective. But someone else arrives in Costa Rica, a mercenary named Del Preet who also wants to cover up the re--and he doesn’t want to ask Ellis questions. It’s a race between Millege and Del Preet for who can nd Ellis rst. As the narrative catches up with Ellis, he turns from villain to complex hero, bolstering tension and asking questions about acceptable consequences for devastating mistakes. The diversity of motivations and moral belief systems make the cast of characters interesting and complex.Jarvis’s writing strikes a perfect balance between exposition, bursts of action, witty and serious dialogue, and description of the setting. Costa Rica’s natural scenery and the myriad individuals, both native to the country and those who have come to it for tourism, retirement, or escape, are ever-present and alluring. Surfer slang, tourist expectations, and the demeanor of those just trying to get by in their home nation round out the vibrant setting.Michael Jarvis’s THE PATH OF THE TAPIR is a morally complex mystery-thriller with a laid-back tropical setting best served with a Piña Colada.”Michael Jarvis was born on an air force base and traveled regularly, living as a child in Alabama, Texas, Ohio, Guam, Georgia, and England. He graduated from Florida International University with degrees in Fine Arts and English, and lives in Miami, scouting locations for various lm projects and writing ction.THE PATH of the TAPIR, a NOVELThe Path of the Tapir can be found at Amazon and other sites listed on the author’s website.22SPORTS - DOMINICAL

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On a visit to Chile in 1982, I was impressed with thelarge expanses of tree plantations. “What a wonderful idea.” I thought. “We should plant trees in Costa Rica. The way we are going now, we will soon be out of the natural forest”. People in high places must have been thinking the same thing because the Forestry Department started offering guidance on commercial tree planting a few short years later. In 1985 I decided to plant trees on a former rice eld and two hillside pastures. “Teak trees in the lowlands and spiny cedar on the hillsides”, said the department’s professional forester, and so that’s what we did. Shortly after we nished planting four hectares of spiny cedar, a few of the rst seedlings we had planted started drooping over and dying. “It looks to me like gophers”, declared Orlando. “They love the roots. They got into my dad’s cassava plantation, and the plants looked a lot like these”.“Gophers”? I exclaimed in disbelief. “What did your dad do”?“He had to replant, but the second time he planted castor beans between the cassava plants. The gophers ate the castor bean roots and died.”Hector mentioned seeing lots of seed-laden castor bean plants at the edge of the Hatillo river. We gathered a sack full of seeds, planted them throughout the spiny cedar, and replanted the dead seedlings. It worked like a charm. Goodbye gophers.Much later, I learned that each gopher has its own tunnel system that covers an area large enough for a two-bedroom house and a small yard. The ones we have in Costa Ballena are called Underwood’s Pocket Gophers. As they rarely come to the surface, few people know what they look like. I have seen only one in my lifetime. Gophers are super tunnel diggers and are well-equipped for it. Both the incisors and the front claws are used to burrow. According to the excellent eld guide, Mammals of Costa Rica by Mark Wainwright, the gopher’s lips close behind its incisors to keep the dirt out of it mouth. It took me a while to gure out how it manages that trick, but I nally got the picture. Gophers have another cool trick. Let’s say one is out for a stroll through its burrow and comes face to face with a snake. The gopher can run backward, almost as fast as it can run forwards. I can’t run backward one step without tripping. But both of these tricks are handy adaptations for the gopher’s particular lifestyle.Note: The castor bean plant (Ricinus communis), is the source of a deadly poison called “Ricin”, which is so powerful that the CDC lists it as a bioterrorism substance. A bit of overkill with gophers, I would say.Underwood GophersAUTHOR: JACK EWIN24ANIMAL LIFE - DOMINICAL

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AUTHOR: DAGMAR REINHARD The rst anniversary of Le French Café - the site wasinaugurated in November 2020 - and young businessman Simon Michel-Ximay and his team have already achieved an excellent reputation for the restaurant. Avant-guard and open-air with gentle ocean breezes, comfortable seating, a well-equipped bar, display cases with fresh bread of the day, delicious desserts, and French pastries.When the sun sets at dusk, a magical change takes place, and the atmosphere turns pink and then a serene blue. It is when the French dinner with unique specialties is served from 5 to 9 PM. RSVP. Under the motto “The past meets the future”, they have created a 17- cocktail menu to celebrate at any time of the day. A mixology expert will prepare a surprisingly refreshing drink for you.Returning to Simon, he has the unconditional support of his parents Mireille and Philippe, owners of the Pancito Café, Ojochal. As a team, they have created exquisite delicacies to celebrate the holidays.Christmas at Le French Café “en famille”Christmas dinners 23/24/25 DecemberSix courses, champagneDessert: Christmas LogRSVP, pleaseNew Years BrunchSunday, January 2, 2022Brunch with ChampagneApart from other surprises that Simon has not yet revealed, every Sunday morning, Le French Café invites you to the “bottomless” Party-Brunch. The delicious hot and cold dishes are accompanied by copious Mimosas or Bloody Maries, included in the price.For those with a sweet tooth, ayayay, what a great temptation: they have inaugurated a dessert menu to delight you at any time of the day!By the way, French, Spanish, and English are spoken here.Le French Café is a French Restaurant open from 7 AM - 9 PM. In-house elaboration of French bread and pastries. There are options for vegans and vegetarians.When you return from your visit to the Marino Ballena National Park, don’t let anyone rush you and refresh yourself with a good rosé.From 5 to 9 PM, the French Dinner is served, unique specialties. RSVP.Bon appétit!Le French CaféFrench Savoir Faire! GASTRONOMY - UVITA & SURROUNDINGS

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RESTAURANTS UVITA Mediterranean Restaurant Bar and BoutiqueGreat Food • Great Friends • Great FunMonday - Friday - 12 - 9 PM Saturday & Sunday - 12- 7 PM300m North of the Gas Station4702 3939PLAZA BAHÍA MOANA CALLE BALLENA – BAHÍA 200 M WEST OFF THE COASTAL HIGHWAYSavoir faire in Bahia Ballena 2201 8253OPEN EVERY DAY 7 AM a 9 PMSUN BRUNCHPANTONE 1255C C : 24 M : 42 J : 91 N :14French Savoir Faire in Bahía BallenaEvery Day – 7 AM to 9 PM• WINE BAR • CAFE • SUSHIMonday - Saturday 12 PM - 9 PM 600 M FROM BCRTOWARDS THE UVITA WATERFALL2215 0068North American Breakfast,Lunch • Early DinnerOPEN 8 AM – 3 PMCLOSED ON SUNDAY DOME PLAZA2743 8506GASTRONOMY - UVITA & SURROUNDINGS27

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DIGITALMARKETING1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11GRAPHIC ANDWEB DESIGNSOCIAL MEDIAAND COMMUNITYMANAGEMENTMarketing DigitalTodo IncluidoDISEÑAMOS CATÁLOGOSY TIENDAS EN LÍNEARESTAURANTSInternational Food with Austrian Touch Breakfast buffet, Lunch & Dinner Cocktail-BarOpen every 7 AM-5 PM - Pls Reserve for DinnerKM 169 HOTEL CRISTAL BALLENA2786 5354 UVITA Fresh Fusion DishesVegan and Gluten Free Options11 AM - 4 PM / FRI & SAT DINNER UNTIL 8 PM6 KM SOUTH OF UVITA NEXT TO BALLENA BEACHSeafood, Mariscos Casados - Pastas - Fresh Tuna Open Every Day 11 AM to 8 PMBETWEEN UVITA & OJOCHAL KM 1702786 54072786 53808390 0130GASTRONOMY - UVITA & SURROUNDINGS29Chinese-American FoodTake Out OptionLunch • Sunset appetizers and dinner11 AM - 10 PM 5 KM NORTH OF UVITA274381828372 7144

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GUIDE FOR PROPERTY ADQUISITION OR SALEAUTHOR: LIC. MAURO ESQUIVEL For the purchase and sale of properties, we want toleave you a guide in case you need to present your declaration or simply as information for your knowledge.How to complete the statement of Capital Gains and Losses (form D-162)?Assets registered in the National Registry and other entities.In this section of the form, the option “Yes” or “No” must be indicated according to the information to be declared. If the option is “Yes”, you must record the data corresponding to the registered property that is being declared.You must enter the following data for the property:Applicable rate (15% or 2.25%)acquisition dateType of assetFarm numberAcquisition valueTransfer value (sale)Gain or loss obtainedLikewise, you must enter the following data of the person or company to which the good was sold:ID TypeID numberName or Social reasonAcquiring countryAssets not registered in the National Registry and other entities. In this section of the form, the option “Yes” or “No” must be indicated according to the information to be declared. If the option is “Yes”, you must record the data corresponding to the unregistered asset that is being declared.You must enter the following data for the property:Applicable rate (15% or 2.25%)acquisition dateDescriptionAcquisition valueTransfer value (sale)Gain or loss obtainedLikewise, you must enter the following data of the person or company to which the good was sold:ID TypeID numberName or Social reasonAcquiring countryDetermination of the tax baseDetermination and settlement of tax debtIt automatically shows the debt to be paid, or the total considering:The amount of interestRequest for compensation corresponding to the amount of balances in favor of other taxes from previous periods.CASA DE LUZTHE EPITOME OF LUXURY WITHINFINITE OCEAN VIEWSThoughtfully designed to blur the lines between its lush,natural surroundings and the well-appointed, contemporaryinterior, this home epitomizes harmony with nature.(506) 8833-7895karol@tropical-investments.comwww.tropical-investments.com31 ECONOMY - UVITA & SURROUNDINGS

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Academia de Fútbol Uvita (AFU) is an integralorganization in Uvita that is determined to help local children, aged 5-15, through football (soccer). AFU puts on two training sessions per week and monthly to bi-monthly games (home or away) on the weekends. For a small fee, kids- both boys and girls of any skill level, are invited to join the academy to practice and improve their football skills. The purpose of the fee is to fund the use of the indoor & outdoor pitch, coaching staff, and enough footballs for all the children for every session. Even with these joining fees, AFU must often scrape by with the bare minimum funding and support. This has been the case since their formation three and a half years ago, where most football academies have had to cease their operations due to this lack of support. AFU has a uniquely long-term vision compared to previous academies and has survived but is still in need of community support. The nature of the required support is varied- from providing transportation for children to and from away games once a week to being a part of scholarship programs set up to fund children less fortunate to pay the monthly fee, buy boots (cleats), jerseys, etc. Essentially, this is an excellent opportunity for those looking to give back to the community by supporting children’s love of football and staying t and healthy. But here’s the thing, the academy is so much more than just football. AFU is a family. It’s a place where kids of all backgrounds, languages, and ages can learn special life skills, such as determination and condence. This encourages kids to have dreams and to go for them- and they deserve to. The academy creates and inuences the future generations of our community, so investing in AFU is investing right back into the community. These kids and teens can become part of a football family and be in an environment where they are loved and challenged, giving them responsibility and purpose. Condence, communication, and commitment skills are immeasurable, extremely valuable, and essential for these young minds. At these ages, especially teens, it is unfortunately easy for their minds to be shaped negatively and indulge in detrimental activities- at no fault of their own. AFU is determined to use this football family as a tool to teach teens to be role models and therefore provide positive examples for younger kids throughout the community. The benets of such activities can also be seen in the classrooms- AFU believes that exercising your body helps you exercise your mind. Social activity such as football stimulates kids’ minds, improving concentration and condence in school. Football is a beautiful sport that unites people from all walks of life, and the AFU mission is to utilize this to bring together young people to foster a positive environment for all. This is a community project for the community, by the community. For a community project to work, it needs its community. Want to help?Academy of Football Uvita (AFU) ⚽AUTHOR: GEORGE FROSTSPORTS - UVITA & SURROUNDINGS32

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MIGUEL:THE HERBOLISTMiguel Garro Sánchez is a herbalist from the small town ofChina Kichà in the mountains of La Amistad, Pérez Zeledón.Years ago, Miguel managed to cure himself of a severe illnesswith the help of herbs. Enthusiastically he began to studythe herbs and roots that grow in the environment. He foundthem in abundance and began to dry, pulverize, sterilize, andmix them with alcohol or coconut oil, resulting in excellenttinctures and salves. We usually meet Miguel at the Fairs inCosta Ballena. If he is not present, he will be looking for moreherbs in the woods. Among a wide variety of products that heexhibits at his stand, we also nd curious pieces of roots, andhe explains:Cuculmeca (a plant from the Smilax family): it isa highly sought-after root. It helps to adjust anemia, puriesthe blood, is antirheumatic, and relieves digestive ailments.Taking a cup of cuculmeca in the morning reduces the cravingfor coffee. Two pieces of the root are left in water the nightbefore and boiled for about ve minutes. Drinking cuculmecatea puries the body of toxins or acids that have entered thebloodstream. While strengthening the blood and kidneys, ithelps raise platelets helping the lymphatic system.Sarsaparilla(also a plant from the Smilax family) is an evergreen plant thatperches on trees with the help of the tendrils it has.The rhizome grows elongated underground stems severalmeters long. Its dried and chopped root is used as acontraceptive, it purifies the blood, fortifier, improves stomachailments, and is antirheumatic. It increases energy, strengthensour immune system, cleanses the blood, and enhances theappearance of the skin. Eliminates blood poisoning, reducesacne, dermatitis, is anti-inflammatory, improves the productionof hormones and therefore sexual impotence, stimulatessexual desire, relieves symptoms of menopause, strengthensthe body, manages to combat substantial pollution of metalsin the blood. It is a diuretic, purifies the bladder and kidneys,lowers cholesterol, and is a natural antibiotic. You can use it forexternal use on the skin.It is necessary to take the infusions with great caution;contraindications are in case of an irritable colon and careful: Itcan lower the potassium.To prepare the infusion used it in a proportion of two finger-length pieces of root per liter of water.. Once prepared,you can sweetened it to your liking and take 3 cups a day foronly three days to resume taking it a week later. Sarsaparilladoes a thorough and general cleansing of the body.Miguel adds: It is imperative to eliminate toxins before theyenter the rest of the body and damage other alternate organssuch as the pancreas, liver, stomach, lungs, and heart.A carbonated drink based on sarsaparrilla (1001) becamefamous in the 1960s: “Waiter, give me a sarsaparilla, please.” Itsounds very old-fashioned, like a cowboy movie. In the UnitedStates, a similar root beer was introduced more or les at thesame time. WHATSAPP MIGUEL 8843 3545INITIATIVE - UVITA & SURROUNDINGS34

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One of the many myths about dogs is that they arecarnivores like their ancestors - the wolves, which would mean that they have to eat meat to survive, but this is not correct. Although they are members of the order Carnivora, dogs are omnivores. Dogs are believed to be the rst domesticated species and have evolved alongside humans for over 10,000 years. Thanks to evolution, they have gained the ability to digest starchy, plant-based food, and therefore they can thrive on a balanced vegan diet. One of the longest-living dogs was vegan, and that she stayed active her entire life up to 27 years. Of course, it is not as simple as just avoiding meat and calling it a day. It is about the nutrients and not about the ingredients. Dogs need all the necessary macronutrients and micronutrients like protein, carbs, fat, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. The base of a meal can be a high-quality, plant-based protein source like lentils, oats, or sweet potatoes. You can also use thoroughly cooked and mashed soybeans or pinto beans, but of course, your dog mustn’t have any allergies to any of these sources.Furthermore, add cooked and raw vegetables, whole grains, sea vegetable akes like kelp, and necessary supplements. To ensure our dogs get all the nutrients they need, we add “V-Complete “to their food, a supplement specially made in Germany for homemade vegan dog food. It contains all the essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. You can also moderately add fruits to your dog’s diet like bananas, watermelon, apples, etc., but check for any changes in your dog’s digestion. More and more dogs develop allergies to a particular meat, so a more plant based diet can help reduce these reactions. Also, it is known that there are fewer skin issues; you can better manage your dog’s weight and reduce bad breath. You can also improve your dog’s energy levels and overall health. Unfortunately, here in Costa Rica, it is not (yet) possible to purchase complete vegan dog food, so our goal is - in cooperation with veterinarians and nutritionists - to create a balanced and complete vegan dog food on which your dogs can thrive. IMPORTANT: We do not support a home-cooked vegan diet without supplementing the essential vitamins, minerals, and trace elements! Also, puppies, pregnant and lactating dogs as well as senior dogs have different diet requirements.IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE A BONE! VEGAN DIET FOR DOGS

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38HEALTH - OJOCHAL & SURROUNDINGSBahia BallenaDoctorsDra.Mónica AlfaroAUTHOR: DRA. MÓNICA ALFAROThe face shows different signs of aging, from sunspotsto loss of volume either from bone reabsorption or fat loss in the tissues. This causes sagging and thinning of the face, hollowness around the eyes, deep lines on the sides of and around the mouth and eyes, also, a droopy or saggy jawline with the presence of jowls. There are many options to rejuvenate the face. A surgical approach with a traditional or mini facelift depending on individual needs. You can also consider a liquid facelift. This combines a group of procedures, injectables like botulinum toxin to soften dynamic lines or wrinkles, and different llers to address the loss of volume. Also known as an eight-point lift, this can be tailored to your specic needs. The use of lighter dermal llers will help address more supercial lines. Using a thicker or more concentrated ller will help lift and restore volume to the face’s strategic areas, giving it back its youthful appearance. These are all non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures that can be performed in the ofce under local or even topical anesthesia. Results vary from 6 months to 2 years. They are enhanced with a progressive treatment plan that prevents these signs of aging from reappearing with partial reapplication of treatment to some of the more problematic areas. Downtime is minimal to none since the visible inconvenient effects of the treatments mainly include bruising and mild swelling in injection points. The points that usually require treatment are the temples, eyebrows, crow’s feet, frown lines, forehead lines, bunny lines, marionette lines, and nasolabial folds. Lips may require volume, as could the cheekbones and cheeks themselves, the contour of the jaw, and the chin. The tear trough is another area that could require treatment, especially if you do not have visible pufness from fat pads under the eyes. This can also be addressed with other non-surgical technologies like Plasmage or fractional plasma energy.In some cases, some patients prefer a more natural approach, and instead of llers, fat grafting can be used with harvesting fat from their own bodies. This is a more invasive procedure but allows for a natural option. Expect two, sometimes three visits to complete your treatment and ne-tune your results, paying close attention to details and meeting your expectations. You might need to stop taking some herbal supplements that can cause more bruising. The more bruising, the more swelling you have, the longer it will take you to recover. Look for doctors with experience with injectables to assure yourself the best possible outcomes. Discuss your expectations and ask as many questions as needed to make sure you both understand the possibilities these treatments can offer and plan on the best time to perform them. LIQUID FACE LIFT

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CC Plaza Ventanas (next to the Gas Station)Corporation and Commercial LawResidency and Immigration LawProperty Transfers Vehicle TransfersTestamentsLast WillsUvita CommunityLibrary and Bookstore10:30 AM - 4 PM Saturday: 11 AM - 4:30 PMClosed: Wednesday & Sunday We have a wonderful selection of over 12,000 books, DVDs, a children’s and youth section as well as a section with Spanish and a few other languages.Chronic conditonsHypertensionDiabetesEKGSkin check BloodworkPAP smearMinor SurgerySpider Vein SclerotherapyBotulinum toxin Dermal ﬁllersFat graftingPlasmage non-surgical eyelid rejuvenationMicro needling – DermapenPRP – Platelet rich plasmaChemical peels Fractional dermabrasion Providing you with the Quality Healthcare you are looking for+506 8833 6431 General PracticeMedical ae stheticsPl a z a V e n ta n a s – Oj O c h a l d e Os adralfaro@bahiaballenadoctors.com

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We are incredibly excited to share the newsabout our Marine Conservation and Education Center (MCEC) opening in Ojochal, Costa Rica. The building and many materials used to create the MCEC are recycled and repurposed to stay aligned with our values of sustainability. We cannot ignore that our planet is in a pivotal moment in history. The following ten years will determine the outcome of the next 10,000, and Innoceana is dedicated to doing everything we can to make this next decade go down in history as the decade when we saved the world. The MCEC will be a perfect unity of science and community. Innoceana believes the only way to succeed is to involve the community in our work and educate those around us about the issues and how we plan to solve them. To involve the community, the MCEC will: 1. Employ a local artist to paint the marine-inspiredmural on the exterior of the building2. Cover the inside hallway with marine-relatedpaintings or photographs from local artists3. Collaborate with conservation NGOs in thearea, offering our space and services, to achieveour common goal4. Create a space for school children to comeand learn about marine conservation, which isincredibly important because today’s children areour hope for tomorrow. At our MCEC, we will showchildren the wonders of the marine world by usingtools like virtual reality headsets to join us on aconservation dive and expose them to audio-visual books that teach them about different marineanimals and the threats they are facing today.5. Sponsor two local young adults by teachingand guiding them through the journey tobecoming a PADI Divemaster specialized inmarine conservation. We believe marine scienceshould be accessible to all interested, instead ofbeing a privilege only a few get to experience.Introducing the Marine Conservation and Education CenterAUTHOR: ALI RUBIN40 MARINE LIFE - OJOCHAL & SURROUNDINGS

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Costa Rica shows versatility at all levels, be it withpeople, the landscape, the animal world, or food. Thanks to the tropical climate, everything grows everywhere; the warm temperatures and the rainy season offer the perfect climatic conditions to produce exotic herbs, vegetables, and fruits. In addition, Costa Rica is bordered by the ocean, which means you can get fresh specialties at affordable prices.Costa Rica is one of the few countries where you cannot immediately appreciate what the local cuisine is made of. Every traveler has probably tried the fruits and dishes here: soursop, papaya, and Gallo pinto. You can get them at the hotel’s buffet breakfast or as a snack during guided tours through the jungle or across the sea. During your one or two weeks stay, you will learn to appreciate Central America’s most underrated cuisine that has so much more to offer?The most popular dishes in the local cuisine range from rice, and beans to meat and sh, to fruits and roots. These pretty simple products are used to prepare Costa Rican cuisine dishes that will appeal to your palate. Today I am going to explain how to make my favorite local snack.It’s about the sh ceviche: A fresh, healthy, and nutritious dish made from raw sh (like sushi), perfect for hot summer days at the beach.Before you can start preparing, you need the right sh rst. You can use any white meat sh, but I have my favorites. These include croaker, tilapia, mahi-mahi, or marlin. Make sure it is fresh and buy it only from a trusted vendor. Now you can start.For four people you need:• 500 g of white sh• 250 ml of lemon juice• 150 ml of lime-avored mineral water (alternatively,you can mix 100 ml of water with 50 ml of extra lemonjuice)• 140 g of red onion, very nely chopped• 2 medium red sweet chilies nely chopped• 80 g nely chopped cilantro• Salt to personal taste• Pepper according to personal preferenceIf you want to give the dish an international touch, youcan add olive oil.About the preparation: Rarely can such tasty dishes be conjured up with so little effort. Cut the sh into small pieces. Then you mix it with the liquid ingredients and add the nely chopped onion and herbs. The lemon juice must completely cover the sh; otherwise, not all pieces will “cook” evenly. Once everything has been mixed and seasoned, cover the container and place it in the refrigerator for 1-24 hours. When the sh is no longer transparent and shows a white hue, it is ready to serve with crackers and a cold beer. Enjoy it! TYPICALLY COSTA RICAN CEVICHEAUTHOR: LEONARD SCHÜTZGASTRONOMY - OJOCHAL & SURROUNDINGS42

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I truly love living in the Southern Pacic Zone of CostaRica. Each morning, I end my meditation with the words, “Thank you for the gift of this day.” We have so much to be grateful for, and here are some things that ll my soul and come to mind. I love the rhythm of the daytime and the nighttime routine. I love the climate, the microclimates, and the weather, both dry and wet. I love the culture, and most of all, I love the people, the slowed-down pace, and the “life can be simpler” mentality. I love that I nally have time in my life to look up, to look down, and to gaze all around. I love what I see, hear, taste, smell, and feel. I see the sea. I hear exotic tropical birds. As they cross the sky and land in the trees. I taste the saltiness of my sweat on a hot afternoon strollI smell my most favorite owers, some new, some oldI feel the air as it rolls down from the mountains as a cool breezeI love to wake up in the early dawn. Lately, I’ve beengraced with several pairs of talkative scarlet macaws and all their magnicent colors. I’ve seen and heard huge ocks of parrots, more toucans than ever, and dozens of the “rarely seen” oropendolas with their unique vocalizations. I love tasting new things at the local farmers’ market. The vendors’ tables are full of color and texture, rich in smell and avor. I love the community spirit and the connectedness with my food.I love the end of the day with the heavenly aroma of ylang-ylang owers mixed with the earthy smells of the cow pasture below us. The symphony of frogs, cicadas, and jungle sounds begins late afternoon and carries on into the darkness, inviting the reies to dance.I love the sense of family and the secure feeling of being at home. Remember to count your blessings; perhaps some of them are the same as mine!COUNT YOUR BLESSINGSAUTHOR: BETH SYLVERINITIATIVE - OJOCHAL & SURROUNDINGS44

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Costa Rica has long recognized that it trusts its immense natural kingdom. With its holistic concept and on its own, it builds up the clearing and destruction for cattle breeding carried out by human hands, in the 1970s and 1980s. The successes are overwhelming. Nature organizes its balance with great care and professionalism, exceeding all expectations. Nature itself decides what it needs. Not continuously tackling the approaches of nature with highly conceived and expensive reforestation projects is also receiving great international recognition.The OSA Conservation, a nonprot organization based in Puerto Jimenez, in the canton of Golto, set itself the goal of reactivating and preserving the natural processes and taking over the exposé of nature as a whole 20 years ago.They let the plants and animals work in their habitats to give them back the stolen areas. Since 2003, the primary responsibility on the OSA Peninsula has been in the hands of Mother Nature, reviving successfully, efciently, and inexpensively damaged and cleared landscapes. Mother nature transforms in creative harmony. Animal and plant instinct do the daily clean-up work.How does OSA CONSERVATION plan to work with its elementary boss to promote biodiversity conservation on the OSA peninsula? We cannot hold onto traditional wisdom. The world and the climate have changed signicantly! The OSA CONVERSATION has boldly written on its green ag to take over existing or still healthy ecological systems holistically.The only help is accelerating the regeneration rate in the individual processes, i.e., getting it going again more quickly. Experience has shown that nature often takes hundreds of years to regenerate.The deforestation between the Terraba and Sierpe riversleft enormous negative marks. Recently 350,000 trees were planted that reconnect with the remaining primary forest. The mangrove forests, for example, store CO2, stabilize shorelines, are breeding grounds for marine sh, and are home to a unique humid system of immense value.With intensive work, three types of local mangrove trees were planted. Thousands of native plants were preserved to stabilize the ideal habitats and invite the animals to come back voluntarily. In this way, abandoned animal droppings containing plant seeds are distributed more harmoniously than any machine.Today, the Costa Rican government pays money to those landowners who leave pristine sections of their properties to capture vast amounts of carbon on their land. With over 25% of the areas under nature protection, Costa Rica proves the high priority given to its fauna and ora. The projects are protected by SINAC and administered by the National System of Conservation Areas. An excellent situation. Win-win for nature and people. The income in the tourism industry has not deteriorated; on the contrary, it strengthens the contemporary philosophy of ecotourism.Let us enjoy and appreciate the fantastic fauna and ora of the South Pacic with sensual joy. In memory and thanks to Alvaro Ugalde The late biologist Álvaro Ugalde, the founder of the National Park Service in Costa Rica, was a pioneer in landscaping and an inspiration to everyone who knew him.REWILDING, NATURE RULES ON THE OSA PENINSULAAUTHOR: NICOLE JOSS – ZÜRICH AND OJOCHAL46

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The trajectory of two Costa Rican non-governmentalorganizations - Centro Socioambiental Osa and Asociación Ebenezer Jireh for a more inclusive society promoting the social inclusion of vulnerable populations and biological conservation, complement each other in the search for an innovative science applied to the improvement of the quality of life of people with disabilities. It was established, in 2016, with the Osa Sensorial program, integrating scientic research of the landscape elements of the terrestrial and aquatic environments of the Osa Peninsula and Golfo Dulce, South Pacic of Costa Rica, with the therapeutic intervention of biopsychosocial conditions.Animal Assisted Intervention (IAA) are interventions in which an animal is part of the treatment, with the immediate objective of improving the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive functions.There are three primary modalities of Animal Assisted Therapy• Equine therapy• Therapy with companion animals (dogs, cats)• Dolphin therapySome of the benets of animal-assisted interventions are: it improves balance and self-condence, patience and self-esteem, it stimulates companionship and respect, self-control and self-discipline, it stimulates both giving and receiving affection and love. It boosts short and long-term memory, the ability to react and make decisions, greater attention and concentration. All ora and fauna found in the Osa Peninsula represent an essential value to carry out interventions with people with disabilities because there are different natural environments full of sounds that help improve the quality of life of many people. Through the senses is one of the ways to appreciate beauty. Nature reduces stress and mental fatigue.Within the expeditions to the Osa Peninsula, we carry out a combination of activities where Accessible tourism stands out.Accessible tourism is one in which all people, regardless of their condition, can enjoy equal opportunities. The Osa Sensorial program carries out specic activities to improve the quality of life of people with and without disabilities. In addition, within the Osa Sensorial program, two annual expeditions are carried out to the Osa Peninsula to enjoy tourism, animal-assisted interventions, coexistence with indigenous cultures, and many natural, social, cultural elements in an experiential way. During a week full of activities within rural communities, the group explores a large number of activities and ecosystems where the following stand out: The Golfo Dulce in search of Dolphins and Whales where people with disabilities enjoy the sea safely; since this Gulf offers excellent safety standards, they also enjoy unique activities.Accessible Trail of Rancho Quemado: here, you can live the experience of hiking in the forests exploring the exuberant natural biodiversity in the humid rainforest while discovering the importance of each of our ve senses. Thanks to them we can enjoy the nature that the Osa Peninsula offers us.Different natural ecosystems of forests, marine and coastal generate great emotions in all visitors since this group of people had not had the opportunity to enjoy accessible tourism.For this reason, in our Osa Sensorial expeditions, we carry out sponsored tours. Thanks to the collaborations of national companies, we can take the Osa Sensorial expeditions for free to families who have people with disabilities and who never had the opportunity to visit and enjoy these places.Osa Sensorial: Inclusive Tourism and Therapeutic InterventionsAUTHOR: OSA SENSORIAL TEAM

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The cultural heritage of a nation or region is not solelycomposed of monuments and museum collections, but also of living intangible expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants. The denition of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) is made up of oral traditions, performing arts, social practices, rituals and festive events, knowledge and practices concerning nature and the universe, and traditional craftsmanship knowledge and techniques.On December 14, 2017 the indigenous Borucan and Rey Curre festival “The Dance of the Diablitos” (little devils) was indoctrinated by the National Commission of Intangible Cultural Heritage (CONAPACI) and signed by President Luis Guillermo Solis stating the festival as a hallmark of Costa Rican identity.Melvin González Rojas (Kamel), a member of the Boruca community and of the Heritage Commission of these indigenous people commented:“Our community has many years to preserve this legacy that our grandparents left us, so it is up to us young people to pass it on to the new generations. This declaration comes to reinforce the work we are doing, to give us strength at opportune moments, because at this moment the Dance of the Devils undergoes an important cultural change, because our older members are no longer there, we have lost them all in the last two or three years; there are already successors who until this year will take the baton of this practice as Elder Devils or leaders who undertake the tradition, so this declaration allows us to protect our culture, tradition, meals, dances and safeguard our immaterial and spiritual practices.”The history of the Borucan ‘Diablito’ masks began over 500 hundred years ago, when created with the intent to scare the unwelcomed invaders, the Spanish conquistadors. The Borucan people were triumphant. Traditionally, the village celebrates their victory by what they call the “Danza de los Diablitos” from December 30 to January 2. CULTURAL HERITAGEAUTHOR: SUSIE ATKINSON

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Hello from beautiful Drake Bay, Costa Rica. The ReelEscape and the Reel Time were pulled out of the water at the beginning of October. Both boats were inspected from top to bottom to ensure they were in perfect condition. After painting the hulls, performing routine scheduled maintenance on the engines and generator, the boats are back in the water and ready to go. Based on the reservations on the books, we are anticipating an extremely busy high season. People all over the world are prepared to travel again and enjoy nature. If you are the type of person that enjoys animals, the ocean, and the jungle more than concrete, Drake Bay is the ideal place for you.Drake is a charming little beach town on the northern end of the world-famous Corcovado National Park. The village is wholly focused on tourism and is the ideal home base for shing, hiking, diving, bird watching, or simply relaxing in a natural setting. Our little town has everything you need for your visit with a few friendly supermarkets. The local restaurants will happily cook your fresh sh with all the sides for a very reasonable price.With fewer people shing both recreationally and commercially over the last several years, shing has been incredible lately. In fact, I have decided to call Drake the “Roostersh capital of the world.” We not only catch tons of Roosters, but we consistently catch sh over 50 lbs! I am often asked why we catch so many, and I feel it boils down to the following factors. We practice 100% catch and release and use circle hooks to minimize damage to the sh, minimal shing pressure, ideal water conditions with tons of structure and bait, and 20+ years of experience shing these waters. If you are interested in catching this beautiful, hard ghting, exotic sh, I would encourage you to book a trip.In addition to the inshore bite offshore, we are blessed to have a ton of Tuna and big pelagics like Sailsh, Marlin, Wahoo, and Mahi-Mahi. We offer all types of shing methods and offer full and half-day trips accommodating all price ranges. You don’t need any experience or equipment, just a good attitude, a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. Any sh you wish to keep will be lleted on board and put on ice.HIGH SEASON HERE WE COME!AUTHOR: CAPTAIN WILLY ATENCIOSPORTS - OJOCHAL & SURROUNDINGS51

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To be a successful realtor in Costa Rica, you need to beat the top of your game in both service and knowledge of your eld. And a great realtor knows the value of sharing knowledge helpfully throughout each customer interaction.Introduction To The LocationBeyond the traditional real estate services of advertising, showing properties, negotiating, and closing, a good realtor in Costa Rica, is here to serve as an ambassador to international buyers looking to nd a better life in the tropics.Potential buyers don’t just want to see homes. They want to get to know neighborhoods, understand the different communities in the area, and be able to adequately imagine what their lives might be like in a variety of locations before they choose where they want to start looking at properties.People traveling through and thinking of moving to Costa Rica are driving past jungle walls, having no idea of the many vibrant communities they are passing en route from one tourist spot to another. Without spending time living in each community, they may be missing out on some of the less touristy but better everyday living areas in the country. A good Costa Rica realtor will be more than happy to take clients on a personalized tour of their entire region of service at no charge, answering questions along the way.Introduction To The CommunityA good realtor in Costa Rica knows that there is much more to moving to Costa Rica than purchasing a property. Our clients are entering an entirely new circle and way of life. Therefore, we ensure that this transition is as effortless as possible by introducing clients to their new neighborhood. We share local WhatsApp and Facebook groups with our clients to say hello and stay in touch with the goings-on in their neighborhoods. We help our clients set up new bank accounts, teach them how to pay bills, where to go for different services, and make recommendations on who to hire for any projects they need. Most of all, we give them someone to call whenever they need a hand. We’ve all been there and know how important it is to have someone friendly and reliable to call while nding our feet in a new place.A few of our recent testimonials“Not only is Katherine prompt, reliable, efcient, knowledgeable, and honest, but her warm and friendly personality made our home-buying experience a pleasure.” “The sale of my property with Rebecca was an easy, no-stress experience and at rocket speed! She took care of everything that mattered and went out of her way to make things easy breezy for everyone involved.”“[Marcia] explained the entire process ahead of time and also answered our numerous questions at every step. Our purchase went through without a hitch, and we are now enjoying our beautiful jungle house!”TWO THINGS A GOOD REALTORWILL DO FOR YOUOUR TEAM ARE EXPERTS ATMOVING YOU TO COSTA RICAAUTHOR: ALEXANDRA LUTYREAL ESTATE - OJOCHAL & SURROUNDINGS52

South Pacific Costa Rica Magazine

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