OHMCR The Best Costa Rica Travel Guide

The Cano Negro National Park in Costa Rica’s remote northern zone was unpleasantly surprised yesterday morning when the rangers woke up to an empty turtle nest.

The most unusual of thefts ever to take place in any of Costa Rica’s National Parks has authorities on the lookout for illegal underground turtle merchants.

The Cano Negro National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most remote and off the beaten path national parks.  Just to reach the park is an adventure itself as visitors must drive up unpaved back roads with the help of 4WD vehicles.

Researchers and scientists frequently visit Cano Negro due to its amazing variety of bird species from North and South America as well as reptiles and mammals.

Apparently, researches were carrying out an investigation with a certain turtle species and had around 20,000 at the park.  The park ranger woke up only to find that they had been robbed of 2,300 baby turtles.

Authorities believe that the robbery took place after 10pm once the park ranger had finished his daily duties.  The Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy stepped in along with the help of the park’s board to carry out a thorough investigation.

Local police authorities suspect that the turtles were stolen in order to sell them to businesses which sell these turtles as pets.  Finding the person or people responsible behind this theft could be quite simple as for hiding over 2,000 turtles is not an easy task.

written by fernando \\ tags: Cano Negro National Park, Costa Rican Ministry of Environment and Energy

The building where the Municipality of Nicoya today operates holds a very important historic value to the province of Guanacaste and therefore Costa Rica.

On July 25th, 1824, the people from the province of Guanacaste gathered at the Nicoya’s Cabildo to sign the document which stated their desire to be part of the newly formed Republic of Costa Rica just after Central America’s independence from Spain.

The Cabildo, which gets its name from the colonial era’s city council, is located on the south side of the Nicoya central park.  When Central America finally declared its independence from Spain, the region of Guanacaste was left to decide whether to join Nicaragua or Costa Rica.

The people of Guanacaste gathered at this historic building in 1824 and decided that Costa Rica provided the opportunities they required.

The Cabildo of Nicoya today is sadly deteriorated and humbly shelters the Municipality’s offices.  However, the local community has requested that the Municipality set aside a substantial budget to renovate the building and set aside a hall for the city council sessions in honor of its historic use.

Up to two years ago, one of the building’s salons was used to display several cultural activities and artwork during the celebration of the province’s annexation.  However locals are saddened by its lack of care and renovation.

The Municipality has confirmed that a project to renovate the historic building is in the works and that by January 2009 the city council can expect to go into session at the Cabildo of Nicoya.

written by fernando \\ tags: Cabildo of Nicoya, Hotels in Guanacaste, Municipality of Nicoya

The south pacific town of Golfito near the Golfo Dulce will be receiving quite a few visitors next week to celebrate the Cultural, Sport and Environmental South Pacific Art Festival.

As a way of providing locals with a socially bonding activity as well as attracting local and foreign tourists to the south pacific region, the University of Costa Rica organized this second art festival through its Social Action branch.

Golfito’s main public areas will be overtaken by arts and crafts as well as typical foods, music and activities.  The University of Costa Rica’s Social Action branch seeks to encourage locals in getting back in touch with their traditions and customs.

Through the festivities, organizers also hope to teach the locals to pursue a healthy lifestyle and invest in their personal growth as well as the community’s.  Activities will be taking place at Golfito’s gym, park, main dock as well as the University of Costa Rica’s South Pacific premises.

Some of the activities that will be taking place include cultural expressions, sport activities, artistic performances and the highlighting of the Southern Pacific traditions.

The Cultural, Sports and Environmental South Pacific Art Festival will allow visitors and locals to enjoy open recreational spaces, participate or enjoy sport and cultural activities as well as taste the region’s traditional dishes and dance to typical music.

written by fernando \\ tags: Cultural, Golfito, Golfo Dulce, Sport and Environmental South Pacific Art Festival