AUDIOVISUAL EDITION INT E RN A TI O N A L Co sta Rica T O T H E WORLD
DIGITAL mags
h o w l e r m a g . c o m
JULY 2021
since 1996
discove
PR
er
RAVDA vodka the jewel among vodkas and
symbol of quality and
great taste!
EDITORIAL
IS TECHNOLOGY RUINING OUR CULTURE?
Click on flags for Spanish or French
Social media is anything but social.
The Gold Coast of Costa Rica Horizon Pacific is located in Playa Tamarindo and exists to help you find a tropical retreat on the gorgeous Gold Coast of Costa Rica - the most beautiful backdrop to renew your spirit and help you reconnect to your favorite people and to the world. With lush tropical flowers, fresh delicious food and exciting experiences, Horizon Pacific will provide the best accommodations and assistance finding exciting adventures. Please reach out to our team, so we can help your travel dreams become a reality. And not to worry, we will continue all our Covid-19 safety measures and flexible options.
Vacation Rentals • Property Management • HOA Management 888-795-7373 (US & Canada) • (011) 506-2653-0390 • HorizonPacificVacations.com
Enjoying your Howler digital magazine experience
Through out the digital magazine, you’ll see the “click here” button. You’ll be taken to the Howler page for that article: • Open in FULL SCREEN • Read the whole article • Watch the audiovisual story magazine • Article in other languages (if available) • A fun online puzzle • Share the article on social media • Discover more related articles
HOWLER T r o o p
H
owler hits the Pacific waves this month, in more ways than one. Reflecting on Costa Rica’s abundance of premium surf spots, including many featured in past magazine issues, our cover story revisits these four among many favorites: Ollie’s Point, Playa Hermosa, Mal Pais and Playa Negra. Then, for a different water sport twist, we take you to Prieta for some spectacular skimboarding action, captured through the lens of our July featured contributor, Perry Carlile. Yet another style of aquatic acrobatics will captivate you in our Creature Feature, where a group of graceful mobula rays are pictured at Drake Bay. Travel & Adventure explores the natural wonders of Sarapiquí and highlights five Nicaragua attractions that are possible to visit during a long-weekend jaunt across Costa Rica’s northern border. The Arts, Culture & Entertainment section provides insight into funeral and cemetery traditions in Costa Rica, and also tells a lighthearted tale about a ravenous ATM. Pura Vida offers four professional perspectives on Costa Rican dream home designs, and a mindfulness ritual for connecting with the healing power of water. The importance of ensuring water accessibility when purchasing a home building property is covered in CR Biz, as well as LegalEase information for rental property owners.
FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR Perry Carlile began his photography career at his hometown newspaper, The Monitor, in Naples, Texas. He was also the high school yearbook photographer for one year. He joined the U. S. Navy in 1979 as a Photographer’s Mate. He flew with training jets, served on a destroyer tender ship and taught at the Navy’s Photography A School in Pensacola, Florida before his tour ended in 1987. Since then, Perry has taken wedding, nature and family photos. He has lived in Costa Rica for over eight years. He serves as pastor at Beach Community Church in Brasilito.
WRITERS Ivan Granados. Managing Partner at GM Attorneys, specializing in real estate and corporate law. igranados@ gmattorneyscr.com Laura Méndez. Founder of Pura Vida Vibrations. Offering sound journeys, breathwork experiences, cacao ceremonies & other activities. hello@puravidavibrations.com Norm Schriever. Best-selling author, expat, cultural mad scientist, and enemy of the comfort zone. Places he has called home over the past decade include Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Cambodia, Thailand, and the Philippines.
HOWLER
July 2021 Vol. 30 No. 7
PUBLISHER / EDITOR-in-CHIEF John B. Quam
Joanna Blanco. Integrative nutritional health coach who helps clients embrace wellness in five interconnected areas of life: relationships, livelihood, physical activity, spiritual awareness and diet. Rick Philps. Canadian who practiced law in Victoria, BC before moving to Costa Rica in 1998. He has practiced law here for 17 years, having continued his education in civil law and notary and registry law. Offers legal due diligence seminars and consultations in the Gold Coast area for expats moving, or considering moving to Costa Rica. Contact rick@ costaricacanadalaw.com or visit www.costaricacanadalaw.com Tom Schultz. BS Biology and Geology, avid birder and nature photographer, retired software executive. tom@pananima.com
C r e at i v e & a r t Terry Carlile m a r k e t i n g d i r e c t o r - Terry Carlile account executive Mary Fernández
E d i t o r i a l S ta f f Debbie Bride - Editorial Coordinator Laurie Quam - Copy Editor G r a p h i c D e s i g n - Terry Carlile c o v e r p h o t o - Perry Carlile Business Development John D. Lane. jdlanelcm@gmail.com H OW L E R ( ™ ) 2 0 1 7
PHOTOGRAPHERS Carlos Palacios. Professional water and land photographer from Costa Rica, who loves nature and surfing, and telling stories with his photos while having fun doing it. insecto@gmail.com www. insectoart.com Facebook @insecto Instagram @insecto Christopher Penker. Photographer specializing in wildlife, underwater and nature. Visit Wild Horizon Photography and Instagram@wild _horizon_photography Emiliano Ras. Professional photographer and surf guide in Guanacaste. Instagram/@americas.surf Facebook@surfereye Jorge A. Russell. Professional photographer from Chile based in Jacó, Costa Rica. Specialist in outdoor photography, including surfing, and studio photography. Call: 8836-6475. Jorgerussellphotographer @gmail.com
C o n ta c t
John Quam - Managing Partner headmonkey@howlermag.com Editor: editor@howlermag.com Advertising: ads@howlermag.com Design: design@howlermag.com CR Office: (506) 4701-5942 Howler Magazine Costa Rica @howlercostarica @thehowlermag @howlermagazine The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Ced. Juridica: 3-101-725213 The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the various authors in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Howler organization or its advertisers. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests write to: info@howlermag.com. The Howler Magazine does not assume responsibility for the content of its advertisements. Images not credited are acquired from stock photography services.
Copyright © 2021 The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Copyright © 2021 Howler Media Holding, Inc. Panama The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A.
Read all current and past articles online howlermag.com #S earch F ind Howl
Ced. Juridica: 3-101-725213 HOWLER (TM)2017
UP FRONT
COVER STORY
SURF SPOTS OLLIE’S POINT PLAYA HERMOSA, JACÓ MAL PAIS PLAYA NEGRA
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE FEATURED ADVENTURE A Road Trip to Sarapiquí CREATURE FEATURE The Graceful Dance of the Mobula Rays
SURFING CR
ACROBATICS OF THE FEARLESS Skimboarding Tide Chart Photo: Perry Carlile
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT SURVIVING CR What Circle of Hell is This?
PURA VIDA/LIVING CR LIFESTYLE FEATURE Passion for Travel Leads Here to Stay BUILDING FEATURE Anatomy of a Costa Rica Dream Home MINDFULNESS Connect With the Spirit of Water
CR BIZ BUILDING CR Water Availability LEGALEASE Taxes for Rentals and CCSS ENTREPRENEUR CR How to Set Strong Business Intentions
UP FRONT
Endless Summer,
Endless Surf Spots
A Favorite Few of Many by John Quam
Ollie’s Point
COVER STORY
Playa Hermosa Mal Pais Playa Negra
Photo: Cheboards
UP FRONT
COVER STORY
Photo: Cheboards
Ollie’s Point
UP FRONT
Mal Pais Photo: Carlos Palacios
COVER STORY
UP FRONT
Playa Hermosa, Jacó Photo: Jorge Russell
UP FRONT
Playa Negra
Photo: Emiliano Ras
Padoka’s website with videos, map, photos and Facebook/Instagram links
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
A Road Trip to
SARAPIQUÍ The Other Side of the Mountain
FEATURED ADVENTURE
Article and photos by Tom Schultz
Black-throated trogon
Red-eyed tree frog
Blue morpho butterfly
Aerial tram soars above the treetops of Braulio Carrillo National Park
Yellow-throated toucan
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
The Graceful Dance of the
COOL PLACES FEATURE CREATURE
Mobula Rays by Howler Staff Photos: Christopher Penker
Do you know why do mobula rays jump out of the water? A. The vibrations from the engine tickles them B. Showing off for a potential mate C. Get rid of parasites D. Communicate with the other rays
UNMUTE SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE: HOWLER TV
VIEW IN FULL SCREEN
2
| #searchfindhowl | online
howlermag.com
OCEAN
ADVENTURES See our sports fishing feature!
S E E T H I S C O L L E C T I O N O F C O S TA R I C A’ S R E C R E AT I O N
FISHING SAILING YACHTING BOATING
SURFIN G COSTA RICA
Skimboarding Cristobal Loria, a skimborder May 2021 at Playa Prieta Photo: Perry Carlile
MOON PHASES
July 1
3rd Quarter
JULY TIDE CHART Day
High
Low
High
Low
High
Thu 01
01:30 0.75 ft
07:58 8.68 ft
14:07 1.46 ft
20:18 7.85 ft
Fri 02
02:21 1.26 ft
08:51 8.36 ft
15:04 1.76 ft
21:14 7.41 ft
Sat 03
03:14 1.72 ft
09:45 8.11 ft
16:02 1.94 ft
22:13 7.11 ft
Sun 04
04:08 2.06 ft
10:39 7.96 ft
16:59 1.97 ft
23:11 6.98 ft
Mon 05
05:03 2.26 ft
11:31 7.93 ft
17:53 1.87 ft
July 9
Tue 06
00:07 7.01 ft
05:56 2.32 ft
12:20 8.00 ft
18:43 1.66 ft
New Moon
Wed 07
00:58 7.18 ft
06:46 2.25 ft
13:07 8.16 ft
19:29 1.38 ft
Thu 08
01:45 7.43 ft
07:33 2.08 ft
13:51 8.36 ft
20:11 1.09 ft
Fri 09
02:29 7.71 ft
08:18 1.86 ft
14:34 8.56 ft
20:51 0.82 ft
Sat 10
03:10 8.01 ft
09:00 1.61 ft
15:15 8.73 ft
21:30 0.60 ft
Sun 11
03:49 8.27 ft
09:42 1.39 ft
15:56 8.83 ft
22:08 0.46 ft
Mon 12
04:28 8.50 ft
10:23 1.20 ft
16:36 8.84 ft
22:46 0.39 ft
July 17
Tue 13
05:07 8.67 ft
11:04 1.06 ft
17:17 8.77 ft
23:25 0.41 ft
1st Quarter
Wed 14
05:46 8.80 ft
11:47 0.99 ft
17:59 8.62 ft
Thu 15
00:05 0.49 ft
06:28 8.87 ft
12:31 0.98 ft
18:43 8.41 ft
Fri 16
00:47 0.64 ft
07:12 8.89 ft
13:19 1.02 ft
19:31 8.16 ft
Sat 17
01:33 0.83 ft
08:00 8.87 ft
14:12 1.09 ft
20:24 7.92 ft
Sun 18
02:24 1.03 ft
08:53 8.83 ft
15:09 1.14 ft
21:23 7.73 ft
Mon 19
03:21 1.21 ft
09:52 8.83 ft
16:11 1.11 ft
22:28 7.69 ft
Tue 20
04:23 1.31 ft
10:55 8.89 ft
17:16 0.95 ft
23:34 7.83 ft
Wed 21
05:29 1.27 ft
11:58 9.05 ft
18:20 0.67 ft
July 23 Full Moon
SUNRISE JULY 1 JULY 3
5:25 am 5:32 am
Thu 22
00:38 8.15 ft
06:35 1.08 ft
13:00 9.28 ft
19:20 0.30 ft
Fri 23
01:39 8.57 ft
07:37 0.80 ft
13:57 9.52 ft
20:16 −0.05 ft
Sat 24
02:34 9.01 ft
08:34 0.52 ft
14:51 9.70 ft
21:07 −0.32 ft
Sun 25
03:26 9.36 ft
09:28 0.31 ft
15:42 9.74 ft
21:56 −0.44 ft
Mon 26
04:15 9.58 ft
10:19 0.23 ft
16:31 9.63 ft
22:42 −0.39 ft
Tue 27
05:03 9.62 ft
11:07 0.31 ft
17:18 9.36 ft
23:27 −0.16 ft
Wed 28
05:49 9.48 ft
11:54 0.54 ft
18:04 8.94 ft
Thu 29
00:10 0.22 ft
06:34 9.20 ft
12:40 0.87 ft
18:50 8.43 ft
Fri 30
00:54 0.72 ft
07:19 8.81 ft
13:27 1.26 ft
19:38 7.88 ft
Sat 31
01:37 1.26 ft
08:05 8.38 ft
14:16 1.65 ft
20:28 7.35 ft
SUNSET JULY 1 JULY 31
6:08 pm 6:06 pm
Browse all surfing articles:
SURFING COSTA RICA
SURF FEATURE
Skimboarding Acrobatics of the Fearless
Article and photos: Perry Carlile Location: Playa Prieta, Guanacaste
Cristobal Loria
IMAGINE NO LIMITS
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH THE RIGHT COMPANY
RESERVATIONS:
YOUR OWN COMPANY
PRIVATE TOURS ONLY
+(506) 8701-2353 +(506) 8861-5676
Iinfo@pacificsoulsailing.com
www.pacificsoulsailing.com
Reinvent
Turning DreamsInto IntoRea Reality lity
Turning Dreams
www.marvistacr.com US 1-888-414-1836 CR +506 8387 8888
Your Life
SHOPPING ONLINE IN THE USA CONT A C T S Tamarindo: 8676-2213 • tamarindo@libertyexpress.cr Nosara: 8628-2441 • nosara@libertyexpress.cr Playa Hermosa: 7130-0485 • playahermosa@libertyexpress.cr
AUTHORIZED AGENT
ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT
What Circle of Hell is This? ATM a Dangerous Predator by Mary Martin Mason
SURVIVING CR
Originally published by Mango Musings on May 12, 2021
The hungry ATM has devoured the lifeline to fund my opulent lifestyle.
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
PA S S I O N F O R T R AV E L L E A D S H E R E T O S TAY
I
LIFESTYLE FEATURE
t all began many years ago when my wife Nadene and I started travelling. We spent a few years exploring different Spanishspeaking countries including Mexico, Belize, Colombia, Panama, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.
Sponsored content Photo courtesy of Tres Amigos Realty Group
View from Mariner’s Point
BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND IMPROVING LIFESTYLES
ONE CLIENT AT A TIME
COVERING THE ENTIRE PAPAGAYO REGION Playas del Coco
Playa Hermosa
Playa Panama
www.playasdelcocoproperty.com
www.tresamigos-cr.com
prestigecostaricaproperties.com
2670-2175
2672-4100
2670-2175
PURA VIDA/CR LIVING
es v i ct
r u Fo
e p s er P Pro
Anatomy of a Costa Rican Dream Home
BUILDING FEATURE
by Norm Schriever
“We should attempt to bring nature, houses, and human beings together in a higher unity.” — Ludwig Mies van der Rohe
Designed By Cañas Arquitectos canasarquitectos.com
What elements do a lot of your clients want? Are there certain trends? The clients I’ve built for the last 27 years here in Costa Rica have varied greatly, but one thing they all tend to desire is a home that opens up to the environment and delivers an epic view. There’s a saying in my field that a home is only as good as its view at sunset!
PURA VIDA/LIVING CR
English and Spanish
Connect With the Spirit of Water A 21-Day Proposal to Purify and Heal
MINDFULNESS
by Laura Méndez
When I’m done, I drink that water, thus drinking my prayers.
L E for A S in
R ore O F m Cli
c
r
e kh
REA
o ef
r
ti o a m
n
Best Va Reserv
Ocean V Front Be Resort,
Studio Condo , 1 Ba
Malinche 111B Ocean
Beach Club - Low HOA
Value in va Conchal
View Condo - Ocean each Club, Golf & Spa Reserva Conchal
ath
n View Studio $299,000
A - Great Rental History
CR BIZ
by Rick Philps
Water Availability
WHY IS IT A MAJOR CONCERN WHEN BUILDING?
BUSILDING CR
Unfortunately, many otherwise suitable building sites fail for the want of legal access to potable water.
AR N I EM ON! S T S LAS e SEA h of t
Unearth the Facts About ...
Legal Due Diligence Seminars Discover the important legal issues about moving to Costa Rica to live, from 30+ Years of Canadian and Costa Rican legal practice — helping expats.
... Moving to Costa Rica
!
Limited Attendance Seminars AND Open Q&A Sessions with LIC. RICK PHILPS, COSTA RICA LAWYER
Last Seminar of the season! July Seminar July 13, 2021, 9AM to 11AM Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo Ask about future seminar dates starting again December 2021 star
More info here: www.costaricacanadalaw.com More Information and Reservations Email: rick@costaricacanadalaw.com
Click
CR BIZ
RENTAL PROPERTIES
Taxes and Formal Duties
by Ivan Granados
W
LEGAL EASE
ith the substantial number of rental properties in Costa Rica, it is important for owners who rent their properties out to be aware of, and be reminded of, legal changes that were effective in 2018. In addition, changes to the Ley de Fortalecimiento de las Finanzas Públicas (Law #9635) came into effect in 2019.
It is important to fully understand the tax and labor laws relating to renting property.
HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 29
SUMMER VACATION GAME PLAN Fun for Kids, Happy for You, Healthy for Your Business
by Joanna Blanco
Visit us Today! USE DISCOUNT CODE
HOWLER