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EDITORIAL
KEEPING THE PEACE, SAFETY AND HAPPINESS John B. Quam
Click on flags for Spanish or French
HOWLER T r o o p
FEATURED CONTRIBUTOR
H
owler is excited to congratulate Costa Rica on its bicentennial anniversary of Independence Day, September 15, 2021. Check out our commemorative cover stories highlighting Tico national symbols, with a special tribute to the beloved sloth’s new status as number 16 on the list. Links are provided to many past magazine articles about specific national symbols, including this month’s Cultural Heritage feature on Costa Rica’s flag and coat of arms. Several business leaders join us in saluting the country’s proud achievements and bright future. Travel & Adventure takes you to two historical hot spots, where unearthed discoveries still leave many unanswered questions about Costa Rica’s PreColumbian indigenous legacy: the Diquis spheres at Finca 6 and the Guayabo national monument site. Continuing our “wildlife in flight” theme from last month’s overview of beautiful birds, our September Creature Feature is “Written on the Wings of Butterflies.” We also look at why, how and where surfing and yoga belong together in Costa Rica, along with many other ways to enjoy wellness experiences here. Another article revisits the country’s consistent “happiest in the world” ranking. Sweat lodge rituals are the focus of a four-part Mindfulness series starting this month, while Entrepreneur Costa Rica offers resilience-building tips and LegalEase examines the real estate registration system known by the acronym SIRI.
This month’s featured contributor, Rick Philps, provides insights into the modern pitfalls of archaic landowner provisions for squatters’ rights in Costa Rica. Rick is a Canadian citizen, naturalized as a citizen of Costa Rica. Before moving here in 1998, he practiced law for 14 years in his home city of Victoria, British Columbia. His further legal studies in Costa Rica earned him a Bachelor of Laws and Licensing degrees (Civil Law), with Honours, from the Metropolitana Castro Carazo University, and a postgraduate degree in Notary and Registry Law, from the Escuela Libre de Derecho University in San José. Rick is a member of the Costa Rica College of Lawyers, a qualified Notary Public. He has practiced law in this country since 2003, in the areas of real estate and development; corporate, commercial and contract law; escrow and banking; wills and estate planning; and immigration. Rick also offers legal due diligence seminars and consultations in the Gold Coast area for expats moving, or considering moving to Costa Rica.
WRITERS Sylvia Barreto Benites. Writer, teacher, tutor and founding director of IREN Renaissance Institute, a Costa Rican nonprofit organization focused on innovative learning solutions for children and adults. To this role she brings a Masters degree in education and more than 25 years of experience in public, private and alternative classrooms, both in New York and Costa Rica. 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.
HOWLER
September 2021 Vol. 30 No. 9
PUBLISHER / EDITOR-in-CHIEF John B. Quam
Debbie Bride. Canadian continuing to create and communicate in Costa Rica. John Brockmeier. Writer and activist inspired by diverse interests and international life experiences. Maria Laura Charles. Digital marketing strategist, content creator, experience designer and empathy activist. Creator of Casa Narime & La Marea. WhatsApp: +506 8879-2145. Ivan Granados. Managing Partner at GM Attorneys, specializing in real estate and corporate law. igranados@gmattorneyscr.com Karl Kahler. Author of “Frommer’s Costa Rica 2017,” former travel editor of the Tico Times and former national editor of California’s San Jose Mercury News. Laura Méndez. Founder of Pura Vida Vibrations. Offering sound journeys, breathwork experiences, cacao ceremonies & other activities. hello@puravidavibrations.com Mario Molina Salazar. Sustainable traveler and cultural manager of my art organization Costa Rica en la Pared. Street art and its impact to transform communities. costaricaenlapared@gmail.com Jenn Parker. An avid writer, traveler, and nature lover on a mission to surf the earth and share her stories. Tom Schultz. BS Biology and Geology, avid birder and nature photographer, retired software executive. tom@pananima.com
PHOTOGRAPHERS Jorge A. Russell. Professional photographer from Chile based in Jaco beach. Does outdoor photography and studio photography. 8836-6475. Jorgerussellphotographer @gmail.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 d e s i g n - Terry Carlile Business Development John D. Lane. jdlanelcm@gmail.com H OW L E R ( ™ ) 2 0 1 7
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.
“Costa Rica Through the Lens” October Howler Special Edition Photographers: click here for details
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)2021
UP FRONT
COVER STORIES
COSTA RICA’S BICENTENNIAL NATIONAL SYMBOLS OF COSTA RICA SLOTH BECOMES AN OFFICIAL NATIONAL SYMBOL
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE COOL PLACES Finca 6 and the Mystery of the Spheres FEATURED PLACE Guayabo: History of a Mystery CREATURE FEATURE Written on the Wings of Butterflies
SURFING CR SURF FEATURE Surfing and Yoga Go Hand in Hand TIDE CHART
ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT CULTURAL HERITAGE Costa Rica’s Flag: Proudly Waved, Carried and Worn
PURA VIDA/LIVING CR LIFESTYLE FEATURE Made the Move and Never Looked Back MINDFULNESS Inipi and Temazcal: Understanding the Sweat Lodge Ritual WELLNESS FEATURE Beyond Yoga LIFESTYLE FEATURE Happiest Country on the Planet
CR BIZ DOING BUSINESS RIGHT What Are Squatters’ Rights in Costa Rica? LEGALEASE Real Estate Registration System (SIRI) ENTREPRENEUR CR How To Build Inner Resilience
Use co HOWL for disco click he
ode LER ount, ere
UP FRONT
National Symbols of
Costa Rica
COVER STORY
Two-Way Mirrors to the World
Truly, it’s the people that make Costa Rica the treasure it is to the world.
UP FRONT
Sweet and
S L O W
by John Brockmeier
Sloth Becomes an Official
COVER STORY
National Symbol
See the downloadable coloring sheet and online puzzle!
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TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Finca 6
and The Mystery of
the Spheres
COOL PLACES
by Tom Shultz
No
one
knows
their
purpose
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
COOL PLACES
by Karl Kahler
Guayabo:
History of a Mys
stery
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
Written
CREATURE FEATURE
on the Wings of B
Blue morpho butterfly
Butterflies
by Tom Schultz
IMAGINE NO LIMITS
GREEN SEASON:
RESERVATIONS:
Make use of our special promotion with stunning views away from the city
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MOON PHASES
SEPTEMBER TIDE CHART Day
SEP 6 New Moon
SEP 13 1st Quarter
SEP 20 Full Moon
SEP 28
3rd Quarter
SUNRISE SEP 1 SEP 30
5:33 am 5:32 am
SUNSET SEP 1 SEP 30
5:52 pm 5:34 pm
High
Low
High
Low
High
Wed 01
03:23 2.71 ft
09:57 7.11 ft
16:19 2.30 ft
22:46 6.40 ft
Thu 02
04:32 2.83 ft
11:03 7.10 ft
17:25 2.18 ft
23:51 6.64 ft
Fri 03 Sat 04
00:46 7.10 ft
05:41 2.64 ft
12:05 7.33 ft
18:24 1.83 ft
06:40 2.19 ft
12:58 7.74 ft
19:13 1.36 ft
Sun 05
01:32 7.69 ft
07:30 1.59 ft
13:45 8.22 ft
19:55 0.84 ft
Mon 06
02:14 8.33 ft
08:14 0.95 ft
14:28 8.70 ft
20:35 0.34 ft
Tue 07
02:53 8.94 ft
08:56 0.35 ft
15:09 9.10 ft
21:14 −0.09 ft
Wed 08
03:31 9.47 ft
09:36 −0.14 ft
15:49 9.36 ft
21:52 −0.38 ft
Thu 09
04:10 9.85 ft
10:17 −0.46 ft
16:30 9.46 ft
22:32 −0.50 ft
Fri 10
04:50 10.03 ft
10:59 −0.56 ft
17:12 9.36 ft
23:13 −0.42 ft 23:57 −0.14 ft
Sat 11
05:32 9.98 ft
11:44 −0.44 ft
17:57 9.08 ft
Sun 12
06:18 9.71 ft
12:31 −0.11 ft
18:45 8.64 ft
Mon 13
00:44 0.32 ft
07:08 9.25 ft
13:23 0.36 ft
19:39 8.12 ft
Tue 14
01:39 0.88 ft
08:05 8.70 ft
14:23 0.86 ft
20:44 7.66 ft
Wed 15
02:42 1.41 ft
09:12 8.21 ft
15:32 1.24 ft
21:57 7.42 ft 23:13 7.52 ft
Thu 16
03:57 1.74 ft
10:27 7.95 ft
16:47 1.34 ft
Fri 17
05:17 1.72 ft
11:40 7.99 ft
17:59 1.15 ft
Sat 18
00:21 7.91 ft
06:28 1.39 ft
12:45 8.26 ft
19:00 0.79 ft
Sun 19
01:19 8.42 ft
07:27 0.93 ft
13:39 8.58 ft
19:51 0.42 ft
Mon 20
02:08 8.90 ft
08:17 0.50 ft
14:27 8.86 ft
20:35 0.13 ft
Tue 21
02:51 9.27 ft
09:00 0.18 ft
15:10 9.03 ft
21:15 −0.02 ft
Wed 22
03:31 9.47 ft
09:40 0.01 ft
15:50 9.04 ft
21:52 −0.02 ft
Thu 23
04:09 9.49 ft
10:17 −0.00 ft
16:28 8.91 ft
22:27 0.15 ft
Fri 24
04:45 9.35 ft
10:53 0.14 ft
17:05 8.63 ft
23:02 0.45 ft
Sat 25
05:20 9.06 ft
11:29 0.41 ft
17:43 8.23 ft
23:38 0.87 ft
Sun 26
05:57 8.64 ft
12:07 0.79 ft
18:22 7.75 ft
Mon 27
00:15 1.37 ft
06:35 8.15 ft
12:47 1.24 ft
19:05 7.24 ft
Tue 28
00:56 1.89 ft
07:18 7.64 ft
13:33 1.69 ft
19:55 6.78 ft
Wed 29
01:44 2.38 ft
08:10 7.17 ft
14:27 2.08 ft
20:55 6.46 ft
Thu 30
02:43 2.73 ft
09:13 6.86 ft
15:31 2.29 ft
22:05 6.42 ft
SURFIN G COSTA RICA
For all surfing articles:
Photo: Jorge A. Russell
SURFING COSTA RICA
Surfing and Yoga Go Hand in Hand
SURF FEATURE
by Jenn Parker
Both surfing and yoga require practice, patience, and perseverance.
ARTS CULTURE ENTERTAINMENT
CULTURAL HERITAGE
Costa Rica’s
by Sylvia Barreto Benites Photo: José Gerardo Suárez Monge
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Made the move and never looked
BA
LIFESTYLE CREATUREFEATURE FEATURE
I get the joys of helping all those who want to make the move to Costa Rica.
Sponsored content Photo courtesy of Tres Amigos Realty Group
View from Playa Hermosa
ACK!
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Inipi and Temazcal:
Understanding the Sweat Lodge Ritual
MINDFULLNESS
by Laura Méndez
Part 1 of 4
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
Y d n o Bey
Immerse Yourself in a Costa R
WELLNESS FEATURE
by Mario Molina Salazar and Maria Laura Charles
It’s how you experience Costa Rica with every cell of your body.
Yoga
Rica Wellness Experience
PURA VIDA / LIVING CR
LIFESTYLE FEATURE
Happiest Country o
on the Planet The HPI score has four main components: experienced well-being, life expectancy, inequality of outcomes and ecological footprint.
by Jenn Parker Original Howler publication date: August 2018
CR BIZ
What are Squatters’ Rights in Costa Rica?
DOING BUSINESS RIGHT
Most Spanish noble owners of these lands never came to Costa Rica to occupy or develop them.
by Rick Philps
B It’s a Jungle Out There! efore you purchase property in Costa Rica you may want to know more about so-called squatters rights.
These are formally referred to in legal terminology as prescriptive rights and adverse property possession. Over the last 120 years, they have largely been abolished by statute in English common law jurisdictions such as the U.S., Canada, and English Commonwealth countries.
So be prepared...
What are squatters’ rights? Squatters’ rights are the rights to occupy and possess land without taking formal title to it. These rights arose from the original settlement of Costa Rica as an agriculturally based Spanish colonial nation. In the settlement process, large tracts of land were granted by the Spanish monarchy to their friends and other members of the Spanish nobility.
Don’t miss the 2nd Season Unfortunately, that same Most Spanish noble owners of these of the Costa Rica transformation has not taken place in civil lands never came to Costa Rica to occupy law (Roman law) jurisdictions such as or develop them, not wanting to associate Legal Due Diligence Seminars Costa Rica.
themselves with “a bunch of heathens” in the New World.
Starting Tuesday December 14, 2021 Accordingly, third parties willing
www.costaricacanadalaw.com
Learn More Here
CR BIZ
Costa Rica’s Real Estate Registration Information System (SIRI)
It became necessary to evolve towards integrating both databases.
LEGAL EASE
by Ivan Granados
HM HOWLER MAGAZINE | 29
How to Build Inner
Resilience by Joanna Blanco
Get strong to fight against stressful situations
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