Costa Rica Jacó Regional by Howler - May 2021 by Howler Media Holding, Inc.

MAY 2021

INTERNAT ION A L RE

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C o s ta Ri ca T O T HE WOR L D

since 1996

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Howler International digital magazine Guanacaste regional print April Spanish Quarterly

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Contact Kelly today! (506)8364 5376 kelly@howlermag.com Publisher / Editor-in-Chief John B. Quam CR Office: (506) 4701-5942 Sales and Marketing Manager Terry Carlile, Kelly Norris & Tania Guevara Graphic Design, Art Director & Rock Star Terry Carlile 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. The Howler Magazine does not assume responsibility for the content of its advertisements.

Images not credited are acquired from stock photography services. 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. Copyright © 2021 The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Copyright © 2021 Howler Media Holding, Inc. Panama The Howler Gold Coast CR S.A. Ced. Juridica: 3-101-725213 HOWLER (TM)2017

a part of bringing people from other places around the world to our reality, virtually, and allowing them to plan their travels here is so rewarding! Costa Rica is on many people’s bucket list.

EDITORIAL

I am often stopped by people who tell me they have every one of the past Howler issues. You cannot believe how happy that makes me, knowing that the printed product has been kept by our readers and not thrown away. John B. Quam

am proud to announce that the Howler has achieved the milestone of 25 years of publishing. This has been quite a journey, as David Mills will tell you. And after my purchase of the magazine in 2016 and carrying the torch he lit, I can certainly relate as a part of this journey. In the words of Robert August, “The Howler has always been a great part of our community.” The history of the Howler is deep, and it has been a staple in the community over this time period. As it grew from its inception of a fourpage copy paper edition to its current state, the publication has covered so many things in Costa Rica and the communities it serves. David Mills started it all in 1996, seeing the need for a Tamarindo-based community publication. He knew how important it was to have something that telegraphs all the interesting things surrounding the people who live and do business in this vibrant place. A publication with that kind of people-centered content is literally a backbone of a community. Having that voice and being that voice is part of what makes a community. Publishers around the world have always known this, and created publications within their surroundings. But for Howler’s story to still be unfolding after 25 years is what makes it special. Many publications in Tamarindo have come and gone over the years. It certainly is not easy to create this production every month, but it is a labor of love. The creation and work that goes into this is monumental. I know how important it is to be able to express what Costa Rica is all about. To be 10

Starting a year ago with the May 2020 e-magazine, we have taken the Howler to a digital platform. The response from outside our borders has been tremendous. The reach we have is growing, and showing the world through our articles and the video content the rich details and nuances of what Costa Rica offers. It is so important that we remain relevant and continue inviting and encouraging people to visit here, as many other countries are vying for the tourist dollars. Every month I get email, texts and calls from readers telling me how much they enjoy the Howler. I receive requests from around the world for more information, and also help with issues relating to living or traveling in here. Our reach to the world is broad, and It is much easier for me to list the countries that don’t engage with us than the multitude that do. I look at our reach map and even see readers in Latvia, Moldova, Monaco, Dubai, Madagascar and more, extending to every continent. In 2020 and 2021 we launched a regional print edition of Howler for Jacó and also Guanacaste. These are more of community-based publications and regionally delivered. They have been well received. Even though these are smaller versions of the 100-page magazine we published in the past, they are growing and people are keeping copies.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF PUBLISHING

READ MORE, SCAN QR CODE By Howler Staff

ike the monkeys in nearby treetops overhead where their namesake magazine was born and grew up, Howler has a voice that’s impossible to ignore and has never seemed to generate much complaining. And the fact that it hasn’t gone away or faded after 25 years speaks volumes about its enduring success. As highlighted in this issue’s celebratory editorial, the reverberating impact is louder, deeper and wider than ever. In the early years, just as the unimposing stature of howler monkeys belies their astonishing vocal capacity, it might have been easy to underestimate the fledgling publication’s potential for speaking up, being heard and reaching out to ever-expanding circles of loyal readers and supporters. But it did not take long for this to happen as Howler had no difficulty fitting in, finding its groove and feeling right at home in Tamarindo. That’s where it all started in May 1996 as the brainchild of founding publisher David Mills. And as the adopted offspring of a spirited beach town that was basking in newfound popularity while rushing headlong into its own adolescent growth spurts, Howler had plenty to be exuberant about while growing up. See for yourself what was going on in Howler’s midst over the past quarter-century, and in the wider world of Costa Rica and beyond. For this anniversary journey, we’ve selected all of the May issues and listed a few highlights below each cover image. Keep in mind that other publications have come and gone during the same time period, while Howler has kept on getting bigger and better. Hope you enjoy our blast from the past! | 11

How Well Do You Know Costa Rica?

TRAVEL & ADVENTURE

he latest smartphones have a wonderful ability to take all kinds of photos, including the popular panorama format. So here is a test to see how many places in Costa Rica you can recognize from the spectacular panoramic scenes captured in these photos.

Quiz and photos by Tom Schultz

See all 11 scenes and take the quiz:

Give yourself one point if you know the place. And take an extra credit if you actually know where the photo was taken. If there are any places here that you are not familiar with, go visit them! Costa Rica is full of awe-striking beauty that no one should miss.

1. Let’s start with a gift. If you do not know this location, you have never been here.

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MAY

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Entangled in Costa Rica A Whale Rescue Documentary

hen we, Pipa and Coco from The Vegan Pirates, first met Yulian Cordero on a dive trip to Isla del Caño, a small island in the south Pacific region of Costa Rica, we didn’t know it would change the course of the next months and also bring us in contact with more like-minded human beings. Yulian was our dive instructor, who also had incredible knowledge about the humpback whales that are migrating to Costa Rica every year for mating and raising their calves. He told us about the nonprofit marine conservation organization Innoceana and its participation in saving two entangled whales in 2019.

It started on July 11 that year when Zobeida Mendoza Rojas, a dive instructor at Drake Divers, received a call about a whale entangled in fishing lines. She organized a rescue mission and called for support in the area. This is how Yulian and others from Innoceana became involved by joining Zobeida, along with some fellow dive guides, to rescue the whale. READ MORE:

The Innoceana rescuers wanted to show the world what they had witnessed.

By Uta “Pipa” Sax & Hannes “Coco” Klein Photos courtesy of The Vegan Pirates, Innoceana & Yulian Cordero | 15

MOON PHASES

May 3

MAY TIDE CHART

3rd Quarter

May 11 New Moon

May 19 1st Quarter

May 26 Full Moon

SUNRISE MAY 1 MAY 31

5:25 am 5:20 am

SUNSET MAY 1 MAY 31 16

5:55 pm 6:01 pm

Read surfing articles

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Costa Rica Captivates Gyrocopter Girl Many Ways to Soar Through Life and the World

owler has a special treat for readers with this double feature about a Costa Rican adventure and global adventurer telling her story. Buckle up and enjoy the ride with a remarkable woman of the world who we’ll refer to by her social media handle, Gyrocopter Girl. Prepare to be amazed and inspired by this Switzerland native’s ability to feel right at home in the skies of almost anywhere, any way she is trained to fly. We’ll start with the passion that drew Gyrocopter Girl to my attention one day during an Instagram inspiration quest. Just a few glimpses were irresistible. I had to see and learn more. In response to my questions came these introspective reflections on an adventure-filled life and fascination for all things flying.

Share about your experiences in Costa Rica and what makes it unique. Costa Rica is a bit like Switzerland, a very small country but so versatile. It is just the perfect size to explore by gyroplane. The weather and temperatures are beautiful. I believe during the dry season, almost any day is a flying day in Costa Rica.

I think there is no better way to explore Costa Rica than in an open gyroplane. Cornelia “Gyrocopter Girl”

By Terry Carlile Photos courtesy of Gyrocopter Girl

Cornelia enjoying her #2 activity | 19

Guatil

by Debbie Bride & Marian Paniagua

The Real Deal T

A RT ISA NS PRE S E RVE AN CE S TR A L CH OROTEGA LEGACY

Generation after generation of Guaitil townspeople have passed down their knowledge and expertise to keep the pre-Columbian style of pottery alive as a hallmark of Chorotega indigenous culture. Many of the pieces are exact replicas of original artifacts in Costa Rican museum collections. The government However you get there, your Guaitil visit will be provides photographs of these items highly worthwhile and is best not rushed. Seldom to the Guaitil potters for reference, ensuring every detail is historically are there opportunities like this to step back thousands of years in time for a firsthand history accurate. lesson. Guaitil is famous throughout Central READ MORE: America for its significant role in preserving the legacy of Chorotega pottery. The story unfolds as you stop by any of the local studio-galleries to observe and chat with the artisans at work. o be sure, the tiny village of Guaitil is off the beaten path, but not too far off. Nor is it a difficult drive or hard to find, and the trip takes you through a particularly scenic area of Costa Rica’s Guanacaste province. Guaitil is just a 15-minute drive east of Santa Cruz along the old route to Nicoya. It can also be accessed by buses running regularly from Santa Cruz.

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