Cusinga - easily recognized by the black square spot on its breast
Birdwatching at Marino Ballena National Park and surrounding areas is an excellent activity for everyone!
Do not forget to bring your binoculars and cameras!
The ancient Egyptians represented feathered animals in their hieroglyphics. Biologists and naturalists worldwide were revolutionized in 1815 when a young Austrian named Voigtlander designed the first binoculars, introducing us to those beautiful animals with fascinating songs, colors, and behaviors.
A stay place perfect for birdwatchers
The grounds of Hotel Cristal Ballena and the Costa Ballena area are highly productive for birdwatching, with over 400 species of birds reported in the region, including some unique regional endemics. The hotel's location, nestled between the humid tropical forests at the foothills of the Fila Costeña mountains and the Pacific coastline, creates an excellent environment for observing forest and marine birdlife. Spanning 30 acres, Hotel Cristal Ballena is designed as a nature park, featuring abundant trees, a rainforest, and a nearby ecosystem, all supporting various bird species.
The boutique hotel reserve is home to more than 250 species of birds, and the range is more extensive when visiting the local birding hotspots. Local hotspots include the Marino Ballena National Park, especially for sea and shorebirds, and the Terraba-Sierpe Wetlands, home to the endemic Mangrove Hummingbird and the Yellow-billed Cotinga.
Anyone who has spent even a single day in Costa Ballena knows about the incredible variety of birds that inhabit the area. The diversity is astounding, from large to small, colorful to drab, and predators to prey. The cumulative total from all Christmas bird counts in the region amounts to 488 species, about half the number of bird species found in the United States and Canada combined.
By Christmas, all migratory species from North America have arrived in Costa Ballena. Many birders visit the area annually, especially from December to March, when the bird population is at its peak, along with an influx of birdwatchers.
Birdwatching and Ornithology at Marino Ballena National Park are worthy of reverence. In a three-hour walk, we can observe and listen to over 50 species.
We find handsome scarlet macaws, blue herons, frigate birds, and kingfishers of different colors and sizes near our beautiful beaches. We also see cormorants, bald red-lored parrots, laughing falcons, yellow-headed caracaras, and hummingbirds.
When we go up the Coastal Mountains on horseback, as we enter the lush forests, the temperature drops, and we find ourselves admiring the beautiful Laty-tailed trogon, the Pale-billed woodpecker, Cusingas, endemic of the South of Costa Rica and the West of Panama; also chestnut-mandibled toucans, and king vultures. Nearby, we hear the howler monkeys and the sound of clear water falling into natural pools; a funny white-nosed coati crosses our path, and then suddenly, the view opens over the “Whale´s Tail.”
Ballena Tales is an essential free digital magazine in Costa Rica, valid for travelers, residents, and investors covering Costa Ballena in the Canton of Osa in the South Pacific of Costa Rica. It is a fully bilingual, bi-monthly, and full-color digital magazine.
The magazine introduces the reader to the life of the local community, with interviews of pioneers, writers, and artists, as well as extensive information on restaurants, hotels, experiences, natural attractions, and wildlife of the South Pacific of Costa Rica.
We are not just a magazine; each edition (print and digital) is linked to a robust web platform; the editions are published online, and the advertorials are included in our blog and the brand in the commercial directory. We also add links to the advertising company's website and social networks. At this time, the openings of digital publications in all their expressions exceed 80 thousand openings, and the advertised brands have a global reach.
We have a loyal audience of over 8,000 readers in the South Pacific's Costa Ballena region who will view your news in each printed edition.
We prioritize our readers' satisfaction by delivering a variety of engaging content while showcasing the value of our advertisers' brands.
Find Love at Kitty City
Visit Kitty City on Adoption Day (every Saturday,) sit in a chair, and see who comes to you. That’s the cat you are looking for, the one brave enough to pat your leg, jump into your lap, and gaze into your eyes, saying, «choose me, adopt me!”
The May Tree
The May tree (Vochysia ferruginea), also called Botarmetersred sand, barbaleche, cuaruba or cenescudo, is a perennial species. They are trees that reach 30 to 50, in height. Its flowers are very flamboyant, they have a calyx with 5 reddish-orange lobes, one in the shape of an elongated and curved spur, and 3 petals of 1 centimeter,and bright yellow color.
Nights in Ojochal are Full of Life!
Yes, Costa Rica is known for its abundant biodiversity, but not many neighbors of Ojochal would imagine that they could share their garden with a wild cat, which could be a jaguar or a puma. In the past, many testimonies of neighbors, along with animal footprints, showed the presence of Ocelots in Ojochal and even larger cats, such as the puma or the panther.
Local Matters
Local publications and media play a key role in communities by helping us to see and care about things we may have missed or not paid much attention to. No mass media is going to take the time to report on a local incident, social event, business opening or fundraiser and, if they do arrive for a story, they won’t have the background or time to understand the people involved and how it truly impacts the community.
Language of Dance: Language of Being
“Life is movement, in every movement poetry can inhabit, that is, in the body, there is always the possibility of poetry, art, and dance.” The body is the first reference of the being and the […]
Avocado Day – July 31st
Considered a Super Food there are many reasons to celebrate the National Avocado Day. One of the secret weapons in an avocado is the high oleic acid content. This moisturizing fatty acid helps keep skin soft and hydrated but also supports the regeneration of damaged skin cells reducing redness and irritation.
What to do, Where to eat, and Where to stay…
- Activities and Tours
- Whale Watching Tour
- Natural Attractions
- Marino Ballena National Park
- Restaurants
- Hotels and Accommodations
South Pacific Costa Rica Beaches,
Looking for business directories, maps or other printouts? We’ve got that too!
Dare to Discover and Enjoy…
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Need help planning your next trip? Let us help you with your Costa Rica vacations!
Email: carlos@ballenatales.com
Phone: +(506) 8946 7134
