Sloth - a profile of one of the gentlest jungle mammals

The sloth is one of the more unusual animals in the Costa Rica rainforest, and it is encountered frequently by those inspired to adventure on the most rural Costa Rica ecotourism excursions.

Two species of sloth can be seen in Costa Rica– the three-toed (Bradypus variegatus) and the two-toed (Choloepus hoffmanni). Sloths, whose diet consists primarily of leaves, live up to their name, sometimes remaining for days in the same tree and crawling slowly through the canopy when on the move.

Normally found sleeping in tree tops during the day, sloths are most active from dusk till dawn. They sleep an average of eighteen hours a day, so it is most common to see them as unmoving furry balls tucked into the crooks of tree branches. Sometimes while relaxing the day away, they hang upside down and scratch, then slowly return to their slightly more upright position to resume their nap.

These quiet jungle mammals are well camouflaged, stealthy and usually very still, so they can be hard to spot without the asssitance of the trained eyes of a naturalist guide. Like cows and sheep, they have "several stomachs" where the long process of digesting all that greenery can take place. Even so, there is not much energy to be had from their vegetarian diet, so the sloth doesn’t waste any. Their movements are slow, very slow, and of course, and they like nothing better than sunbathing, especially in the morning, to warm their tummies and help speed their digestion.

They are highly adapted to living in the treetops by being quite light for their size and having a tenacious grip In the wild the Sloths coats “play host to an entire ecosystem” - they often sport a greenish coat of algae on their grayish brown fur (thought to be a camouflage adaptation made possible by the physical structure of sloth hair), which harbors a number of moth and beetle species.

They are as important as any other creature to the ecosystem of the rain forest and are beautiful, sensitive, loving creatures that do not carry or pass diseases. These animals live only between 15° north and south of the equator in the rainforest canopies of the Americas. They also are amazingly resilient creatures, surviving falls of over 90 feet and by having the ability to recover from the most serious of wounds.

What tourists find to be unusual, adorable creatures, some locals — who call them "osos perezosos," or lazy bears — have been known to treat like pests.

Luckily for these friendly creatures Costa Rica has a sloth sanctuary. This sanctuary has successfully reared over 100 orpahned sloths and in addition to rehabilitation of orphaned or injured sloths, the rescue center seeks to prevent sloth abuse through education programs, including one with financial backing from the fruit company Dole, which buses in the children of its field workers for sloth classes at the center.

You can help the sloth sanctuary directly through the "adopt a sloth" program.

Be sure to keep an eye out for a sloth on your next Costa Rica ecotourism trip and of course you can visit the Sloth Sanctuary!

You can read an article by Alex Leff on the GlobalPost on his visit to the Sloth sanctuary

You can see some great colourful photos from the i reporters at CNN on the CNN website here

Airlines Reduce Carbon Emissions

Reuters reports that, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced that it would achieve carbon neutral growth from 2020 through a combination of investment in technology, biofuels and economic measures such as carbon trading. Airlines also project that carbon trading will cost the industry about $7 billion from 2020, based on a carbon price of $65 a metric ton in 2020.

Some US airlines have reduced their flights in response to plummeting demand for travel and freight, and carriers in Asia and Europe are likely to make similar scheduling cuts to allay their operating costs, according to IATA, which estimates the airline industry will lose $9 billion this year.

In the United States, Northwest Airlines has excluded spoons from its cutlery pack if the in-flight meal does not require one."When you are talking about a jumbo jet with 400 people on board, being served two to three meals, this can save a few kilos," he said. American Airlines said fuel-saving measures have helped it save more than 110 million gallons of fuel annually and reduced its carbon emissions by 2.3 billion pounds in 2008. It aims to save 120 million gallons of fuel and reduce carbon emissions by 2.5 billion pounds in 2009.

Another carrier, JAL of Japan, took everything it loaded from a 747 and put it on the floor of a school gym to see what it really needed. As a result it shaved a fraction of a centimetre off all its cutlery to cut weight. Other carriers have come up with all sorts of ingenious initiatives to shift the flab off their aircraft. In-flight magazines are going and carriers are even putting their duty-free catalogues onto the seat-back televisions. Catering trolleys are becoming lighter and less water - both bottled and in the tank - is being loaded.

The next generation of aircraft seats is likely to be up to 30 per cent lighter than the current generation, with composite replacing aluminium. Reinforced carbon fibre is used for the shields for the in-flight televisions, cutting the weight by as much as half. At the same time the industry is looking to step up the use of alternative carbon-free bio-fuels, which should account for up to six per cent of the industry total by 2020.

A number of carriers, including Virgin Atlantic, Continental and Air New Zealand, have carried out trials of alternative fuels.

Up to 100 European airports are also preparing to change their standards on planes landing procedures, shifting to a "continuous descent approach", or CDA, that makes for a smoother descent and cuts carbon emissions by 160 kg to 470 kg per flight.

These plans add to the financial crisis currently faced by the airlines industry. IATA, representing 230 airlines, estimates a $9 billion loss for the airline industry in 2009 on top of a revised loss of $10.4 billion in 2008, reports Space Daily. The organization also said that the industry spent $165 billion on fuel in 2008, representing 31 percent of costs.

IATA also restated the industry’s previous environmental goals to cut absolute emissions by 50 percent by 2050, and improve average fuel efficiency 1.5 percent annually between now and 2020. Airlines will reduce their carbon emissions by nearly 8 percent this year as they slash the number of flights they operate in line with a drop in cargo and passenger demand, and about 6 percent of the forecast carbon cut will come as a result of carriers flying fewer planes in 2009, and a further 1.8 percent reflects steps to improve energy efficiency, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) said.

To calculate your own carbon count (how much carbon you use per year) click here

To read more about bio fuels trials in aircraft, click here

See new video of Finca Di Pacifico Dos

Below you can see a new documentary about the unique opportunity in Finca Di Pacifico Dos.

Prepared by our Polish Office this documentary was broadcast on Polish National television.

It includes interviews with the Minister of Tourism in Costa Rica, Government Officials in Costa Rica, Financial Analysts, Bankers, Real Estate Agents, the teak maintenance company, and Jos Van Veen the developer.






Of course if you would like to talk to one of our consultant about this opportunity, get up to date availability listings or need any further details just contact our office - Ireland +353 1 272 4184, USA +1 210 775 6318, info@costaricainvest.ie or talk to our consultants live on line here

Arenal Volcano and Arenal National Park

A volcano is like a candle, one year the lava drips on one side, the next year it drips on the other.

The 12,016-hectare Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal lies within the 204,000-hectare Arenal Conservation Area, protecting eight of Costa Rica's 12 life zones and 16 protected reserves in the region between the Guanacaste and Tilarán mountain ranges, and including Lake Arenal.

The park has two volcanoes: Chato, whose collapsed crater contains an emerald lagoon surrounded by forest, and the perfectly conical Arenal and it is most directly accessed from La Fortuna, but is also easily accessed via Tilarán and the north shore of Lake Arenal.

Arenal Volcano has been constantly active since it woke up after 400 years in 1968, changing the area forever. One of the world's most active volcanos; Arenal produces huge ash columns, explosions and glowing red lava almost every day. A visit this Costa Rica is not complete without a stop at spectacular Arenal Volcano.

However, that it is often covered in clouds and getting to see an eruption is a matter of luck (the dawn hours are best, before the clouds roll in; seasonally, you stand a reasonable chance in dry season and less than favorable odds in rainy season).

Lava eruptions have been known to travel down the slopes of Arenal at over 65 miles per hour and can reach temperatures of over 1000 degrees Celsius. This lava makes this area a prime location for thermal springs and all of the delightful spa activities that accompany them, as well as creating the paths for world class waterfalls, such as the La Fortuna Waterfall that flows along an ancient volcanic flow. A plethora of trails exist all over the Arenal Volcano National Park and there are many tours and activities available to visitors.

Fascinating fauna and flora exist here in amazing quantities making this a prime location for viewing many many different species of both plants and animals. Among the principal fauna species are: pacas, deers, tapir, coatis, sloths, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, snakes and birds like quetzal, bellbird, and hummingbird. There are also over 850 identified birds that reside in the Arenal area.

The last major eruption of Mount Arenal Volcano was on the 29 July 1968, when it was awakened from its long sleep by a fateful earthquake. The massive explosion that resulted wiped out the villages of Tabacón and Pueblo Nuevo, whose entire populations perished. The area was declared as a National Park in 1994.

A must see for every Costa Rican tourist, Arenal now boasts one active and one dormant crater as well as an enormous man-made lake that has become world famous for both it’s exceptional wind-surfing and it’s amazing sport fishing.

There are many ways to enjoy the area surrounding the Arenal Volcano with tours for those who want to hike or to horseback ride.

The Arenal Volcano is one of the "Must-See" locations in Costa Rica, being that it is one of the most active volcanoes in the world. Although you may see many daily eruptions, the national park surrounded the Arenal keeps you at a safe distance, where most hotels take advantage of their ringside views.

To see an article by Frank Scott, detailing his recent trip to the Arenal Volcano, click here

Costa Rica Learn also recomends a trip to Arenal in the article - 8 days in Costa Rica, where should I go.

Cocos Islands Costa Rica

One thing for sure, once you know the history and have visited this island, you’ll get hooked on it for a lifetime. It’s called -The Cocos Syndrome!

It’s a source of debate as to who discovered Cocos Island with some reports citing Johan Cabaces and some citing Juan Cabezas De Grado. But no matter who first discovered it they discovered one of the most beautiful islands on the planet.

Cocos Island, 24 sq. kilometers in size is a typical tropical island with two bays in the north, Wafer Bay and Chatham Bay which are divided by a ridge. The latter is a safe harbor. The rest of the coastline is very steep with over 200 waterfalls, some of them over 200 feet high. In the southwest of the island are the highest point, called mount "Iglesias" is 575 feetin elevation. The Climate is hot and humid - very humid. It rains almost every day for a couple of hours between March and December.

Jacques Cousteau said 13 years ago that Cocos Island was “. . . the most beautiful island in the world."

Cocos Island was a refuge for pirates who supposedly hid treasures here and it is strongly believed in many quarters that treasure is still buried on Cocos Island. It is told, that the richest treasure in the world is still buried on Cocos Island, not only one, but two major loads.

The first belonged to a pirate named Benito Bonito who sailed the "Relampago," raiding every city along the pacific coast line.

The second and biggest treasure was brought to Cocos by Captain Thompson in 1821. In an attempt by the Spaniards to hide the wealth of Lima from Simon Bolivar and his troops, Limas Governor and the clergy entrusted the treasure to Thompson and his ship "Mary Dear" who in return killed the guards and sailed off to Cocos Island.

There is even a third load, belonging to Edward Davis, Captain of John Cook's ship, the "Bachelor Delight" who buried his loot there in the late 1600's.

Treasure hunters have flocked to Cocos Island in search of "easy riches"and some of the most famous names of Cocos Treasure hunters are Sir Malcolm Campbell the speed record holder, Julius Fleischman the yeast king, James A. Forbes from California and even US-President Roosevelt who allowed his crew on a fishing trip to go searching for the treasure.

None of them where lucky enough to locate the treasure trove.

The Cocos Island is the largest uninhabited island in the world, it's remote, wild and excellent diving location. Its nearest neighbors are the Galapagos Islands to the South. Cocos is located 300+ miles south-southwest of Costa Rica, accessible only by boat.

The area is a diving paradise with some of the richest and most diverse marine life in the world. Only Costa Rican park rangers are allowed to stay on the island and PADI the diving organization ranked Cocos Island Costa Rica as the top diving location in the world. Diving there you are likely to see hordes of hammerhead sharks and dense populations of pelagic and reef fish, turtles, many types of eels, starfish and even a rare frogfish. Here, on Cocos, the fish population has been allowed to grow in harmony with the natural balance of the food chain, which is explains this incredible diversity and quantity of sea life. It's probably the best place in the world to go diving with sharks.

But the diving on Cocos Islands is not all it has to offer. The Flora and Fauna on the island are incredibly diverse and the island itself is incredibly beautiful with in excess of 200 waterfalls.

Cocos Island National Park has reached the final selection for the new seven natural wonders of the world in the islands category.

With access only by boat, its not easy to get to Cocos islands, but when you get there a treasure trove of biodiversity and natural beauty awaits (and maybe if you're very lucky a treasure of gold and diamonds!). You are welcomed here anytime!

Costa Rican Coffee

Costa Rican coffee has set the standards for fine wet-processed coffee for the rest of Central and South America.

The words that used to be leveled at the coffees from Costa Rica - too balanced too clean, too mild but we categorize this type of coffee as the "classic cup," the traditional balanced coffee that has no defects or taints. Coffee cuppers call it "clean" and that's not the same as "boring."

Each year the new crop starts with the first rains in May which trigger a spectacular burst of sweet frequent flowers that cover the coffee fields like snow. The fruit ripens slowly under the warm tropical sun and the harvest season starts in November and continues through March. Most of Costa Rica's coffee is grown on small family farms where the whole family works long hours to hand pick the ripe cherries and deliver them to the coffee mills each evening.

At the coffee mills (Beneficios) the coffee goes through an extensive process that includes mechanically removing the outer fruit, and cleaning off the sticky film (Parchment) surrounds the beans.

The coffee is fermented, and then washed and either dried under the sun or slow dried in large heated dryers for about twenty hours until the internal humidity reaches about 11%.

The outer parchment is then removed mechanically before the coffee is then sorted and graded by size, weight and even color. Finally the finished green coffee is bagged to be delivered to coffee merchants or coffee roasters.

During roasting the colour of the coffe bean changes as the sucrose sugars caramelize.

Although many people assume the opposite in fact, lighter roast coffees have more caffeine than darker roast coffees because the longer the coffee is roasted the higher the temperatures which reduces the caffeine by about 15 to 20%. Darker roast coffees have stronger flavors & their beans have an oily finish due to the extrusion of the natural fatty oils in the coffee.

In coffee terms acidity does not correlate to the PH level but is akin to the dry but bright sensation experienced on the back sides of your tongue while drinking a red wine. Acidity has been correlated with coffees grown at very high altitudes and in mineral rich volcanic soils throughout Central America.

Now everything is changing in Costa Rica, and the big farms and big powerful cooperative mills, have a reason to do a double-take. There is a new quality initiative coming from the Micro-Mills, tiny low-volume farm-specific coffee producers who now keep their lots separate, mill it themselves, gaining total control of the process, and tuning it to yield the best possible flavors (and achieving the best prices!)

This revolution is possible due to new environmentally friendly small milling equipment.

No longer do the small producers see their carefully grown and harvested coffee purchased buy large dealers and mixed with lower grade lower quality coffes, with an independent Micro-Mill, a farmer can become a true "coffee craftsperson," maximize the cup quality of their coffee, dividing lots by elevation or cultivar, and receiving the highest prices for their Micro-Lot coffees. In turn, we get unique and diverse Micro-Lots, and a transparent, long-term relationship with the small farmer.

The Cup Of Excellence Awards is a strict competition that selects the very best coffee produced in member countries for a particular year, to see the best producers in Costa Rica for 2009, just click here (results released on June 11th 2009)

Welcome to Costa Rica, coffee and beaches are waiting for you!!!

Peter Zhang June 2009

Around the world in 80 Trades

This BBC program tracks the progress of London Financial Trader Conor Woodman as he tracks around the world making 80 trades. Buying goods and (hopefully) selling them for a profit!

Having lost money on trades ranging from horses to vintage tea to camels, Conor hits a winnig streak towards the end of his journey making money trading tequila and surfboards.

Finally ending up in Brazil, Conor risks all by spending his remaining money on a shipment of sustainably grown teak with a plan to sell it in England.

Is the the teak a worthwhile investment, can Conor recoup his previous losses watch and see:

In this part Conor seeks out a sustainable teak supplier in Brazil and purchases a container of teak:



The teak is back in England, but how much is it really worth, can Conor make money on this his largest trade?



To see how you can trade in teak and own development land in Costa Rica, have a look at our website www.costaricainvest.ie and our premier project Finca Di Pacifico Dos.