Amidst the wild coastlines and ancient rainforests of a Central American land lies a place where they both can meet seamlessly.
On my visit to this place roughly two years ago, I was enthralled by its biodiversity and poorly-maintained roads. For me, sitting in the back of that beat-up vehicle heading into a place barely touched by human hands was a thrill-ride in itself, and I was ready to explore all that I could of this strange, new land.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we stayed at a luxury home nestled atop a steep hill I would have previously thought too intimidating to even attempt to climb myself, let alone with an old vehicle. Macaws could be heard communicating from higher up the mountain, and the cicadas screeching resembled more closely chain saws than a two-inch insect. Although my mother and sister were not much enjoying the searing heat and poorly maintained roads, I enjoyed it immensely. I had never gone to a country wild like this one, with rainforests that resembled a castle wall looming over the coastline. I had gone to Portugal (I am Portuguese), and although it was beautiful, it was nothing like this.
I was captivated the moment I step foot there.
The people living in Costa Rica were mostly poor, living off of the ocean or little businesses. Fishermen could be seen leaving at sundown to return in the morning. Their lively-hoods depended on it, and so many boys and men left when the sun began to lower toward the horizon line. The lights on their boats became invisible as they headed farther out, and it was obvious they had much experience.
Domincal is also famous worldwide for its surfing. The waves in Dominical are rarely less than 4 ft, and surfers from the United States and many other countries can be seen lounging in hammocks slinged between palm trees. More than once while residing in Dominical, I read the words "surfer's paradise".
By the looks of things, it was everyone's paradise.
"Only recently has it been discovered by those people attracted to its natural beauty. Not more than fifteen years ago the only buildings to be found were a few dilapidated fishing huts built by local fishermen. Since then the town has grown to over 700 permanent residents with a number of small beach front restaurants, bars and cabinas. Even with the emergence and growth of the town, it is possible to walk from one end of Dominical to the other in less than ten minutes."
With its rising fame, many conservationists residing in the area are concerned about development and destruction of their rainforests.
If you wish to know more about the ecology of this destination, as well as travel guidelines and anything else about its biodiversity, feel free to contact me by email, via comment, or otherwise. Click on my profile above for email contact information.
Your fellow biologist,
Ashley Marie
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| Resembling a scene from Jurassic Park, Playa Dominical is perhaps among the wildest beaches on Earth. |
On my visit to this place roughly two years ago, I was enthralled by its biodiversity and poorly-maintained roads. For me, sitting in the back of that beat-up vehicle heading into a place barely touched by human hands was a thrill-ride in itself, and I was ready to explore all that I could of this strange, new land.
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, we stayed at a luxury home nestled atop a steep hill I would have previously thought too intimidating to even attempt to climb myself, let alone with an old vehicle. Macaws could be heard communicating from higher up the mountain, and the cicadas screeching resembled more closely chain saws than a two-inch insect. Although my mother and sister were not much enjoying the searing heat and poorly maintained roads, I enjoyed it immensely. I had never gone to a country wild like this one, with rainforests that resembled a castle wall looming over the coastline. I had gone to Portugal (I am Portuguese), and although it was beautiful, it was nothing like this.
I was captivated the moment I step foot there.
The people living in Costa Rica were mostly poor, living off of the ocean or little businesses. Fishermen could be seen leaving at sundown to return in the morning. Their lively-hoods depended on it, and so many boys and men left when the sun began to lower toward the horizon line. The lights on their boats became invisible as they headed farther out, and it was obvious they had much experience.
Domincal is also famous worldwide for its surfing. The waves in Dominical are rarely less than 4 ft, and surfers from the United States and many other countries can be seen lounging in hammocks slinged between palm trees. More than once while residing in Dominical, I read the words "surfer's paradise".
By the looks of things, it was everyone's paradise.
| "On the central Pacific coast of Costa Rica is one of the country's most beautiful uncut gems, Dominical. From its turquoise green water to its fiery red and gold sunsets, the natural beauty of the area is second to none. The town sits on the Pacific ocean bordered to the north by the Rio Baru, on the east by three thousand foot high mountains and to the south by dark, coffee brown, beaches and coves. One of the most striking features of Dominical can be found while swimming in the water, the town simply disappears. All you see are the tall beach palms and mangroves surrounded by verdant green hills reaching up into the mountains." -http://www.dominical-costarica.com | |
With its rising fame, many conservationists residing in the area are concerned about development and destruction of their rainforests.
If you wish to know more about the ecology of this destination, as well as travel guidelines and anything else about its biodiversity, feel free to contact me by email, via comment, or otherwise. Click on my profile above for email contact information.
Your fellow biologist,
Ashley Marie
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