Howler looks skyward, to Costa Rica’s rainforest treetops and beyond, in our August cover story. For one of the world’s most richly blessed countries on so many biodiversity counts, being right up there as a favorite birding paradise seems only natural. We revisit five of the many bird species featured in past magazine issues: toucans, oropendolas, motmots, scarlet macaws and cuckoos. Discover more birds and other creatures on land and underwater in this month’s Travel & Adventure section. First explore three of Costa Rica’s most exquisite yachting destinations: Cocos Island, the Osa Peninsula, and Gulf of Papagayo. Then take a boat tour through the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, teeming with non-human life during rainy season to delight the smaller number of visitors.
As surfing makes its Olympic debut this summer, we celebrate Costa Rica’s global prominence with two iconic contenders: Brisa Hennessy and Leilani McGonagle.
Nicoya’s longevity renown as one of the world’s five Blue Zones is th