Costa Rica 2010

Tarantulabarn · #1 (**permalink**) 14-09-09, 10:22 PM

Costa Rica 2010fficeffice" />>>
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November 2010 is the time we are off to Costa Rica on as a volunteer at a Sea Turtle Conservation centre you could be working on 1 or 2 specialised marine turtle conservation projects, involved in the day to day preservation of the endangered leatherback turtle species. You could be helping out with the preparation of hatcheries, beach clearance and night patrols. The leatherback turtles are considered critically endangered, ie. Over 80% of the population was lost in the last 10 years! You will receive training on the subject of marine turtles and therefore be able to help with research and data collection>>
Once the days work (if you can call doing this work) is done the rest of the day is yours to explore the beautiful surroundings and really get to see the wonderful natural wildlife in cost Rica including, Invertebrate species make up most of Costa Rica’s wildlife. Of the estimated 505,000 species, about 493,000 are invertebrates (including spiders and crabs. It is known that there are tens of thousands of insects and microscopic invertebrates in every land type and elevation level. However, they are largely unnoticed or unidentified.Some notable insects in Costa Rica are stingless bees, ants such as leaf-cutter ants and army ants, Hercules beetle, and many katydids.Costa Rica is home to around 175 amphibians, 85% of which are frogs. Frogs in Costa Rica have interesting ways of finding fishless water to raise their young in. Fish, of course, will eat tadpoles and eggs. Poison Dart Frogs put their eggs in water pools in bromeliads. Other methods include searching ponds before laying eggs, and laying eggs in wet soil. There are 35 species of Elutherodoctylus frogs, 26 species of Hyla frogs and 13 species of glassfrogs.>>
Notable frog species in Costa Rica include Red-eyed Tree Frog , a few species of Poison Dart Frogs, the semitransparent glassfrogs, and the large Smoky Jungle Frog. Some other notable toad species in Costa Rica include the ten species of Bufo toads and the Giant toad, a huge toad known for its wide appetite. It has been documented eating almost anything, including vegetables, ants, spiders, any toad smaller than itself, mice, and other small mammals.>>
Besides the frog species, approximately 40 species of lungless salamander and two species of caecilian are found in the country, both rarely-seen and little known. Costa Rican amphibians range in size from the Rainforest Rocket Frog, at 1.5 cm (0.5 in), to the Giant toad, at up to 15 cm (6 in) and 2 kg (4.4 lb).>>
Approximately 225 reptiles are found in Costa Rica. This includes over 70 species of lizards, mostly small, forest-dwelling anoles. Large lizards such as the Striped basilisk, Black iguana and Green iguana are probably the country's most regularly-encountered reptiles. Snakes number about 120 species in the country, including 5 powerful boas and a wide diversity of harmless colubrids. There are about 20 venomous snakes, including colorful coral snakes and various vipers such as the common eyelash viper and two formidable, large bushmasters. The venomous snakes of Costa Rica are often observed without issue if given a respectful distance. Among turtles, 5 of the world's 7 species of sea turtles nest on the nation's beaches. Two crocodilians, the widespread Spectacled Caiman and the large, sometimes dangerous American Crocodile are found in Costa Rica. The country's reptiles range in size from the delicate 15 cm (6 in) Hallowell's Centipede Snake of the Tantilla genus to the hulking Leatherback Turtle, at 500 kg (1100 lb) and 150 cm (60 in).>>
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Costa Rica is home to nearly 250 species of mammal. Medium-sized forest-dwelling mammals are often the most appreciated mammalian fauna of the country. These include four species of monkeys such as the frantic White-headed Capuchin and noisy Mantled Howlers; two species of aptly named sloths; the opportunistic White-nosed Coati; and the fierce predator, the Tayra.Bats comprise more than half of the mammal species in the country, unusually outnumbering rodents twice over. Their bats are adapted to various foraging methods and foods; including nectar, fish, insects and parasitized blood, as the case with the infamous vampire bats. Prominent bats include the tiny, communal-roosting Honduran white bat and the huge, predatory Spectral Bat, the largest new world bat. Large fauna, such as tapir, jaguar and deer are rarely encountered, being both elusive and tied to now-fragmented undisturbed habitats. Costa Rican mammals range in size from the 3-gram Thumbless Bat of the Furipteridae family to the 250 kg (550 lb) Baird's Tapir.>>
Anteaters are common in lowland and middle elevation throughout Costa Rica. The most commonly seen of Costa Rica's three anteaters species is the Northern Tamandua. The Giant Anteater is huge and endangered. The other anteater is the Silky Anteater.>>
894 bird species have been recorded in Costa Rica (including Cocos Island), more than all of the United States and Canada combined. More than 600 of the Costa Rican species are permanent residents, and upwards of 200 are migrants, spending portions of the year outside of the country, usually in North America. Seven of the Costa Rican species are considered endemic, and 19 are globally threatened. Costa Rica's birds range in size from the Scintillant Hummingbird, at 2.2 grams and 6 cm (2.4 in), to the huge Jabiru, at 6.5 kg (14.3 lb) and 150 cm (60 in) (the American White Pelican is heavier, but is an accidental species).>>
We decided on November 2010 giving a full 12 months to save the cash for the trip which will be approximately £1100 all in which includes>>
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Basic accommodation, 3 meals a day, airport pick up and transfer, orientation, 24/7 help and support from local 1 to 1 staff>>
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We are not organising this trip just putting things together for anyone that wants to come with us, this will all be booked direct through STA travel and full details of the trip can be viewed on their site at www.statravel.co.uk>>
If you are genuinely interested pm me your address and I can send you a disc with pictures from a previous trip of all the wildlife that was seen and a sta brochure with all the details and a copy of the email quote from STA, I am told with a party of 10 or more there are discounts that they can give us>>
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To secure a place I will be booking by January with a 10% deposit and the remainder 4 months before we travel

Tarantulabarn · #2 (**permalink**) 17-09-09, 06:35 PM

got the final quote through today, which i have copied here, the total deposit for flight and tour is £190 per person and the remainder by August/Sept 2010. We have got discounts for the group as well which is good,

Dont forget if you want a disc with pictures from a previous trip please pm me your postal address

STA GROUP and SPECIALIST TRAVEL TEAM

Deposit Invoice
Mr Steve Payne
,
Flights to Costa Rica – Air Mexicana – From London Heathrow (20 passengers)

Please note that the flights are only rough at this stage, and I will get you a quote nearer to the time but shouldnt be much different than this
the tour availability is getting slim so we need really to book the tour
and get the flights to match.

The applicable fare excluding taxes, airport charges and fees is £350.00 per person
This fare is only valid for group travel (minimum of 10 passengers travelling outbound
and inbound on the same flight)
*Taxes and fees are currently £217.00, although these are subject to change and only
guaranteed once full payment is made and clears in our bank account.
Total price per person as per is going to be around - £567.00 per person
Deposit for flights will be £100 per person
Tickets are non-refundable, non-changeable, non-endorsable
Flights will only be sold in December 2009 or I am trying to get you them sooner!
Ecology and Sea Turtle Conversation In Costa Rica
07
th November to 21st November 2010
£463.25 per person and £165.75 for an extra week
20 Passengers @£629.00 = £12,580.00
Deposit per person £90.00 per person

Deposit needed for tour is £1,800.00

I know you may have more or less but I have just quoted on 20 for now!

Amount Outstanding after deposit £10,780.00

STA GROUP and SPECIALIST TRAVEL TEAM

GROUP and SPECIALIST TRAVEL

russianrats · #3 (**permalink**) 28-09-09, 07:46 PM

i wish i could go but no moneys

vikki3683 · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-09, 09:25 AM

i am definately going. getting married october 31st so i can use it as my honeymoon.

russianrats · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-09, 07:28 PM

lucky sod

Tarantulabarn · #6 (**permalink**) 03-10-09, 07:58 PM

Finally got the discs copied so will be sending out this week, heres just a few from the last trip to wet ya whistle a bit

vikki3683 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-10-09, 08:29 PM

im in love with the crocs already!!!!!!

russianrats · #8 (**permalink**) 03-10-09, 09:36 PM

i wish you had not done that lol i am wishing even more now

Tarantulabarn · #9 (**permalink**) 08-10-09, 11:36 PM

discs etc went today sorry for the delay but been getting ready for Snakeday on sunday

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