5 Reasons Costa Rica is Great for Families

The popularity of Costa Rica as a top choice for family vacations continues to grow. Natural wonders, friendly locals, and ease of travel all add to its charm. Here are our top 5 reasons why Costa Rica is a great choice for families. Even if you’ve been there before, there are plenty of reasons to keep going back.

1. Wildlife – In a matter of just a few hours, you can travel though habitats that are home to monkeys, sloths, red-eyed tree frogs, toucans and sea turtles. Stay a week, and that list gets much longer.

Red-eyed tree frog

Howler monkey

2. Adventures – Ziplining, suspension bridges, night hikes, river safaris, waterfall rappelling, mountain biking, and snorkeling. Adventures for kids of all ages can be found in one destination.

Ziplining

3. Landscapes – Rainforests, cloud forests, volcanoes, waterfalls, hot springs, tide pools, bubbling mud pots, and beaches. Everyone in the family is sure to find the perfect place to explore.

View of Arenal Volcano in the national park.

Beach near Manuel Antonio

4. Lodging – Options ranging from rainforest lodges to resorts and villas meet a variety of budgets while remaining welcoming to families.

5. Safety – One of the safest countries in Central America. Families can feel safe exploring almost any region of the country.

If you’re thinking of Costa Rica as a choice for a family vacation, feel free to contact one of our Costa Rica specialists (ReefsToRockies.com). We’re happy to share our enthusiasm and first-hand knowledge with you.

12 Undeniable Reasons to Explore Mexico

Last week, CNN.com published an article titled “3 undeniable reasons to explore Mexico” (http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/29/travel/mexico-three-reasons/index.html). The three reasons listed included gastronomy, pre-Hispanic sites, and swimming in cenotes. We wholeheartedly agree with these reasons. But after reading this article, it was easy to quadruple their number of reasons by emphasizing Mexico’s biodiversity and wow-inducing wildlife opportunities.

#1: Friendly gray whales of San Ignacio Lagoon, Baja California
San Ignacio Lagoon is one of the best places in the world to see gray whales with their calves. The lagoon provides safe haven for young whales for the first several months after they’re born. Whales in San Ignacio Lagoon have a tendency to approach boats to check out the human cargo on board sometimes coming right up to the boat, hence the descriptor “friendly”.

Sea of Cortez, Mexico.

#2: Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) – The Aquarium of the World
Separating the Baja California Peninsula from the Mexico mainland, this narrow sea is home to a unique and varied ecosystem. Jacques Cousteau called the Sea of Cortez the Aquarium of the World. Home to many species found nowhere else on the planet, as well as many migratory species like humpback and blue whales, leatherback sea turtles, and manta rays.

#3: Isla Guadalupe’s Great White Sharks
A volcanic island located approx 160 miles off the west coast of Mexico’s Baja California Peninsula, Guadalupe is considered one of the best places to see great white sharks. For gutsy travelers, cage diving puts you in the water face-to-face with these infamous marine predators.

Whale shark near Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

#4: Swimming with Whale Sharks
The gigantic, polka-dotted whale shark, called “domino” by locals, is the largest living fish on the planet. The Whale Shark Biosphere Reserve located off the north coast of Quintana Roo plays host to arguably the world’s largest congregation of whale sharks on the planet during summer months. It’s the perfect place to swim with these gentle sea giants in their natural environment.

#5: Sea Turtles
Seven of the eight species of the world’s marine turtles nest on Mexican beaches in the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. There are a wide variety of places in Mexico where travelers can watch females turtles nesting on the beach, hatchlings returning to the sea, or swim alongside individuals as they feed in the ocean.

#6: Monarch Butterfly Reserves, States of Michoacán and Mexico
Every winter, the cloud forests in the mountains of central Mexico play host to millions and millions of over-wintering monarch butterflies. The annual migration of these monarchs from the Great Lakes region is one of nature’s greatest mysteries. Incredibly, four to five generations separate the monarch populations that make this long and dangerous migration. The monarchs creating the spectacle in Mexico are the great, great grandchildren of the generation that migrated there the year before. Seeing the sheer abundance of monarchs, bending fir branches with their weight and sounding like raindrops as they take to the air, is an encounter not to be missed.

#7: River of Raptors, Veracruz
On any given day in early October, half a million raptors may be seen gliding overhead in Chichicaxtle, Veracruz. Here you’ll find the greatest raptor flyway in the world, a narrow strip of coastal plain situated between the Sierra Madre and the Gulf of Mexico. It’s the world’s greatest concentration of raptors (peregrine falcons, American kestrels, Swainson’s hawk, Mississippi kites, and a variety of other talon-bearing species).

Vanilla orchid in bloom.

#8: Birthplace of Vanilla
Ever wondered why you can buy vanilla for such a low price in Mexico? The vanilla orchid, the only fruit-bearing member of the orchid family, has its birthplace in Mexico. Vanilla beans were first harvested in what is now the state of Veracruz. Yes, vanilla is grown in other locations around the world today. But if you want to see it in its natural habitat, Mexico is the place.

If the reasons listed above aren’t reason enough to head south of the border, what about #9 on our list?
#9: UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Mexico has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites of any country in the Americas and 6th most in the world. For the complete list, check out http://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/mx.

Thinking of a trip to Mexico? Contact Reefs to Rockies to speak to one of our travel consultants (http://reefstorockies.com/).

10 Things You Should Avoid Wearing When Traveling Abroad

One of the top questions we receive from clients relates to what should be worn during a particular trip.  We’ve found that it’s easier to focus on what not to wear.  A huge part of staying safe while traveling involves the art of blending in, not standing out.  When packing for your next adventure abroad, keep local customs, attitudes, and even religious beliefs in mind.  Here’s a list of 10 items you should avoid wearing when traveling abroad.

1.  Religiously immodest clothing: It’s a wise strategy to dress conservatively in any country with deeply religious views.  Female travelers should avoid miniskirts, super short shorts, tank tops, bra tops, revealing dresses, cleavage-bearing necklines, and sometimes even capri pants.  Men should avoid shorts and sleeveless shirts in many Middle Eastern countries or when entering a church or holy place. Skimpy swimwear should be avoided by both sexes.

Pants and long skirts are a safe bet, and women should carry a shawl just in case.

2. Flashy jewelry: Never wear expensive, flashy jewelry when traveling.  Leave valuables at home.

3.  Bright colors: The trick is to blend in, not stand out in a crowd.  Look put together, opting for classic, well-fitting clothing with conservative hues.

4.  Cameras: Snap a photo, then put your camera away.  A camera permanently hanging from your neck screams tourist.  Not only do you stand out, but you could become a target for thieves.

5.  All-white sneakers: In Europe in particular, sneakers are for athletic activities only.  White, lace-up tennis shoes are the calling card of American tourists.  In addition, white sneakers will show every speck of dirt picked up along the way.

6.  Crocs: Love ‘em or hate ‘em, Crocs were originally designed to be a simple boat shoe.  The clogs are great for gardening.  That said, if those two activities aren’t listed on your itinerary, consider leaving your Crocs at home.

7.  Open-toe shoes: It’s wise to stick with closed-toe shoes.  They can help prevent insect bites, cuts, bumps, and bruises.  In addition, it’s unsanitary to wear flip-flops and other open toes shoes to some areas of the world due to the risk of infection.

8.  Fanny pack or backpack: Lose the fanny pack.  If you’re in need of a hands-free solution to carry some of your travel gear, try a money belt or cross-body bag.  They’re much more flattering (and socially acceptable) than fanny packs.

Unless you’re specifically on a backpacking trip, avoid carrying any kind of backpack, big or small, while walking around.  Bring a secondary bag like a small fabric tote to replace the backpack during every day activities.  This same bag can carry your camera (see #4) and be used to store souvenirs instead of plastic shopping bags.

9.  Camouflage clothing: Unless you have reason to wear an official uniform, a full outfit of camouflage clothing seems out of place in everyday life.  In some parts of the world, it’s even illegal for civilians to wear.  If you’re favorite travel outfit includes camo, be sure to check that there’s no legal risk involved at your destination.

10.  Shorts: This one is tricky since Americans do love to wear shorts.  Most other cultures don’t wear them for everyday walking around.  Unless you’re headed to the beach, a soccer game, a hiking trail, or on safari consider not wearing them.  Our habit of dressing down is puzzling to many overseas.

Harris’s Hawks On the Hunt – A Family Affair (Tucson, Arizona)

When a winter trip to Arizona landed on my travel calendar, I knew a search for Harris’s hawks was in order.  Harris’s hawks reside in the arid southwest US, including the Tucson area.  This raptor species stands alone when it comes to hunting.  They hunt cooperatively as small family units.  Why?  It increases their chances of successfully capturing prey.  Mammals and birds top the list of menu items.  Their hunting technique ranks as one of the most advanced group tactics among birds.  They’ve been labeled ‘wolves of the sky’.

Harris’s hawk

If you find yourself in the Tucson area, keep an eye out for resident Harris’s hawks.  A reliable location to spot a small family group is just north of Sweetwater Wetlands near the Roger Road Wastewater Treatment Plant.  You just might see evidence of a successful hunt.

Hunting dive

Pair of Harris’s hawks after a kill. You can usually tell the alpha female by her position. She’s higher on this telephone pole and she eats first.

Flying off with the leftovers.

Finding Wildlife Wherever We Go – White Rock Lake, Dallas, Texas

We’re admitted travel junkies here at Reefs to Rockies.  Every time we travel, even if it’s just home for the holidays, we try to fit in time to explore the great outdoors.

Last week, I was able to convince a friend of mine to brave a chilly Dallas morning at White Rock Lake.  Many hours were spent here as a child and it’s always great to stroll down memory lane (with binoculars in tow, of course).

Early morning birding near White Rock Lake’s spillway.

The wooded area near the lake’s spillway is great for songbirds.  The spillway itself is great for ducks, geese, and shorebirds.  And for those looking to see something unexpected, head over to Texas Utilities’ power station just across the road from the White Rock pump station.  Look up and you should see large nests, aerial homes inhabited by monk parakeets.  It’s a treat to see these bright green birds, looking like they’ve flown straight from the tropics, in metro Dallas.

American white pelicans.

Ruby-crowned kinglet

Northern mockingbird – state bird of Texas.

Monk parakeets

White Rock Lake is a must-see for nature lovers that live in or travel to Dallas, even on cold Texas mornings.

Beach Birding Photo Blog – Riviera Maya, Mexico

It didn’t take long to notice a wide variety of bird species in front of our condo in Puerto Aventuras, Mexico.  Located along the Riviera Maya, Puerto Aventuras is a resort area south of Playa del Carmen.  A few short walks along the beach provided an abundance of bird photo op’s.  Watching the resident pair of osprey fish along the shorelines each morning was a daily highlight.

Osprey

Little blue heron

Great kiskadee

Solitary sandpiper

Willet

Swimming with Sea Turtles – Akumal, Mexico

Akumal, the first resort town in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, remains a far cry from the hustle and bustle of its northern neighbors Playa del Carmen and Cancun.  Akumal means “place of turtles” in the local Mayan language.  I’ve snorkeled the reefs in Akumal Bay on multiple occasions.  This time around, we were in search of sea turtles so we had to focus our efforts elsewhere – beds of sea grass.

Akumal Bay, Mexico.

Two species of sea turtles, loggerhead and green, nest on Akumal’s sandy white beaches and hawksbill sea turtles can be found inhabiting coral reefs further offshore.

Juvenile green sea turtle swimming in Akumal Bay.

In the past few years, local tour companies have started offering day trips to swim with Akumal’s sea turtles.   Juvenile greens feed on beds of sea grass in the bay’s shallow waters, ideal areas for snorkeling.  We spent an early November day in Akumal and had the pleasure of encountering feeding green turtles every time we went in for snorkeling.

Juvenile green sea turtle in bed of sea grass.

Upon arrival to Akumal, check out Centro Ecologico Akumal’s visitor center where you can watch a short video on the importance of the bay to sea turtles.  Afterwards, a representative from the center can add you to a guided group.  Guided snorkeling tours cost $200 – $250 pesos and include gear.

If you opt to go snorkeling without a guide, be sure to adhere to the rules of responsible turtle watching.  Maintain a safe distance, keep observations to just a few minutes, don’t chase the turtles, and have a great time.