Location and HabitatThe Herman Institute of Biological Studies is located on the Central Pacific coast of Costa Rica, at the mouth of the Rio Grande de Tárcoles, in the village of Playa Azul; 84°40'N longitude, 9°45'W latitude. The Institute itself is nestled in between large tracts of publically owned mangroves on the inside of the Nicoya Bay. A large tidal mudflat is a stone's throw from your bed at THIBS, and commonly Roseate Spoonbills greet you as you wake. The river mouth itself, though quite polluted, is an important stopover and wintering area for migrating shorebirds, and is equally important for many species of resident waterfowl. A long spit and huge expanse of beach are just on the other side of the mangroves from the Institute. Many gulls, terns and other water birds gather at the end of the spit, including the Collared Plover.
The Rio Grande de Tárcoles is the border between the dry tropical forest to the north and the moist pacific lowland forest to the south. Due to this convergence many species of birds from either of the two bio-regions can be found here. The Carara National Park is one of the last protected places where this unique biome exists, and is an astounding place to watch birds. The park is complex, containing a variety of habitats, which lends to its phenomonal diversity.
How to get there
To get to THIBS from San Jose take the main highway, route 27, west from San Jose; you should see signs for Puntarenas and Orotina. Be careful if driving your own car. This road has several very sharp curves, with steep drop offs, and several bridges too narrow for multiple cars. Pay attention, and heed the signs that say "puente angosto", narrow bridge!
After Orotina, turn south on route 34, toward Jacó. Now you will be dropping into the lowlands. After about 15 km you will cross the infamous bridge over the Rio Grande de Tárcoles. It is true that sometimes at dusk and dawn huge flocks of Parrots, Parakeets and Macaws can be seen flying, either to or from their night roosts, and Yellow-billed Cotingas are seen here. However, it is also true that even though there are police usually on duty here to protect the tourists that stop on this bridge to gape at the monolithic Crocodiles that wallow below it. Be careful and ever vigilant, someone should always stay with the car if you decide to stop here!
All of the forest on the left, (east) side of the highway after you cross the bridge is the Carara National Park. Continue south on Highway 34 for about five km., until you come to a sign that reads "Tárcoles 1km" turn right here (the road to the waterfall will be directly on the other side of the highway), and drive until the road "T's", about 1 km. Turn right here, and continue through the town of Tárcoles. Continue on this road for about 2 km, making sure to bear right at the first small fork in the road. After the new entrance to a large hotel development on the right, will be a left turn. Turn left here, and continue to your first major right, at the Playa Azul Salon/hotel; turn right here. Continue through the village of Playa Azul, keeping to the main road. In a little less than a kilometer you will come to the river, and the Herman Institute of Biological Studies on the right. Allow an hour and a half, to two hours for the total drive from San Jose. Make sure to pay attention for birds on this drive, especially in the several small bodies of water which you'll pass on the way. Many of the area specialties can be found along this road.
|
