Hacienda Baru

Ted. Wildlife is the big draw to Costa Rica for us and millions of others. This little country, about the size of North Georgia, has over 500,000 species of plants and animals making it’s biodiversity virtually unmatched on our planet. 

One morning, in an effort to spot a few more species, we drove to nearby Hacienda Baru, a lodge/wildlife preserve established in the 70’s as an early pioneer in returning farmland to forest. As one might expect, when the cattle left and the trees returned, the wild animals soon followed. For a modest fee, one can wander the trails all day long (or til you run out of water). 

Judy and I came upon a coatimundi (raccoon-like), a collared peccary (wild pig), lots of agoutis (large rodents) and even a white-tailed deer. We also surprised a troop of white-faced monkeys who responded by throwing sticks at us. No doubt lots of other animals quietly watched us. 

White-faced (capuchin) monkey

We never saw any other visitors on our walk but did come around a bend and happen upon Juan, a caretaker and former guide who shared stories of his 28 years working there. His Spanglish wasn’t bad but Judy’s four years of Spanish lessons really helped. 

We have seen lots of expats here and some short-term visitors so it was nice to just walk in the woods accompanied by a few animals... and Juan.