Villa Temenos Costa Rica

04/07/2024

An amazingly beautiful and unique country. 17 Facts You May Not Know About Costa Rica:

1. Costa Rica's forests are home to an astounding array of creatures, including the world's tiniest squirrel species, the aptly named "pygmy squirrel," which measures just a few inches in length.
2. The decision to abolish the army in 1948 was not only a move towards peace but also stemmed from a unique circumstance: after a brief civil war, the victorious side opted to invest in education and healthcare instead of maintaining military forces.
3. While many know about Costa Rica's active volcanoes, few realize that the country also hosts one of the world's few accessible underwater volcanic vents, known as "Black Smoke" or "Black Smokers," found off its Pacific coast.
4. Costa Rica boasts an intriguing legend surrounding the Blue Morpho butterfly: some indigenous communities believe that encountering a Blue Morpho brings good luck and symbolizes a visit from departed loved ones.
5. Beyond its reputation for relaxation, "Pura Vida" is also a philosophy deeply ingrained in Costa Rican culture, encouraging individuals to embrace life's simple pleasures and prioritize happiness over material wealth.
6. In the highlands of Costa Rica, where coffee is cultivated, there exists a tradition known as "La Fiesta del Tigre," or "The Festival of the Tiger," where locals dress in elaborate costumes to celebrate the coffee harvest.
7. Costa Rica's commitment to ecotourism extends to innovative initiatives such as "sustainable surfing," where surfers are encouraged to protect coastal ecosystems and minimize their environmental impact.
8. One of Costa Rica's hidden gems for wildlife enthusiasts is the chance to witness the annual "massive moth migration," where millions of moths undertake a synchronized journey across the country's forests.
9. In addition to its renowned Pacific whale watching, Costa Rica offers a unique experience on its Caribbean coast: the chance to spot the elusive West Indian Manatee, one of the world's rarest marine mammals.
10. While many are familiar with Costa Rica's stunning waterfalls, few know about the "Cave of Wonders," a hidden cave behind the La Fortuna Waterfall believed by locals to hold mystical properties.
11. Costa Rica's commitment to conservation extends to its urban areas, where innovative projects such as vertical gardens and rooftop forests are transforming cityscapes into thriving ecosystems.
12. Hidden within Costa Rica's dense rainforests are ancient petroglyphs, some dating back thousands of years, offering clues to the country's pre-Columbian civilizations and their connection to nature.
13. Costa Rica's hummingbird diversity extends beyond the colorful species commonly seen by tourists; it also includes the secretive "Sapphire-throated hummingbird," known for its iridescent plumage and elusive nature.
14. Costa Rica's quest for carbon neutrality is not limited to energy; the country is also pioneering sustainable transportation initiatives, including the development of electric-powered "eco-buses" in urban centers.
15. While the oxcart tradition is celebrated, few know about the "Festival of Oxen," an annual event in rural communities where elaborately decorated oxcarts are paraded through the streets in a colorful spectacle.
16. Within the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve lies a hidden wonder: the "Enchanted Tree," a centuries-old strangler fig believed by locals to possess mystical powers and serve as a guardian of the forest.
17. Costa Rica's longevity secrets extend beyond diet and lifestyle; some communities attribute their longevity to the healing properties of indigenous plants, which are used in traditional medicines passed down through generations.

17/06/2024

Costa Rica Wildlife: Meet the Central American Spider Monkey!
Some animals seem perfectly designed for their environments. Dolphins’ streamlined bodies appear excellently adapted to slipping through the waves just as magnificent frigatebirds’ long wings make it look as though they could fly forever. The same could be said for today’s featured creature, the Central American spider monkey. They move through the treetops with such grace and ease, it’s almost as though their bodies were designed for it. Spoiler alert! That’s because they are.

Central American spider monkeys (Ateles geoffroyi) are also known as black-handed spider monkeys and Geoffroy’s spider monkey. The scientific name and one of the common names include Geoffroy as a reference to an old-timey French naturalist whose name you can find attached to several species of wild creatures. The Spanish names that I’ve come across in Costa Rica are mono araña and mono colorado.

These monkeys spend the majority of their time in the upper levels of the forest. Much of the time they spend up there is in search of something to eat. Though they eat things like flowers, bark, insects, and honey, the large majority of their diet is made up of fruit. They are the most frugivorous (fruit eating) of Costa Rica’s four species of monkey, with fruit making up between seventy to eighty percent of their diet.

The problem with relying on fruit as a major food source is that there is often a ton of distance between one fruiting tree and another, requiring a lot of movement. Central American spider monkeys have physical and social adaptations to just this sort of lifestyle. Physically, their arms and tails are designed to swing them through the forest canopy with ease. Their arms are long and powerful, and their hands have long fingers and lack a thumb, giving them a hook shape that allows them to swing from one branch to another.

Their long prehensile tail has a leathery pad on the underside at the tip that aids in gripping branches and allows the tail to function like another arm. Socially, they have adapted to their sporadically located food by breaking up their large groups of 20 to 40 individuals into smaller ones, allowing them to spread out and more efficiently locate fruit trees.

Central American spider monkeys are my favorite species of monkey. I think they are generally awesome looking. I like the way they move through the treetops. And I love how upset they get when they see me walking below them on the forest floor, aggressively shaking branches and yelling at me.

I worked closely with two female spider monkeys during my time at a wildlife rehabilitation and release center. Every morning they would greet me with a squeaking noise and a kissy face which I happily returned. I often fed them by placing small pieces of fruit in a sort of disc-shaped puzzle where they would have to rotate a disc with a small hole in it to line it up properly with the food recipient below. It was a more interesting way for them to feed themselves as compared to an open bowl of food, and they excelled at it.

About the Author
Vincent Losasso, founder of Guanacaste Wildlife Monitoring, is a biologist who works with camera traps throughout Costa Rica. Learn more about his projects on facebook or instagram. You can also email him at: [email protected]

Camera trap videos of Central American spider monkeys in Costa Rica

09/06/2024

Southwest Airlines Inaugurates Direct Route from Orlando to San Jose!

Southwest Airlines inaugurates a new daily direct route between Costa Rica and Orlando, offering convenient non-stop flights

08/06/2024

It’s whale season! These beautiful giants swim in the bay below Villa Temenos and all along the southern coast. Dominical Information is your personal concierge service when you stay at Villa Temenos!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/wxsgNzJMobYR6iwj/?mibextid=WC7FNe

24/03/2024

https://youtu.be/UKNvzQTlo4opp

"Sunday Morning" takes us among the colorful birds in the jungle near San Jose, Costa Rica. Videographer: Judith Lehmberg."CBS News Sunday Morning" features ...

24/03/2024

Nature: Birds of Costa Rica

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas, from all of us at Villa Temenos!!! Come visit us again!

16/12/2023

There’s a great organic market in Dominical every Friday morning. Not only fresh produce and vegetables but handmade jewelry, arts & crafts!

12/11/2023

It’s the destination to visit every year!

Costa Rica trip ideas and travel tips, best destinations and hotels, and things to do in 2024.

05/11/2023

It’s a wonderful sight to have White Face Capuchin Monkeys visit! Henry took these videos today!

15/07/2023

Time to plan your winter vacation to Villa Temenos!

American Airlines increased flights to Costa Rica during the winter season, including more flights to Liberia and San Jose

11/07/2023

They are back!

Primer avistamiento de Ballenas Jorobadas hoy en parque Marino Ballena temporada Julio - Octubre 2023 .

Today first sighting of southern Humpback Whales season July - October 2023 in Ballena Marine park

25/05/2023

We love it when guests enjoy their stay at Villa Temenos and share their thoughts! This is their review!
"My family just returned from a wonderful stay in Dominical, Costa Rica for a family vacation and surf trip! Villa Temenos is a property that will not disappoint. Dean (owner) was easy to reach and quick to respond to questions. He provides a phenomenal guidebook for guests. Definitely read it, as it provides everything you need to know for a well-planned, memorable trip. (Fuego, a restaurant recommendation in Dominical, turned out to be a favorite - the staff were super friendly, the food was amazing, and the fresh-brewed beer was a hit!) Henry (the caretaker at the villa) is an absolute gem! He was so friendly (as are all the people we met in Costa Rica) and helpful. He went above and beyond during our stay! The property is amazing and gorgeous - way to go, Henry! We tend to have very high expectations and have often been disappointed in other VRBO properties we have rented. BUT, Villa Temenos exceeded our expectations - from the high-end wood work and architecture, the location and view, the beautifully appointed spaces, the pristine pool, and the impeccably maintained grounds! If you want to enjoy the truly beautiful nature that Costa Rica has to offer, we recommend a stay at Villa Temenos in Dominical!"
Thank you for sharing these photos! We're glad you enjoyed your stay at Villa Temenos and Dominical!

29/11/2022

Great aerial photo of Dominical! Villa Temenos sits on the closest ridge to the ocean, just south of town.

Love for our little town Dominical 😍

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23/11/2022

A wonderful message!

13/09/2022

Amazing creatures and a great company!

06/02/2022

There’s always something in bloom at Villa Temenos! Currently the amazing Jade vine & a new orchid.

25/12/2021

The Villa Temenos experience from above! This captures Villa Temenos like no photographs can showing how the villa is perched on the hill tucked into the jungle. We met Angelito and his drone on the beach in Dominical and he produced this great video for us.

14/12/2021

No matter if it’s clear or cloudy, the November through January sunsets at Villa Temenos are amazing!

04/12/2021

Cuteness overload!

21/09/2021

There’s nothing more beautiful then the Humpback Whales performing in our warm waters. Here a mother father and baby put on a show!
After their long migration from the winter months in Antarctica these whales feed and give birth (after mating the year before) in the waters just off our coast.
These videos were taken by a Villa Temenos guest during their visit! Thank you for sharing!

05/08/2021

A must do on your visit to Villa Temenos & Costa Rica!

03/08/2021

To our guests currently staying or arriving soon, the Humpback Whales have arrived! They will be visible in the waters below Villa Temenos and along the coast south to Drakes Bay! Even better, take one of local water tours to get an up close look at these amazing creatures!

05/05/2021

We do have Macaws pass through but we’ve never seen them do this! Hide the rum!

24/01/2021

Picture perfect day at the villa. Warm temperatures, a dip in the refreshing pool and a view of the waves crashing on the shore. This is paradise.

18/12/2020

The words "Pura Vida" are used In almost every conversation you have in Costa Rica, so were sharing (from Travel & Leisure) and nice story about its meaning according to a Tica.

Costa Rican culture is known around the world for its laid-back, warm, welcoming atmosphere—this tiny Central American sliver of land is rich in biodiversity and friendly people. Christine Lacayo writes about her experiences visiting and living in her mother’s country and describes what the nation’s signature catch phrase, “Pura Vida” (Pure Life), means to her. We partnered with Costa Rica Tourism to bring this story to life.

“Marce! Como estas?” I asked Marcela, a close friend who is the daughter of Xeneida, the woman who has taken care of my grandmother for more than 25 years in Costa Rica. “Pura vida Chris, vamos a jugar afuera,” she replied, inviting me to join her among the lime trees in the backyard. But before I ran after her in my bare feet, I paused in the doorway. “Pura vida...” I thought. I had heard the phrase constantly on my annual summer retreats from our home in America to visit my mother’s native country.

But what did it really mean?

I was a Tica, after all—what we Costa Ricans affectionately call ourselves (tico, for males)—and I needed to know the definition beyond the literal translation of “pure life.” So I asked Marcela what pura vida meant; she told me it’s a casual greeting to express “life is good” or “everything is cool.” I immediately loved it, and over the years, on each return trip, the significance of this phrase has come to mean that and so much more.

One summer, I visited Playas del Coco on the Pacific coast, a laid-back boho beach town with good music, fresh seafood, and the smell of salty sea in the air. We had gone with my mother’s friend and her sons, who were about the same age as my sisters and I. The Valerín brothers were my and my sister’s first friends in Costa Rica. They are handsome down-to-earth surfers, mountain bikers, skaters, and sport fishermen who are always ready to soak up nature’s treasures and ride the wave of life.

The boys took us to the local beach club for some reggae dancing. Later that night we swam under a full moon in the big blue ocean, and the next day they gave us our first surf lessons. For me, this memory is an example of what la verdadera pura vida [the true pura vida] means: It was carefree, spontaneous, and undeniably Costa Rican.

A few years later, I took an internship with Conservation International and SEE Turtles, a job that helped increase the population of Olive Ridley sea turtles that nest off the coast of Montezuma and Playa Buena Vista, two beach towns in the southern part of Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula. I patrolled the beaches for nesting turtles, tagged turtles, collected eggs to bring to the hatchery, and then helped the baby sea turtles hatch and make their journey back into the ocean.

Before I did all of that, though, I had made a questionable luggage choice. Playa Buena Vista is a desolate beach with no electricity and no civilization other than the wooden rustic sea turtle lodge. I showed up with a 40-pound, bright orange suitcase that screamed “American city girl.”

My colleagues and I unloaded the car at the mouth of a waist-deep river that we had to cross to get to the camp. One of the workers had to pull up his canoe to transport my embarrassingly huge suitcase across the river. He then proceeded to carry my suitcase on his head all the way to the camp without hesitation. It was genuine hospitality; he welcomed me despite how ridiculous I looked. “Pura vida amiga mia,” he said to me with a playful grin.

Several years later, I lived with my grandmother in the lively and youthful neighborhood of San Pedro, San José. She lives in the same house my mom and her brothers grew up in, the house my sisters and I visited every summer when we were growing up. My grandpa designed and built the beautiful house in 1973, modeled after Spanish colonial homes with its red-tile roof, rounded arches, and thick white stucco walls.

Here, I adopted her way of pura vida by reading with her on the porch and listening to and recording her life stories. She helped me embrace the importance of slowing down: a central pura vida tenet.

After living with my grandmother for a while, I moved to Ciudad Colon, a small town about 12 miles west of San José surrounded by farms and mountain ranges. It’s known for indigenous folk traditions and a close connection with nature. Walking around Ciudad Colon, with its Mercado Viejo (Old Market), pulperías (general stores), Teatro de la Palestra (their performing arts theater, built in 1946), and La Casa de la Cultura (a space dedicated to cultural development, art, dance, music, and more), feels like stepping back in time.

My life here embodied pura vida. I moved into a carriage bungalow studio owned by Jessi, a beautiful, fierce, and spunky local, and her partner Garry, an Arizonian with wit, sarcasm, and good humor so contagious I would sometimes stay up all night listening to his stories. I embraced community living, learning how to become self-sufficient by growing my own food and living off the land. Garry and Jessi cultivated all types of food in our backyard—mangos, lemons, coffee, avocados, noni fruit, and even chickens with fresh eggs. Costa Rica’s soil is so rich and fertile, you can grow almost anything.

One of the most potent ways this phrase speaks to me is through Costa Rica’s abundant biodiversity. With just 0.03 percent of the earth’s landmass but 5 percent of the world’s biodiversity, it’s no wonder we pride ourselves as stress-free, happy, pure, and authentic people. With rainforests, mangroves, volcanoes, cloud forests, and two coastlines always ready to be explored, it’s easy to enjoy a life with pure and high vibes.

The story goes that the phrase came from a Mexican movie called ¡Pura vida! that was screened in Costa Rica in 1956. The main character uses the phrase throughout the movie to express optimism and hope despite the bad luck that constantly follows him. Costa Ricans fell in love with the phrase and adopted it as their own. We say pura vida in almost any situation: to say hello, goodbye, what’s up, you’re welcome, or no worries. But la pura vida means so much more than a casual greeting. It’s the feeling of living in the present moment and filling your soul with the tropical natural surroundings the country has to offer.

14/12/2020

I can relate!

Happy Sunday! We hope that you, like Grumpy the sloth, are ending your weekend with a smile.

09/12/2020

Summer is just around the corner in Costa Rica! The winter rains are ending, leading to warm, sunny tropical summer days.
The average daily temperature in February is 92, with an average low of 75. Treat yourself to a deserved winter getaway and reserve now!

Today's 8 am temperature:
75°F RealFeel® 77°
RealFeel Shade™ 77°
Partly sunny Max UV Index
1 Low Wind SW 8 mph
Wind Gusts 9 mph
Humidity 78%
Visibility
9 mi

09/12/2020

09/12/2020