Big, bad bugs???

Old Sep 13th, 2009, 10:26 PM
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Big, bad bugs???

Hi,
We're going to Costa Rica in March 2009, and from all the great things I've read, in this tropical climate, I've not seen anything about bugs, poisonous things or critters to be careful of. I can't believe there aren't numerous crawlies in CR. While they don't make me totally histerical, I like to know what I'm up against, so I don't assume every bug will potentially send me to a doctor.
So, what critters should I avoid or be aware of?? Or for that matter, are there any plants or other natural dangers to be aware of? Are the monkeys safe? Do people try feeding them and they end up becoming pests like some of the camping wildlife we have here in Canada??
Thanks! Arlette
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 03:48 AM
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I'm assuming you mean 2010?

Yes unfortunately animals are fed, especially in Manuel Antonio park, sometimes intentional for a photo-op, sometimes not, as the animals are so used to being fed they have no qualms of nicking your bag right next to you in search of food.

There really isn't anything too unusual in CR as far as bugs are concerned. There are mosquitos at times but honestly we have them in FL much worse. Now, there are quite a few in CR (bugs) but very few that are worth a trouble. I did see a sort of cute bug crawling on the bar years ago at Bosque del Cabo and was sort of pointing my finger at it when the bartender told me to be careful as it would make my skin burn; I never found out what it was though.

A couple of snakes are poisonous, like the fer de lance (tercipelo) and pit vipers, but these are so rare most people never even see them.
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 03:53 AM
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Fer-De-Lance in the jungles

Corcovado Toruguero banana plantations

http://www.anywherecostarica.com/flo...e/fer-de-lance

Crocs probably biggest worry around Tarcoles and MA beaches

there was an isolated attack a few weeks ago on an MA beach..

Scorpions get in your shoes put them up at night...
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 03:59 AM
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I'm guessing we've spent close to a year in Costa Rica during the past 9 years of travel there. We've seen exactly 2 scorpions (both this past summer), a few interesting beetles, some catepillars, various types of ants (in the rainforest), one whip scorpion (wicked looking, totally harmless). Everything mentioned above we've SEEN, but not often. To us, bugs are totally a non issue. We just don't encounter them except occasionally.

You won't be swimming in the Rio Tarcoles, so no need to be concerned about the crocs. They ARE fun to look at however, when you park along the road and gaze down at them.

We take repellent; my husband uses it often, I use it rarely.

No need to worry! Have a great time!
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 05:09 AM
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Echoing Shillmac's comments, bugs just aren't a huge concern.I used used insect repellant once in two trips! Next February will mark our third trip to Costa Rica, and I'm looking forward to guided hikes at night to actually locate some these creatures! No worries with the crocs either, unless, of course, you ARE planning on swimming with them!
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 05:11 AM
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We always have a few bugs in our room but nothing freaky. They have tons of leaf cutter ants in the jungle, but we just stay out of their way. There are some mosquitoes, so we wear repellent every day, nothing overwhelming though. We did see a scorpion once that had gotten into someone's luggage. My advice would be to keep your luggage zipped closed at all times. We've been to CR several times and have seen one snake at night on a sidewalk at our hotel. I would bring a headlamp or small flashlight and always shine that on the path in front of you.
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 08:52 AM
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The most variety of bugs appeared when when we left the porch light on when we went to dinner by accident. Yikes! Now that was fun. The most annoying are the mosquitoes, and that varies greatly. I've had them be swarming me to non-existent depending on what, when and where. However, I always wear and carry DEET because it's really miserable to be caught out hiking without it when you need it. It IS wise to keep your things zipped when not in use (as a good friend reminded me last trip) and always check your shoes!
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 09:19 AM
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In about three months total day sin CR, we've had a loud and aggressive beetle, a few large toads, a Halloween Crab, a large spider (in bed), and the odd ant. These were the exception. We have a few rules for the tropics: no eating in the room, keep luggage closed, search for things in luggage with a light, do a bed check nightly, look under seating cushion daily, use a flashlight when getting up at night, always check shoes for critters, and usually glance into the toilet bowl. These things are not done with fear and trembling, just simple habits for the tropics, arrived at through experience (elsewhere). Never really been bothered by mosqutoes nor been surprised by a snake. If you are the type of person who recoils at bugs and lizards in your room as a sign of personal uncleanliness, you may not be comfortable. In the Osa, in particular, the only remarkable thing is that there aren't MORE critters in the rooms than there actually are.

We keep our distance from monkeys, especially relating to the area below them. Almost everything in Costa Rica that is cute also has very sharp teeth.
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 09:23 AM
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Oh, yes, the monkeys - I forgot to mention that they will pee on you if they are overhead and feel you are invading their turf. Guides always say not to stand under them and to keep your mouth closed if you do - ick! We did have a singing gecko in our room last trip - actually a very pretty sound, almost like a little bird.
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 10:02 AM
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We actually saw quite a few interesting bugs on our trip to Costa Rica, but then we were looking for them. Keep your bags CLOSED at all times. I didn't and went to pay a bill and pulled my wallet out of my backpack purse and found a large black beetle on the back of my hand. I hurled the wallet across the room, greatly shocking the poor hotel clerk!
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 07:17 PM
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Hi cattail,
I owe you an e-mail! And I noticed I misspelled "caterpillar" above. Probably just did it again.

I forgot to mention a really large roach (really large) that we saw a couple of months ago. But in all this time, just that one huge one. And a few taran
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 07:19 PM
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as I was saying. . .a few tarantulas on night hikes. I've never been all that comfortable with bugs, but there's something about travel in the tropics, as Davy mentions, that desensitizes a person. Once you actually go out LOOKING for them, it's sort of like you become more comfortable with seeing them here and there and now and then.
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Old Sep 14th, 2009, 08:23 PM
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Wow, thanks for your thorough accounts and information. Very good advice to know about keeping things closed...Monica, your story really cracked me up. It sounds like night hikes are very interesting too. My brother actually owns a tarantula which I've held, so I'm sort of ok with that one. Gee Davy, you've brought up one of my weird concerns...bugs in the loo crawling on one's bottom! LOL I guess from what you've all said, it should be fine. It's mainly the shock factor...lol
I mean I get the same thing here. Last year we went to Texas and a very large roach jumped out of the cutlery drawer. Of course I made hubby get it while I stood on the bed...haha.
Thanks all! Arlette
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