we're planning a trip to Lapa Rios in Costa Rica in July. My husband has a snake phobia but is an avid wildlife watcher. What's the chances of encountering vipers on the guided hikes through the resort and/or Corcovado? I don't relish the thought of the fer-de-lance myself! We live in an area that abounds in poisonous snakes so we are accustomed to being alert. Just wondering how commonly they are seen? On another subject are there whales in the area at that time of year?

dont worry about the snakes the crocs ate most of them!

I've never seen much snakes and do alot of hiking in CR. Hoping to see one from a good distance this year.
Should be no problem for you though watch where you step and put your hands!

ok what about the whales? are sightings likely that time of year? (July) We'll keep our eyes peeled for those poisonous critters.

We just returned from a 2-week trip to Costa Rica. We saw 5 snakes, including 1 fer de lance, but none in Corcovado. We saw snakes in the Sierpe River (1 in water, 1 on tree), at Hacienda Baru (1 on trail), and at Arenal Hanging Bridges (1 eyelash viper in tree and 1 fer-de-lance right off of trail). We wore snake boots when hiking because we were concerned.

WOW! Snakey adventures.
XXXX what did the fer-de-lance do when you got near it. Did it stay put or retreat.
I think you would have mentioned it if it came after you.

Our guide noticed it. It didn't stick around. It really freaked me out though, because it was mid-day on a popular trail with a lot of people.

XXXX Good to hear you lived to tell about it!
Thanks for the reply to my question.

i saw whales when i was there in November, dont know about July.
i saw one in the Papagayo Gulf in July, surfaced about 12 feet from our- small- boat!

http://costa.rica.typepad.com/photos...kwhalejpg.html

snake boots.....meaning rubber knee boots? still no whale responses!

We actually bought special snake-bite proof boots from LL Bean (yes, crazy), but my husband also has a snake phobia. They are made by Danner. From what I understand, rubber boots won't stop a snake bite. It was a pain to haul the boots around Costa Rica, but it made hiking a little more worry-free.

I don't think snake boots are such a bad idea. We hope to do alot of hiking. I had planned on wearing my old LL Bean hiking boots. I was concerned they might be a bit heavy and hot. I'll check out LL Bean's snake boots. Thanks.

you know what Sigmund Freud said about fear of snakes???????

i should mention that where i saw the whales was in Bahia Culebra- bay of snakes in Spanish!!

There are sea snakes in some of the waters on CR's coast, but very rare!

But if youre out on a boat then youll be past them, course then youve got the sharks to worry about!

Bay of snakes! how appropriate. Oh well, snakes and sharks have never kept us out of the woods and water before. We'll just use common sense and enjoy our new experiences in what appears to be a beautiful country. I've opted to go for comfort and forego snake boots. We braved the jungles of Belize and it was one of our favorite trips. Should I worry about hurricanes and mudslides too. Ha!

no costa rica doesnt get hurricanes!
BUT, it does rain in July.
but i havent heard of anyone killed by it yet!

BE AFRAID, BE VERY AFRAID!

It's a weird thing, but we've spent the past 4 Julys in CR (and a few weeks during July the 2 years before that and have just never encountered much rainfall--anywhere. Brief afternoon showers and sometimes we've gone DAYS (even a week or so) without a drop. Perhaps we can attribute it to Veranito or Little Summer, who knows. That's what my Tico friends tell me. I know it picks up a considerably in August-October (except on the Caribbean side).