La Colina – Renacido Festival
Renacido Festival
November 26th – 28th, 2021
Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
Renacido (reborn) is a celebration of the rebirth of art in Costa Rica. As have we all, the arts suffer financially during the pandemic, yet we still share our hearts and passion, keeping hope and faith alive in the quarantined, the ill, and the struggling. With the world and our workspaces closed or restricted, limiting us from making a living, Renacido blesses us with a multi-venue music event for the artist, by the artist. Warm your soul with Fire dancers. Inspire the artist while they create live murals in the jungle to the sound of local and touring musicians in the stunning township on the hill, Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica. Come! Vibe with us!
Buy Tickets Here!
Brisa Elegante
Quepos has a new landmark in the Marina Pez Vela, the 100 ft wooden sail cruiser Brisa Elegante. With her two masts, she dominates the view of the marina. Come and check it out yourselves!
What kind of sailship is this?
Brisa Elegante was built in 2010 by the Fethiye Shipyard in Turkey. She is a Gulet, a type of sail cruiser known for its spacious and robust design. Shipbuilding in the area of Fethiye has a long tradition. Even the Phoenicians more than 2000 years ago had their ships built in this region. Gulet became popular in the 1930s in the Eastern Mediterranean, with growing popularity during the following decades. Today, Gulets are popular for day cruises and week charters in the Meds, especially in Turkey, Greece, and Croatia. But Brisa Elegante is special! Her hull is built from solid 3-inch mahogany planks, giving her a unique look and strength. She boasts a spacious foredeck, giving room for functions, weddings, parties, and for your family and friends to enjoy a cruise on the Pacific Ocean.
Why does Brisa Elegante look like a pirate ship?
Well, she is built in a very traditional way, like sailships have been built for centuries. In the days of the Buccaneers, the ships were about the same size as the ship you see now lying in the marina. Christopher Columbus’ Santa Maria had nearly the same size as Brisa Elegante and a crew of 45 sailors. However, she is no replica of a pirate ship; she is built to an original and traditional design. So, by boarding her, you will get the very feeling that generations of sailors had during the past 500 years!
What kind of tours do you offer?
To start growing your sea legs, you can join us for a morning or a sunset cruise. This cruise takes you from the Marina Pez Vela along the coast of Manuel Antonio along the shore of the National Park. Experience how sailors have felt, leaving the harbor and setting sails. Feel the wind moving the ship forward and see the water rushing under the bow and along the hull, an adventure you will never forget.
We serve refreshments and small snacks during the cruise and will stop for a swim and snorkel break.
If you are in for longer cruises, you are welcome to be on a charter with Brisa Elegante. She has 5 staterooms with double beds, each with an ensuite bathroom, and comes with full board. Explore the natural wonders and relax on the sundeck. Listen to music at the bar, sit with friends and family, and enjoy guided excursions from the comfort of the ship. It will bring you to the best spots without the hassle of repacking your luggage every other day.
Contact us at info@sailcr.com.
Liberación de Tortugas
Tortugas de Isla Damas is a turtle conservation project near Quepos. Isla Damas, a small island of beach and mangroves, is where one of the seven species of sea turtles comes up to nest… the Olive Ridley turtle. Turtles nest nearly year-round here and the hatching is truly a beautiful event to witness. However, the turtle nests are at risk to egg poachers and other threats if left unprotected outside the nursery.
Here are some fascinating facts and current statistics on sea turtles.
- Sea turtles are ancient species, having been around since the time of the dinosaurs – about 110 million years!
- It takes 20-30 years for a sea turtle to reach sexual maturity. When a female is ready to lay eggs, she returns to the nesting beach where she was born even if she has not been there for 30 years! Some females nest every year until the age of 80.
- On the beach, hatchlings must avoid natural predators like birds, crabs, raccoons, etc. to make it to the sea. Once in the water, hatchlings can be consumed by seabirds and fish or subjected to things such as drift nets. Few survive to adulthood, with estimates ranging from one in 1000 to one in 10,000.
- Sea turtles’ natural lifespan is estimated to be 50-100 years.
The Tortugas de Isla Damas is a registered non-profit in Costa Rica, their mission is to conserve the turtle population through educating the public about these gentle creatures and acting as a hatchery for the turtle eggs.
Throughout the year, the turtles return to the beach to lay their eggs. This is when the eggs are collected to protect and incubate them in the hatchery, therefore raising their chances of survival. When the eggs hatch, the baby turtles are then released back into the sea
Contact FB @tortugasdeisladamas, 506 8777 8880.
Quepolandia has gained 200,000 visitors in 2 years!
I was scrolling through my old FaceBook posts and found this screen capture of our visitor count reaching 250,000 in February 2018 from it’s launch in 2009. I was thrilled that day.
2 years later our visitor count is approaching 450,000! That’s 200,000 in 2 years!
That’s more than 8,000 visitors per month. Advertise online with us. GET INFO HERE.
Quepos Fishing Fleet Recognized as Top Captains of 2019!
By Rebecca Johnson, PR Manager FishingBooker
FishingBooker, the world’s largest platform for booking fishing trips, works with over 5,500 captains all over the world. Some of these captains often go the extra mile to make the fishing trip a success. This year, we decided to honor the stories that stood out and give them a bit more spotlight. Jackpot Sportfishing from Quepos made it to our Captain Spotlight list: Heroes of 2019!
Here’s their story:
Jackpot Sportfishing caught our eye twice last year, on two of their different boats. Back in February, they took part in the first-ever all ladies tournament here at the Marina Pez Vela in Costa Rica.
Despite being the underdog with the smallest boat in the fleet, the 31’ Good Day took home the honors for the biggest Tuna of the weekend. But it wasn’t all about the Tuna:
“Over the weekend we released 8 Sailfish & caught 3 nice Tuna. Marbely & Cathy Gilmour in our team caught their first-ever Billfish, well-done girls! Stella Humphreys, Iby, & Marbely caught their first-ever Tuna, Marbely’s fight being an epic 45 minute battle on a light spinning rod!”
While this event was all about the ladies, Jackpot Sportfishing didn’t do badly when their tournament crew was all-male, either. They proved this in March when they competed in two tournaments in one weekend.
Taking home the Dorado and Tuna Jackpots on both day one and day two of the Quepos Billfish Cup, they put their good luck down to their lucky fishing shirts… but we think there might be something more to it than that!
Let’s Talk About Trogons
Lattice Tailed Trogon
The fossil record of the Trogons dates back 49 million years to the Early Eocene. They are closely related to Mousebirds and Owls. The word trogon is Greek for “nibbling” and refers to the fact that these birds gnaw holes in trees to make their nests.
Trogons are residents of tropical forests worldwide. The greatest diversity is in the Neotropics. They feed on insects and fruit, and their broad bills and weak legs reflect their diet and arboreal habits. Although their flight is fast, they are reluctant to fly any distance. Trogons are generally not migratory, although some species undertake partial local movements. Trogons have soft, often colourful, feathers with distinctive male and female plumage. They are the only type of animal with a heterodactyl toe arrangement (inner toes face front, outer toes face back). They nest in holes dug into trees or termite nests, laying 2–4 white or pastel-coloured eggs.
Fishing for the Next Generation
Having completed the 20th edition of the Offshore World Championship in May, and the 7th edition of this iconic event here at Marina Pez Vela, the opportunity to reflect on the impact of fishing on our local community and tourism in the area is upon us. While Manuel Antonio is firmly established as an eco-tourism destination, for so many of us, we forget that fishing has long been a way of life and subsistence for the local Quepos community and that early Sportfishing exploration was some of the first tourism to the area. The history and roots of the ocean and fishing are deeply rooted in this community and it would be easy to write a book, OR TWO, on the history of both artisanal fishing as well as the history of Sportfishing in the area along with its socio-economic impacts.
That being said, I wanted to take a minute to share some thoughts and perspective on the sustainability of fishing in the area and the generational component which is visible now, more than ever. At Marina Pez Vela, there is a tremendous commitment to sustainability in all forms of the word. Our commitment to our community, its growth and wellbeing from a cultural and economic standing is unwavering and very much a part of our DNA at the project. In regards to fishing Costa Rica in general, led by agencies like FECOP and members of the private sector, has been a global leader in sustainability in the fishing world. One of the first countries to implement mandatory use of the circle hook in its Sportfishing practices and today even the practice of taking the live billfish out of the water before releasing for photographs has been banned.
Pescadora Billfish Championship
By Samantha Mumford
Photos Tony Cadorin pelagicfinder.com
“To tell a woman everything she cannot do, is to tell her what she can.”
Many moons ago, I had an enlightening conversation with Captain Don Dingman who has a TV show on ESPN called “Hook the Future.” He told me a story about a 13-year-old girl who was featured on one of their shows. This young woman explained to Captain Don that one day she wanted to be a boat captain, but she was upset that she couldn’t be one. He asked “Why?”. She answered, “Because my Dad won’t let me fish in a bikini”. This 13-year-old girl assumed that you had to have a million followers on social media and dress scantly in order to be successful in this industry.
On February 21, 2019, at Marina Pez Vela in Quepos, Costa Rica that stigmata was changed and HISTORY WAS MADE! The Pescadora Billfish Championship crowned the World’s Top Lady Anglers! 81 female anglers aboard 22 boats from 7 different countries released 517 billfish, an average of 23 fish per boat. THE MOST FISH RELEASED IN ANY LADIES TOURNAMENT IN HISTORY!!
19 countries followed the leaderboard as women started racking up their releases and making a run to be Female Angler of the Year. On the morning of Day One, assisted by good luck mimosas, Team Uno Mas took an early lead with 28 sailfish releases, and just managed to hang on as Team Big Oh made an incredible push on Day 2 releasing 31 sailfish! The Cinderella story goes to the ladies of Team Game Plan, three of which had NEVER fished before, releasing 40 billfish for the tournament landing them in 3rd place overall. What an awesome accomplishment! Congratulations to Team Uno Mas, who took home 1st Place Overall with 49 billfish, 2nd place winners Big Oh with 44 billfish, and Game Plan with 40 billfish releases. Each angler on these teams were awarded an awesome custom-made trophy created by local artist, Adrian Valli.
Escape Room
When visiting paradise, the last thing that may be on your mind is to escape!
But, really…trust me, this should be on your list of the “must do’s” while visiting Manual Antonio.
You may have noticed over the past few months a rather large old prison type bus sitting roadside on top of the hill. This is Manuel Antonio’s latest attraction, El Escape Bus!
What is an Escape Room? An escape room, also known as an “escape game”, is an interactive adventure themed game in which players solve a series of puzzles and riddles using clues, hints, and strategic thinking to complete the objective at hand. Players are given a set time limit to solve the secret plot which is hidden within the rooms.
The two fully air-conditioned escape room themes offered by El Escape Bus are the Crimson Storm and the Cartel Murders. Depending on your flare for fantasy, you and your friends can join the thieves of the high seas while being imprisoned in the hull of a ship, only to find yourselves looking for treasure and trying to escape! If pirates and lost treasure don’t get you excited, then perhaps joining an elite group of global crime investigators who have been summoned to examine evidence and name a suspect in a Cartel related crime here in Manuel Antonio will peak your interest!
Both themes are one hour long and can accommodate 2-6 people, depending on the game. The new permanent home for the bus it is located across the street from the Barba Roja and operates from 3-8 pm or VIP hours upon request at no additional fee.
For more information, simply visit www.costaricaescapebus.com or call/msg 8524-7658.
Tennis Club Quepos Has a New Partner
Abigail Forbes
Tennis Club of Quepos has made a new partnership with Florida based Edge International. Edge International is a management company that provides trainers, physical therapists and nutritionists to promote young talented tennis players.
TCQ is proud to announce three new coaches Jason Zafiros, Rick Massi, and Robbie Poole. These trainers have worked with some of the best women in tennis, such as Jennifer Capriati, Maria Sharapova, and the Williams sisters.
Here at TCQ they have been working with three exceptional young women Carina Scott, Gabriella Price, and Abigail Forbes.
Congratulations to Abigail Forbes who won the Culpa Cafe in San Jose two months ago and the tournament in Cuenca Ecuador last month…. Great Job.
Our goal here at Tennis Club of Quepos is to help guide train and develop young tennis players here in the area with premier coaches and facilities.
For more information: 8603-0473, tennisclubquepos@gmail.com, tc-quepos.com.
Envision Festival 2019
By Andres Vargas
The shorelines of Costa Rica are some of the most majestic in the world. Playa Hermosa and Uvita’s Marino Ballena have been home to my family, my friends and a variety of turtles, birds, fish and other wildlife that live here. Over the years I’ve watched the numbers of those who visit the beach grow, and with it came increased concerns about rubbish and swimmer safety. I remembered what it was like to have safe, clean beaches. I wanted that for my children too, so I asked a friend, Josh Wendel, who is a Costa Rican resident, owns a few businesses in the community and happens to run an event near Uvita called Envision Festival, to support a plan that educates both tourists and Ticos to all do our part to keep the divine beaches of Costa Rica trash-free and safe.
We agreed something should be done and within a few weeks a plan was formed.
We wanted to pick up all the trash left at local beaches. Since New Year’s, I’ve organized three Beach Clean Ups attracting Costa Ricans from all over, including Tamarindo, San Jose, Heredia and Alajuela – just for a few. Today, we have three more beach cleanups planned including one the weekend after Envision Festival. Each has been more successful than the one that came before it, with a bigger turnout of participants and more trash cleared. In our most recent Beach Clean Up, almost 100 people gathered with trash bags in-hand to pick up a record 335 kilos of trash from Playa Colonia, Playa Uvita, Playa Ballena and Dominical. Over the course of a few weeks I watched our volunteers become heroes, as a record 1 ton and 30 kilograms of waste collected over 55 kilometers of shoreline.
2nd National Clean-up Day
We were very happy to have had 45 locations in Costa Rica and beyond with our neighbours Nicaragua & Panama, symbolizing that pollution has no borders, simultaneously cleaning on Jan 12th 2019. It was a successful event with more than 1250 volunteers united to collect approximately 8,600 kilos (1 ton) of debris from entering our precious oceans!
Find and join us on FaceBook and Instagram for information about our next activities, @OperationRichCoast.
