WHAT: A visit to The Ara Project, an inspiring not-for-profit project intended to save and increase the macaw population in Costa Rica WHERE: On the northern edge of Manzanillo - and a little outside of Puerto Viejo HOW LONG: You can hear and see all about the birds in half an hour, but perhaps you'd like to stay a little longer to observe them better HOW MUCH: ₡10.000 / $17,50 per persoon. ₡5000,- for locals. An online reservation is required before arriving.
It’s good to do some activities with a conscience from time to time while travelling around. In Costa Rica there are lots of opportunities for that; wildlife rescue centers and sanctuaries are found all around the country. The Ara Project is one of them; situated in the Caribbean on the edge of Manzanillo, on a small and rustic perch high on a hill next to the jungle.
From the main road between Manzanillo and Puerto Viejo it’s a small and exciting drive through the jungle before you get to the project. Though this may be a bit of an offroad part, the instant reward of driving comes flying right at you as you enter the project area: the magnificent macaws .
A couple of stairs lead to a decent lookout. From up here the area is very pretty and so is the cause of the project: conserving and increasing the population of the two macaw species that are native to Costa Rica; the Great Green Macaw and Scarlet Macaw. Unfortunately nowadays it is difficult to find the macaws in the wild, as they are endangered. You may have a bit of luck in Tortuguero or Corcovado, but their numbers are decreasing due to deforestation and poaching. The Ara Project’s goal is to change this through captive breeding of birds that are unable to survive in the wild. Eventually they release the offspring of the macaws to increase the wild populations.
During the tour, that takes place on a daily base in the afternoon, you’ll learn about the challenges that the birds face in the wild. Impressively enough, all of the work is done by dedicated volunteers, that manages to do all of their tasks around the clock. Tom was one of them and during our visit he told us about what it takes to breed, raise and release these birds in here. Moreover he gave an explanation about the habitats of the birds, their different characteristics and about how they are training the macaws to expand their diets, in order to increase their ability to survive in the wild.
The tour isn’t a regular one. The volunteers want to educate you as a visitor about the macaws while you’re calmly observing them in their natural habitat. As we were listening to Tom’s stories, some twenty to thirty macaws came flying by, in and out of the ‘center’.
Since you’re high up the hill, you’re able to see them from above, which is spectacular due to the colourful plumage that they splay out while flying. From time to time some pairs of them came close, although they didn’t really seem to care about us (which is pretty good sign in terms of wildlife). It’s just so much fun to see them chattering with one another.
Wildlife attracts wildlife and therefore it was no surprise when saw a howler monkey family coming close to us in the late afternoon hours of the jungle. Other animals that were flying around were the montezuma oropendula’s, chestnut-mandibled and keel-billed toucans, aracari’s, hummingbirds and even butterflies.
Compared to other good causes, The Ara Project is a bit of an under the radar non-profit in the Caribbean. Such a shame, since the passionate volunteers of this place could use some extra colones for sure for their work. So go there, listen to the stories and help to save these magnificent birds from extinction. Like that, perhaps in a couple of years we’ll be able to see a lot of macaws flying again in the Caribbean sky.
Here’s where to see those cheeky and noisy birdies! ↓
Nancy
November 6, 2019 at 8:34 am
We are told to request at 3pm the tour, 4 people.Thurs. 7th nov.. tomorrow. Locals 27550287
83181171