It’s not all about heavy partying anymore

Jaco Beach on Costa Rica’s Central Pacific Coast is the perfect destination for a beach-focused bachelor party adventure vacation.  With the Pacific Ocean in your front yard, rain forest in the back yard, the possible activities include surfing, fishing for marlin, sail fish, dorado and wahoo, sailing, jet skiing, hiking, zip lining, white water rafting, horseback riding, birding, golfing, and smoking Cuban cigars (they’re legal here!).  Adventure, luxurious accommodations, excellent restaurants and private chefs, and Mead Brown’s legendary personal service combine for a fun factor that’s off the charts.

Recently Neil Nagraj wrote in Forbes Traveler about bachelor parties that are centered around adventure, “In movies and lore, the bachelor party blowout is all but synonymous with exotic dancers and heavy partying. But today’s best men are lining up different fetes for the groom-to-be, planning elaborate destination parties that don’t include wild nights on the town.  That’s not to say that the traditional Las Vegas blowout is a thing of the past. “Vegas is still king, says Jake Schraufnagel, publisher of Today’s Groom. “But more best men are arranging whitewater rafting trips, golf weekends and other extreme vacations.”

Nagraj continues, “According to the most recent U.S. census, Americans are staying single for nearly five more years than their parents did. The average man walks down the aisle when he’s 27.1-years-old; a quarter century ago, he would’ve been 23.2-years-old. (For women, it’s 25.8 and 20.8, respectively.) This may explain why bachelor parties are changing, says Schraufnagel. ‘As the groom and his friends get older, they can afford a memorable weekend getaway for a bachelor party. Having more disposable income is a huge deciding factor in the bachelor party festivities.’”

Nagraj went on to write, “Older grooms-to-be may also have different priorities than their younger counterparts. ‘A younger groom may have younger attendees who are single themselves with no wife to answer to at the end of the bachelor party,’ says Schraufnagel. ‘Guys are using the bachelor party as a reunion and a great opportunity to introduce new friends of the groom’s to old friends from the past.’ The focus, then, shifts from a night at the strip club to a weekend to remember with the guys.”

Michael Brown of Mead Brown Costa Rica Vacations says, “My best advice is to start planning now.  With so many schedules to coordinate, you generally need to plan three to four months in advance to line up the best fishing boats (exceptional boats and crews book well in advance, particularly December through April) for our world-class sport fishing (more than 60 world record fish have been caught here) and accommodations. We are expert at logistics and at providing personal service; this results in bachelor parties that are memorable for all the right reasons.”

Here are a few of the adventures to consider for your beach bachelor party on Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast:

	Sport Fishing The cobalt blue waters of the gulf stream combined with the mineral rich waters of the Pacific create some of the most fertile fishing grounds in Central America. We know the best boats and captains to make your adventure memorable! The ultra-modern 250 slip marina at Los Sueños is a short run on flat seas to blue water. Off shore, angle for sailfish, blue or black marlin, wahoo, yellow fin tuna, and dorado. In shore you’ll find snapper and snook and those thrilling fighters roosterfish. All vessels are equipped with GPS, color fish finders, VHS, and emergency first aid kits. All captains and mates have many years of experience in the area and are fully licensed and qualified. Call us, we’ll hook you up!
	Canopy Tours (yes, the zip line!) These exciting tours can be considered a thrill of a lifetime as you traverse the tropical primary forest on a system of cables and platforms. You climb to the top for a bird’s eye view and then experience the exhilaration as you rapidly glide between each platform, led by experienced guides who put your safety first. Mead Brown knows the best canopy tour for you (and there are several close by!) Perhaps our favorite and most popular tour! Commonly called “zip lines.” You will call them a blast!
	Sea Kayaking Ocean going outriggers, single and double kayaks, river kayaking and surf kayaking are just a few of the kayaking options that you can enjoy while here on the Pacific Coast. Paddle through the warm waters and enjoy this popular sport. It’s the perfect way to appreciate the wonders of nature and the beautiful coastline. Your guide will also take you to the perfect spot for snorkeling, where you will quickly be surrounded by a wide variety of tropical fish. Let Mead Brown book the best trip for you!
	River Rafting After a short trip by air-conditioned minivan you are taken up river to start your adventure of 18 miles of pure fun and unsurpassed beauty. This is a trip of full contact with nature, with exposure to lush vegetation and the white water rapids. The time flies as you race down the rapids – you will want to go again as soon as you are finished! Mead Brown can book this for you – just ask!
	Surfing The Central Pacific Coast means surfing – year ‘round! Some of the best beaches for hanging ten are right here – minutes from all our properties. We know the locals – the people who know the best places and times to catch the waves of your dreams! The ocean is waiting for you and your board. We can book surf classes for all ages and experience levels.
	ATV Adventure Capture extraordinary ocean views and mountain vistas as you drive through rustic trails and rare teak plantations. Professional bilingual guides will lead you through the exotic tropical rainforest just a short ride from the famous Jacó Beach. End your adventure with a refreshing swim in a natural pool at an amazing waterfall. A Mead Brown favorite and destined to be one of yours.
	Jet Skis Jet skis are plentiful and can be rented by the hour or day. Scoot around the various beaches to check out what’s happening. Scoot along the ocean at your leisure enjoying the sun and surf around you at your own speed. Wild and all out or bobbing along enjoying the view. If you have never operated a personal watercraft, there are instructors who can teach you and your family how to operate them safely. The kids are going to love it and you will too.
	SCUBA Diving One of the best ways to get a first hand glimpse of Costa Rica’s stunning underwater marine life is through a scuba diving tour. Scuba diving facilities in Costa Rica are now world class those on the Central Pacific Coast are no exception.  Massive schools of fish, an amazing array of marine life and an ideal water temperature throughout the year mean that SCUBA diving conditions in Costa Rica are perfect.  With professional PADI instruction courses as well as top quality dive shops with equipment rental services, SCUBA diving here has reached new heights (or should we say new depths?). We can assist fully on all aspects of your undersea adventure.
	Championship Golf Nestled alongside an exotic rainforest in Los Suenos Resort & Marina with breathtaking ocean views, this 18-hole, par-72 championship La Iguana golf course offers not only a challenging Ted Robinson-designed layout but also a spectacular gallery featuring friendly monkeys and brightly hued macaws. Your knowledgeable golf guides will be happy to point them out. But make no mistake: the mesmerizing scenery masks a challenging course – one well worth conquering.

A proud mother who's just laid a nest of Olive Ridley turtle eggs

Last night my buddy Raul and I met up at the Back Yard Bar and Grill and then drove the six or so miles to the south end of Hermosa Beach (Playa Hermosa) just 10 minutes from Jaco; the last five miles were all within the Tulin Playa Hermosa Refuge, a nature preserve established by the government about eight years ago. The north end of this beach is where the World Surfing Games were held during the first week of August 2009.

Four of the world’s seven species of marine turtles nest on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica — the Pacific Green, Leatherback, Hawksbill and the Olive Ridley.  Forty-seven beaches on the Pacific Coast have been identified as having turtle nesting activity

The Olive Ridley turtle lays 70-120 eggs at a time, and typically lays two-three batches per year. This is one of the many interesting bits of info shared by Raul, a Costa Rican who knows so much about his beautiful country, including its history, flora and fauna. 

Tulin Playa Hermosa Refuge on Costa Rica's Pacific Coast

Our mission was to walk the beach looking for turtle tracks, which lead to nests of just-laid eggs. Mostly we walked by moonlight; it’s easier to see the tracks. Occasionally we turned on our red-light flashlights to check out whatever dark mass was in our path (always just a large log or beautiful piece of driftwood, typically from an ancient growth tree struck down by age and the elements).  Artificial light disorients the turtles; they navigate by the light of the moon.

Raul has experienced so much of Costa Rica. While walking toward the mouth of the Tulin River and the 100 or so crocodiles who call it home, he told me about fishing in there and catching rooster fish and huge snook.  At a river further south, he met an old guy in an ancient canoe who had told Raul about the crocodile who ate his dog.  Enraged at losing a loved companion, the old guy killed the 12 foot long croc with a grappling hook.  When Raul expressed disbelief, Cocodrilo Dundee took Raul to his hut and pulled the croc skull with teeth out from under his bed.  Sr. Dundito had eaten the dog-eating croc!

I asked Raul what croc tastes like and his response was the one heard the world over, “Like chicken!”  My high school chum Tammi Mclaughlin wrote on Facebook, “I’ve actually had crocodile and I think it tastes like not much of anything with a nice rubber texture to boot!”.

Olive Ridley turtle laying eggs

Once at the river, we shined our flashlight across the broad waters and were met by the reflections of about 20 red dots. Each dot represented one eye of a croc hunting in the river (the second eye of each was on the other side of their head and not seen by us).

We walked back to the nursery where about 100 nests are covered by protecting wire mesh (to help keep raccoons and other predators out) and surrounded by a wire mesh fence.  We found that one nest had been destroyed by ants and all the eggs had been ruined.  Better luck at the next nest, where one baby turtle had hatched and was somewhere in his hour-long process of waking up and gathering energy for his journey to the sea. With a gloved hand (to protect him from our insect repellant and other forms of contamination), the tortugito (baby turtle) was carried to the water’s edge, where he was gently washed out into the Pacific with the next small wave. 

I said a silent prayer for his health and well-being and imagined what changes the world would see during his lifetime, which could be 70 years. (Another Bush presidency? China’s world domination? Scott Miller becomes house trained again?)

We then walked up the beach in the other direction, looking for a momma turtle making her way to lay eggs.  What we found were fresh turtle tracks.  She had made a roundtrip, which means the eggs had been buried above the high tide mark.  We found the nest, dug up the eggs, counted and placed them in a plastic grocery bag.  Turtle eggs—Olive (so named for their color) Ridley turtle eggs—do not have a hard shell.  The eggs are squishy, softer even than a hard-boiled egg that’s been peeled. 

Turtle eggs being laid; think "squishy ping pong ball"

I carried the eggs to the nursery and re-buried them in the sand, within the protective enclosure. Of the 106 eggs, 85 or so will likely hatch. Those nearest the top of the nest (a hole dug in sand, elbow deep) will likely be female, those on the bottom will likely be male. Gender is determined by the temperature during an early developmental stage (eggs nearer the top are made warmer by the sun).

With our one hatchling safely launched and our eggs buried, we called it a night. I cannot wait to return; Raul is a terrific guide. Easy company and very knowledgeable.  His family has grown coffee in the San Ramon area of Costa Rica for generations and Raul sells it via a web site he built.  Check out the site; better yet, order a few bags for yourself and friends; Finca Rica (rich farm) ships to the U.S., Canada, Europe and elsewhere.

A just-hatched Ridley turtle making its way to the Pacific Ocean

When you come to Costa Rica for an adventure vacation off the beaten tourist path, let me know and I’ll hook you up with Raul.  His specialties as a guide are outings that are “non-touristy” and include surfing, fishing, waterfalls, coffee farm tours, snorkeling and this hands-on turtle tour at the Tulin Playa Hermosa Refuge.

This weekend Raul is heading to Playa Camaronal in the Guanacaste region on the Northern Pacific Coast for “arribada” (mass arrival) of Ridley turtles. Check out Christopher P. Baker’s blog for an excellent description of this wonder of nature.

"Mass arrival" of Olive Ridley turtles coming to lay eggs