La Paz Waterfall Gardens: Costa Rica

IMG_1302The La Paz Waterfall Gardens, not far from the Poas Volcano, are really worth a visit, despite being expensive.  Not only do you get to see the most amazing waterfalls, the place also houses many animals confiscated from the pet trade that for some reason or other cannot be released.  I guess really it is a fancy zoo as I was a bit suspicious about why they could not release the two young sloths they had.  Surely sloths just need a nice tasty tree to hang out in.  But what do I know?  IMG_1256

However I could not bring myself to visit the monkeys. Instead I spent quite a lot of time in the butterfly house. The butterflies looked pretty happy and well fed to me!

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The above is a Blue Morpho Butterfly and when its wings open they are a magnificent fluorescent blue.

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I also visited the frogs who had a really nice area that was temperature controlled. They also had a full time guard to stop people using flash, which really upsets the frogs!  Here is my favourite photo which I was very lucky to get this red-eyed green tree frog, as usually they are curled up on a leaf, well camouflaged with their outer green layer matching the leaf and their colourful parts tucked in.

IMG_1283Below is a green poison-dart frog. They secret toxins and were used by the indigenous people on their darts, hence their name.

IMG_1288 Here are some toucans who were once pets.  At least here they have a big enough area to fly around and learn to use their wings again.

There is also a homestead that has been done up and preserved as a museum.  The walk through the cloud forrest along the paths following four waterfalls is quite magnificent.

 

 

 

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