Manuel Antonio, the emerald of Costa Rica where the color green was conceived. I first came here 20 years ago as a freelance wildlife photographer. Primates are my specialty and Costa Rica has 4 species. I’d photographed gorillas in Rwanda, chimps in Uganda and orangutans in Borneo and was looking for primates in a place that didn’t take 2 days to get there from Manhattan Beach, California.

My passion for apes and monkeys began when King Kong first stole my heart in the front row of the Jewel Theater before my feet could even reach the ground. From my very first trip to Costa Rica the dream to live on a beach with monkeys in my yard wrapped itself around my brain. I moved here 5 years ago and now enjoy daily visits from 3 species of monkeys.

I’ve embraced the road less traveled with enthusiasm for more than 30 years. By far my most memorable experiences have been at the side of a native or an expat. I’ve stayed in the home of my Sherpa guide in the Himalayas, slept in a hammock in an Amazon village, and shocked myself by eating toasted crickets and silk worms with my expat friend Bernie at a roadside stand in Thailand. Don’t ask me how they tasted. My only memory is textures; crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside.

Now, I’m not suggesting you eat bugs on your next vacation. This is merely to illustrate the very different travel experiences you can have. I was fortunate enough to have a friend or to make a friend in each of these places who delighted in showing me what lay hidden within the white space between the lines of the best guide books. My mission is to be that person for you – the one who leaves you feeling as if you’ve seen the “real” Manuel Antonio.

If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is the perfect introduction. It has its own national park, beautiful beaches, incredible views, gorgeous rain forest, abundant wildlife, a great selection of restaurants, live music, and enough tours, activities, and services to keep you entertained for a month. If you’re planning a return trip but have yet to visit Manuel Antonio, it’s a must-do. I love it here.

Part of that love is derived from the national motto, “Pura Vida.” It translates to mean live the pure life. In Bob Marley’s words, “Don’t worry, be happy.” Costa Rica is ranked the #1 Happiest Country on the Planet in a new report by a British nonprofit group, New Economics Foundation.

When visiting Manuel Antonio leave your tux and prom dress at home because it’s the epitome of laid back casual. Flip flops and shorts are the local attire. A sun dress or long pants are considered dressing up. This is also the perfect place for a vacation from stress, competition, struggle and drama. You can spend a week lounging on the beach and pampering yourself with spa and chef services or if you prefer to get in touch with your adventurous side you can dangle from a zip line in the forest canopy, repel off the side of a waterfall or go snorkeling on a sunset sail. The beauty of this paradise is we have it all – and it will be my privilege to share it with you.

Paradise Awaits!

Evelyn Gallardo is a Baby Boomer who first strapped on a backpack in the mid-seventies and trekked through most of South America. She continues to explore the world and writes extensively about travel, Costa Rica and vacation rentals. Visit the virtual tour of her luxury vacation rental home.

Did you find this article useful? Are you tired of the same old hotels? If you’d like to get on the inside track when it comes to luxury vacation rentals get immediate access to your Free Report, “The 5 Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make when Planning a Luxury Vacation Rental” at http://www.DiscoveryBeachouse.com

If you’ve booked a luxury vacation rental home in Costa Rica and you’ve rented a car to get there, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with some of the twists and turns of the road. Driving in a foreign country can be intimidating, especially if all the road signs are in Spanish!

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Picture a dead end job with the glass ceiling weighing heavy on my pride. I know I’m good at writing letters because I consistently get results from them for my firm. I wonder how I can turn this skill into a bullet train ride out of here. The book I’ve just read, Gorillas in the Mist, pops into my brain. I touch pen to paper and out flows, Dear Dian Fossey. She had a reputation for liking gorillas more than people and this is the longest shot I’ve ever taken. I don’t know it at the time but this letter is my bullet train. Even though this took place more than 25 years ago, the lessons learned are still relevant today.

My story begins at the Jewel Theatre in East L.A. before my feet can even reach the gooey ground. I’m sobbing like a kitten just got run over by a truck as King Kong lands with a nauseating thud in front of the Empire State Building. I rage at the injustice. Why did they have to kill him? Why didn’t they take him back to the rain forest? Couldn’t anyone see he was the good guy! I was sure no one understood King Kong the way I did. This left me with an unresolved ache I would someday heal.

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We all take photos on vacation but do we all take good photos? If you’re one of those people who’s more disappointed than pleased with your vacation photos, the good news is that’s all about to change.

Many years ago I was fortunate enough to take classes from National Geographic photographers at UCLA. The 3 most valuable secrets they shared will make a dramatic difference in your travel photos. The beauty of these 3 secrets is their pure simplicity.

Secret #1: Place Your Main Subject Off Center

Everyone puts their main subject in the middle of their photo. Bor-ing. When you place your subject off-center viewers find it intriguing. Though they may not consciously know exactly why, they’re compelled to take a closer look. To compose an attention-grabbing photo nudge your main subject toward one of the four corners. First focus it in the center by pressing the shutter half way. Without releasing the shutter shift your camera so your subject is off center then gently press the shutter the rest of the way. Your subject will remain in focus.

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One of the many attractions to Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica is the abundant wildlife particularly its primates – capuchin, howler and the endangered Red-backed squirrel monkey. Having Manuel Antonio National Park in such close proximity to many vacation rental homes gives vacationers the added thrill of seeing wildlife in their own backyard.

Unfortunately out of ignorance, indifference or for a photo opportunity many tourists feed the monkeys. However, they’re not fully to blame. Although local hotels are completely aware of the dangers, a few still encourage feeding monkeys to attract more clients. When tourists see others doing it they assume it’s acceptable. But feeding the monkeys is so detrimental to their health and survival it can have catastrophic consequences.

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If you’re heading for a vacation rental home near Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica, you’re in for an incredible nature adventure. In addition to iguanas, toucans, coatimundis and more, there are 3 species of monkeys indigenous to the park.

Manuel Antonio National Park

When the park boundaries were established in 1972 no one bothered to tell the Howler, Red-backed squirrel and Capuchin monkeys, so they continued to follow their established foraging routes beyond the park limits. Not all but many of Manuel Antonio’s vacation rental homes are located within these natural foraging routes known locally as the “Monkey Corridor.” However, staying in one of these vacation rental homes carries with it a big responsibility. It may seem cute, funny or thrilling to hand feed the monkeys, yet it’s extremely damaging to them in many ways.

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One of the beauties of staying at a vacation rental home is you have the option of eating in. However, you’re most likely to venture out for a few meals during your trip. Eating at a restaurant in a foreign country is intimidating, especially when you don’t speak the language or understand the cultural nuances. If you’re headed for Costa Rica here are 3 tips that will help you feel and act like a local.

Tip #1 – The Check Will Never Come Unless You Ask for It Unlike the western world where the waiter can’t wait to hustle you out the door and make his next tip, Costa Ricans have a different attitude. This is the land of Pura Vida (living the pure life) where no one rushes (with the exception of loco taxi drivers) and there’s time for everything. Costa Ricans feel you should relax, enjoy your meal at leisure and when you’re ready you’ll ask for the check. So, don’t sit at your table and fume because the waiter hasn’t brought your check and you think you’re getting poor service. It isn’t bad service, it’s cultural. So lighten up, enjoy the sunset and have another cup of coffee. Bask in the moment – you’ll be back to the hustle-bustle soon enough.

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Whether this is your first or third time renting a luxury vacation home you may still be confused about how much to tip the staff. Luxury vacation villas generally provide more staff and a higher level of personalized service, therefore warranting more generous tips than staff at a luxury hotel. You’re likely to be in more direct contact and come to know the staff by name. The amount you tip will depend upon the quality and quantity of service, length of your stay and the size of your group. These recommendations are based on a 5-7 night stay. Follow these insightful tips and you won’t under tip or over tip.

Concierge

Your concierge books your tours, activities and services. He’ll save you time, energy and frustration by making recommendations perfectly suited to your needs. Any bookings he makes for you will cost the same as if you made them yourself but without all the hassle. Your concierge is just a phone call away and is there to answer questions, take care of issues with the rental and deal with your personal concerns. Unlike hotels that offer limited service, a luxury vacation rental concierge will be available 24 hours a day. Did your back go out and you need a chiropractor? Your concierge will likely steer you to his own trusted chiropractor and maybe even drive you there himself.
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Planning on renting a luxury vacation home? No more tiny hotel rooms, sharing a pool or bumping into strangers in the hall. The money you save, the privacy you’ll enjoy and the great experience you’ll have will likely change the way you travel forever. You’ll have the best vacation of your life if you just avoid these common pitfalls.

Fatal Mistake #1 – Booking Your Reservation at the Last Minute

The longer you wait to reserve the higher the risk of having to settle for a home no one else wants. Do you have your heart set on the beach on your birthday? To avoid disappointment make your reservation 3-9 months in advance especially for peak Easter, Christmas and New Year’s weeks. It’s true, you may find a last minute deal but it will probably be your 3rd or 4th choice. Decide whether your priority is the perfect vacation rental home or the take-what-you-can-get discount home.

Fatal Mistake #2 – Neglecting to Check the Weather

What will the weather be like where you’re going? Will you have to strap yourself to a lamp post to go shopping in Thailand? Will you be trekking the Himalayas during monsoon season? In tropical locations the rainy season may have warm and sunny days with showers in the late afternoon. Early and late rainy season months may help you beat the heat. One perk of off season travel is the rates are cheaper. Ask which months are the rainiest and avoid them. Click here http://worldweather.wmo.int for the weather report for your destination. Be specific. The capital city may be 4,000 feet higher than where you’re planning to stay. (more…)

If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, Manuel Antonio is the perfect introduction. It offers plenty of options ranging from beachcombing to rappelling off the side of a waterfall. If you’re planning a return trip but have yet to visit Manuel Antonio, it’s a must-do. But don’t make the mistake of making your stay too short. Many vacationers save Manuel Antonio for a couple of days at the end of their trip and regret not going there first and staying longer.

Enticement #1 – Costa Rica is Ranked the #1 Happiest Country on the Planet.

A British nonprofit group, New Economics Foundation, prepared a comprehensive report comparing countries according to the population’s life expectancies, satisfaction with their lives and ecological footprint. NEF used these combined factors to create a “Happy Planet Index” score. The newest report ranks sunny, tropical, fun-loving Costa Rica as the number one place on the planet to live. (more…)

If you’re an animal-lover looking for an over-the-top nature experience, spend some time in a vacation rental home near Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica just a 10-minute drive from the town of Quepos on the Pacific coast. Iguanas, birds, sloths and many other animals can be found in this park known as the “Jewel of Costa Rica,” but its biggest draw is its 3 species of monkeys, the Mantled Howler, Red-backed Squirrel and White-faced Capuchin.

When the park boundaries were established in 1972 no one told the monkeys and they continue to roam freely outside the park even today. Several of Manuel Antonio’s 130 vacation rental homes fall within the “Monkey Corridor,” the natural foraging route of these popular primates. Many of Manuel Antonio’s vacation rentals play host to more of the national park’s wildlife depending upon the vegetation and location of each home.

Brad and Melissa Welter from Lewiston, Idaho spent a week in a vacation villa in Manuel Antonio, “We sat on the balcony one whole afternoon watching and listening to the monkeys. It was such a peaceful and wonderful atmosphere.”

Jeni Krieger from New York, a recent guest at a vacation home in Manuel Antonio describes it this way, “It’s a reverse zoo of sorts.” The home she and her friend, Darlene Doll, rented to celebrate their birthdays featured floor to ceiling glass views of the rain forest. While they monkey-watched from the inside, the monkeys people-watched from the outside. Monkeys have such a natural curiosity you find yourself wondering who’s watching who.

For homes lucky enough to lie within the Monkey Corridor monkeys running along handrails and on rooftops is all part of the Eco-adventure. There’s one caveat, however, don’t feed the monkeys! Not only is it unhealthy for them but it’s an open invitation to come inside.

If monkeys and nature are your “thing” and you’d like to experience nature’s phenomenons up close and personal, check on line for vacation rental homes in Manuel Antonio that get regular monkey visits. You can also call ahead and ask the vacation home owner or rental agent. Enjoy your Eco-adventure in Manuel Antonio and take plenty of photos and video to go along with the great stories you’ll have to tell.

One thing is for sure – you won’t get visitors like this back home!

Paradise Awaits!

Did you find this article helpful? If you’d like to know more about Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica visit http://www.insideguide2manuelantonio.com for more information. Want to know more about vacation home rental blunders to avoid? Get your Free Report, “The 5 Biggest Mistakes Travelers Make when Planning a Luxury Vacation Rental” at http://www.DiscoveryBeachouse.com.

Evelyn Gallardo is a paradise specialist who provides a serene and private nature reserve experience in Costa Rica in a beachfront luxury villa setting where guests feel relaxed, relief from their stress-filled lives and are pampered with 6-Star Customized Service. Click here to see the virtual tour of the Discovery Beach House.

Are you losing sleep over your family’s next foreign destination vacation? Are you worried they’ll get sick, they won’t be safe or just be plain miserable with your choice once they get there? Stop and take a deep breath then let out an enormous sigh of relief because these hidden truths about Costa Rica are about to make your decision a whole lot easier.

Hidden Truth #1: You Can Drink the Water

If you’ve traveled to places like Mexico you’ve probably learned to avoid the Big 3; water, salads and unpeeled fruit. These can all contain bacteria that will ruin a vacation faster than an iguana can snap up a juicy grasshopper. The good news is the tap water is safe to drink in cities and towns throughout Costa Rica. If you don’t even drink the water from your faucet at home, bottled water is readily available everywhere. You can also safely eat all the food including salads. (more…)

If you’re looking for a vacation hot spot Costa Rica is the place for you, literally! Out of Costa Rica’s five volcanoes three of them are active to different degrees and all are national parks. It will be worth the trip just to watch your neighbor’s jaw-dropping response to your volcano vacation stories. Arenal is by far the most spectacular. Poas and Irazu have rain water filled lakes and much of the action takes place underwater.

Costa Rica is also a hot spot for vacation rental homes. With more than 1200 to choose from you can decide if you want to stay near a volcano or simply use your vacation rental villa as a jumping off point. Let’s start with the most active volcano. (more…)

Baby Boomers set their first travel trend in the 60’s when they strapped on backpacks and explored the world. Travel was an intoxicating, powerful drug. It was an ever changing high from the Gringo Trail in South America to the beaches of Costa Rica. Boomers were hooked.

Travel as a primary essence of living defines the 78 million-strong Baby Boomer generation as much as feeling “forever young” and being born between 1946 and 1964. Now that Boomers have more ka-ching they reminisce fondly about their tattered backpack days but their taste in travel has evolved. They feel they’ve earned the right to be pampered a little. Boomers have traded their sleeping bags for luxury vacation rental homes.

Heather Blanchard is the owner of Manuel Antonio Vacation Rentals in Costa Rica and represents some of the finest luxury homes in this beach community. She says, “In the last 3 years our number of Baby Boomer clients has sky-rocketed. They began as a trickle in 2007, now they dominate our guest list.”

Read on and decide if Baby Boomers are onto something here. (more…)

Hola Amigos,

As promised here’s Part 2 of “3 Enticing Reasons to Visit Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica.” There’s so much to see and do here this could be its own video series. In this episode you’ll discover the many activities and the abundance of vacation rental homes to choose from. Stay tuned for more.

Paradise Awaits!

Enjoy the video here!

3 More Enticing Reasons to Visit Manuel Antonio – Part 2

Hola Amigos,

Those of you who’ve been our guests at the Monkey House remember the horrid road. It was so bad local taxi drivers called it the “Costa Rican Massage.” Several of the hotels and private homes, including the Monkey House, got together and contributed funds to pave the road. Thank you to the following hotels for spearheading the project: Parador, Makanda and Issimo. And because I wouldn’t have believed it myself unless I’d seen it, here’s a short video to commemorate the event.

Paradise awaits!

The Monkey House Just Got a New Road!

Hola Amigos,

The first time I came to Costa Rica in 1989 it was love at first sight and I dreamed of someday owning a home here. In 2004 my husband and I sold everything in California and moved to Manuel Antonio. We haven’t regretted it for one moment.

“3 Enticing Reasons to Visit Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica – Part 1″ includes a few of the reasons to visit but be careful, you may want to move here. Stay tuned for more.

Paradise awaits!

3 Enticing Reasons to Visit Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica – Part 1

Hola Amigos,

I recently sent out a survey asking, “What is your biggest challenge when renting a vacation home in a foreign country:” Amazingly 95% of the respondents said “security.” Given the current global situation I’m not surprised that people are concerned for their safety. What shocks me is this fear permeates every aspect of people’s lives even when they’re on vacation. “3 Hidden truths about Costa Rica that Will Overcome your Fears about Renting a Vacation Home” will open your eyes to some comforting facts about Costa Rica you’re probably not aware of. If you’re looking for foreign destination to visit this video will address your concerns and make your choice a whole lot easier.

Paradise awaits!

3 Hidden Truths about Costa Rica that Will Overcome your Fears about Renting a Vacation Home

Hola Amigos,

So, you reserved your ideal vacation rental home, your documents were all in order and you’ve finally arrived! If you’ve always stayed in hotels you’ll find staying in a vacation rental is more of a home-away-from-home experience. You’ll have your own kitchen with new appliances you may not be familiar with, especially in a foreign country. You’ll enjoy the experience to the fullest if you follow these “5 Key Tips Upon Arrival at your Vacation Home.”

Paradise awaits!

5 Key Tips Upon Arrival at your Vacation Rental Home

Hola Amigos,

I once had a guest call the night before her arrival to say her passport had expired and there was no time to get a new one before her flight. It was heartbreaking for her to miss out on her much anticipated vacation. These tips, “3 Fatal Mistakes People Make when Leaving for the Airport to a Foreign Destination” may seem like no-brainers but many a vacation has been ruined when travelers forget to check their documents far enough in advance to avoid a vacation disaster.

Paradise Awaits!

3 Fatal Mistakes People Make when Leaving for the Airport for a Foreign Destination

Hola Amigos,

I recently learned a very valuable lesson, “Done is Better than Perfect.” I’m much more productive these days and as a result created the “Evelyn Vacation Rental Home Tips” video series. These tips are based on the many questions from our guests in all stages of the process. The videos are short 2-3 minute episodes starring yours truly. If you have questions you need answered send them to me at evegal22@gmail.com. Who knows, your question may end up in the series.

Let’s begin at the beginning with “3 Blunders to Avoid when Planning a Vacation Home Rental.” No one wants to settle for their 3^rd or 4th choice for anything. These tips will help you get your first choice, visit at the right time of year and find resources to learn more about your vacation rental.

Paradise Awaits!

3 Blunders to Avoid When Planning a Vacation Home Rental

Manuel Antonio has a surprisingly abundant live music scene. Whether you’re in the mood for rock, soul, Latin, reggae or country you’ll find it here. Venues range from tropical restaurants to 5 star hotels to the local’s hang out bar in downtown Quepos. From time to time I’ll feature different groups here. One you don’t want to miss is song stylist, Kezirah.

Formerly known as Fuzzy Rojas this singer’s smoky, soulful voice is a cross between Toni Braxton and Billy Holiday. She sings R & B, soul, jazz, funk and more. While others strive to sound exactly like the original artist, Kezirah takes a song and spins it into several different styles. She’ll put a reggae spin on Sade’s “By Your Side,” a soulful spin on “Favorite Things,” or a jazz spin on “Besame Mucho.” She also has an original song, “My House on the Hill,” that she co-wrote with base player Drew Pickins at her hilltop home outside of Quepos.

If you want an inside peek at what the locals do for fun, join them Monday nights at La Hacienda Restaurant where Kezirah is accompanied by her pianist Ricardo Alfaro. The first few notes of “Hit the Road Jack” get half the audience on the dance floor and others onstage to sing background (including yours truly). With a well-timed thrust of her microphone Kezirah gets a spontaneous and gravely-voiced “What-choo say!” out of one of the dancers. Her show is part comedy routine as she jokes with the crowd and fellow musicians, often cracking herself up with improvised lyrics. The more fun she has, the more fun the crowd has.

Having fun flows through Kezirah’s gene pool. She and her brothers were latch key kids forbidden to leave the house while both of their parents worked, so the siblings got creative. Wire hangers became space helmets as they played Star Trek, “Captain, I’m only human, the engine’s about to blow!” They especially enjoyed dressing up like Sly and the Family Stone to perform for their parents. Originally from Philadelphia, Kezirah spent 20 years in California before settling in Costa Rica 7 years ago, expanding her music career and fan base ever since.

If you’re in the mood for “Jazz a lotta Soul…and then Some” join Kezirah at La Hacienda in Plaza Yara Monday nights from 7-9 P.M. Some nights local musicians drop in. You may find David on flute, Lance on harmonica or a talented tourist on holiday doing his thing. You’ll find Kezirah at la Hacienda February through September. The rest of the year she retreats to northern California and Philly for some quality family time.

Call ahead to confirm as changes do occur…

7 Nights of Live Music

Monday

La Hacienda – 506-2777-3473
Kezirah (formerly known as Fuzzy Rojas)  7-9 P.M.
R & B, Jazz, Funk, Soul, and more
Reservations recommended
February-September
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Howler*                                                                       Capuchin**                                                            Red-backed Squirrel*

I can’t explain why primates fascinate me any better than explain why I love chocolate. My earliest childhood memory is empathizing with “King Kong” at the movies; I looked into his eyes and felt his pain. At the zoo I hung with the primates and studied their reactions to their human gawkers and asked my silent questions; “Do you hate it in there?” “Do you miss the rain forest? My fantasy was to hide in the bathroom until after closing and set them all free.

Now, you probably all know this but primates are humans, monkeys and apes. All primates have an opposing thumb, have a large well-developed brain and can walk upright. What 99% of the planet doesn’t know is the difference between monkeys and apes. Monkeys have tails; apes don’t. What you’ll find in Costa Rica are monkeys.

When Manuel Antonio National Park boundaries were established in 1972 – no one told the monkeys. This puts us in the unique position of living in a reverse zoo of sorts. Most vacation rental homes and hotels here maximize their views with huge windows. We’ve woken up many mornings with monkeys peeking through our window. My husband and I bought our two properties within their foraging route; locally referred to as the Monkey Corridor. With the help of local botanists we planted hundreds of fruit trees to help preserve and enhance the biodiversity. If there’s a monkey heaven – this is it.

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Everyone brings a camera to Manuel Antonio on their vacation but does everyone take good photos? If you’re one of those people who is more disappointed than pleased with your vacation snapshots, that’s all about to change.

My photos have appeared on book and magazine covers, calendars, posters and every imaginable medium including stamps. An artist once called and asked my permission to paint a 22 foot reproduction of one of my orangutan photos on the outside wall of a restaurant. Several years ago my photo agent in New York assigned codes to everything, so I’ve lost track of exactly where my stuff ends up but the checks keep coming.

Confession time – I’m not a great master at lighting techniques or an expert at all the bells and whistles today’s cameras have to offer. I hate bells and whistles and although I’ve been taking photographs for 25 years, I’ve never had a dark room either. My talent comes more from choosing fascinating subjects and having infinite patience to capture special moments that take place in front of my camera lens. I was also fortunate enough to take classes from National Geographic photographers at UCLA. The 3 secrets I learned from them and am about to share with you will make a dramatic difference in your travel photos. The beauty of these 3 secrets is their simplicity.

Secret #1: Never, Ever Center Your Main Subject

Everyone puts their main subject in the middle of their photo. Bor-ing. When you place your subject off-center viewers sense there’s something different about your photo. Though they may not consciously know exactly why, they’re compelled to take a closer look. Have a look at my Orangutan in the Mist shot. I added a grid to give you several placement options. To compose an attention-grabbing photo you can put your main subject wherever the lines cross or even within any box other than the center one. Just remember to first focus your subject in the center by pressing the shutter half way then without releasing the shutter shift your camera so your subject is where you want it. Next, gently press the shutter the rest of the way. Your subject will remain in focus.

Secret #2: Shoot Everything Twice

Cameras are constructed in a horizontal format, so it feels natural to take photos that way. However, for every photo you take in a horizontal format, stand your camera on its side and take another in a vertical format. Some subjects lend themselves to the vertical format like tall trees or skyscrapers as in the previous photo. When I wrote photo illustrated books and magazine articles the two formats allowed art directors to wrap the text around my photos in different and interesting ways. If every page looked the same it would soon become monotonous. If you’re putting together a travel blog or a scrapbook you’ll have several options of how to make the text and photos flow together in an appealing way.
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Welcome to my blog about Manuel Antonio, the emerald of Costa Rica where the color green was conceived. I first came here 20 years ago as a freelance wildlife photographer. Primates are my specialty and Costa Rica has 4 species. I’d photographed gorillas in Rwanda, chimps in Uganda and orangutans in Borneo and was looking for primates in a place that didn’t take 2 days to get there from Manhattan Beach, California.

My passion for apes and monkeys began when King Kong first stole my heart in the front row of the Jewel Theater before my feet could even reach the ground. From my very first trip to Costa Rica the dream to live on a beach with monkeys in my yard wrapped itself around my brain. I moved here 5 years ago and now enjoy daily visits from 3 species of monkeys.

I’ve embraced the road less traveled with enthusiasm for more than 30 years. By far my most memorable experiences have been at the side of a native or an expat. I’ve stayed in the home of my Sherpa guide in the Himalayas, slept in a hammock in an Amazon village, and shocked myself by eating toasted crickets and silk worms with my expat friend Bernie at a roadside stand in Thailand. Don’t ask me how they tasted. My only memory is textures; crunchy on the outside, creamy on the inside.

Now, I’m not suggesting you eat bugs on your next vacation. This is merely to illustrate the very different travel experiences you can have. I was fortunate enough to have a friend or to make a friend in each of these places who delighted in showing me what lay hidden within the white space between the lines of the best guide books. My mission through this blog is to be that person for you – the one who leaves you feeling as if you’ve seen the “real” Manuel Antonio. My blog will be about everything from wildlife to nightlife and will also be inspired by your questions or comments.

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