Cano Island Tour: Ojochal Costa Rica Hotels, cabinas, villas, accommodations, places to stay: Costa Rica National Parks: Uvita, Costa Rica Hotels, Dominical, Ojochal, Southern Costa Rica Puntarenas, Osa Peninsula Cano Island
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| Cano Island Southern Costa Rica |
Costa Rica's Cano Island is the site of great archeological interest as it was once used as a pre-Columbian cemetery by cultures with a clear South American influence. Cano (Caño in Spanish) is struck by lightning every year more than any other part of middle America, this is the reason why the native Indian cultures considered this place sacred.
The island rises 90 meters above sea level to a wide plateau, which is covered with a very tall evergreen forest. It is surrounded by five platforms of low coral reefs where 15 species of stony coral have been identified. It is possible to see some of the perfectly round stone spheres made by the former native Indians, and today they continue to pose one of the major puzzles of the pre-Columbian cultures in America. Wildlife is scarce, perhaps as a result of the disappearance of the natural forest, but a few birds can be seen.
One of the world's newest hot spots for adventure diving. Located off the Southwest Pacific coast of Costa Rica, this virgin area offers a variety of unique diving attractions, from 15 - 16' reefs to 80' "walls". The rock formations are volcanic origins; sea fans, cup coral, head corals are the most common. Because of its status as a Biological Reserve the diving in Cano Island is regulated. Only 10 divers maximum and 5 dive sites are open to the public.
By law, it is totally prohibited to remove any marine objects dead or alive (shells, corals, etc.). Although the currents and visibility are difficult to predict, the latter is usually outstanding and rarely gets below 50'. The name of the game here is "SHARKS"! Lots of them (white-tips) ranging in size from 6-10' as well as sea turtles, dolphins, stingrays, morays, and huge snapper and grouper.
This could very well be mainland Costa Rica's finest diving spot!
Not only do the waters surrounding Cano Island contain some of the most abundant and varied marine life in the world, but the island also possesses several pre-Colombian archeological artifacts. These artifacts can be explored on several hikes through the lush tropical vegetation. The perfectly spherical stones are believed to have once marked an offshore burial ground and ceremonial site for the indigenous Diquis cultural group who inhabited the Golfo Dulce area until the arrival of the Spanish.
Along with the stone spheres, Caño Island is believed to have once been a pirate hideout and some go so far as to claim that the island was the inspiration for Robert Stevenson's Treasure Island. Furthermore, within 50 feet (15 meters) of the beach you can explore the warm crystal blue waters with a mask, fins and snorkel and see the wide variety of brilliantly colored tropical fish and coral species that call Caño Island home.
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