Crab Invasion

Halloween Crabs, or Cardisomas, are very colorful land-crabs that borrow in the ground. It is common to spot this species of crab on the forest trails of Arenas del Mar (www.ArenasdelMar.com) and Manuel Antonio National Park. Once a year these crawly creatures must migrate from their hills to the beach to lay their eggs. One night during the full moon our hotel guests were able to witness a massive amount of cardisomas taking over the reception, the restaurant and pathways onto the beach. Some crabs were found in the hotel’s pool, and even inside guest rooms as well. Over all, however, this is a great sign that this dry season's drought is about to end; the year’s first rains will spur an abundance of baby crabs to leave their eggs, climb up from the beach sands and return to their homes in the hillsides. This pic shows a mother crab with its big cluster of eggs underneath.

By: Jose Pablo Fdez, naturalist guide