April 2013 posts from Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

Have you ever imagined going to a place where you can explore 13 different ecosystems, see up to 140 mammal species, 400 bird species, 116 amphibian and reptile species, 40 different types of fish and at least 500 species of trees? Well, this place exists! Corcovado National Park is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, and easily one of my favorite places to visit. Located along the Osa Peninsula, Corcovado National Park features a lowland rainforest, highland cloud forest, jolillo palm forest, mangrove wetlands, coastal and marine habitats. I have many friends that live here, so I've visited Corcovado plenty of times! I'd love to share my experiences along the way...[More]

Do you love chocolate? Of course you do what kind of question is that?! In Costa Rica, we have some of the most wonderful chocolate that is made by the country's indigenous Bribri tribe. You just have to try it! You can actually spend the entire day learning how food is grown by the Bribri, go on a hike through a cacao plantation and see a demonstration of the cacao paste process using tools that date back to pre-Columbian times. It's a sight to see can you already smell the chocolate in the air? Yum!...[More]

When you're planning a trip, you may think that coming during rainy season will put a damper on your trip, but not in Costa Rica! Our rainy season is different than most other places because it doesn't rain all the time, and even though Costa Rica is tiny, the various micro climates experience different intensities of rain. Did you know that rainy season is the perfect time to travel to Costa Rica for white water rafting? Or that this is one of the most beautiful times of the year because all of the forests are luscious and green?...[More]

Costa Rica is ranked as one of the top eco-friendly destinations in the world, with 25 percent of the land protected or conserved. Many believe this trend stems from a book that was published in the late 1980s by F. Gary Stiles and Alexander Skutch called "A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica". This bird-watching guide drew more people to the area and a plan for nation-wide tourism was born. Costa Rica is home to a rich and diverse environment where thousands of flora and fauna species live - but you probably already know that. As a tree frog, I've always been pleased with the way humans enjoy my country; it makes me feel like a celebrity...[More]

I can tell you that one of the greatest places to view Costa Rica is from high up in the sky! While you can't sit up in the canopy with me, you can go high up into the air with a gyrocopter. Have you ever heard of a gyrocopter? Also known as a gyroplane or autogryo, these open-air planes are small helicopters that fly high above some of Costa Rica's most beautiful attractions, like Manual Antonio National Park and the Arenal Volcano. What's really neat is that you can also fly just above these places for a view that no one else can experience. Only two people can fit in a gyroplane (and maybe a frog), making for an intimate and unforgettable ride...[More]

I've made friends with some anteaters during my travels throughout Costa Rica, and some of the friendliest are the silky or pygmy anteaters. These little guys are fairly common, and they are the smallest anteater species in the entire world! Maybe that's why I like them so much their relatives are much larger and can weigh up to 18 pounds. They are all distant relatives of the sloth, yet they are the only surviving member of the Cyclopes genus. These little guys and gals are usually found trotting around lowlands and middle-elevation habitats throughout the country. Silky anteaters live all along Central and South America, and they tend to live in little clans in the rainforest. But you may just miss these little guys they average less than a pound and grow to be only around four centimeters long!...[More]

The pristine white sands and calm waters of Playa Samara may be among the top reasons why it is a travelers' hub (I know I love hanging out here), but the eclectic and local cuisine offered in this region is just as attractive. There are plenty of Costa Rican all-inclusive resorts in the region where you can just walk to and from your hotel room. From fresh exotic fruits and organic farms to carefully crafted dishes served beach side, Playa Samara is just as much a foodie's paradise as it is a beach dweller's dream. I may only be a tree frog, but I've hoped my way through Playa Samara quite a few times and noticed the sights and smells of a few popular restaurants. Although I couldn't indulge myself, that doesn't mean you shouldn't!...[More]

If you've been following my blog for a while, you'll know how much I love visiting the museums and galleries of Costa Rica. Although it's a little small, the Museum of Contemporary Art and Design in the capital of San Jose is definitely one of my favorites. Come with me to learn more about this fascinating museum and gallery!...[More]

As one of the largest active volcanic craters in the world, Poas Volcano attracts thousands of visitors every year. Towering high above the rainforests of Alajuela, Poas is one of my favorite places to go exploring. Once you've ascended this mighty mountain and seen the breathtaking views from the summit, why not take a canopy tour of the lush jungle that surrounds the volcano?...[More]

Dozens of mighty rivers flow through the lush rolling hillsides of Costa Rica, but the Rio Negro is among the most fearsome. Running through the verdant rainforests near La Amistad International Park and Rincon de la Vieja National Park, this powerful waterway is an ideal place for adventurous travelers to enjoy rafting and tubing excursions. Come with me to find out more...[More]

When you're going on a trip with your sweetie, there's virtually nothing else you need but one another. If you're planning on staying in Costa Rica all inclusive resorts for a special occasion, anniversary or birthday, you may want to consider a trip to the stunning Osa Peninsula. This is one of my favorite places in Costa Rica! It's filled with so much wildlife, you may just feel like it's just you and nature. Carate is a pristine Pacific coastline town with a stunning backdrop of the mountains and an abundance of outdoor recreation available. If you're looking for a vacation spot away from the hustle of big cities like San Jose, Carate may be the perfect place for you. Imagine waking up to the sound of howler monkeys, living off the grid with minimal phone service and being one-on-one with nature. Sounds pretty good to me! OK, so I may be a bit biased, but from what I hear, a lot of people spend their time on the computer and on their cell phones. If you're on a romantic getaway, there's no need for those things anyway...[More]