History Posts in Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

As the capital of the province of Guanacaste, Liberia boasts an interesting history and was home to many important events. While Liberia is a large part of Costa Rican culture today, the city wasn't technically a part of Costa Rica many years ago - it was a part of Nicaragua until 1812. When you're traveling around Liberia, you may hear locals refer to it as "la ciudad blanca" or the white city, due to Liberia's plethora of whitewashed colonial houses and the city roads that were once covered in white gravel. I wish I had some frog-sized sunglasses at times! While Liberia has become more modern, it's still considered a colonial town... [More]

One of my favorite things to do when I'm out and about in Costa Rica is to take tours of the museums in the capital of San Jose. Sure, you could say that a museum is the last place you'd expect to find a tree frog like me, but I love learning more about Costa Rica's history and culture! Although all the museums in San Jose are interesting, the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum at the Plaza de la Cultura is one of the best. Come with me on a tour of this fascinating museum... [More]

You may not know this about tree frogs, but we're very smart! I love learning about history, and since I live in Costa Rica there is plenty to explore. One of my favorite places to learn about the past is Heredia. Both a province and a city, Heredia it steeped in rich culture. The city itself dates back to 1705. Nicknamed the “City of Flowers,” Heredia is home to a wonderful array of flora and fauna, and there are several vibrant gardens throughout town. But the real beauty here lies in the historical monuments and unmatched colonial architecture... [More]

Costa Rica is one of the world's leading destinations for eco-tourism and sustainability, which is why I love it so much! A lot of native Ticos use their hands to keep traditional arts alive, and let me tell you, the pottery they create is impressive. You may think that I just travel through the national parks and wildlife reserves in Costa Rica, but I'm a sucker for art as well. At the end of your visit, there's no true way to capture the friendly, vibrant and laid-back lifestyle and bring it home with you (unfortunately), but purchasing handmade souvenirs created by the locals may be the best solution... [More]

Costa Rica is one of the few countries in the world that doesn't have an army. In fact, the abolition of the Costa Rican military was drafted into the country's constitution in 1949! However, the country does have an interesting military history. Come with me to learn more about how Costa Rica abolished its military presence!... [More]

Taking a vacation in Costa Rica with your children can be a wonderful experience for the whole family. The capital of San Jose has much to see and do, but perhaps the most exciting place for the little ones to visit is The Children's Museum, located just north of downtown San Jose. Filled with fun and educational exhibits, a trip to this enchanting museum is sure to be an unforgettable day out for parents and kids alike... [More]

The National Museum of Costa Rica is one of my favorite tourist attractions in San Jose. Even the building itself has a fascinating history, as it used to be military barracks! The museum is home to a variety of permanent and temporary collections, and one of the most interesting is the "Human Remains" exhibition... [More]

When you're planning what to do in Costa Rica, Cartago should be on your list! As the first capital of Costa Rica, Cartago is one of the oldest communities in the country, and as you can imagine, there are some great sites to see. You may not realize it, but I am actually a huge history buff. It may be from my travels throughout Costa Rica, or all the stories that I've heard in the rainforest, but I love visiting historic areas. The ruins in Cartago, which date back to the 16th century, give you a glimpse into the rich history of Costa Rica. In 1723, an eruption of the Irazu Volcano nearly destroyed the entire town, but luckily there are still some ruins that stand today. Since the volcano sits a mere 24 miles away, there have been several eruptions that have damaged some of the ruins... [More]

If you're flying into San Jose's largest airport, Juan Santamaria International, you might be wondering who the hub's mysterious namesake is - or was. Well, Juan Santamaria is Costa Rica's most beloved national hero, and his tale is one of patriotism, courage and strength. Let's find out more about Juan Santamaria... [More]

Since the weather in Costa Rica is ideal for growing, it's no surprise that there is some unbelievable coffee here! Some of the best Joe you'll find is grown high in the Talamanca Mountain Range in Tarrazu, Costa Rica. There are many blends of coffee sold in other countries that are grown here as well... [More]

My homeland is filled with natural wonders, and some are so mysterious that even family frog tales lack detail of their history. One of the strangest mysteries in Costa Rica was discovered in the Diquis Delta of Costa Rica, and researchers are still trying to figure out how the stone spheres of Costa Rica were created. During the mid-1900s, people started taking note of these enormous spheres, some of which weigh 16 tons and have a diameter of more than two meters! Some of them have even worked themselves into the ground over time. I've visited these strange objects that are now scattered throughout the Diquis Delta and the Isla del Caño, and my frog legs couldn't even propel me to the tops of some! ... [More]

Today, Costa Rica is one of the most peaceful and prosperous countries in Latin America. We don't even have a military any more! However, this lasting peace was the result of a dark period in Costa Rica's history - the civil war of 1948. Come with me to learn more about this historic conflict.... [More]

Sixaola border crossing just after 1991 Limon Earthquake. Photo courtesy of Clive Graham

We're all still a little shaken after this week's earthquake, but fortunately, there doesn't seem to have been much damage and very few people were hurt. Sadly, this wasn't the case back in 1991, when another powerful tremor shook the country, causing widespread damage and casualties. Although the quake was a little before my time - I wasn't even a tadpole back then! - some of the locals remember it well.

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When I'm out exploring the rainforests of Costa Rica, I can't help but wonder what things used to be like a long time ago. Although a lot of people come here for the beaches and tropical climate, others visit Costa Rica to learn more about our rich culture and history. Let's explore how Costa Rica came to be!

Some experts believe that human settlements in Costa Rica can be traced back as far as 10,000 years! However, it wasn't until famous explorer Christopher Columbus landed in the province of Limon in 1508 that the Colonial period of Costa Rica's history began. Before Columbus arrived, the country was referred to as the Intermediate Area, as what is now Costa Rica was nestled between the Mesoamerican and Andean cultural regions to the north and south.

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