Plants posts in Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

When some people think about rainforests, images of towering trees and verdant greenery may spring to mind. While you tour the national parks of Costa Rica, you'll also see hundreds of species of tropical plant.

Much of the flora in Costa Rica is perfectly adapted for the conditions here. Some plants use exotic colors to attract insects to spread their pollen, while others, like the renowned Venus fly trap, use camouflage to lure unsuspecting prey into their grasp. Exploring Costa Rica's national parks is like setting foot on another world, and the rich variety of plants that can be found in these dense jungles is truly spectacular.

Although it's a relatively small country, Costa Rica is home to around 5 percent of the entire planet's biodiversity. This means that as you wander through the spectacular rainforests of this beautiful country, you'll see many different species of tropical plant and flower. This amazing vegetation isn't just beautiful to look at, it also plays a crucial role in the delicate ecosystem of the Costa Rican countryside.

So, whether you're spending time hiking up one of Costa Rica's many mountains or rafting down a scenic river, don't forget to keep an eye out for the amazing plants of this fascinating country. If you take some pictures, share them with us on our Facebook page!

- Javi the Frog

Costa Rica national flower, Guaria Morada, Paraiso, Cartago

The Purple Country Girl: History of Costa Rica's National Flower

The national flower of Costa Rica is the purple country girl, called Guaria Morada in Spanish. It is a stunning orchid shining with purple hues and thin, rounded petals. Based on Tico tradition, the flower brings good luck and fortune. It has a long history tied to the land and its inhabitants, and without a doubt, it's my favorite flower!...[More]

How to Spend 6 Days in Beautiful Costa Rica?

When you plan on dedicating six days to your Costa Rica vacation, you have a lot of ways you can spend the time. You should naturally plan it out for when the Costa Rica weather is going to be pristine, so that you can enjoy it to the fullest... [More]

Costa Rica national flower, Guaria Morada

Orchids of Costa Rica

There are many beautiful things in Costa Rica, and the orchid flowers are no exception. Costa Rica’s amazing rainforests are the perfect environment for these colorful flowers, and they are a big draw for tourists. There are over 1,300 discovered species of orchids growing in Costa Rica, and they range in size and color. Many of the species are show-offs, with astonishing scents and color variations... [More]

Costa Rica – It’s Easy Being Green

On a global scale, calling Costa Rica a green country references my homeland’s commitment to conservation, preservation, and being ecofriendly. But if you look around, you can see that Costa Rica is also literally green – from the mountains to the forests to the animals – like me... [More]

Beautiful suspension bridge in Monteverde

The 6 different kinds of Forests in Costa Rica

While Costa Rica’s total land mass may not be impressive, the amount of different species that occupy that small area is certainly impressive. Those species, including wild cats, monkeys and birds, live in the many different types of forests in Costa Rica; many of which are part of a National Park, reserve or refuge... [More]

7 Strangest Rainforest Plants

We know two things for sure about the rainforest; that it is mysterious, and that it has a lot of plants. The combination of these two makes for some pretty weird, okay, incredibly weird stuff...[More]

Guanacaste Tree or Elephant Ear Tree - Costa Rica National Tree

The Guanacaste Tree: History of Costa Rica’s National Tree

The Elephant Ear Tree became the national tree of Costa Rica on August 31, 1959. It was chosen in part because of its greenery and beauty, but also because the shade that it provides is symbolic of the protection ...[More]

Around Beautiful Costa Rica Tour