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Javi the Frog's Costa Rica Travel Blog

Welcome to my Costa Rica travel blog, my name is Javi the Frog and I might be famous for my bright hues, but my experiences traveling around Costa Rica have been even more colorful.

While I was growing up, my parents told me lots of stories about all the great things people see when they visit Costa Rica. I knew I had to see it for myself, so I jumped out of my favorite tree and hopped off to see the country.

I've crawled up Arenal Volcano to see its fiery eruptions, and I've trekked to Salsa Brava to tackle the country's toughest waves.

Thanks to my many experiences, I have become an expert on travel in Costa Rica, find out the inside scoop on the best that my country has to offer in my Javi the Frog's Costa Rica Blog.

Hotel Punta Islita pool overlooking the Pacific Ocean

9 Steps for Planning your Visit to Costa Rica

Visiting Costa Rica can be a life-changing trip and expose you to many wonders of nature that can’t be seen anywhere else. Use these 9 steps to help you combat stress and keep it from ruining a perfectly good trip. It’s best to follow these steps in order to have the best experience with your planning and the final trip... [More]

8 Questions All First-Time Costa Rica Visitors Have

Many first-time visitors are nervous to go to an unfamiliar place, and have a lot of questions. This is totally normal! Costa Rica is very tourist-friendly, so there is nothing to worry about. It is smart to do some research though still, which is why you are here!... [More]

Downpour of rain off the coast of Costa Rica

10 Necessary Things to Learn Before Traveling to a Foreign Country

Traveling is a time to be spontaneous, live on the edge, and explore the person you can’t be when you’re at home. However, it is best to get your stuff together beforehand, so you can make the vacation all it can be... [More]

Where do Costa Rican's Vacation in High Season in Costa Rica?

When you live in paradise, you have beauty surrounding you every day. Even so, vacations are still in order for the holidays, especially in December... [More]

Tasting coffee by experts before selling it

Top Places to Find the Best Cup of Coffee in Costa Rica

If you are someone that travels a lot, then you have probably seen many gorgeous places, and had many amazing cups of coffee.

I’m sure the sights and cup o’ Joe were satisfying wherever you were, but, and I may be biased, you won’t find a better landscape or drink a better cup of coffee than when you’re in Costa Rica... [More]

Old car before Duran Sanatorium Chapel, Cartago

Sanatorio Durán: Hauntingly Beautiful

One of the places that I have found most haunting in my travels is Sanatorio Durán. I must admit, I’ve been too scared to take a full tour of the structure; I’ve only hopped around the general premises. I have, however, researched the history of the building, and I have spoken to many travelers and locals that have braved a tour. Here’s what I think you should know about Sanatorio Durán, often referred to as one of the most haunted places in Costa Rica, to help you decide if you want to visit or not... [More]

Pacuare Lodge - Jaguar Villa with private pool overlooking Pacuare River

10 Most Unique Hotels in Costa Rica

If you’re thinking about or preparing to visit Costa Rica, you probably already have an amazing bucket list but you should make room for one more thing: staying at a hotel so unique that you couldn’t find it anywhere else in the world. With its tropical climate and diverse ecosystem, Costa Rica boasts some of the coolest places to stay while on vacation...[More]

Green Violet-ear Hummingbird in Monteverde Reserve

Costa Rica's eight most beautiful birds

While there is so much to look at on the ground and at eye level in Costa Rica, it is nice to know that you can see even more beauty in the skies. Birds are a presence in Costa Rica year round, too. No matter where you go and what time of the year you plan Costa Rica vacations, you'll see beautiful birds flying up above. Here are my favorite species to watch... [More]

Best ruins in Costa Rica

I'm a bit of a history nut, so whenever I have a chance see some of Costa Rica's oldest ruins, I jump on it!

While we don't have anything as famous as Machu Picchu, I believe these ruins are still among the most beautiful in the country....[More]

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]

Rainforest hike in Matapalo next to a Strangler Fig Tree

The Differences Between Cloud Forests and Rainforests

Costa Rica is literally a tropical paradise. Home to around 5 percent of the entire planet's biodiversity, much of the country is covered by lush rainforests and beautiful cloud forests. But what are the differences between the two? [More]

Javi the Frog with magestic Arenal Volcano

Top 5 national parks in Costa Rica

With nearly 27 percent of the land devoted to national reserves and a total of 28 nationals parks, there's no denying that Costa Rica has some truly remarkable standouts of nature. Volcanoes, rain forests, waterfalls and a vast diversity of flora and fauna fill these parks - many of my relatives reside in these areas as well! While it was hard to narrow down a list, here are the top 5 national parks of Costa Rica:...[More]

Actors in procession in Holy Week, San Jose

Top activities during Semana Santa

Topping the list of my favorite holidays, Semana Santa is a celebration during the last week of Lent leading up to Easter. Parades, processions, the best food and mini-festivals fill the streets, and for Costa Ricans, Catholic traditions run deep. Without a doubt, Semana Santa, literally meaning "Holy Week," is one of the most important holidays of the year. Ticos embrace a week off of work, spending downtime with family and friends...[More]

Costa Rica National Hero Juan Santamaria

Who was Juan Santamaria?

If you happen to be hopping around in Costa Rica on April 11th of any given year, you’ll also notice that the entire country, including this frog, is celebrating Juan Santamaría on that day. But what is it that makes this man a legend in Costa Rica?... [More]

Magnificent Howler Monkey in Puerto Viejo forest

Learn all about the monkeys of Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a place with dense wildlife, and that wildlife includes four species of monkeys that I’m going to highlight today: the howler monkey, the spider monkey, the tiny squirrel monkey, and the Capuchin (or white-faced) monkey. I travel through the country constantly, and you can bet that when I look up, I am likely to see some monkeys swinging in the trees above me... [More]

The Best Tropical fruits of Costa Rica

There are many things in Costa Rica that you might not be able to do since your travel time is limited – but the tropical fruits are plentiful, so you have no excuses. I recommend that the following fresh fruits become a part of your visit to Costa Rica... [More]

The 9 Most Popular Foods in Costa Rica

Food in Costa Rica is second only to the country’s beauty. Known for its use of fresh ingredients, like fruits and vegetables, the cuisine in Costa Rica is generally on the mild side... [More]

Fall in Love Romantic Places in Costa Rica

While most people fall in love with Costa Rica itself while visiting, I have heard tales of romance between humans too! I’ve long been in love with my home, and having traveled all over it for years, I can say that I know of a romantic spot or two that will get everyone feeling butterflies in their tummy... [More]

Most beautiful Costa Rica Morpho butterfly

Learn about the unique life of Costa Rican butterflies

Did you know that Costa Rica is home to a massive population of butterflies? These colorful creatures float delicately through the canopies they are truly a sight to see! I've made friends with some butterflies throughout my travels, because I am so intrigued by their patterns and life cycle. You know what else is really cool? The species in Costa Rica make up about 90 percent of all Central American butterflies and 18 percent of the world's species! You can learn so much about these interesting creatures at one of the many butterfly farms and conservatories throughout the country. I'll share some of my favorite places to visit with you maybe you'll love them just as much...[More]

Travel on horseback through Guanacaste

There are so many ways to travel the lands of Costa Rica. For me, I like hopping because I can splash in puddles and jump up to high branches! During my travels, I explore different forms of transportation and one of my favorites is horseback riding. From atop a majestic horse, you can see much more clearly - that is, unless you are very tall! It's a whole new way to experience nature, because humans can feel as though they are a part of it. You can trek through the lush forests, alongside a volcano or on the white-sand beaches...[More]