National Parks and Reserves Posts - Page 4 in Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

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]

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]

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of my favorite wildlife refuges in Costa Rica. Aside from the fact that several of my brothers and sisters live there, the views of the Pacific Coast are amazing! That's not the only reason you should visit this beautiful park, though. If you're the adventurous type, you can explore the treetops of the jungles surrounding Manuel Antonio on an exciting canopy tour. Come with me to learn more about these thrilling excursions through the rainforest!...[More]

As any traveler will tell you, Costa Rica is a tropical paradise that boasts a scenic beauty and biodiversity unlike anywhere else in the world. No matter where in the country their adventure may take them, visitors will find plenty to see, do and explore throughout the Central American nation. Guests will get more out of their trip if they plan to visit an entire region rather than spend all of their time in urban centers like San Jose, and a journey across the Caribbean coast is a great place to start....[More]

Known as one of the wettest parks in Costa Rica, Tapanti-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte National Park spans about 360 square miles along the northern slopes of Cordillera de Talamanca, which sits along the border of Panama and Costa Rica. As a tree frog, this is a great place to hop along because the scenery is so diverse. Hundreds of rivers, including the Orosi River, flow through this park, leading to stunning waterfalls. For me, the thick vegetation and mossy land is perfect, but there is plenty for humans to enjoy here as well...[More]

I may say this all the time, but Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica! Although I travel all around the country, my froggy heart is in the rainforest and Santa Elena is a unique area because it is actually a cloud forest. This means that the clouds settle into the forest, providing moisture for the plants and animals that live here. I know some humans think fog is creepy, but it's so serene here! If you are walking along the trails of this reserve, you'll notice dangling roots, lush forested areas and - of course - plenty of animals...[More]

It's no secret that there are many different species of animals in Costa Rica - and I've met quite a few of them! One of my favorite animals is the manatee. They are such nice creatures and are incredibly gentle. One time, I hopped on the back of one in Tortuguero National Park and I saw the park like never before! But you don't have to be a small tree frog to swim with the manatees; humans can just as easily go diving or snorkeling alongside these fragile mammals. Even if you're staying in Costa Rica all inclusive resorts, you may want to take a side trip to view these majestic creatures...[More]

What better way to experience the beauty of Costa Rica than from up along the canopies like all the native animals? Zip lining or Canopy Tours as it is often called in Costa Rica is a perfect adventure for humans - but not as easy for frogs like me - because you get to speed through the air high above the treetops! The first time I saw someone on a Superman zip line, I thought it was a large bird flying above! People go whizzing through the sky at high speeds, and get a view of Costa Rica that I'll never get to see...[More]

No matter where you travel in Costa Rica, it seems as though you´ll always find toucans living high in the trees. Although that's a bit of an exaggeration, toucans can be found in many national parks throughout the country. There are six different species (Channel Bill Toucan, Red Bill Toucan, Chestnut-Mandible Toucan, Toco Toucan, Bright-billed Toucans) that I´ve seen soaring through the trees and playing games with one another - you can see them flinging berries to each other! From the Pacific Slope to the Caribbean lowlands, you can spot one of these colorful birds...[More]

When it comes to exploring the rugged countryside of Costa Rica, nothing beats a long hike through the rainforest. If you're up for a challenge, and want to enjoy some of the most spectacular views in Costa Rica, why not go hiking through Chirripo National Park?...[More]

One of my favorite places to visit in Costa Rica is Drake Bay, or Bahia Drake as natives call it. It's a small bay on the north side of Osa Peninsula, and I love going there because I have so many friends that live in Corcovado National Park! This wildlife preserve is about as wild as "wilderness" can get and takes up about the third of the peninsula. The weather in Costa Rica is always perfect, so no matter what time of year you visit you'll be able to experience all this area has to offer, no matter what your preferred mode of travel is...[More]

The Costa Rican government takes protecting the environment very seriously. After all, the rainforests that cover much of this small Central American country are home to approximately 5 percent of the world's biodiversity, so it's important that the delicate balance of nature be preserved for future generations. Visitors spending time in Costa Rica can enjoy the stunning natural beauty of this tropical paradise on eco-tourism excursions, and there's no better place to go wild in Costa Rica than the Osa Peninsula in Puntarenas...[More]

Scuba diving in around Costa Rica's Isla del Caño is like discovering a secret world. This verdant atoll is located off the coast of Drake Bay in the Osa Peninsula, the waters of which are home to a diverse array of marine life including sea turtles, eels, manta rays, dolphins and hundreds of species of fish. For adventurous explorers visiting this tranquil part of Costa Rica, there are endless opportunities to enjoy this stunning underwater world firsthand...[More]

When you're planning what to do in Costa Rica, you should add the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge on the Caribbean coast to your list! I might be a little biased, but this is truly one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica. All of my brothers and sisters and I grew up in this area, and we have so many tree frog friends here - and many other animal species, too! The park is tucked along the Caribbean coast south of Limon and bordered by the Caribbean Sea to the east. Located just a few kilometers north of the Panama border, this wildlife refuge protects several rare and stunning habitats that are home to an abundant array of flora and fauna. The borders of this refuge are not completely defined, but it covers about 50 square kilometers of land and about the same amount of protected sea. This park was actually established so that a few of the country's last coral reefs were saved! Although I've never been to the coral reefs - it's hard for frogs to swim that far - I've heard so many amazing things about these and many people go snorkeling here to view them. Costa Rica all inclusive resorts are pretty sparse in this area so you may want to stay in nearby Puerto Viejo or just spend the afternoon in this region...[More]

You know you're going somewhere special when the only means of transportation is by plane or boat! Although I can travel to Tortuguero much easier than humans, this tiny town in Limon has no roads leading to it. I've heard that getting there is an experience in itself. A boat ride will take you along the Canal de Tortuguero through towering rainforests and vast wetlands. You'll want to keep all eyes and ears open on this journey because Tortuguero is primarily populated by wildlife! When you're planning what to do in Costa Rica, make sure a visit to Tortuguero, Limon, is on the list...[More]