Top 10 List Series Posts - Page 2 in Javi the Frog's Travel Blog

One of the most common things that I see during my exploration of my home country, Costa Rica, is surfers. I see people from all over the world gathering on the beaches with their most valued possession – their surfboard. There are people that look like they came straight from California – with their long blonde hair and blue eyes – and people from all different races and cultures. I see males and females, adults and children. All of them descend upon Costa Rica with a common goal to find their perfect wave... [More]

Costa Rica is a place of pure beauty, and a country with a lot of places to explore. There is something exciting to do, no matter which province you visit. Here is an overview of each province, and the most highly­-rated activity to do while visiting each... [More]

As with any place though, there are other things to do than what you see in the travel brochures. I would know, I’ve looked at all the brochures, and I’ve hopped all over the country! While adventure is calling in Costa Rica, there are some activities that are just as awesome, even if they are underrated. Here are a few of the most underrated Costa Rica activities, as collected by me over the years... [More]

If you’ve never been to Costa Rica, good for you. I mean, the place is just SO GREEN. You shouldn’t bother going. The government has been so focused on protecting the natural land and environment, that there are just trees and animals everywhere. Seriously, everywhere. Would it kill them to have a couple more Starbucks or a mall for tourists to shop at? Where do they expect us to get our coffee – at the local coffee stands and restaurants run by the locals? I’m pretty sure they grew the coffee themselves, and I just don’t know how to feel about that. At least with Starbucks, I know the coffee beans go through a whole corporate process before they get to me, and I’m sure they are just as fresh as locally­-grown beans... [More]

As a big city, San Jose can seem a bit overwhelming - there is so much to do and to see that you might not know where to start; especially if the city is just kind of a layover in your travel plans. Whether planned or not, your stay in San Jose can be rich with amazing, educational experiences. One activity that is perfect for singles, families, groups, and any other traveler, is a trip to one of the city's many museums... [More]

The thing about Costa Rica is that, as a country, we believe in preserving the natural land, and allowing the animals to live in their natural environment. Because of this, it isn’t guaranteed that every tourist is going to be able to see every animal that they want to see. Sometimes, if the timing is just all wrong, there may not be lots of wildlife around. I’m always sad to meet a tourist that seems disappointed because they didn’t get to see a lot of animals or wildlife – mostly because there are so many other things to appreciate in my homeland! However, if seeing as many animals as you can is your ultimate Costa Rica bucket list, then keep reading to find my picks of the wildest spots in Costa Rica, where you are most likely to see Costa Rica’s animals... [More]

When you visit Costa Rica, you are visiting a country that is so devoted to preserving its own natural environment that 25% of its land is designated as a protected, national park or reserve. That means that the land will never be torn up or torn down for development. That there won’t be deforestation or logging that leaves the land bare. That there won’t be commercial real estate, parking lots, or apartment buildings replacing the lush green forests and displacing the wildlife species that call those areas home... [More]

Whether you are traveling to Costa Rica for the first time ever (congrats!) or heading back, or maybe even just researching your first trip, it helps to know when the local vacation times are for the country... [More]

Your trip to Costa Rica is going to be wonderful and beautiful, but it will require some planning. I know that when I travel through my home country, I try to avoid high traffic times so that I don’t get stuck in traffic jams. While you are on vacation, you may not find yourself in much of a hurry, but you will be trying to see as much of Costa Rica as you can. You might have a short trip, so every minute will count. Getting stuck in traffic jams, or visiting a place at a high traffic time, might mean the difference between you checking something off your bucket list, or saving it for your next trip. I want you to be able to do as much as your heart desires during your trip, so I’m going to share my tips with you for how to avoid traffic jams in Costa Rica...[More]

“Are you traveling alone?” Well yes, yes I am! “Seating for a party of...one?” Yes, it’s just me! Good for you! You are very excited or very scared but either way you’re feeling all the feelings and you’re doing research about your solo trip to help yourself get ready. Don’t worry; you’re going to be great! Or...you might fail a lot, but you’ll probably learn a lot in those situations. Probably... [More]

During my travels, I do sometimes see unfortunate tourists that have gotten sick during their visit to Costa Rica. While this is a total bummer, it doesn't have to ruin your trip, and it isn't dangerous for travelers to be sick in Costa Rica....[More]

“I wish I had traveled less,” said no one ever. If you’re wondering what you should do to make your deathbed more bearable, the answer is travel. There are so many reasons that people can make for deciding to stay at home, in their comfort zone. They will say that it is too expensive; it isn’t safe; they don’t have time... [More]

Sure, you travel a lot. But, are you a great traveler? Are you traveling just so that you can say you did, or are you actually traveling for the experience? No one wants to hear you brag about your trips all the time – unless you have done something incredible with your travel. Give your travel some purpose by making some goals for your traveling alter ego... [More]

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]

There is nothing like walking along a beautiful beach with the sand between your toes, and Costa Rica has many beaches that will accommodate this fun task. But not all sand is the same! Depending on where you are from, or where you have traveled, you might be used to a specific type of sand, but in Costa Rica you will find both black sand and white sand beaches throughout the country. While all the beaches in the country are beautiful, the differences in the type of sand reinforce that all beaches are not the same... [More]

Most of the population in Costa Rica is Catholic, and the churches throughout the country are known around the world for their beauty and historical significance. I like to hop around the country to visit some of the churches during pilgrimages and festivals. Since I am a frog, I’m able to get to places that others can’t! I’m able to hop all the way up to the top towers of the churches so that I can look around with the best view of my beautiful country... [More]

It’s true that most of your time in Costa Rica should be spent outdoors, exploring my beautiful home country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have some fun indoors too!... [More]

Have you ever been on a guided tour while you were on vacation? Whether it is a bus tour, a sport fishing tour, a hiking tour or something else, did you ever wonder what the tour guide is really thinking? They meet and interact with several groups of people every day, so they must have some great stories. Here are 10 things that your tour guide might be thinking:... [More]

I have to say that Tortuguero, in Limon, really gets me excited. Tortuguero has it all and its mix of water and land attractions really makes it the place to go for the perfect Costa Rica vacation... [More]