Did you ever wish for a tiny, brilliantly colored orange frog as a pet? Something cheerful, exotic, and straight out of a tropical fairy tale? Well… you definitely do not want this one. Despite its small size and jewel-like beauty, this frog is extremely poisonous. Its name is the Poison Dart Frog, and no—sadly—it will […]
Costa Rica's Farmer's Markets
What’s my favorite thing to do in Costa Rica? I can give you a long list—walk on an empty beach at sunrise, listen to howler monkeys at dawn, soak in a hot spring near Arenal—but if I really narrow it down to something that never gets old, something I look forward to every single week, […]
Guide to Renting a Car in Costa Rica, Save Time and Money
Do you want to explore Costa Rica at your own pace, stop when you want, and reach places that tours and shuttles don’t always go? Renting a car is one of the best ways to experience the country—but it can also be confusing, frustrating, and expensive if you are not prepared.This Guide to Renting a […]
Cahuita National Park Costa Rica
If you are thinking of traveling to Costa Rica and want to explore the Caribbean coast, then Cahuita National Park is a unique and rewarding stop that should be on your itinerary. While many travelers focus on Costa Rica’s Pacific beaches or famous volcanoes, the Caribbean side offers a very different rhythm, culture, and atmosphere. […]
Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Migratory Birds?
Let’s travel to Costa Rica and explore one of its most remarkable yet lesser-known natural treasures: Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge. This is a destination that bird lovers, nature enthusiasts, photographers, and travelers seeking an authentic ecological experience will never forget. Known primarily for its incredible concentration of migratory birds, Cano Negro offers a rare […]
The New Golden Door to Living and Retiring in Costa Rica by Christopher Howard
If you are thinking seriously about living in or retiring to Costa Rica, one of the very first resources you should read is The New Golden Door to Living and Retiring in Costa Rica by Christopher Howard. Over the years, countless books and articles have been written about Costa Rica, but this one stands apart. […]
Monteverde, Settled by Quakers
High in the cool, misty mountains of northwestern Costa Rica lies Monteverde, a place that feels suspended between earth and sky. Today it is world-famous for its cloud forests, rare wildlife, and commitment to conservation. Yet long before Monteverde became one of Costa Rica’s most visited eco-tourism destinations, it was shaped by a small group […]
Costa Rica Unique Ecotourism Destinations for the Nature Lover
While working for many years as a travel agent specializing in Costa Rica, I have had the rare opportunity to explore most of this small yet extraordinarily diverse country. Few places on Earth pack so many ecosystems, climates, and species into such a compact area. It is no surprise that Costa Rica has become a […]
The Ethnic Make Up and Character of Costa Rican People
By international standards, Costa Rica is often classified as a third world or developing country. Yet for many visitors, this label feels inaccurate the moment they arrive. Unlike many other developing nations, Costa Rica does not present vast cardboard shanty towns dominating the urban landscape. The people are generally well dressed, public spaces are relatively […]
Should I Include Alajuela, the City of Mangos
When planning a trip to Costa Rica, most travelers immediately think of lush rainforests, pristine beaches, volcanoes, and remote eco-lodges. Cities are often treated as places to pass through rather than destinations in their own right. Yet there is one city in Costa Rica that deserves closer consideration, especially if you want to experience everyday […]