Our journey home. Can an empty water bottle get me thrown into a Panamanian jail? Maybe. Read on to find out…

On our final day in Costa Rica was spent soaking in hot springs. We learn an important lesson the hard way. Almost every travel tip says do not drive in Costa Rica at night. Read on if you’d like to know why…

Hot Springs surround the Arenal volcano in Costa Rica. As one of the world’s most active volcanoes, it has often spouted lava and rumbled throughout the night (something I hoped to experience). Our scenic mountain drive through coffee fields and villages is a great lead-up to our stay at The Springs, a luxury hot Spring Resort in the shadow of the giant, lava-covered peak. Read on for details and pictures…

Nito leaves without us, and we wait for better weather so a plane can land to fly us out. There are no guarantees. Will we be stranded in the Corcovado? Another family is ahead of us in line (they were supposed to leave yesterday).

The Corcovado exceeds our expectations: rodents, animals, birds, insects, critters, plants, formations, trees, lizards, flowers, sharks, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys—the day is packed with jungle life. Well, except maybe the sharks. Maybe. You decide.

Drama in the Corcovado: I almost kill my brother, Sandi projectile vomits over six feet (which I think is a world record), and I slice off the back of my foot. Despite the setbacks, we trek fourteen miles through the most bio-diverse place on the planet (according to National Geographic). Crocodiles, monkeys, parrots, wild pigs, and a rescue operation to save twelve baby turtles.

Four of us drive to southern Costa Rica to prepare for the Corcovado jungle. We drive over a crocodile. A member of our group is cranky. Read on for all the gory details…

How do the ferries work in Costa Rica? I had no clue. After a crazy mountain drive, a local family adopts us for the night and treats us like family. Maybe ’cause we were family.

We hike all day. To waterfalls. Swimming holes. Deserted beaches. Through the jungle. Montezuma, Costa Rica is heaven. Read to see the the details and pictures.

I sink knee deep in seashells, find a massive iguana with the head the size of a soccer ball, and discover one of the most awesome places on the planet: Montezuma, Costa Rica. Read on for details!

My brother and his Costa Rican wife direct us to the “two best beaches in Costa Rica.” Read on to find out where. Watch out for the howler monkeys!

We arrive in Costa Rica and find out, the hard way, our bank cards aren’t working at the ATMs. How do you survive without cash? Read on and find out…

Our travel day to Costa Rica didn’t go as planned. I’d told Sandi our layover through the night at the Guatemala Airport would be fun and sold her on the Red Carpet Lounge. I really blew it.

Sandi and I went to Costa Rica in December of 2012. We spent two weeks backpacking in Corcovado National Park, hiking in Montezuma, relaxing in Tamarindo, and soaking in hot springs near the Arenal Volcano. I nearly kill my brother on our camping trip, and Sandi perfects her Marge Simpson groan. It’s all here for your enjoyment (and my humiliation).