Book Description

Stroll through pristine cloud forests and peer into simmering volcanoes, catch the perfect turquoise wave and howl back at howler monkeys, gaze at the waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific from the top of Mt Chirripo - Costa Rica is an adventurer's dream.Packed with expert advice on making the most of your trip, our authoritative guide will help you discover your own paradise in the land of pura vida.

• GET WILD - our full-color wildlife guide gets you in touch with the swingers, the swimmers and the slitherers • GO NATURAL - an expert ecologist gives you the scoop on Costa Rica's stunning national parks in our environment chapter • TAKE IT OUTSIDE - our adventure travel chapter has you covered, from hiking and surfing to rafting and kayaking • GET AROUND - 77 user-friendly maps, more than any other guidebook to Costa Rica • REST EASY - from treehouse hammocks to luxury ecolodges, accommodations to please every style and budget ... Read more

Book Description

The most comprensive guide for surfers traveling to Costa Rica. Details over 70 breaks on both coasts and over 100 hotels nearest the breaks. Includes a helpful tips section including what to pack and how to pack surfboards. Many maps and helpful driving directions. A down-and-dirty backpack ready guide. If Indiana Jones surfed, this would be his guide to this most perfect of surf destinations. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

If you surf, don't even stop to think about it...just buy it
It's nearly impossible to put a price on the value of the information in this book if you surf. So at $21, it's an absolute steal.

The book is simply crammed with detailed, up to date information on where to surf, stay and eat in Costa Rica. And in a country that's tough to get around, Parise's information can save you tons of wasted travel time.

I can't recommend this book enough if you're planning a trip to Costa Rica to surf. Trust me...you'll be thankful to have this incredibly informational resource in your possession.

indispensable for the serious tico surf traveller!
it is written in common parlance, and therefore it is easy to understand. I can tell when reading this that the author speaks from experience. he mentions many things to avoid, and important handy tips that will make your surfing stay much more enjoyable. he also realizes the importance of getting as much "surf time" as possible by delineating routes that will minimize the time driving, and maximize time in the tube.
also it is written in a lighthearted fashion that reminds you that you are on a surf trip, and helps you forget the stresses of being in completely different country.
on the downside, there are a few comments in this book that are not the most considerate. for example, this book somehow assumes that the reader is a man and tackles the subjects of jock itch, balls (testicles), and lugging your girlfriend/wife around. a female friend who surfs found this aspect a tad inconsiderate. however, these trespasses are a mere annoyance, which does not discredit this from being an overall very good book.

Awesome book a must for costa rica
My hat goes off for Mike Parise, job well done. A super book for anyone wanting to ride waves. a lot of other great information as well about being able to survive in a different culture. Made my trip much more enjoyable and was a book that I picked up the first day in Costa Rica at a surf shop. Great work period.

Worth its weight in gold if you're surfing CR
If you're planning on going down to Costa Rica to surf, the only two books you need are this one (a must have to learn about all the breaks) and the Moon Handbooks: Costa Rica by Christopher P. Baker. Forget the others. I bought them and found them useless.

Don't surf CR without it
I took this book with me to Costa Rica a couple of years ago and it was worth every penny and them some. Everything including the tips on packing, where to stay, and where to surf was good, solid, useful information. The maps were a little crude, but there are driving instructions on how to get to the breaks. (To be fair, the author does not claim that this is a map book and recommends a company that specializes in road maps.) The book focuses on those issues and needs from the perspective of a traveling surfer, nothing in here about kayaking or bird watching. There are several charts, organized by location, showing dozens of places to stay with information about prices and amenities. Like most surfers, I don't like to commit to a place and time weeks in advance, so it really helps to have a handy reference to local lodging (especially in a foreign country). Given how hard it is to describe how a spot will break at all times on all tides, the description of the surf breaks was generally accurate (at least on the dozen or so spots I did visit). If you're traveling to Costa Rica to surf, take this book. ... Read more

Book Description

Imagine yourself living in Costa Rica. You stroll home past lush vegetation after a long day of surfing. You know the locals and speak Spanish with ease. You show visiting friends around with the confidence of one who belongs. Author Erin Van Rheenen shows you how to make your dream take shape. She left her life as a guidebook editor in the San Francisco Bay Area to make a home abroad in Costa Rica. While some give up-daunted by the financial, bureaucratic, and decision-making issues that accompany a move so extraordinary-you'll be led step-by-step through the information you need on visas, money, jobs, housing, safety, language, culture, and history. Erin has done the research and made the mistakes-so you don't have to. There's a place that matches your budget, needs, and dreams: perhaps it's an impressive new condominium in the upper-class San José suburb of Escazú, a wooden house on stilts in the isolated Caribbean coast town of Tortuguero, or a mountain retreat with a view of the Arenal Volcano. You can make it happen. With Living Abroad in Costa Rica, it's easier than you think. ... Read more

Book Description

Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Costa Rica features gorgeous color photos of the lush rain forest, the amazing array of wildlife, and the spectacular beaches that await you. Personally researched by a longtime resident, it's the only truly up-to-date guide that gives you such in-depth coverage of this fast-changing country, with recommended accommodations in every price category. You'll visit rugged wilderness preserves and sleepy beach towns, spectacular orchid gardens and mineral hot springs at the foot of a steaming volcano. There are adventures here to suit all ages and abilities: swooping from treetop platform to treetop platform on a canopy tour, taking a dip in a jungle swimming hole, spotting playful spider monkeys as you hike through lush foliage, windsurfing on Lake Arenal, or watching endangered sea turtles nest on the beach. With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience the wonder of Costa Rica's amazing biodiversity, as we point out the best places to see hundreds of unique, colorful species of animals and plants. You'll even get a color fold-out map! ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (5)

A good guide book, even if you're not retiring there!
This was actually a really help guide while traveling in Costa rica. Like the firtst reviewer, I also appreciated the Web link that keeps you abreast of changes in Costa Rica through frequent updates of the information in the book.

Another Globe Pequot Press book I bought, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made," was helpful before I went. It's an essay-photo book on the country's various histories- political, geological, cultural -that would actually be VERY helpful for anyone considering working or retiring there.

Choose Costa Rica For Retirement
I live in Costa Rica and can attest to the value of this book. Yes, other books are better factually but this book captures the vibe and Tico mentality perfectly. Worthwhile for anyone looking to spend extended time in Costa Rica.

Not Complete as We Thought
This guide seems to be far too subjective rather than factual . My husband and I found it to be incomplete in several key areas. It is not as detailed as several of the other guides on the subject. We have read them all since we live in Costa Rica.

A good feel for the country
This book not only provides a tremendous amount of valuable information on virtually every aspect of living in Costa Rica, it gives you a true feeling of what it's like to live there. Most other books just provide the information. This one puts it in a perspective that allows you to understand all the nuances of the country and understand truly what living there is like. I especially like the day in the life of the author, where he lists what he does during the day from waking up on.

If you only buy one book, I'd buy this one. The Golden Book is also good, but this is better.

Informative and enteraining read on Costa Rica
Choose Costa Rica is a wonderful guide for anyone who is looking for a safe, affordable, and enjoyable place to spend one's retirement or to start a business. Particularly helpful is the detailed description of the most interesting and hospitable communities throughout the country. Not only does this book provide a wealth of information about such bread and butter matters as laws, prices, weather, and the like, but it also paints an irresistible picture of the country's natural beauty that draws so many travelers and new residents.

Howells obviously knows his way around and he does a great job of sharing his extensive knowledge with his readers and helping them to understand what is so special about the country. I found it useful as a first-time visitor because of its beneath-the-surface treatment of subjects ignored by the hotel and restaurant guidebooks.

The case studies of people who have gone into business there helped me to think through not only the potentialities, but also the risks and potential hazards of following their examples.

I also appreciated the Web link to a site that keeps you abreast of changes in Costa Rica through frequent updates of the information in the book.

Altogether, I highly recommend Choose Costa Rica to anyone who would like to explore the possibilities "the Switzerland of the Americas" offers, either in a new career or after retirement. ... Read more

Book Description

Costa Rica’s friendly three million people, or Ticos as they affectionately call themselves, invite you to come and experience their tranquil country, with its long and beautiful coastlines, alluring waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific, pristine beaches and some of the most picturesque surroundings you have ever laid your eyes on. Many visitors say Costa Rica is even more beautiful than Hawaii, and best of all, still unspoiled. In Fact, Costa Rica took over Hawaii’s place as best adventure destination last year, as revealed by the publication Pacific Business News, of Honolulu. Costa Rica has Hawaii’s weather, spectacular green mountains, and beaches without the high prices. The country offers more beauty and adventure per acre than any other place in the world. In the heart of the Central Valley, surrounded by beautiful rolling mountains and volcanoes, sits San Jos, today’s capital and largest city in the country. Viewed from above, this area looks like some parts of Switzerland.Downtown San Jos is always bustling with activity. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

All the Right Answers in Just One Book
With an eye to retirement in a tropical country, we begged, borrowed and bought a half-dozen books about relocating to the country that appeared to be the perfect choice for Americans -- Costa Rica.

Christopher Howard's "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" was one of the batch, and it proved to be head and shoulders above any other reference. Indeed, we were so taken with his thorough, straightforward account, we signed on for one of his tours to the Central Pacific and San Jose/Central Highlands areas.

Chris is gifted in being able to quickly cover a lot of ground with precision, not only in his no-nonsense book but in person, showing off the very best opportunities in his beautiful country to wannabe expats. His expertise in all Tico topics comes from long residence in the heart of Costa Rica, wide acquaintance with both natives and newcomers throughout the region, fluency in the charming local Spanish idiom and genuine love for this small paradise.

Thinking of moving to this delightful country? The trip starts with Christopher Howard's book. And taking one of his fantastic tours assures you'll make the right move in the right way.

Don't leave for Costa Rica without it!
This is the best book that I have read regarding retirement and living in this beautiful country named Costa Rica.The fact that it is updated yearly, by someone who lives in Costa Rica full time, keeps me up to date and helps me avoid potential costly mistakes.It's almost like having Christopher Howard, who wrote this fantastic guide, as a personal friend and advisor.

Don't Leave Home Without it!

"Never before have I been so thoroughly prepared for moving to a new location as I was after reading "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living In Costa Rica". In fact, after arriving here, I was utterly and continuously amazed at how much valuable knowledge I had previously obtained through reading this book. Furthermore, I find it indispensable as a constant reference source for day-to-day operations. Subsequently I had purchased two similar, popular guide books and after several attempts at trying to read them, I find that they are incapable of holding my attention."

Another Masterpiece by Howard
I have read the last five editions and everyone of them has been worth its weight in gold to me here in Costa Rica. However, this edition is the best ever. I recommend it to anyone who is going to make the move or invest here. Words can't say enough about this time proven product.

I've also been on two of Mr. Howard's retirement tours and found them to be very helpful. ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (26)

Worth Reading
I found "Potholes to Paradise" extremely informative as a
comprehensive tourist guide or even a reference for a potential
resident. I appreciated the simplicity the book had to offer, providing easily grasped details on the benefits of Costa Rica. One does not get bombarded with confusing details as most comparitive books of this nature present. It especially appeals to anyone desiring to live somewhere that offers a more cost effective medical system! I can relate to the radical change relocating can impose. I wish there had been such a reference when we moved to Florida from Canada. Reading this book makes me wonder whether I shouldn't move yet another time! After visiting the Borners' Bed and Breakfast (Posada Mimosa), it is probably as close to paradise as you'll find.

Required Reading
"Potholes to Paradise" is a fantastic book. It is a must read for anyone thinking of going to live or do business in Costa Rica. The information is excellent. It will take you step by step through almost any situation you might encounter.This book will help to smooth over the bumps that may occur on any new adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed Tessa's writing style and forthrightness. Continued best wishes in paradise.

I found it helpful
I did like that it was "part diary, part travelogue, part advice column" instead of so straightforward a text. Desultory, yes, but inviting--sort of like REAL travel and life abroad!

Another book I found helpful before my "relocation-research trip" was a photo-essay book called, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made." It too gave me a feeling for the country in a randomized sort of way. But that's not to say it wasn't wonderful information and insight into Tico culture--like Borner's book!

Save Your Money
The authors can't be serious! I really didn't get any benefit from this book. I just moved to Costa Rica and didn't learn much from it. It just doesn't contain enough info. for the potential resident. I read other books on the subject and prefer "The New Golden Door" and "Choose Costa Rica." The authors of these guides really seem to know the scoop.

Tessa Hits It Nicely
My wife and I read Tessa's book before going to Costa Rica with the idea that we might settle there as she and her husband did. Not only did we get great info from Tessa's book, we made a personal connection through it that led us to having a fabulous time and learning way more than we had anticipated. This book is a must read for anyone contemplating moving to Costa Rica. Cheap way to benefit from Tessa's experiences. ... Read more

Book Description

The updated and expanded 2002-2003 12th edition of the New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica offers invaluable assistance to anyone looking for a safe, affordable place to live outside the United States. This useful book contains all the ins and outs and dos and dont's and much more indispensible secret insider information about all areas of living in Costa Rica. It guides you step by step and shows how to live on a budget; how to start a business and includes 100s of sure-fire tips for making money; how to stay busy and happy ; where to; live in Costa Rica; how to aquire residency; shortcuts for learning Spanish; how to take advantage of the many tax savings for foreign residents(make up to $80,000 a year tax free), how to find high-interest investments paying 13% or more annually; how to make the break from the rat race and start a new exciting life; and even how and where to find quality peo!ple for companionship. - ... Read more

Reviews (29)

Informative but more and more out of date and unrealistic
Although there is good general information in Mr. Howard's book, when I moved to Costa Rica from California three months ago I was taken aback at how much of the information is no longer true. The major flaw really is that sufficient change has occurred in Costa Rica between the writing and publishing of this book so as to make it absolutely inaccurate in certain areas (cell phones take up to a year to get while home phones take 3 - 6 months) and misleading in others ("Live for less than you ever dreamed possible and enjoy all the amenities of home" is considerably more difficult to accomplish now than the book suggests. Perhaps this change occurred after this edition was published as I notice real estate prices are listed as of 1998.)This is too bad as the reality of being here contradicts the general tone of the book - a rather serious flaw in a book entitled "the New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica"). I think this book is just too dated to present an accurate portrayl of Cost Rican opportunities in 2002: whatever great deals once existed are raidly being relaced by North American prices with the lower Tico-standard level of service. (The offshoot of this overall ratchetting up of prices is also not adequately addressed: the thriving community of those deliberately targeting North Americans, and in particular, anyone who is not fluent enough in Spanish to pass for a Tico. This ranges from blatant everyday discrimination such as the common practice of openly and automatically charging higher prices to foreigners in terms of house rentals etc to more criminal acts of intent to deceive that seem remarkably impervious to prosecution.)

My advice? Get your general knowledge from a guide like Fodor's, skip the inevitably dated and "fluffy" guidebooks to retirement, come to Costa Rica and attend a "warts and all" newcomers seminar sponsored by the Costa Rican Resident's Association (the best bit of information in Mr. Howard's book), and wait for the next and more accurate edition of The Golden Door to emerge.

This Book is a Godsend
A few years ago I moved from to Costa Rica from Venezuela. If I hadn't read "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" I would have been lost. The information in the book made my move a lot easier. It helped learn how things really work here and provided some excellent business advice. This useful book is really a "Golden Door" since it's worth its weight in GOLD.

Excellent Factual Handbook
If you want a book with some great, pretty pictures of life in Costa Rica, I would recommend Insight Guide's "Costa Rica". If you want some real meat from someone who knows the ropes, then "The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica" is the book for you.

Yes, there's typos. I should probably take a star off for this. But the value of the information contained in this book more than makes up for afewmissing whitespacecharacters. Although the typos are slightly annoying, I have not found any of them to be critical.

I normally would have a problem with a book that has this many ads strewn throughout it, but in this case the ads, the urls, the email addresses, and the recommended resources Chris has selected are valuable tools which will save you days of time which would normally be wasted trying to find a reliable Costa Rican attorney, a good book on buying real estate in Costa Rica, or which insurance companies you can depend on.

I found the chapter on Red Tape: Dealing with Bureaucracy particularly enlightening and practical. Overall the book has helped me considerably in planning my retirement in Costa Rica.

Best Book About Costa Rica on the Planet
I`ve been wanting to meet the author, Christopher Howard, ever since I purchased his book last August. Even though compliments are probably getting to be "old hat" to Mr. Howard by now, I feel that his book is the DEFINITIVE work on the subject. I have browsed through many books on Costa Rica, but I DEVOURED this one! Now I`m "chomping at the bit" to visit the country. Also, I`m willing to bet my retirement that Mr. Howard is "The Boss" when it comes to ALL information about Costa Rica. I hope to meet him someday to thank him for writing a book that has CHANGED my life.

I Want the Author on My Team
I'm currently developing the largest real estate project in the Central Pacific area of Costa Rica. It is called Rancho Monterey. With a project of such magnitude I have surrounded myself with the most competent people in Costa Rica. Christopher Howard is one of the experts I have chosen to work with. Together with some of the world's top investment consultants, Christopher has been one of the speakers at our seminars. Mr. Howard has unparalleled knowledge about the country. I recommend his book to all of my clients who are interested in learning about the Costa Rica. I constantly use his guide as a reference source. ... Read more

Amazon.com

As ecotourism booms, it's only natural that eco-themed guidebooks would boom alongside it. The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guides series, endorsed by the Wildlife Conservation Society and researched by professional biologists, is one ofthe more credible brands to have surfaced in the swelling ecotravel ranks. The series provides an encyclopedic introduction to Central America's flora and fauna, as well as a friendly primer on the principles of ecotourism. These rich ecologicalcontexts are accompanied by hundreds of pictures and photographs. Miraculously, the guides deliver solid science without growing stilted or boring--as evinced by sections with such titles as "Avian Mating Systems and Birds That Cheat" and "Frugivory: Animals That Eat Fruit and the Trees That Want Them To." The one elementin surprisingly short supply is ecologically sound travel tips, from general do's and don'ts to a list of ecologically responsible tour operators and other eco-friendly establishments in CostaRica. This is somewhat discouraging--learning how to travel responsibly is as important as knowing what you're going to see. Though the book isn't quite a one-stop information source for the ecologically minded, it's an excellentguide to the natural wonders that make Costa Rica such a rewarding destination.--Andrew Nieland ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Not enough coverage
I took this book with me to Costa Rica so that I could spot and identify commonly-seen birds and wildlife there.

The first part of the book contains an overview about Eco-traveling that could have been summarized a bit more. The book conveniently places details about wildlife in the center of the book, and puts the illustrations in the back so that you can do faster lookups.

Although I appreciate the emphasis on Eco-travel, I found this book rather disappointing when used as a reference. Some of the birds I saw more than once were not listed at all. There are few illustrations of what the birds look like in flight and there is little about age- or gender-based differences in appearance. Also, although the wildlife coverage is fairly good for reptiles and amphibians, there is very little about marine or plant life.

I'm still relatively new to birding, but if I could do it again, I would have paid the additional cost and bought the Stiles and Skutch book.... If you're not a bird watcher and you're just looking for a basic 'wild life' identifier, I would suggest skipping the book, and instead, buying one of those laminated 'bird/wildlife identification' cards that you can find for about $10 in many of the visitor-oriented shops around Costa Rica.

A must-carry reference for the ecotourist in Costa Rica!
This is the first really comprehensive, backback-suitable wildlife guide for ecotouring in Costa Rica that I've come across. It combines information from the best possible sources and includes much of what you are likely to encounter in various regions of the country. Well-organized and easy to use, this is a must-carry reference guide! My thanks and congratulations to the author!

good but not great
For 30% less of the cost of this book, you could (as I did) pick up a superior book that details the history of conservation in the country's diverse geographical zones (seacoasts, prairies, jungles and volcanic highlands). That book is "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made."

A Versatile Guide
This is a pretty good guide and introduction to the wildlife of Costa Rica and fills a particular need. Costa Rica is full of wildlife and as a consequence there are many wildlife guides out there. Many of these guides, while technically excellent, are too specialized for the basic tourist exploring the country. The problem is that one cannot carry all of these guides into the field at one time. This book consolidates wildlife encountered by a visitor into one book that fits readily into your pack. If you can only carry one guide, this is good choice.

excellent nature guide
This guide has got three sections: an introduction to the neotropical ecosystems, a description of families of animal, and a section with pictures, for purposes of identification.
The second section is for people who are willing to dig deeper into this stuff, the first section gives a good introduction into Casta Rica and it's ecology.
To shallow for professionals, to deep for absolute beginners (only the last section will appeal to them), but very good stuff for the informed layman! ... Read more

Book Description

From exploring mist-shrouded Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve marveling at Arenal Volcano's spectacular eruptions to visiting artisan cooperatives and Indian reserves, Moon Handbooks Costa Rica is the guide to the best this country has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with real judgments so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat-without hassles or regrets. Practical information includes maps, photographs, illustrations, and suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. Complete with details for enjoying an array of outdoor adventures, such as bicycling, bungee jumping, surfing, sport fishing, wildlife viewing, and off-road driving, Moon Handbooks Costa Rica gives you the tools you need to create a personal and memorable experience. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Blows away other CR travel books for off the beaten path
If you are planning to travel extensively in Costa Rica or concentrate on a particular region, this is your guide book.

I recently got back from an off road trip of Guanacaste and Mr. Baker left no stone unturned. Couple this book with his National Geographic Costa Rica book, which highlights well the major Costa Rica attractions (and more higher end lodging and dining), and you will not be disappointed.

If you are used to upper end accomodations, be aware that you will not generally find that for less than $75 per night, as listed in Mr. Baker's book.

Concerning the organization, Costa Rica's sights are vast. So if you are hitting the highlights: get the National Geographic guide book. You can't help a little disoraganization, as there is no straight line path through the country.

If you do travel off the path, be prepared to call Mr. Baker, "swash buckler", as we did...

One of the best guide books I've used
Having traveled extensively on five continents, I know a good guide book when I see one. On two five week adventures traveling through Costa Rica by bicycle, backpacking, bus, car and boat my wife and I found Baker's book invaluable for locating food and lodging to suit our moods from adventurous and a little crazy to predictable and comfortable. This book is very practical, containing all the information you need to see the 'attractions' of Costa Rica but also includes descriptions of out of the way places and back-doors into some of the National Parks if you want some solitude or a unique experience. I'm anxiously awaiting the new edition slated for December of 1998 release.

A Great Travel Guide
We have just returned from a four-week trip to Costa Rica. We bought three guides to plan the trip: the Moon Handbook, Lonely Planet, and Footprint. Of these the Moon Guide was by far the best. Author Christopher Baker has a great way of identifying interesting places to stay, eat, and visit and helping the reader visualize what they are like. As a result we discovered mnay exceptional places to stay and found that his desciptions were right on target. If you are planning more than a one-week quicky to Costa Rica this is the guide to plan your trip.

Returning travel guide
If there was ever a travel guide that was boring, this has to be it. Most guides have some type of color in them as well as better maps. I could see the pages easily tearing or getting worn on a trip. Tons of reading, but unable to quickly find necessary information. We really need a DK Eyewitness Guide for Costa Rica, maybe the DK guides are not as comprehensive, but it sure is easy to find information quickly.

naturewonder
Very nice book. Not so many pictures but great and reliable information. Especially the remarks about the accomodations were really good. A bit heavy in your backpack but a MUST for every traveller to costa rica ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Unspoiled beaches, tropical jungles, volcanic mountains, exotic wildlife-Costa Rica's natural areas and preserves offer remarkable geographical and biological diversity for adventure-loving travelers. With complete profiles of forty accessible parks and preserves, including five newly protected areas, this book guides visitors through the unique terrain, and discusses each area's climate, flora, and fauna. Whether you are a hiker seeking a panoramic view from a volcanic summit, a kayaker longing to glide downriver under a jungle canopy, or a naturalist eager to observe an incredible array of exotic wildlife, this guide is the key to exploring Costa Rica's best natural areas with an emphasis on environmental awareness.

Explorers will find descriptions of hikes, nature walks, and water trails, plus information on each park's facilities, attractions, and history. Hikes range from short walks to extended backpacking trips, and a complete planning section details when to go, what to expect, what to bring, and health precautions. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Excellent resource for the nature-conscious traveler
Contrary to the last review, we found this book to be extremely useful, and it contained background information and useful maps (such as the area around Sirena ranger station in Corcovado) not contained in other more general guidebooks. Also, there is a considerable amount of natural history information that was not contained in the other books that we had with us, such as the Lonely Planet guide.

Waste of paper!
This book provides very little practical information. I purchased this book hoping it would contain more info on the parks than the standard Costa Rica guidebooks. I was sadly disappointed. The other guide books such as The New Key to Costa Rica and Moon's Handbook provide as much and in some cases more info on the parks than this guide. Plus they provide all the other information such as hotels, restaurants and transportation.
Save your money. I wish I had.

Recommended for nature lovers
(From Planeta Journal) - One of the first guidebooks to focus on the parks and preserves, this book is now in its second edition. It's an invaluable resource for visitors who'd like to get to know Costa Rica's lesser known parks and includes trail directions, dozens of hikes and descriptions of local flora and fauna. The new, second edition of this book includes five new national parks and preserves, plus updated and expanded descriptions of all 40 of Costa Rica's protected areas.

Great Book!
Hi, I am working at ILISA Spanish Language Institute in San Jose, Costa Rica and I just want to say that this book helps our students a lot by giving them helpful inside information and thus by getting to know all the ins and outs about this fantastic country. Thanks!

A wonderful guide to a wonderful place!
This book made my trip to Costa Rica much more enjoyable than if I hadn't brought it with me. It provides a wealth of information about the natural and human history of the parks and preserves system. I heartily recommend it to anybody traveling to that beautiful country. ... Read more

Book Description

One of over 400 titles in the Insight series,

Insight Guide Costa Rica. This 298-page book includes a section detailing Costa Rica's history, 8 features covering the country's life and culture, ranging from the spectacular plant life to the best coffee in the worldallegedly, a region by region visitor's guide to the sights, and a comprehensive Travel Tips section packed with essential contact addresses and numbers. Plus 283 impressive photographs and 7 maps, including a National Parks and Reserves map. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

disappointing and unhelpful...
...i lugged this around and liked, at first, looking at the pics -- however this book is not comprehensive in the least to the even slightly curious and adventuresome traveler. this is a tourist guide, not a travelling guide. fyi!

very good guidance - like Rick Steves
Although I find the large Insight Guides to be useless, the pocket guides have worked VERY well for me in Morocco and in Costa Rica. By being condensed, they choose very interesting itinaries for you.

Comprehensive and thorough with great photos
Vacation photos are the ubiquitous, clichéd chronicle of the average person's travels. Yet few travel books include more than a small smattering of so-so photos, offering only a peek at a destination's sights and environs; even though a great deal of our travel memories and experiences are through images. This book, along with the Insight Guides series in general, is different, offering a comprehensive set of fantastic photos that not only showcase the sights, but bring the details, richness, and life (some gorgeous, some gritty) of Costa Rica closer.

The accompanying text, while a bit uncharacteristic (likely due to editorial consistency), is informative and comprehensive, giving you a great overview of Costa Rica, its history, its people, and places of interest. Its travel information, such as lodgings, appears targeted towards middle-class travelers, although it touches on a wide range of styles and budgets. And when you're ready to plan your itinerary the maps outshine those of any other guide book, and are good enough to use on your trip, even for 90% of the driving most folks are likely to do.

Other guidebooks might offer more in-depth and "insider" information with a particular slant (e.g. the excellent, down-to-earth, and environmentally conscious book by Harry S. Pariser, "Explore Costa Rica") but the Insight Guide should be the first one you buy to "see" where your travels might take you.

Beautiful & Informative
Features: the People, National Parks, Places to go, Travel tips, Tropical Forest, Ecosystems. Wonderful pictures. A must, if going to or studying Costa Rica. Worth every cent. ... Read more

Book Description

INTRODUCTION

Hemmed in between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans near the narrowest point of the Central American isthmus, the tiny republic of Costa Rica is often pictured as an oasis of political stability in the midst of a turbulent region. This democratic and prosperous nation is also one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, an ecological treasure house whose varied habitats – ranging from rainforests and beaches to volcanoes and mangrove swamps – support a fascinating variety of wildlife, much of it now protected by an enlightened national conservation system which is widely regarded as a model of its kind.

Though this idyllic image might not do justice to the full complexities of contemporary Costa Rican society, it’s true that the country’s long democratic tradition and complete absence of military forces (the army was abolished in 1948) stand in sharp contrast to the brutal internal conflicts which have ravaged its neighbours, while the country has also largely escaped the natural disasters which have afflicted so many other Central American states. This reputation for peacefulness has been an important factor in the spectacular growth of Costa Rica’s tourist industry – up to a million visitors are expected to visit the country during the year 2002, mainly from North America. Most of all, though, it’s the country’s outstanding natural beauty which has made it one of the world’s prime eco-tourism destinations, with visitors coming to walk trails beneath the vaulting canopy trees of million-year-old rainforests; to climb the volcanoes that punctuate the country’s mountainous spine; or to explore the high-altitude cloudforest, home to the jaguar, the lumbering tapir and the resplendent quetzal.

Admittedly, tourism has made Costa Rica less of an "authentic" experience than some travellers would like: it’s hard to go anywhere in the country without bumping into white-water rafters or surfers, and more and more previously remote spots are being bought up by foreign entrepreneurs. Still, few Costa Ricans have anything bad to say about their country’s popularity with visitors – perhaps simply because they know which side their bread’s buttered. But as more hotels open, malls go up, and foreigners flock to the country, there’s no doubt the country is experiencing a significant social change, while the darker side of foreign involvement in the country – sex tourism, real-estate scams and conflicts between foreign property-owners and poorer locals – are all on the increase.

Costa Rica’s long democratic tradition and complete absence of military forces stand in sharp contrast to the brutal internal conflicts which have ravaged its neighbours

Despite such problems, revenue from tourism is one of the reasons Costa Ricans – or Ticos, as they are generally known – now enjoy the highest rate of literacy, health care, education and life expectancy in the isthmus. That said, Costa Rica is certainly not the middle-class country that it’s often portrayed to be – a significant percentage of people still live below the poverty line – and while it is modernizing fast, its character continues to be rooted in distinct local cultures, from the Afro-Caribbean province of Limón, with its Creole cuisine, games and patois, to the traditional ladino values embodied by the sabanero (cowboy) of Guanacaste. Above all, the country still has the highest rural population density in Latin America, and society continues to revolve around the twin axes of countryside and family: wherever you go, you’re sure to be left with mental snapshots of rural life, whether it be horsemen trotting by on dirt roads, coffee-plantation day-labourers setting off to work in the dawn mists of the Highlands, or avocado-pickers cycling home at sunset. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Better than the past edition
The 2002 edition of rough guide is a definite improvement over the previous edition of the rough guide. It is a solid guide to the sounds and sights of Costa Rica that has lots of information for the budget traveller. It has good maps and gives good descriptions of most tourist sites. I would say that this would be one of the 4 best guides for the budget traveller right now for Costa Rica--the other three would be the Lonely Planet, Footprint and New Key guides.

Very helpful on our trip but combine with 2nd book
What I like best about the Rough Guides is that they give critical reviews. They will point out the tourist traps and will give negative reviews. I find that Frommer's and Fodor's rarely point out the negatives to a particular hotel or site. The rough guide is very critical and is a great balance to these other guides. I would balance your trip to Costa Rica with a Fodors (or Frommers) book because the maps and illustrations are often better and there are more higher-end hotels listed.
This book will help you decide where is best to spend your vacation in Costa Rica. There are clear critical descriptions of all the regions and great general info on getting around in Costa Rica.

If you aren't interested in "roughing" it and staying in lower priced hotels. The guides are still very useful in rating attractions, and areas in which to stay... but you will need another book to look at more moderate and luxury hotels (there aren't that many in Costa Rica).

I would definitely read this book before going to Costa Rica.

Excellent with other books...
This is an absolutely wonderful guide and yes, It's chock-full of details! I think every paragraph may introduce a new idea but it's so well written, and the specifics so supportive, that you tend not to notice just how much information is here.

For another dense book on the country, try out Costa Rica the Last Country the Gods Made, a big-ass book that introduces soooo many concepts that it's dizzying! Why did it take so long for cultural historians to realise that distinct culture of Costa Rican's Pre-Columbian ancestors? What did the Spanish settlers prefer poverty in the city to lucrative farming? What were the surprisingly liberal politics of the "Olympic Generation" 0f 1889 that lay the groundwork for Costa Rica's liberal politics today? Do rainforest ant really feed randomly? Is morning a good time for pirates? And on and on! The chapters are self-contained, so you can read them in any order you want. Plus they're fairly short, which is a good thing since as I mentioned the material is dense. But I like dense, which is why I love thiese two books!

OK, but there are better guidebooks out there
On a recent trip to costa rica, I had two guide books, and this one was lacking in comparison. I purchased this book, but then later ended up buying the new addition of Lonely Planet as well, as the rough guide simply did not have as much information. For most towns, they did not have as many accomodation listings as LP, and there were many smaller towns rough guide did not cover at all. I also found their maps not as easy to use. Overall, I would say this book is adequate, but that LP gives you a lot more info.

mas o menos
The book is okay-one of three that I brought with me on my travels and by far the least detailed. I didn't not any factual mistakes but many things left to vague to actually GUIDE you anywhere. In my mind a great book to look at if you are CONSIDERING a trip down south but if to bring down with you, why not splurge on a fatter book with some more details? Costa Rica is great- the book's not bad just not overly detailed ... Read more

Book Description

Recognized the world over by frequent flyers and armchair travelers alike, Eyewitness Travel Guides are the most colorful and comprehensive guides on the market. With beautifully commissioned photographs and spectacular 3-D aerial views revealing the charm of each destination, these amazing travel guides show what others only tell. ... Read more

Download Description

Many general travel guides to Costa Rica have been written; but this provides a specific focus on the waterfalls and hot springs of the country and will present readers with descriptions of the high points along with the practicalities of locating and traveling to the areas. Be prepared to hike to many of these locations, and enjoy fine first-person descriptions. ... Read more

Book Description

This is a guide for yachtsmen cruising the coast of Costa Rica.All anchorages and marina facilities are described with an accompanying sketch of the coastline.Information is provided giveing the location of shore facilities such as fuel stations, water, bakeries, grocery stores and hospitals.Beautiful color photographs of this unique coast are provided. ... Read more