Costa Rica Books

Waterproof Travel Map of Costa Rica

Toucan Maps

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> Costa Rica

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Waterproof, rugged and current roadmap of Costa Rica, San Jose and more than a dozen of the most visited regions.

2 sided, 39 in. x 26.25 in. (4.875 in. x 9 in. folded)

Roads are clearly differentiated by color and line width for classes from limited access divided highways down to 4WD seasonal tracks. Highway on and off-ramps are shown for the entire central valley. Popular hiking and horseback trails and trail-heads are also shown.

Locations are clearly marked and easy to read indexes are included for cities and towns, National Parks and other natural areas, beaches, rivers (white water rafting locations are indicated as well), peaks, volcanoes, waterfalls and the best hotels restaurants and activities.

The current, accurate, detailed, and readable large scale map of Costa Rica is complimented by a set of innovative exclusive features not available anywhere else.

Exclusives
o Street level details for San Jose, Alajuela, Arenal Volcano/Fortuna, Escazu, Heredia, Manuel Antonio/Quepos, Monteverde/Santa Elena, Playa Jaco, Playa Tamarindo, Puerto Jimenez, Puerto Viejo de o Talamanca, & the entire Central Valley.
o Recommendations based on 15 years experience for over two hundred hotels, resorts, lodges and even campgrounds in every price range, and over a hundred and fifty of the best restaurants.
o Proprietary symbols for distinctively Costa Rican attractions like zip-line and hanging bridge canopy exploration, butterfly gardens, rappelling down canyons, and surf camps, as well as the more typical activities like horseback riding, SCUBA, deep sea fishing, golf, rafting and many more. You can see at a glance what there is to do around Arenal volcano and Monteverde cloud forest, as well as along the road between them.
o Driving distance table and mini map for calculating trip distances and estimating drive times.
o A few dozen useful English to Spanish phrase and word translations are provided in an inset. You will appreciate having What is the best way to get there? and Can you please show me on the map? at your fingertips if you need to ask directions.

This edition replaces the 4 1/2 star first edition ISBN 0-9763733-0-0 addressing the helpful comments provided in the Amazon and other reviews, updating the surfacing indications for hundreds of km of newly paved roads, correcting known errors and adding highly requested regional detail maps.

Guide to Costa Rican Spanish

Christopher Howard

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Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Foreign Language Nonfiction -> Spanish
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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Speak Easy 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I spoke Spanish before coming to Costa Rica, but found the people in San Jose spoke with more slang and pachuco. Chris Howard's book helped me to communicate better and with more credibility. When I moved to the coast, the dialect was even more different. People considered me snobby when I spoke like I did originally. His information was even applicable in the countryside. I give this book as a gift to new clients and friends visiting Costa Rica.

A Great Survival Tool 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 4 people found this review helpful.

When I came to Costa Rica I quickly discovered the vast majority of Costa Ricans DIDN'T speak English. Since I only had a limited Spanish vocabulary, I had a lot of problems in daily situations. Then I bought this handy little book and it virtually helped me survive the first couple of years. I still refer to it now and then for important phrases.

Editorial Review:

A complete guide to Spanish for Travelers. Practical Pronunciation Exercises to Help you Sound Like a Native Spanish Speaker Useful expressions for Real Life Situations That You Will Encounter. Costa Rican Slang. Practical Vocabulary, Including Business and Legal Terms. Includes an English/Spanish-Spanish/English Dictionary.

Costa Rica (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)

DK Publishing

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Subjects -> Travel -> Guidebook Series -> Eyewitness -> General
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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> Costa Rica

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Rich in pictures, Lacking in Information 2 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

I am a college student studying abroad in Costa Rica for the semester. So far, I've been pretty disappointed with the Eyewitness travel guide. Other students and I travel to different parts of CR about every other weekend, but this guide is painfully lacking in writing on the logistics of traveling. (I.e. bus services to use, hostel recommendations, hostel contact information, etc.) The small traveler's needs section that is present is very general and the few hotels that are offered are geared toward a traveler with money to spare. I also found that, despite having many beautiful pictures, there aren't many details about places of interest or special events in CR.

If you're a college student, or a traveler on a budget who needs information about places to stay, I would go for Lonely Planet or the Rough Guide to Costa Rica (A few of my friends here have lonely planet and that's the guidebook we use most to plan our trips; I rented the Rough guide from the library before my trip and thought it was pretty helpful.)

Editorial Review:

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.

Travellers' Wildlife Guides Costa Rica (Travellers' Wildlife Guides)

Les Beletsky

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Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Conservation -> Wildlife
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Travellers' Wildlife Guides are aimed at environmentally conscious travellers for whom some of the best parts of any trip are glimpses of wildlife in natural settings.

The purpose of this series is to enhance enjoyment of a trip and enrich wildlife sightings by providing identifying information on the most frequently encountered animals in each of the represented countries.

With stunning color illustrations and photographs of amphibians, reptiles, mammals, and birds, this series is unique in that it aims to aid the visitor in identifying all types of vertebrate land animals while providing current information on the conservation statuses of the animals.

Not only for travellers, the Travellers' Wildlife Guides are for all those fascinated by wildlife and concerned about our environment.

Most travellers to Costa Rica want to experience its lush tropical forests and catch glimpses of exotic wildlife; toucans and parrots, hummingbirds and hawks, monkeys and big cats, frogs and toads, crocodiles, and (yes) snakes. Here is all the information you will need to find, identify and learn about Costa Rica's magnificent wildlife.

--Identification, distribution, and conservation information on Costa Rica's frequently spotted animals.

--Full-color illustrations of nearly 350 of Costa Rica's most common amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

--Up-to-date information on the ecology, behavior, and conservation of the families of animals to which the pictured species belong.

--Information on habitats and on the most common plants you will encounter.

--Brief descriptions of Costa Rica's most frequently visited parks and reserves.

--Information on ecotourism in general and on conservation in Costa Rica.

Easy-to-carry, entertainingly written, beautifully illustrated-you will want to have this book as constant companion on your journey.

Frommer's Costa Rica 2008 (Frommer's Complete)

Eliot Greenspan

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> Costa Rica

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

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!

Moon Living Abroad in Costa Rica (Living Abroad)

Erin Van Rheenen

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 35 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Erin Van Rheenen, the expert on relocating to Costa Rica, has made the move herself and provides insight and first-hand advice to navigating the language and culture of this beautiful country. Van Rheenen outlines all the information needed in a smart, organized, and straightforward manner, making planning the move abroad manageable. Moon Living Abroad Costa Rica makes the moving and transition process easy for businesspeople, students, teachers, retirees, and professionals. Moon Living Abroad Costa Rica is packed with essential information and must-have details on getting established abroad, including how to obtain visas, ways to arrange finances, tips on gaining employment, advice on choosing schools, and where to find health care. This relocation guide also includes practical advice on how to rent or buy a home for a variety of needs and budgets, whether it’s a condo in the San José suburb of Escazú, a wooden house in coastal Tortuguero, or a mountain retreat with a view of Arenal Volcano. All Moon Living Abroad Guides include color photos, black-and-white photographs, black-and-white illustrations, and maps.

Moon Costa Rica (Moon Handbooks)

Christopher P. Baker

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not for LP loyalists or budget travelers 3 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

As a loyal Lonely Planet reader, I thought Moon would be as good or better, considering the reviews for the two. This book is written for the author's ideals only - anyone who is really into sportfishing and seeing exclusively expats while traveling. It does a poor job of listing the more budget-minded lodging and restaurants, and has little to no mention of info that would suit someone with cultural interest. All restaurants and lodging are "to avoid the Ticos, book here" or "try expat Chuck and Susan's pace, here". It would help someone book an entire trip to see other travelers traveling, and to go fishing. Disappointed, I went to the bookstore and paged through LP's older, more concise guide book, and was thrilled to see better descriptions, more color pictures, and more cultural insight. Moon's book also packs an extra 100 pages of Costa Rican history - something that is nice, but not necessary to take with me in a backpack trekking around the country.
Lastly, the author has an absurd overuse with superlatives! "This beach is the best in the country" and "the wildlife in this park is unmatched" - these are good descriptions, but when applied to every park and every beach, given that there are dozens, it makes it difficult for the traveler to make an informed decision to organize their best trip to Costa Rica.
Overall I was disappointed and will be buying a different guide book to take with me.

Editorial Review:

Award-winning travel writer Christopher P. Baker knows the best way to experience Costa Rica, from surfing the beaches of Golfo Dulce to hiking in Corcovado National Park and dining in upscale Escazú in San Jose. Baker includes unique trip ideas like The 21-Day Best of Costa Rica, The Offbeat Experience, and Seven Days for Active Vacationers. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Costa Rica has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on the best beaches for surfing and a variety of opportunities to get outdoors, Moon Costa Rica gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

Choose Costa Rica for Retirement, 8th: Information for Travel, Retirement, Investment, and Affordable Living (Choose Retirement Series)

John Howells

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Interesting, well written & up-to-date 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

I'll mention up front that this is the only book I've read on the subject of living in Costa Rica, but I can't imagine many being much better. I spent 10 weeks in Costa Rica (8 weeks in language immersion school, 4 days a week). Having two full weeks plus several 3-day weekends to travel around, I'm familiar with the basics of Costa Rican culture & geography.

Nowhere near retirement age myself, I was impressed to find plenty of information on other topics: Mr. Howells reviews culture & politics, but not in any long and boring sense - really keeping to the necessities. He frequently compares cultural topics with North American analogies, helping to define it better for North Americans. He does take pains to be clear, while concise, about business, legal & immigration matters - all of which you probably find interesting, anyway, if you think you want to move to Costa Rica. He also does a great job covering costs of living for all life styles, health care, transportation, education, real estate and investments. He's interviewed plenty of folks for the content, too. From parents with children in private or public schools to immigration or real estate lawyers. This was clearly not his first attempt at such a book.

One thing I repeatedly found interesting were the details about North American & European expat communities all over the country. I'm sure some of those details change in time, but it really gives you a feel for what to expect in the way of finding English (or other European language) speaking friends & advice. (But you are encouraged to learn some Spanish, of course!) Another specific that he gives several pages to is driving to Costa Rica from the US! I've always wanted to do that, and he's done it several times... I'm inspired already!

My only concern with the book would be for someone who isn't familiar with the geography (thus my disclaimer @ the top) might like to supplement their reading with Google Earth or a map. The book does a fair job of keeping you oriented as he travels around, though, so don't worry if you'd rather not. It does have some maps indicating the regions he discusses.

I found the book so interesting that I actually read most of it while traveling in Ecuador. At no point did I ever feel bored or bogged down and I didn't skip a single page. There's even some comic relief! This book, combined with a good trip, should be a nice spring board into living, retiring or doing business in Costa Rica.

Editorial Review:

Information on managing investments, cost of living, and medical care and safety in Costa Rica makes this guide perfect for retirees looking to relocate. In addition, the guide offers useful tips for exploring the beautiful coastal areas, finding entertainment, and dining on delicious Costa Rican specialties.

Explore Costa Rica, 5th Edition (Explore Costa Rica)

Harry S. Pariser

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Excellent guide for trip planning 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

We really found this book to be useful both in planning our trip and in traveling around Costa Rica. The background information on wildlife, history, culture, and politics was very informative and helpful. We didn't find a bus timetable in any other guide. And the beautiful color photos (of wildlife and flora) are a great addition. We found the itineraries and other information on the publisher's website to be a valuable resource for trip planning. Explore Costa Rica also helped us find some special places to stay we would not have found otherwise. Finally, the book is quite humorous and fun to read.

Editorial Review:

Travel with award-winning travel guide author Harry S. Pariser around Costa Rica and experience its wonders! Dive and snorkel off the coast of the remote Osa Peninsula. Experience the Caribbean coast with its rich Jamaican culture. Visit the small hotels of the Pacific Coast and the Nicoya Peninsula and remote lodges in the heart of the rainforest. Dine everywhere from gourmet restaurants to local sodas. Ascend by rope and pulley into the rainforest canopy, explore caves, surf, kayak, canoe, bungee jump, mountain bike, trek, or just lay back on a beach, relax, and watch the monkeys at play. Internal air flights, bus travel, ferry schedules, what to do, what to avoid. Studying Spanish, volunteer programs, and sustainable tourism. Maps, photos, web sites, useful tips. Humorous, informative, educational, detailed. There's no other guide quite like it!

Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths: An Introduction to Familiar Species (Pocket Naturalist - Waterford Press)

James Kavanagh

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Subjects -> Science -> Biological Sciences -> Animals -> Butterflies
Subjects -> Science -> Biological Sciences -> Zoology -> Invertebrates

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Costa Rica’s beautiful beaches and unique natural settings – from lush jungle to volcanic landscapes – offer some of the most spectacular nature viewing on the planet. This tiny country – about the same size as the state of West Virginia – is the home to hundreds of butterflies and moths.
Butterflies and moths belong to the second largest order of insects with approximately 170,000 species worldwide.
Learn the key markings of some of Costa Rica’s more visible species of butterflies and moths, and their favorite food sources.
The laminated Pocket Guides are unique and appealing reference tools that offer exceptional value and utility.
· Affordable price
· Map-sized when folded, the page-like panels make the guides easy to carry and use outdoors;
· Each nature guide has full color illustrations and highlights the most easily distinguished markings or behaviors of species to aid novices in nature identification.