5 comments about Costa Rica: The Ecotravellers' Wildlife Guide (Ecotravellers Wildlife Guide: Costa Rica).

1. If you really consider yourself to be an "ecotraveller" then you will be greatly disappointed by the limited information provided in the book.
   
   The attractive title "Ecotravellers Wildlife Guide" had me sold. Unfortunately this book is not for ecotravellers, but for the novice wildlife observer. This book is very elementary and is very limited in the variation of species of birds and reptiles listed. As for the mammals, the book was sufficient.
   
   I just returned from my trip to Costa Rica 3 days ago and I had more than one of my wildlife tour guides criticize this book for its lack of information. It was so frustrating to see gorgeous birds and lizards everywhere and not be able to find hardly any of them within the book. Costa Rica has 1600 species of birds, so it is understandable that many birds would go unmentioned. Unfortunately, this book does not even scratch the surface of the diversity of birds found in this amazing country. While on my trip I was fortunate enough to be able to borrow a book from my tour guide so that I could go out bird-watching. The book I borrowed was fabulous and it was called "A Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica" by F. Gary Stiles & Alexander F. Skutch. (highly recommended)
   
   I hope this information is helpful and best of luck on your trip!



2. 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.




3. This book provides a fascinating, well-written and often humorous overview of Costa Rican natural history as well as a detailed description of the most often seen wildlife. I cannot overstate how much this book enhanced my trip to Costa Rica and gave me a greater understanding of what I was seeing. It is not exhaustive, but unless you want to carry multiple, subject-specific books with you, this is the one to bring. It had information on virtually every bird and creature I saw there.



4. 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!



5. 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."

1 comments about Green Encounters: Shaping and Contesting Environmentalism in Rural Costa Rica (Environmental Anthropology and Ethnobiology) (Studies in Environmental Anthropology and Ethnobiology).

1. Green Encounters: Shaping and Contesting Environmentalism in Rural Costa Rica covers the inner workings of a country renowned for its environmental management. Luis Vivanco is Associate Professor of Anthropology at the University of Vermont, so his is an anthropological view as he examines Monte Verde politics, culture, and environmental issues. Very few books narrow the focus to one country's policies, fewer yet focus on a single region, and even fewer include the social and political backdrop necessary for understanding - all of which are contained in Green Encounters, making it a unique college-level analysis and acquisition.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

2 comments about Fodor's Costa Rica 2006 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. There is very little actual information on the country in this book. It's mostly just places to stay. The Moon book on Costa Rica is vastly superior, with the new Lonely Planet coming second.



2. I found this book very handy! First it covers the seven regions of Costa Rica, then goes into the history and culture of the country overall.
   
   It points out a lot of worthwhile sites to see, like the Arenal Volcano, canopy tours, choosing a beach, the national parks.
   
   Then it has what it calls Close Ups, little sidebars that cover things like futbol (soccer), how to navigate cities where the streets have no name, the Carnaval, cloud forests, and so on. All great stuff.
   
   There are more than 20 maps, including a pull-out map, that really come in handy.
   
   As usual, Fodor's does an excellent, comprehensive job!

5 comments about Adventures in Nature: Costa Rica (Adventures in Nature : Costa Rica).

1. Hi I am worjing at ILISA Spanish language institute in San Jose, Costa Rica and I just want to let you know that this book helps our students a lot by giving them helpful information and by arranging their travel plans for the weekends. Thanks!



2. Costa Rica has it all--volcanoes, rainforests, beaches, cosmopolitan cities, whitewater rivers, and a rich tapestry of cultures--and so does this guidebook. Ree Sheck has done a terrific job of focusing on what's best about this amazing country, particularly with respect to its natural history, parks, and wildlife. There's a lot of information about hotels, restaurants, services, and transportation -- certainly enough for any traveler -- but where this guidebook really shines is in its description of the land, the people, and the natural resources of Costa Rica. I can't recommend it highly enough. Buy a copy and go!



3. Ree Strange Sheck does an excellent job describing lodges, locations, activities, and nature. I work in nature travel and use this book often. I highly recommend it for anyone planning a trip to Costa Rica who is interested in experiencing the beauty of this amazing country.



4. This book along with the coffee-table tome "Costa Rica : The Last Country the Gods Made" should be owned by anyone who loves Costa Rica, even if they think they despise natural history monologues as too narrow in their scope of a country. This book's spirit is undeniable.



5. It's been many years since we traveled to Costa Rica, but the nature preserves we remember best are well described in this current, and useful guide.
   
   We especially recommend the inns at Monteverdi--a long, five hour drive up a dusty, mountain road, and worth every second, every pothole and every rut--and Drake Bay at the amazing reserve in Corcovado.
   
   From all appearances, all the other highlights of a nature adventure in Costa Rica was well represented here, as well. It's the vacation of a lifetime, which you will remember for a lifetime. And this book is one of the better places to look for the little gems in that little gem of a country.

2 comments about The Rough Guide to Costa Rica & Panama Map (Rough Guide Country/Region Map).

1. I just returned from Panama last week. I had bought this map to use on a two week trip across most of the country. It is a very pretty map and I like the laminated paper, but it lacks sufficient detail to be useful. It does not have some major routes such as the most used road between Boquete and Al Mirante. It also lacks a blow up of Panama City. The other map (from a Canadian publisher ITMB) is FAR better despite the low reviews it seems to have gotten.



2. I have used this map on several trips to Panama and have found it to be excellent and very detailed. Allowed me tog et off the beaten track and explore smaller communities. It is a couple of years old, so it might be missing a couple of roads.

1 comments about Feasting and Foraging in Costa Rica: A Comprehensive Food and Restaurant Guide.

1. This is a "must have" book for those going to Costa Rica. It takes you on a journey of the restaurants and markets throughout the country so that you can easily make the decision on where you want to go to both eat and shop. It demystifies the ingredients used in the dishes you eat and provides extensive fact filled sections on the types of wonderful exotic fruits and vegetables you will find in the markets. It is a fun book to use and absolutely necessary to make your way across all parts of this beautiful and exotic country. It contains glossaries on many types of foods and ingredients so that you know what you are eating, lists of useful spanish words and phrases, and and up-to-date country restaurant guide with phone numbers and locations so that you don't have to guess on where you want to go eat and much more useful information, all in one book. I recommend this to anyone who is going to Costa Rica.

No comments about Surfers Guide to Costa Rica.

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Costa Rica.

1. EVERYONE has LP Costa Rica. In the month I was in Costa Rica I saw only one other person with this book--if you want to know where to stay, avoid the LP places and stay in the tiny places this book rec's.
   
   The prices are a bit out of date because of the book's publication date, but this book is fantastic if you're on ANY budget.



2. Very helpful book! It was 1 of 6 books I bought to help me decide whether I wanted to live in Costa Rica for retirement. It was very comprehensive and 1 of my favorites with up to date information.



3. (4/06) This book divides Costa Rica up into areas, and is very easy to follow and read. I have bought several other Moon handbooks, and have always been quite happy with their accuracy when I've gone on my trip. We won't be going to Costa Rica until June, but I am sure I'll be ready.
   (12/06) I traveled to Costa Rica in June, with a group of 32 people that included 15 eighth graders. This book was very helpful, and has since been used by four coworkers who decided to travel there after seeing my pictures. One coworker is buying retirement property there!



4. I have purchased at least a half dozen travel books published by
   Moon Publishing and always they are 5 star. I have found the information
   in them to be accurate and directions easy to follow. An added bonus is
   that some are written with a note of humor which makes the book more pleasurable to read. I recommend them to anyone who is travelling with the suggestion that they read the book before beginning a trip and then
   take the book along during the trip. Also, the size of the books are
   easy to hold in a plane, train or car and they pack easily into suitcases
   or totes.



5. My wife and I love Costa Rica and have a shelf full of books and maps about this great country. We own property there. We visit every chance we get. My wife lived in CR for 7 years (in the 70's) and is fluent in Spanish. That said, we both LOVE this book for both its completeness and its insight.
   
   If you want a super book to guide you to the great spots of CR, then this is it.
   
   The maps aren't good enough for general navigation but this isn't a map book. Just get a copy of the International Travel Maps (ITMP Publishing) and get this book to make your vacation plans.

4 comments about Costa Rica in Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture.

1. 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!



2. I'm extremly angry at this entire process because I ordered this book for a very important reasearch paper I'm doing on Costa Rica and was relying on it for much needed information. The book, however, has not yet arrived at my house! In the ordering sheet is says usually mails within 2-3 days. I hope the book comes within the next few days so I can still use it, and then perhaps I will write a review of the actual book! Please send me the book!



3. When one purchases a book that says on the inside flap that "This edition first published in 2002," one might expect the information to be up to date. The truth is, the book was written in 1997, six years ago, and has not be updated at all. This is important because information about every subject covered (history and politics, economy, society, environment and eco-tourism, and culture) has changed in critical ways since that time.

   That is not to say, that the book is useless - just not accurate in 2003. What I found annoying is the immediacy of the writing and no indication that you are reading anything but current information. Unless you happen to know that Figueres is no longer president of Costa Rica, you would likely assume the facts and figures presented were correct as of 2002.

   There have been two Costa Rica presidents elected since the author took fingers to keyboard. Much has changed in Ticoland, but you would never know it from reading this book.




4. This is not a "book," per se, but a 75-page "guide" in which facts are presented as statistics in a sort of beaurocratic mode. It's like reading a report from a financial research institute or a forensic accountant!

   A MUCH better overview of the country's geology, politics, economy, immigration, agriculture, ecological convservation, and social history is the coffee-table book, "Costa Rica : The Last Country the Gods Made."

   PLUS it's a beautiful book. I mean, just look at the cheesy cover of "Costa Rica in Focus"! A much better buy for the money, and more interesting writing all-round!

No comments about Costa Rica: The Bradt Travel Guide.