2 comments about Costa Rica Pocket Guide.

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. This is a very small/short book that serves better as an overview prior to your trip. There is some good, very general information, but nothing very specific.

5 comments about Adventure Guide to Costa Rica.

1. This was 1 of 3 books I bought for a trip to Costa Rica and I can't say I relied on it for information at any point. Every time I opened the book to find a hotel or restaurant or choose the next destination, I closed it in frustration. I might have enjoyed it more if I hadn't 2 other guides which I found to have more comprehensive information regarding the options of where to eat, sleep and adventure.
   
   A previous reviewer was correct in the assessment that the book is not all whitewater and rappeling, although there are tons of adventures to experience there and basic information about which of those activities to do and where to find them can be MORE easily found in other books or by speaking to someone at your hotel.
   
   After I bought my souveniers and such, I don't know why I crammed the book back in my bag.



2. My fiancee and I went to Costa Rica and wanted to get away from everything. This book led us to Uvita de Osa (not even mentioned in other books). This book gave us great local information and helped us plan our vacation form start to finish.
   
   Hint: If you are travelling cheap and want a hand getting started in Costa Rica, call John at Safe Passage (www.costaricabustickets.com). You won't regret it!



3. I took off a point for the pedestrian writing and the sub-standard photos. (The numerous quotes struck me as tangential, but I really liked the design ephemera, including the original luggage tag from Hotel Europa, CR's oldest hotel, a nice touch!) Now, on to the good stuff:
   
   First off, Bruce & June Conord's "alternative accomodations" was imaginative and indispensable for me, and of course, in the true spirit of "adventure." Secondly, of all the rough-and-tumble excursions they present, my favorite was their walking tour of historical San José. On foot is really the only way to see Costa Rica's one and only capital city.
   
   I would agree with a previous reviewer concerning the low-quality pictures. But to be fair, that is not what this exhaustively-detailed book is all about. Fortunately, I also bought the book Costa Rica: The Last Country the Gods Made, a luscious and amply photographed book that takes you on an envious visual tour of many of the places the Conords discuss.
   
   For example, Last Country features 9 (much better) pictures of downtown San José, one in full two-page glorious panorama. In addition, the Conords cover Irazú Volcano in one page (with a few mentions elsewhere), while Last Country has 2 VERY unusal views of Irazú: page 93 pictures the description of the sloping farmlands benefiting from Irazú's volcanic soil as described on page 6; and page 16 pictures something that no other guide book I've ever read on Costa Rica mentions-wild horses roaming the calderas of the volcano!
   
   As for my city-centricity, I further recommend On the Plaza: The Politics of Public Space and Culture by Setha Low, about the social implications of San José's two city squares, the Parque Central and the Plaza de la Cultura, which turns out to be more on topic than you think.
   
   All 3 books are delightful for anyone who plans to travel to any of the rich coast's storied country sides in pages or in person!



4. When one reads a "Guide" Book, one should not have to read nearly 100 pages to find something negative; After all, it is a foreign country and what to avoid is actually more beneficial than the "Oh,it is all wonderful" descriptions. There is very little mention of the different regions; However there is extensive information on every lodging place in the country. How this has received 4.5 stars is certainly a mystery to me. Evidently from reading "Trip Advisors" on the internet; everyone in Costa Rica has the Lonely Planet guide on Costa Rica!



5. Pocket Adventures' Costa Rica from Hunter Travel Guides by Bruce and June Conord: Having gone to Costa Rica before having this book, we wished we had used this guide before we went the first time, and it makes us want to return soon! Even though we had aleady experienced some of the places and activities we found described in this book, it gave us greater insights that we had missed in the visit. This enriched the trip we had already taken, which is most unusual for a travel guide. The books outlines the twenty top spots in Costa RIca and has divisions by areas of the country. The first half of the book tells about the eating and culture of what to see in the capital city San Jose, and the second half gives specifics about the other sections of the country, telling what to see and do and where to stay and eat. Whatever your specific interests and focus for your trip, you'll find where you need to make your reservations. There are even discussions of cosmetic surgery and legal prostitution. So whether you have already been to Costa RIca or plan to go or just want to learn about the Costa Rica, this book is a wonderful guide and worth buying

5 comments about Costa Rica: The Forests of Eden.

1. Dear Kevin Schaefer: Saw your lovely book about Costa Rica at the Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge last week and HAD to have it. It was $80 in a San Jose book shop, but I'm happy to see that it's much less thru Amazon.com. I've ordered it and hope to have it soon. Nothing else I ever saw captures CR quite like it. The photographs are beautiful and the text insiteful. It truly is a work of love. I recommend it highly to anyone who loves that country and it's special places and wildlife like we do. Thank you, and I hope it sells well! Kathy Dickey



2. Here in one book were all the shots of flora and fauna that I missed. Upon opening the first page, I was instantly transported back to the rainforest. At times, I felt the author had stood in the same spot that I did to take his photographs. Glorious color that captures the mood, emotions and life in the rainforest. A beautiful book to give anyone who has been to Costa Rica or who can only be an armchair traveler.



3. Costa Rica; Forests of Eden is a spectacular book with spectacular photos. The photos are realistic, they give a good view of how things really look. No tricks are used in the photography, so when you go to Costa Rica yourself you can actually see it as it is photographed. The text that goes with the photos give good information about ecotourism and about the environment and animals that are on the photos. The book is made with care of the photographer.



4. Costa Rica; Forests of Eden is a spectacular book with spectacular photos. The photos are realistic, they give a good view of how things really look. No tricks are used in the photography, so when you go to Costa Rica yourself you can actually see it as it is photographed. The text that goes with the photos give good information about ecotourism and about the environment and animals that are on the photos. The book is made with care of the photographer.



5. Kevin Schafer's gorgeous photographs and thoughtful and well-written prose make Costa Rica come alive. This beautiful book definitely makes me yearn to visit Costa Rica sometime soon!

5 comments about Frommer's Costa Rica 2005 (Frommer's Complete).

1. We used this guide to get us an hotel in Montezuma. We stayed at the Nature Lodge Los Fincas. It was a dump and we were forced to either stay or lose all of our money for the entire saty. We did what the couple before we checked in did. We paid them to leave. The rooms were covered with ants, triantulas, no constant running water....hot water, no way. The food was served with ants and bugs in it. I think this writer is either dillusional or just tells the hotels to get ready cause he is on his way. My advice, pick up another guide.



2. Very good resource to plan your trip, but once in Costa Rica I did not think the book was completely accurate. The locals had very different opinions about places and activities. It would have been nice if the book had included information about alternate forms of transport such as boats from town to town or Interbus. Overall a great resource to get started and get a good idea of what you want to do and where you want to go. Ask the locals before you make reservations. Pura Vida



3. I just came back from Costa Rica, and I am still amazed at how useful the book was. Everything we planned and did on the basis of the advice from the book turned into a successful endeavor and great memories.
   
   The book gives detailed information on which places to see, how to get there (covering all possible transporation means), hotels, good places to eat in the respective location, and local tour opperators to use. For all of these it gives prices, addresses, telephone numbers, business hours, best times to visit, etc - even recommends dishes to try in some of the restaurants. Also, the info is presented in a very organized manner and covers a wide range of budget levels. All the recommendations I used were very good and the information proved to be very accurate. I strongly recommend the book as an invaluable practical aid!
   
   An only shortcoming of this book is that it lacks detailed information about Costa Rica, the culture, the history, etc, and does not describe in much detail the places. If you feel the need to know a lot about the places you visit, and have the time to read more, I recommend using this book along with one that is more descriptive of the places, history, etc.



4. If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, this is one of the best travel guides you can buy. Everything you need toi know is packed into this book!



5. My wife and I greatly enjoyed a week in Costa Rica earlier this month. We are not frequent travelers, and neither of us had previously visited a country where English is not the primary language. Frommer's certainly made our trip smoother and more enjoyable. We foud this guide to be accurate regarding both factual information and perspective. Without it, we would have missed some memorable sights and experiences, including side trips to see the beautiful churches in Zarcero and Las Canas. We rented a small SUV, and had very little trouble finding our way, thanks to Frommer's. Driving in San Jose was a bit of an adventure due to a nearly complete absence of street signs, but Frommer's amply warned us about this in advance. I appreciate Eliot Greenspan's sense of humor as well. We also brought the Lonely Planet guide with us, but I must give Frommer's the nod. I have just one difference of opinion with Mr. Greenspan. The Costa Rican cuisine can actually be quite good. We enjoyed some unique fish and poultry dishes at several hotels and resorts that I would put up against any in the states.

No comments about Costa Rica: The Bradt Travel Guide.

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!

2 comments about An Odd Odyssey: California to Colombia by bus and boat, through Mexico and Central America.

1. Some years past, a colleague suggested a year of travel instead of my intended return to school. It took thirty years to fulfill that suggestion. David Short didn't require any more prompting than a dull, dirty and dangerous job. His destination, prompted by a world-traveling grandfather, became Central America, specifically, the Panama Canal. The journey lasted just short of six months and resulted in this account of his adventures. A spirited read, An Odd Odyssey should inspire anyone of nearly any age to pull up stakes at least once in a lifetime and venture somewhere distant. Short's account shows how richly rewarding travel can be to those willing to make the effort.

   There are two kinds of travel books - the "guidebook" with sights, prices, accommodation ideally suited for those seeking comfort instead of adventure. Glossy photos, usually portraying conditions found on movie sets, detailed maps, prices listed. The other type is the personal journal, which, properly done, imparts a far better sense of "being there" than does the guidebook. Short's chronicle is the second type, a vivid sharing of his thoughts, experiences, disasters, even love. The means of travel was by bus. Just finding one was fraught with hazards - timing, crowding or even just running. Once boarded, there was the issue of finding the proper seat: "Sit in the rear. Bandits will shoot through the front window." On a limited budget the "guidebook" hotels were out of the question for Short. Many havens he found for a night's rest became adventures in their own right. Weather, ever a primary topic for travellers, added its own quirks - a major Caribbean hurricane being the most spectacular.

   These minor discomforts aside, Short's recital of his travels points up the many benefits of journeying solo. One of these is that you don't remain alone for long. Not every acquaintance is a welcome companion, but none are dull. They bring their lives into his view, and to ours. Short meets former convicts, travellers from Europe, Canada and Australia. Not limiting himself to fellow "gringos" he deals well with the local residents. Although a few are not as friendly as he - he's robbed twice and has the usual tangles with bureaucrats, cheating taxi drivers and sullen hoteliers. Still, he maintains his equanimity, exhibiting strength in adverse circumstances. In this modern age he can turn to internet cafes, at one point spending more on email and 'net surfing than on accommodation and food.

   Short is a learner, eager to know the current and historical conditions of the lands he visits. Teotihuacan, Tikal and the world's largest stone sphere. His account leads you along with him in fine descriptive prose. He shares his learning without becoming pedantic or opinionated. His judgments result of thoughtful assessment and it's easy to agree with them. The book becomes not only the tale of his journey, but a guidebook without gloss or sham. By the end of it, we envy his adventures and his ability to relate them. It's hard not to embark on a similar jaunt with the aim of duplicating his effort for your chosen locale.




2. This book is several books in one. In addition to his varied personal experiences on the road, it includes some well researched history of the countries he visits, both ancient and contemporary. He talks about the big people in history, like Cortes, Clinton, Subcomandante Marcos, Leon Trotsky, Frida Kahlo and Manuel Noriega. He then gives equal attention to the little people he meets along the way, like the Mexican museum curator whose family had been guarding an ancient relic for several generations. He even travels to Paul Gauguin's house with a Playboy Bunny he met in a youth hostel. But he also engrosses the reader with his thoughts about his personal life, most interestingly, his romance with a Nicaraguan girl. Hurricane Mitch, which strikes when he is Guatemala and devastates the region, adds a sinister backdrop to his odd holiday, but in the end he achieves his goals despite numerous setbacks. It is a little bit like a collection of short stories, since it is written in diary form, so each day represents a new thought, and a new mini adventure. The stories about the crocodile and the monkey I almost wouldn't have believed except that he included photos in the book. I especially liked his description of his climbing of the volcano... and was left feeling it is much more enjoyable - and safer - to read his description of it than to attempt such a feat in real life.

No comments about Fodor's Exploring Costa Rica, 5th Edition (Exploring Guides).

1 comments about Frommer's Costa Rica 2000.

1. I recently bought this book and have found it generally useful for planning my first trip. The book is well organized and gives a great overview of activities and places to see before it guides you through each region.

   However, those interested in adventure travel that veers off the beaten path a little more may be wise to purchase a second book that delves more into these sorts of offerings, as this book does not cover this sort of thing very well.

   Over all, though, it's a good book to have.

1 comments about Nelles Central America Travel Map with Costa Rica (Nelles Maps).

1. We are disappointed in this map. It is in several sections, front and back and not easily "put together". It seems to be very detailed and that is good. We also thought for the price of the map we would find a few notes of information about the area of which there is none. Also there is no index of the cities so that we could locate particular places.