No comments about Traveler's Companion Costa Rica, 3rd (Traveler's Companion Series).

No comments about Costa Rica: A Journey through Nature.

3 comments about National Geographic Costa Rica Adventure Map.

1. I have collected many maps and books on Costa Rica, and I find the National Geographic Costa Rica Adventure Map to be the most detailed and useful. It is also waterproof and easy to carry.



2. The National Geographic Map series is a decent one, but this has a few glaring inaccuracies that make it untrustworthy for travel in Costa Rica. For starters, the roads and their markings are incorrect in a number of places; many roads were paved when they were marked as dirt (such as the trip from Union to Nuevo Arenal). Some landmarks were not on the map at all (Los Patos in Corcovado is not there, Sirena is on there twice). The division of the country right in the middle also makes it hard to navigate between the two sides.
   
   It is very readable and clear, but between a lack of highlights on the locations, inaccuracies, and the size of the thing it makes the map not particularly useful for travel - there are far better options. I'd recommend the Toucan map series instead.



3. We used this map to get from San Jose to Quepos and around the Costarena Sur highway. It was detailed enough for that purpose. We probably didn't really need it, but it was comforting to see the little towns pass by--just to know we were still on the correct road. It's CR after all, not everything is well-marked.

No comments about Costa Rica: A Geographical Interpretation in Historical Perspective (Dellplain Latin American Studies).

4 comments about Storm Rising (Delta Stevens Mysteries).

1. Storm Rising is the latest in the Delta Stevens Mystery series and is by far the most exciting. Convinced that Delta is still alive after falling into the Caribbean from a helicopter, Connie Rivera, Meg Osbourne, Sal and Josh return to the Costa Rican rain forest to find and rescue her. They are joined by Gina, Connie's lover, Carducci, Delta's partner on the police force and Taylor, the jewel thief. The group experience many difficulties and you find yourself totally submerged in the book. I read the book in one day and was very sorry to get to the end. Don't this exceptional book.



2. Storm Rising was an exciting page-turner that serves up plenty of suspense. For those of you who have not read Tropical Storm (by the same author), I would recommend it prior to reading Storm Rising to understand all the intricacies of Linda's latest book. I promise you won't be disappointed in either one. For those of you who have read Tropical Storm, you can finally find out what happens to Delta, Megan, Connie, Sal, Josh and the others. With the help of many of their friends, Connie and Megan go into the rainforest to find Delta. Be prepared to be unwilling to put this book down.

   It's awesome!




3. Imagine if you will, a death defying situation, earthquakes, evil henchmen chasing you. What do you do? You stand around and tell each other how wonderful you are and how much everyone (the good guys, that is--the bad guys are all unremittingly evil) loves everyone else, especially the main character. I finally decided that I could only read this book as a camp fairy tale--that despite unbelievable odds nothing remotely bad happens to the good guys. Then I guess someone pointed this out to the author, so in a jarring change, the ending takes on a few tinges of reality. The editing allows things like characters supposedly a few hundred miles away popping up in a scene to make a comment. Typos abound. This book feels like a first draft with a cover slapped on it. Read it only if you want a (very) mindless lesbian adventure.



4. Unlike the first review on this page I found Storm Rising to be a rollicking good adventure story which continued the plot lines from the previous 5 novels by this author. I read Tropical Storm first and enjoyed it so much(and desperately wanting to find out what happened to Delta) I bought this, the sequel. I thoroughly enjoyed them and so, bought the first 4 books. I found the characters to be believable and the plot chock full of action which is how all the books are written. In SR, all the favourites are there sharing the highs and lows in their quest to retrieve Delta from the jungles of Costa Rica. I found reading this book a delight and am eagerly awaiting the next book to find out what happens to the *gang* with the addition of the baby! Oh, and Megan's reaction to Rikki...My rating - Unputdownable!!!!

2 comments about Costa Rica.

1. this seems to be a thourough map,only one problem it does not have a city or town index....they are listed on the map but you have to look a bit to find them which kinda sux if your not sure of the general area



2. I traveled many times in Costa Rica and this one is the most accurate and detailed map I found. Much better than the awful Tourist map they give you when renting a car.

   It's also shaded with mountains, very useful to estimate travel time. Even the smallest villages & roads are on it. Thumbs up!

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.

5 comments about National Geographic Traveler: Costa Rica (National Geographic Traveler).

1. I agree with the other reviewer of this book that, as a guidebook, it is useful but not unsurpassed. When I went to Costa Rica I took it along with a copy of Lonely Planet Costa Rica with me and I was covered. This book is worth it though for the photographs alone. The photographs are so good they make you want to get to every nook and cranny of Costa Rica and find these stunning people, places, and things. National Geographic totally lived up to it's name with this one.



2. Purchase this book IN ADDITION TO any other travel guide you might want for a trip to Costa Rica. While others will provide info on lodgings, restaurants, rental cars and sightseeing tours, THIS book explores all the exciting wonders of this beautiful country as only National Geographic can do! Lots of photos to entice you to search out all kinds of exotic experiences. The book is divided by region, so it makes it quite easy to plan your itinerary based on what's available in each part of the country you are visiting. An excellent sightseeing planner!



3. This book is much better at diving into the details and characteristics of the places and events than many of the other travel guides I considered. I wouldn't use this book if you're looking for a specific place to stay or cheap eats, but rather the historical context or anectdotal information that makes traveling more insightful. Don't get me wrong; there are plenty of lists, walking routes, maps and key data that will make travel easier. But National Geographic prides itself in making the leisurely travel experience much more encompassing to your senses. The photographs are incredible, and the text is in-depth. I would make this book (and the entire Series for that matter) a supplement that rounds out your vacation, alongside your "best restaurants and hotels" guide that will help find the basics.



4. We recently spent 8 days in Costa Rica and used this guide. I will start the review with comments on the layout of the guide. Then I will give specifics regarding the content of the guide and our experiences. Then I will identify a few of the weaknesses of the guide. I will end the review with a general comment on travel in Costa Rica.
   
   The guide is full of beautiful photographs and insightful essays. This is the strength of this book. Major landmarks are described and put into historic or geologic contexts. The book is organized by geographic region, making it easy to use.
   
   We used the guide first when we spent 3 days in Manuel Antonio on the Pacific Coast. Driving from San Jose to Manuel Antonio we passed many farms and farmhouses. The average Costa Rican family does not have central heating, air conditioning, and many do not have a hot water heater. The hairpin turns between San Jose and the beach road is exciting with continual new vistas at every turn. The beach road from Jaco, to Puntarenas, to Quepos, to Manuel Antonio gradually becomes more and more primitive. Along the way you will pass many turquoise school houses. Elementary school children wear white shirts and black pants or skirts. Upon graduation to 7th grade, the children wear bright blue shirts and navy blue pants or shirts. Mothers walk young children to school and then walk them home for lunch. The children return to the school houses around 1 pm and then the school day seems to end for younger children around 2 and for older children around 3. You will see beautiful Costa Rican school children playing and walking and riding bikes in every village. We selected Manuel Antonio for the famous beach and Mauel Antonio National Park. The beach was indeed fantastic. The Pacific was refreshing but not cold and the waves were pounding but manageable. The restaurants were exceptional and reasonable. For example one night I had a dinner salad of sauted grouper over heart of palm and greens for $8. Another night we had large tuna steaks cooked to perfection with blackbeans, rice, and slaw for $8. We were advised to drink bottled water but selected to drink the local water which was perfectly safe. We spent one whole day in the Manuel Antonio Park seeing spider monkeys, sloths, iguanas, humming birds, butterflys, and the wonderful pink faced Capuchin monkeys. Go early to the park since only 600 visitors are allowed in each day. Wear your bathing suit so that you can swim in the secluded beautiful beaches within the park.
   
   We then spent 3 days in Heredia, north of San Jose, so that we could visit the volcanoes and the Guayabo archeological site. I wish we had more detail in the book about this aspect of the trip. We visited Poas Volcanoe first which was well described in the guide. However we should have visited earlier in the day becuase the cloud cover obscured our view. We hiked in the cloud forest observing the large navy blue humming birds. We then went to La Paz waterfall, a spectacular site. We then tried to get to Barva Volcanoe through beautiful mountain dairy and coffer farms. When we were 6 kms. from the top of Barva the road ran out and the undeveloped rock road would have broken our car's axle. We could have hiked the 6 kms. to the top but we would have had to abandon our car at the trailhead which we were reluctant to do. The next day we went to Volcano Irazu which is so high it is above the cloud line. It was very impressive, however we then drove to find Guayabo. There are very few road signs in Costa Rica so this was a search through beautiful mountain towns and farms. We finally found the entrance road but the pavement ended and the road was full of deep muddy potholes. We were still 10 kms. from the site and again we feared breaking an axle and we also feared leaving our car and hiking to the site.
   
   In terms of the weaknesses of the book; we found the maps were not detailed enough for rural exploration. We wished more details on Guayabo and Barva had been included so that we could have made better decisions about our time. For example, the trip from Heredia to Irazu to Guayabo back to Heredia took 7.5 hours. Finally I wish the guide had told us more about car rental issues in Costa Rica. We used a travel website and selected the lowest rate, which was a Costa Rican company and not a US chain. They were $100 less expensive. However, the manditory Costa Rican liability insurance increased the rate from $150 to $400. We should have checked to see if other car rental companies included liability insurance in their quote so as to really select the best deal for a week long car rental.
   
   The strength of Costa Rica is not only the beauty of the country but also the beauty of the people. Stunningly beautiful women and handsome men are seen walking or waiting for buses, tending cows or chickens or children, or working in small sodas (roadside stores). Everywhere we went we were treated warmly by the people. People were generous with their time and knowledge.
   
   We found the guide to be very helpful and readable, with beautiful photographs. The maps could use some improvement so you may want to purchase a more detailed road map for your trip.



5. Gives you good info about Costa Rica for reading before you go but not a good guide book for what to do while there. Frommer's is better for that. The NG book offers more information on actual country not vacation.

No comments about Costa Rica (Letters from Around the World).

5 comments about Let's Go Costa Rica 4th Edition (Let's Go Costa Rica).

1. This guide has accurate descriptions, up-to-date maps and a good introductory section. Its drawback is that it only has a very limited sample of hotel and restaraunt listings for many locations (like Monteverde). The descriptions are quite good but limited.

   I know it is impossible to cover everything, but I cannot deduce a strategy or a pattern used for including some hotels and eliminating others. This is a good guide for a person who is in Costa Rica for 7-10 days and is going to cover so much ground that too much detail would be overwhelming. However, if you intend to travel at a slower pace or spend more time in Costa Rica,there are better choices.




2. I reviewed numerous Costa Rica guide books and found this one to be one of the few that actually included plenty of budget options. And it is written in a fun style. Good times.



3. Thought I would give some of Lonely Planet's competition a try, and I was sorely disappointed. The book had little useful information and hardly any accomodation or restaurant listings above their "1" rating (which is the least expensive). I ended up finding more useful information from the free maps and brochures I got when I was acutally in Costa Rica. Do yourself a favor and get the Lonely Planet version instead...



4. This guidebook is no where NEAR as bad as the other reviewers are making it out to be. It's just that it's scope is very defined: Budget travelers who are visiting the country for 1 or 2 weeks.

   I found the entries to be very honest and simple; some guidebooks fall all over themselves being "exactamundo" if you know what I mean. All I know, is that it was very helpful WHILE traveling there, especially in the restaurant listings.

   Another book I found helpful BEFORE I went, was a more general social history of the country, "Costa Rica: The Last Country the Gods Made."




5. This guidebook has a lot of good info, but it lacks the depth found in other travel guides. The recommendations are largely by and for college students, although other people are catered to. We liked Explore Costa Rica for background information--as well as for its online updates, which we found on the publisher's web site.