Synopses & Reviews
Fodors. For Choice Travel Experiences.Fodors helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. Although youre at the helm, Fodors offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. Its like having a friend in Costa Rica!
•Updated annually, Fodors Costa Rica provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guidebook.
•Fodors Costa Rica features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.
•If its not worth your time, its not in this book. Fodors discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodors Choice designations, ensure that youll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Costa Rica.
•Experience Costa Rica like a local! Fodors Costa Rica includes unique photo-features that impart the countrys culture, including driving the Orosi Valley Loop, hiking the Arenal Volcano, taking a canopy tour, lounging on the beach, and much more!
•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.
•Includes 8-page color insert and over 30 maps
Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.
Synopsis
Updated annually, "Fodor's Costa Rica" provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available. The 2009 edition includes unique features that impart the country's culture, including driving the Orosi Valley Loop, hiking the Arenal Volcano, and more. 8-page color insert and 30 maps.
Synopsis
Costa Rica has become one of the most popular destinations for American travelers seeking natural beauty, outdoor adventure, and sun. Fodor's full-color guide shows off the splendor of Costa Rica like no other guide.
Synopsis
Relax at the most tranquil beaches, explore the lush cloud forests, embark on a white-water rafting adventure, walk right up to the edge of steaming volcanic craters, or spot one of the many exotic species of birds that inhabit this paradise–
Fodor's Costa Rica 2008 offers all these experiences and more! Our local writers have traveled throughout the country to find the best hotels, restaurants, attractions and activities to prepare you for a journey of stunning variety. Before you leave for your trip be sure to pack your Fodor's guide to ensure you don't miss a thing.
The San Francisco Chronicle sums it up best –"Fodor's guides are saturated with information."
- We frequently update our Costa Rica guide, and we make every effort to bring you the most accurate and thorough book. Plus we provide timely updates about the area at Fodors.com.
- Unlike other travel books, Fodor's guides rely heavily on local experts who know the territory best–so you know you're seeing the real Costa Rica.
- Includes unique, color photos that illustrate the country's history and local activities and a full-color pullout map of Costa Rica.
- We give you the planning tools you need to tailor your trip. We give options for all budgets. You make the choices.
Table of Contents
Planning Your TripBe a Fodors Correspondent ............ 3
About This Book ............ 6
Whats Where ............ 7
Quintessential Costa Rica ............ 12
When to Go ............ 15
If You Like ............ 16
Great Itineraries ............ 19
Costa Rica
Chapter 1: San José ............ 23
Welcome to San José ............ 24
San Jose Planner ............ 26
Exploring San José ............ 28
Where to Eat ............ 41
Where to Stay ............ 48
Nightlife & the Arts ............ 57
Shopping ............ 60
San José Essentials ............ 63
Chapter 3: The Northern Plains ............ 115
Welcome to Northern Plains ............ 116
Northern Plains Planner ............ 118
Northwest of San José ............ 120
The Arenal Volcano Area ............ 126
Monteverde Cloud Forest Area ............ 142
Caño Negro Refuge Area ............ 160
The Sarapiquí Loop ............ 163
Northern Plains Essentials ............ 175
Chapter 4: North Pacific ............ 179
Welcome to North Pacific ............ 180
North Pacific Planner ............ 182
Far Northern Guanacaste ............ 184
The Nicoya Coast ............ 200
The Tempisque River Basin ............ 258
North Pacific Essentials ............ 264
Chapter 5: Central Pacific ............ 267
Welcome to Central Pacific ............ 268
Central Pacific Planner ............ 270
The Southern Nicoya Tip ............ 272
Inland ............ 289
The Coast ............ 292
Central Pacific Essentials ............ 332
Chapter 6: South Pacific ............ 335
Welcome to South Pacific ............ 336
South Pacific Planner ............ 338
The Central Highlands ............ 340
Valle de El General Region ............ 345
The Coast ............ 354
The Golfo Dulce ............ 367
The Osa Peninsula ............ 379
The South Pacific Essentials ............ 401
Chapter 7: Caribbean ............ 403
Welcome to The Caribbean ............ 404
Caribbean Planner ............ 406
The Northern Lowlands ............ 408
The Northern Caribbean Coast ............ 413
The Southern Caribbean Coast ............ 425
Caribbean Essentials ............ 452
Chapter 8: Ecotourism Costa Rica—Style ............ 455
Understanding Costa Rica ............ 467
Costa Rica at a Glance ............ 468
A Brief History ............ 469
Wildlife & Plant Glossary ............ 471
Menu Guide ............ 477
Vocabulary ............ 481
Essentials ............ 487
Transportation ............ 488
On The Ground ............ 501
Index ............ 531
About Our Writers ............ 544
Costa Rica In Focus
Driving the Orosi Valley Loop ............ 99
Arenal Volcano ............ 132
Canopy Tours ............ 144
Choosing a Beach ............ 201
Manuel Antonio National Park ............ 315
Corcovado National Park ............ 393
Tortuguero National Park ............ 416
Maps
Costa Rica ............ 10-11
Downtown San Jose ............ 30-31
Where to Stay and Eat in Downtown San Jose ............ 44-45
The Central Valley ............ 74-75
Alajuela ............ 85
Arenal Volcano ............ 130
Monteverde and Santa Elena ............ 151
The North Pacific ............ 186-187
Liberia . ............ 197
Tamarindo & Playa Langosta ............ 226
The Central Pacific ............ 276-277
Jacó ............ 299
Quepos & Manuel Antonio ............ 313
The South Pacific ............ 342
The Caribbean Coast ............ 410-411
Tortuguero ............ 415
Cahuita ............ 432
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca ............ 440