Costa Rica: The Complete Guide: Eco-adventures in Paradise

by James Kaiser

From pristine beaches and jungle waterfalls to high-altitude coffee plantations, award-winning author and photographer James Kaiser shows readers the best of Costa Rica, including the country's stunning collection of national parks. Filled with rich details and hundreds of high-quality color photographs, this guide, which provides fascinating chapters on the country€™s unique history, culture, ecology, and wildlife, is sure to appeal to anyone looking for more than just restaurant and hotel reviews. Giving travelers everything they need to plan an unforgettable trip, this resource also includes a "Top 10 Ways to Avoid a Cultural Misunderstanding" that helps visitors avoid common, and potentially embarrassing, cultural mistakes.

Genres: Travel

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

James Kaiser is an award-winning travel writer and photographer. When not trotting the globe on assignment, he writes guidebooks to U.S. national parks. In 2005 his book Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide won the Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Full-Color Travel Guide and the Independent Publisher Award for Best Travel Guide. In 2006 he was a photographer for Yahoo! Sports at the Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

Reviews

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book!

[Joseph Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Planned a trip to CR with this book. Good helpful and informative.

[Kathy England · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this guide recently before a guided tour of Costa Rica, so while I didn't use the hotel and restaurant suggestions, the information in the book was still interesting and useful. This is a good overview of culture, history, and natural history.

[Anita Elder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great source of information that will help prepare me for my trip to Costa Rica next year.

[Robin Prachar · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute must for those who plan to travel to Costa Rica.

[Summer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know if/when I will actually make it to Costa Rica, but I found myself enjoying this book just as a way to learn more about the country, culture, customs, etc. And the photography is lovely.

[Karen Firnberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tips and ideas for an epic trip.

[Rachael Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book had great detail on all aspects of Costa Rica. if you are looking to visit there, this is a must read!

[Lisa McKenzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have to pick one book to prepare yourself for Costa Rica, pick this one. The Costa Rican food guide was particularly helpful.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific insight into Costa Rica, a destination I am heading to in a couple of months. Mr Kaiser lived in the country for 5 years whilst researching the book and that comes through in the amount of details, not just from a well-heeled tourists view but also for the backpacker/independant traveller. Perhaps leaning a little towards the American market, but that's no real hardship. Well written with ample explanations for visits, hiking and other activities, mainly outdoors. James Kaiser, as a writer and also the main photgrapher for these near 500 pages, comes through bright and clear. He has heightened my anticipation of my forthcoming trip.

[Jonathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best guide book I've ever bought, and the only one I've ever read cover to cover. Doesn't waste time with pages and pages of hotel or restaurant/nightlife reviews (although there is some of the latter). Focus is on destinations, activities, and pictures, as well as a large section dedicated to history, culture, flora and fauna, food and the like.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for an upcoming trip. I think it gives you a bit more of the more "Backpacker" explorer tips and some great places to check out off the beaten path. When I return from my trip I can review how helpful the information actually was.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great suggestions, really honest straightforward information about each point of interest. I went to Costa Rica using this book as a culture guide and to plan where to go, and it was very helpful.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Getting ready for a trip, very helpful guidebook with lots of suggestions.