Fodor's Essential Costa Rica

by Fodor's Travel Publications Inc.

Whether you want to surf in Manuel Antonio, zip-line through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, or hike around Arenal Volcano, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Costa Rica are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Costa Rica guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos.

Fodor’s “Essential” guides were named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020!

Fodor’s Essential Costa Rica travel guide

AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and doMULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your timeMORE THAN 35 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidentlyCOLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust!HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, side-trips, and morePHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Best Beaches,” “Best Eco-Lodges,” “Best Outdoor Adventures,” “Best Surfing,” and moreTRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and moneyHISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography and moreSPECIAL FEATURES on “Ecotourism in Costa Rica,” “Weddings and Honeymoons in Costa Rica,” “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit,” and “What to Eat and Drink” LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gemsSPANISH LANGUAGE PRIMERS with useful words and essential phrasesUP-TO-DATE COVERAGE San Jose, Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Cara National Park, Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forests, Guanacaste, surfing, beaches, sloth sanctuaries, and morePlanning on visiting Belize? Check out Fodor’s Belize.

*Important note for digital The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition.

ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

528 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 15, 2022

About the author

Fodor's Travel Publications is a United States-based producer of English-language travel guides and online tourism information. It was founded by Hungarian Eugene Fodor in 1936.
Fodor’s was acquired by Random House in 1986 and sold to Internet Brands in 2016.

Reviews

[Nd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having just been to Costa Rica, I wanted to see what Fodor's had to offer regarding the places I had visited. This is the first time I've read a Fodor's guide after visiting somewhere. I think they're a lot more helpful to read before going than afterward. I'm beginning to think their later guides are not nearly as thorough as ones compiled some years back. This was good for cursory information about different ares of the country, but details concerning history, environment, nature, people, etc., are not nearly as specific or detailed as I would have liked.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great resource for the overall culture and peoples of Costa Rica and what to expect and prepare for when traveling there. The book is divided into regions, which is helpful you can dive into the specific regions. You may be visiting with sightseeing in hotel recommendations in those specific areas. I was able to pick up some good tips that came in handy during my travel to Costa Rica.

[Steve]

“Abandoned” isn’t quite right, but I’m clearly not gonna read this cover to cover. It’ll hang around our living room until we go. Seems like a fine guidebook but until I go it’s hard to judge.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ideas! I especially liked the itinerary suggestions. But now I have to try and narrow it down.

[Christina Karvounis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having visited a few times and planning another trip, this book is terrific. Great reviews, solid recommendations and great ideas.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Covers the basics. Didn't get any particular insights into the country or it's people. Illustrations primarily of the travel brochure variety. It's OK.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not overwhelming with detail. Good prior to trip when making reservations. Probably too much of an overview to actually take with you on your trip.