The New Key to Costa Rica

This updated edition of the classic guide to Costa Rica includes the ultimate insider's guide offering advice and tips from authors who have lived there, covers the most popular areas, and provides complete details on outdoor adventures. The guide combines the best elements of a travel guide, including hot and restaurant reviews, with ecotourism information. Includes two foldout color maps, 16 color photos, 25 maps, and 13 illustrations.

Costa Rica: A Brief History

1

(15)

Pre-Columbian Costa Rica

1

(1)

Colonial Costa Rica

2

(2)

Independence

4

(1)

The Saga of William Walker

5

(3)

The Atlantic Railroad and United Fruit

8

(2)

Liberalism Arrives in Costa Rica

10

(1)

Roots of the 1948 Civil War

10

(2)

Since 1948

12

(4)

The Ecological Picture

16

(22)

Ecosystems

17

(2)

Flora

19

(3)

Fauna

22

(5)

Interactions

27

(2)

Deforestation

29

(2)

How to Help

31

(7)

Planning Your Trip

38

(40)

Surfing the Web

38

(1)

When to Go

39

(2)

Calendar of Events

41

(3)

Coming and Going

44

(1)

Transportation

45

(2)

Sample Itineraries

47

(2)

Packing

49

(2)

Electricity

51

(1)

Traveling Expenses

51

(2)

Health Precautions

53

(5)

Accommodations in Costa Rica

58

(2)

Notes for Senior Travelers

60

(1)

Notes for Travelers with Disabilities

60

(2)

Notes for Traveling with Children

62

(2)

Notes for Women

64

(1)

Notes for Men

65

(1)

Notes for Traveling with Pets

65

(1)

Notes for Student Travelers

65

(1)

Notes for Gay and Lesbian Travelers

66

(1)

Special Ways to Visit Costa Rica

67

(11)

Once You Arrive

78

(32)

Street Address System

78

(1)

``Tiquismos''---Having Fun with Costa Rican Spanish

79

(2)

Fruits and Vegetables

81

(4)

Comida Tipica (Native Food)

85

(3)

Souvenirs

88

(1)

Tipping

89

(1)

Business Hours

90

(1)

The Metric System

90

(1)

Time Zone

90

(1)

Communications

90

(3)

Laundry

93

(1)

Local Transportation

94

(6)

Driving in Costa Rica

100

(6)

Safety and Theft

106

(2)

Embassies and Consulates

108

(1)

Health Care

109

(1)

The Outdoors

110

(17)

National Parks, Reserves, and Wildlife Refuges

110

(2)

Camping

112

(1)

Beach Safety

113

(2)

Fishing

115

(5)

Other Outdoor Sports

120

(7)

Getting to Know San Jose

127

(44)

A Walking Tour

128

(6)

Creative Arts

134

(4)

Nightlife

138

(3)

Restaurants

141

(8)

Lodging

149

(16)

Miscellaneous Information

165

(6)

Central Valley and Surroundings

171

(42)

Alajuela Area

172

(11)

Zarcero

183

(1)

Sarchi

184

(1)

Grecia Area

185

(3)

Volcan Poas National Park

188

(3)

Heredia and Surrounding Towns

191

(4)

Volcan Barva

195

(2)

Braulio Carrillo National Park

197

(2)

Cartago and Volcan Irazu

199

(1)

Orosi Valley

200

(5)

Turrialba Area

205

(5)

El Camino de los Santos

210

(3)

The Atlantic Coast

213

(45)

Puerto Limon

214

(3)

Talamanca Region

217

(9)

Puerto Viejo

226

(15)

Panama Coast

241

(2)

Tortuguero National Park

243

(11)

Barra del Colorado

254

(4)

The Northern Zone

258

(51)

The Guapiles Area

258

(4)

Sarapiqui

262

(7)

San Carlos

269

(2)

Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge

271

(3)

Volcan Arenal

274

(10)

Lake Arenal

284

(6)

Tilaran

290

(1)

Monteverde

291

(18)

Guanacaste Province

309

(69)

Las Juntas de Abangares

310

(3)

Canas and Rio Corobici

313

(1)

Bagaces Area

314

(3)

Liberia

317

(4)

Beaches near Liberia

321

(5)

Beaches near Belen

326

(12)

Santa Cruz

338

(2)

Beaches near Santa Cruz

340

(2)

Nicoya

342

(2)

Nosara, Samara, and Carrillo

344

(10)

Barra Honda National Park

354

(2)

North of Liberia

356

(10)

Side Trips to Southern Nicaragua

366

(12)

The Central Pacific Zone

378

(49)

Puntarenas

378

(4)

Nicoya Peninsula

382

(15)

Orotina and Environs

397

(2)

Central Pacific Beaches

399

(10)

Quepos and Manuel Antonio

409

(16)

Matapalo

425

(2)

Southern Zone

427

(62)

Cerro de la Muerte

427

(4)

San Isidro de El General

431

(3)

Chirripo National Park and Environs

434

(5)

Dominical and the Costanera Sur

439

(7)

Ballena National Marine Park

446

(2)

Osa Peninsula

448

(17)

Corcovado National Park

465

(5)

Golfito

470

(5)

Golfo Dulce

475

(1)

Zancudo

476

(2)

Pavones

478

(3)

San Vito

481

(2)

Parque Internacional La Amistad

483

(2)

Boruca

485

(2)

Isla del Coco

487

(2)

Staying Longer

489

(15)

Options for Residency

489

(3)

Ways to Work

492

(1)

Legal Advice

492

(1)

Real Estate and Investments

493

(1)

Renting

494

(1)

Driver's License

495

(1)

Schools

495

(2)

Labor Relations for Domestic Help

497

(1)

Health Care

498

(1)

Resources

498

(1)

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The New Key to Costa Rica

Summary

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials