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Book Description
INTRODUCTION
Hemmed in between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans near the narrowest point of the Central American isthmus, the tiny republic of Costa Rica is often pictured as an oasis of political stability in the midst of a turbulent region. This democratic and prosperous nation is also one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, an ecological treasure house whose varied habitats – ranging from rainforests and beaches to volcanoes and mangrove swamps – support a fascinating variety of wildlife, much of it now protected by an enlightened national conservation system which is widely regarded as a model of its kind.

Though this idyllic image might not do justice to the full complexities of contemporary Costa Rican society, it’s true that the country’s long democratic tradition and complete absence of military forces (the army was abolished in 1948) stand in sharp contrast to the brutal internal conflicts which have ravaged its neighbours, while the country has also largely escaped the natural disasters which have afflicted so many other Central American states. This reputation for peacefulness has been an important factor in the spectacular growth of Costa Rica’s tourist industry – up to a million visitors are expected to visit the country during the year 2002, mainly from North America. Most of all, though, it’s the country’s outstanding natural beauty which has made it one of the world’s prime eco-tourism destinations, with visitors coming to walk trails beneath the vaulting canopy trees of million-year-old rainforests; to climb the volcanoes that punctuate the country’s mountainous spine; or to explore the high-altitude cloudforest, home to the jaguar, the lumbering tapir and the resplendent quetzal.

Admittedly, tourism has made Costa Rica less of an 'authentic' experience than some travellers would like: it’s hard to go anywhere in the country without bumping into white-water rafters or surfers, and more and more previously remote spots are being bought up by foreign entrepreneurs. Still, few Costa Ricans have anything bad to say about their country’s popularity with visitors – perhaps simply because they know which side their bread’s buttered. But as more hotels open, malls go up, and foreigners flock to the country, there’s no doubt the country is experiencing a significant social change, while the darker side of foreign involvement in the country – sex tourism, real-estate scams and conflicts between foreign property-owners and poorer locals – are all on the increase.
Costa Rica’s long democratic tradition and complete absence of military forces stand in sharp contrast to the brutal internal conflicts which have ravaged its neighbours
Despite such problems, revenue from tourism is one of the reasons Costa Ricans – or Ticos, as they are generally known – now enjoy the highest rate of literacy, health care, education and life expectancy in the isthmus. That said, Costa Rica is certainly not the middle-class country that it’s often portrayed to be – a significant percentage of people still live below the poverty line – and while it is modernizing fast, its character continues to be rooted in distinct local cultures, from the Afro-Caribbean province of Limón, with its Creole cuisine, games and patois, to the traditional ladino values embodied by the sabanero (cowboy) of Guanacaste. Above all, the country still has the highest rural population density in Latin America, and society continues to revolve around the twin axes of countryside and family: wherever you go, you’re sure to be left with mental snapshots of rural life, whether it be horsemen trotting by on dirt roads, coffee-plantation day-labourers setting off to work in the dawn mists of the Highlands, or avocado-pickers cycling home at sunset.

Synopsis
A guide to one of Central America's most extraordinary countries, Costa Rica. The book offers practical advice on exploring the country, from remote Caribbean beaches to unspoilt cloudforests, together with coverage of the national parks. Up-to-date listings of the best places to sleep and eat, from luxury lodges to beach huts are included, plus insider tips on making the most of the capital, San Jose.

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The Rough Guide to Costa Rica (Rough Guide Travel Guides) by Jean McNeil £9.89

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2 Reviews 5 star:  (2) 4 star:    (0) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review (2 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers:
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: excellent guide, 27 Aug 2006 By  C. L. Rosha (london, england) - See all my reviews    We spent 2 weeks touring Costa Rica, including some amazing surf spots, perfect for beginners like me and equally enjoyable for surf-dude partner. We also made our way through the rainforests and experienced wildlife close-up. The guide book helped us plan alot of the trip before we went and was an back-pack essential as we travelled. It really helped us with places to stay and explaining some background history and facts to each place. If youre going to costa rica it is well worth your while to get a copy of this book.  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this)   35 of 40 people found the following review helpful: Costa Rica es Pura Vida, 30 Oct 2000 By A Customer This review is from: Costa Rica: The Rough Guide (Costa Rica (Rough Guides), 2nd ed) (Paperback) Costa Rica is a tropical paradise for the independent traveller. The Rough Guide contains some very useful information for the first timer; factual background information to the many places / regions, as well as useful travellers tips on what to take and what to expect. I spent a total of three weeks in this amazing country and the Rough Guide was certainly my 'bible' during my stay. Arriving in Costa Rica's capital San Jose can be a bit daunting, but the information provided in the Guide prepared me on what to expect from the bustling city, where to stay and what sort of prices to expect. The country has a varied climate and landscape, ranging from paradise-like beaches, lush green rainforests and mountainous volcanic regions. The north west (where I headed after arriving in San Jose), known as the Nicoya Peninsula has some fantastic beaches including Tamarindo, Mal Pais and Montezuma. Volcan Arenal is a must - one of the worlds most active volcanoes, which can be combined with a visit to the hot springs at Tabacon. If you are a surfer, then the Guide is packed with essentials of where to go: Jaco beach and Playa Hermosa both have great surf, with the latter being an venue for international competitions. Another major hot spot is a trek through the lush green rain or cloud forests (such as Monteverde or Manuel Antonio), many of which have been made into national reserves. They are abundant with several species of birds and other wildlife. Costa Rica is ecologically very aware of its natural environment and the government goes to great lengths in maintaining this. Travelling within the country was easy. Bus connections to all main destinations were frequent and very cheap (only a few US Dollars max)!! The country is the most safe in central America, with the longest running democracy: this is an important point I think for single travellers! Overall, My trip to Costa Rica was definetely well spent. The country is small enough to cover over a couple of weeks and the Rough Guide certainly contained all information that was required. As the local say: Costa Rica es Pura Vida!!  Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? (Report this) › See all 2 customer reviews...		Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews