Frommer's Costa Rica 2010 (Frommer's Color Complete)

Description

NEW FULL-COLOR GUIDE! Completely updated every year, Frommer's Costa Rica features gorgeous color photos of the lush rain forest, the amazing array of wildlife, and the spectacular beaches that await you. Personally researched by a longtime resident, it's the only truly up-to-date guide that gives you such in-depth coverage of this fast-changing country, with recommended accommodations in every price category. You'll visit rugged wilderness preserves and sleepy beach towns, spectacular orchid gardens and mineral hot springs at the foot of a steaming volcano. There are adventures here to suit all ages and abilities: swooping from treetop platform to treetop platform on a canopy tour, taking a dip in a jungle swimming hole, spotting playful spider monkeys as you hike through lush foliage, windsurfing on Lake Arenal, or watching endangered sea turtles nest on the beach. With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience the wonder of Costa Rica's amazing biodiversity, as we point out the best places to see hundreds of unique, colorful species of animals and plants. You'll even get a color fold-out map! Frommer's Costa Rica 2010 Contents List of Maps Chapter 1: THE BEST OF COSTA RICA THE best OF NATURAL COSTA RICA THE best BEACHES THE best ADVENTURES THE best DAY HIKES & NATURE WALKS THE best BIRD-WATCHING THE best DESTINATIONS FOR FAMILIES THE best LUXURY HOTELS & RESORTS THE best MODERATELY PRICED HOTELS THE best ECOLODGES & WILDERNESS RESORTS THE best BED & BREAKFASTS & SMALL INNS THE best RESTAURANTS THE best VIEWS THE best AFTER-DARK FUN THE best WEBSITES ABOUT COSTA RICA Chapter 2: COSTA RICA IN DEPTH COSTA RICA TODAY LOOKING BACK AT COSTA RICA ART & ARCHITECTURE THE LAY OF THE LAND COSTA RICA IN POPULAR CULTURE: BOOKS, FILM & MUSIC EATING & DRINKING IN COSTA RICA Chapter 3: PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO COSTA RICA WHEN TO GO ENTRY REQUIREMENTS GETTING THERE & GETTING AROUND MONEY & COSTS HEALTH SAFETY SPECIALIZED TRAVEL RESOURCES SUSTAINABLE TOURISM STAYING CONNECTED TIPS ON ACCOMMODATIONS Chapter 4: SUGGESTED ITINERARIES COSTA RICA REGIONS IN BRIEF COSTA RICA IN 1 WEEK COSTA RICA IN 2 WEEKS COSTA RICA FOR FAMILIES A WEEK OF ADVENTURES IN COSTA RICA SAN JOSE & ENVIRONS IN 3 DAYS Chapter 5: THE ACTIVE VACATION PLANNER ORGANIZED ADVENTURE TRIPS ACTIVITIES A TO Z COSTA RICA’S TOP NATIONAL PARKS & BIORESERVES TIPS ON HEALTH, SAFETY & ETIQUETTE IN THE WILDERNESS VOLUNTEER & STUDY PROGRAMS Chapter 6: SAN JOSE ORIENTATION GETTING AROUND WHERE TO STAY WHERE TO DINE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES & SPECTATOR SPORTS SHOPPING SAN JOSE AFTER DARK SIDE TRIPS FROM SAN JOSE Chapter 7: GUANACASTE: THE GOLD COAST LIBERIA LA CRUZ & BAHIA SALINAS PLAYA HERMOSA, PLAYA PANAMA & PAPAGAYO PLAYA DEL COCO & PLAYA OCOTAL PLAYAS FLAMINGO, POTRERO, BRASILITO & CONCHAL PLAYA TAMARINDO & PLAYA GRANDE PLAYA JUNQUILLAL Chapter 8: PUNTARENAS & THE NICOYA PENINSULA PUNTARENAS PLAYA TAMBOR PLAYA MONTEZUMA MALPAIS & SANTA TERESA PLAYA SAMARA PLAYA NOSARA Chapter 9: THE NORTHERN ZONE: MOUNTAIN LAKES, CLOUD FORESTS & A VOLCANO PUERTO VIEJO DE SARAPIQUI ARENAL VOLCANO & LA FORTUNA ALONG THE SHORES OF LAKE ARENAL MONTEVERDE Chapter 10: THE CENTRAL PACIFIC COAST: WHERE THE MOUNTAINS MEET THE SEA PLAYA DE JACO, PLAYA HERMOSA & PLAYA HERRADURA MANUEL ANTONIO NATIONAL PARK DOMINICAL SAN ISIDRO DE EL GENERAL: A BASE FOR EXPLORING CHIRRIPO NATIONAL PARK Chapter 11: THE SOUTHERN ZONE DRAKE BAY PUERTO JIMENEZ: GATEWAY TO CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK GOLFITO: GATEWAY TO THE GOLFO DULCE PLAYA ZANCUDO PLAYA PAVONES: A SURFER’S MECCA Chapter 12: THE CARIBBEAN COAST BARRA DEL COLORADO TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK LIMON: GATEWAY TO TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK & SOUTHERN COASTAL BEACHES CAHUITA PUERTO VIEJO Chapter 13: FAST FACTS: COSTA RICA AIRLINE, HOTEL & CAR-RENTAL WEBSITES Chapter 14: SPANISH TERMS & PHRASES BASIC WORDS & PHRASES SOME TYPICAL TICO WORDS & PHRASES MENU TERMS OTHER USEFUL TERMS Chapter 15: COSTA RICAN WILDLIFE FAUNA FLORA INDEX