Open Road Best of Costa Rica

by Charlie Morris

Shares quick-read descriptions of top-selected Costa Rica destinations that can be enjoyed during short trips, in a guide that covers such options as eco-touring in Monteverde Cloud Forest, viewing turtle nests in Corcovado National Park, and visiting favorite Pacific Coast beaches. Original.

Genres: Travel

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have never travelled to Costa Rica, but this concise, opinionated guide just might be a worthwhile companion. Not nearly as exhaustive as other guides, I'm guessing that anything they do include deserves mention.
Missing are maps detailed enough to provide some orientation.

[Shawna · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the bookstore and am so glad I skimmed it before I bought it. I did not buy it, I would not recommend it. I have never read a more negative, snobbish guide book. The only hotels the book would recommend where the most expensive in the country, the ones who opulently cater to foreigners, it talks down to locals, local cuisine, local lodging. Sentences start out negative, and just get worse. instead of talking about pick pocketing as something that often happens to travels, no matter the city (New York, Chicago, San Jose, etc.) they make it sound like it will happen to you because you are in a dirty, third world country. I am really excited about my trip because of friends who have gone, and because luckily I picked up Lonely Planet and DK guide books prior to this one. Guide books should embrace the city/country and if the person who is writing the book needs to stay in nothing but 5 star hotels, eat Zagat approved meals, see only museums the quality of the Louvre, and be driven around in nothing short of a Mercedes then maybe they should not be reviewing an adventure country like Costa Rica. I feel bad for the person writing this as they obviously missed the whole point of a beautiful and fun country.

[Jeff]

I guess I won't know how good this book is until I actually go to Costa Rica . . .

I'm going to Costa Rica in April for my honeymoon. I want to know as much as possible before going. Therefore, I began reading through this book. The glossy pages and colorful photos are nice. The information is concise and clear. The authors have a sense of humor. I think my fiancée and I will base much of our trip on what I've read.