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    Insight Guides Explore Costa Rica (Travel Guide eBook)
    Insight Guides Explore Costa Rica (Travel Guide eBook)
    Insight Guides Explore Costa Rica (Travel Guide eBook)
    Ebook503 pages2 hours

    Insight Guides Explore Costa Rica (Travel Guide eBook)

    By Insight Guides

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    About this ebook

    Insight Explore Guides: pocket-sized books to inspire your on-foot exploration of top international destinations.

    Experience the best of Costa Rica with this indispensably practical Insight Explore Guide. From making sure you don't miss out on must-see attractions like the Arenal Volcano, to discovering hidden gems, including the remote Osa Peninsula, the easy-to-follow, ready-made walking routes will help you plan your trip, save you time, and enhance your exploration of this fascinating country.

    Practical, pocket-sized and packed with inspirational insider information, this will make the ideal on-the-move companion to your trip to Costa Rica
    Enjoy 12 irresistible Best Routes to walk, from the capital San Jos to the cloud forest of Monteverde
    Features concise insider information about landscape, history, food and drink, and entertainment options
    Invaluable maps: each Best Route is accompanied by a detailed full-colour map, while the large pull-out map provides an essential overview of the area
    Discover your destination's must-see sights and hand-picked hidden gems
    Directory section provides invaluable insight into top accommodation, restaurant and nightlife options by area, along with an overview of language, books and films

    About Insight Guides: Insight Guides is a pioneer of full-colour guide books, with almost 50 years' experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides with user-friendly, modern design. We produce around 400 full-colour print guide books and maps as well as phrasebooks, picture-packed eBooks and apps to meet different travellers' needs. Insight Guides' unique combination of beautiful travel photography and focus on history and culture create a unique visual reference and planning tool to inspire your next adventure.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherInsight Guides
    Release dateNov 1, 2018
    ISBN9781789192735
    Insight Guides Explore Costa Rica (Travel Guide eBook)
    Author

    Insight Guides

    Pictorial travel guide to Arizona & the Grand Canyon with a free eBook provides all you need for every step of your journey. With in-depth features on culture and history, stunning colour photography and handy maps, it’s perfect for inspiration and finding out when to go to Arizona & the Grand Canyon and what to see in Arizona & the Grand Canyon. 

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      Book preview

      Insight Guides Explore Costa Rica (Travel Guide eBook) - Insight Guides

      How To Use This E-Book

      This Explore Guide has been produced by the editors of Insight Guides, whose books have set the standard for visual travel guides since 1970. With ­top-­quality photography and authoritative recommendations, these guidebooks bring you the very best routes and itineraries in the world’s most exciting destinations.

      Best Routes

      The routes in this book provide something to suit all budgets, tastes and trip lengths. As well as covering the destination’s many classic attractions, the itineraries track lesser-known sights. The routes embrace a range of interests, so whether you are an art fan, a gourmet, a history buff or have kids to entertain, you will find an option to suit.

      We recommend reading the whole of a route before setting out. This should help you to familiarise yourself with it and enable you to plan where to stop for refreshments – options are shown in the ‘Food and Drink’ box at the end of each tour.

      Introduction

      The routes are set in context by this introductory section, giving an overview of the destination to set the scene, plus background information on food and drink, shopping and more, while a succinct history timeline highlights the key events over the centuries.

      Directory

      Also supporting the routes is a Directory chapter, with a clearly organised A–Z of practical information, our pick of where to stay while you are there and select restaurant listings; these eateries complement the more low-key cafés and restaurants that feature within the routes and are intended to offer a wider choice for evening dining. Also included here are some nightlife listings, plus a handy language guide and our recommendations for books and films about the destination.

      Getting around the e-book

      In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.

      Maps

      All key attractions and sights mentioned in the text are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map] just tap this to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.

      Images

      You’ll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of the destination. Simply double-tap on an image to see it full-screen.

      © 2018 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd

      Table of Contents

      Recommended Routes For...

      Away from it all

      Children

      Foodies

      History and culture

      Outdoor adventure

      Tropical nature

      Views

      Wildlife

      Explore Costa Rica

      Geography and Layout

      History

      Climate

      Population

      Local Customs

      Politics and Economics

      Food and Drink

      Local Cuisine

      Typical dishes

      On the lighter side

      Specialties

      Vegetarian and gluten-free fare

      Tropical Fruits

      Where to Eat

      Eating like the locals

      Drinks

      Refreshing fruit elixirs

      In the land of coffee

      Cool brews

      Cocktail time

      Shopping

      Local Crafts

      Indigenous crafts

      Artisanal wood

      Paper

      Ceramics

      Coffee and Comestibles

      Musical Souvenirs

      Panoramic Photography

      Entertainment

      Music Scene

      Credomatic Music Festival

      Envision Festival

      Traditional music

      Karaoke

      Cinema

      Activities

      Water Sports

      Diving and snorkeling

      Whitewater rafting

      Sport Fishing

      Hiking, Climbing, Cycling

      Nature-watching

      Going to Extremes

      History: Key Dates

      Pre-Columbian

      Discovery and Spanish Conquest

      Liberation

      19th Century

      20th Century

      Modern Times

      San José

      El Puro Centro (Downtown)

      Monuments to Peace

      Edificio Metálico

      Parque de España

      Casa Amarilla

      Berlin Wall Fountain

      Faded Elegance

      Dunn Inn

      Culture Corner

      Plaza de la Cultura

      Gold and Jade Museums

      Heredia

      Mercado Central

      Parque Central

      Church of the Immaculate Conception

      Casa de la Cultura

      The Little Fort

      Old Town Vista

      Coffee Tour

      Heredia Hills

      San Isidro de Heredia

      Orosi Valley

      Cartago to Paraíso

      Lankester Botanical Garden

      Mirador Orosí

      Orosí

      Balneario Aguas Termales Orosí

      River Crossings

      Tapantí National Park

      Casona del Cafetal

      Casa del Soñador

      Cachí Hydroelectric Dam

      Ujarrás Ruins

      Mirador Ujarrás

      Back to San José

      Cerro de la Muerte Highlands

      San Pedro to Cartago

      Cerro de la Muerte Foothills

      Empalme

      Route of the Saints

      Top of the Mountain

      Paraíso Quetzal

      Los Quetzales National Park

      San Gerardo de Dota

      Savegre Hotel and Natural Reserve

      Botanic Garden

      Waterfall Trail

      Along the spine of Costa Rica

      Cerro de la Muerte to Peréz Zeledón

      On the Way Down

      San Isidro de El General

      Climbing the Mountain

      Canaan

      Chocolate and cheese

      Mountain lodging

      San Gerardo de Rivas

      Secret gardens and trout ponds

      Cloudbridge

      Valle de El General

      Los Cusingos Bird Sanctuary

      Hacienda Alta Gracia

      Terraba

      Paso Real

      San Vito

      Finca Cantaros

      Casa Botania

      Wilson Botanical Garden

      South Pacific Coast

      San Isidro to the Pacific Ocean

      Descent to Dominical

      Hacienda Barú Wildlife Refuge

      Dominical

      Dominicalito Beach

      Alturas Wildlife Sanctuary

      Uvita

      Ballena National Marine Park

      Ojochal

      Tilapias El Pavón

      Osa Canopy

      Finca 6 Museum of the Spheres

      Sierpe

      Osa Peninsula

      Puerto Jiménez

      On the road

      Golfo Dulce

      Matapalo and its Eco-lodges

      Río Pirro

      Carate

      Corcovado National Park

      Arenal

      San José to La Fortuna

      Los Angeles Cloud Forest

      On the Way Up

      Bungee jumping

      Lands in Love

      On the Way Down

      La Fortuna

      Volcano Road

      Birds and butterflies

      Lake Arenal

      Little Switzerland

      La Union

      Nuevo Arenal

      Western Lake Arenal

      Monteverde

      Santa Elena

      Cerro Plano

      Butterfly Farm

      Sunset Spot

      Hotel Belmar

      Bat Jungle Monteverde

      CASEM

      Bajo Del Tigre Trail

      Monteverde Cheese Factory

      Curi-Cancha Reserve

      Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve

      Hummingbird Gallery

      Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve

      Southern Nicoya Peninsula

      Nicoya

      Nosara

      Playa Guiones

      Playa Pelades

      Río Nosara

      Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

      Playa Sámara

      La Selva Wild Animal Refuge

      Punta Islita

      Caribbean Coast

      Getting There

      Sloth Sanctuary

      Playa Grande

      Playa Negra

      Miss Edith

      Cahuita National Park

      Cahuita Town

      Botanical Garden

      Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

      Playa Puerto Viejo

      Chocolate paradise

      Luluberlu Gallery

      Caribbean flavors

      Playa Cocles

      Playa Chiquita

      Playa Punta Uva

      Ara Project

      Playa Manzanillo

      Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

      Accommodations

      San José

      Heredia

      Orosí

      Cerro de la Muerte

      South Pacific

      Drake Bay

      Osa Peninsula

      Puerto Jiménez

      Matapalo

      Carate

      Golfo Dulce

      Road to Chirripó

      San Isidro de El General

      San Vito

      San Ramón

      Arenal

      Monteverde

      Nosara

      Playa Sámara

      Punta Islita

      Caribbean Coast

      Cahuita

      Puerto Viejo

      Manzanillo

      Restaurants

      San José

      Escazú

      Santa Ana

      Heredia

      Dominical

      Uvita

      Ojochal

      La Fortuna

      Nuevo Arenal

      Monteverde

      Puerto Jiménez

      Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

      Playa Cocles

      Nightlife

      San José

      Escazú

      Arenal

      La Fortuna

      South Pacific

      Dominical

      Ojochal

      Caribbean

      Cahuita

      Puerto de Viejo

      Manzanillo

      A-Z

      A

      Addresses

      Age restrictions

      B

      Budgeting

      C

      Children

      Clothing

      Crime and safety

      Customs regulations

      D

      Disabled travelers

      E

      Electricity

      Embassies and consulates

      Emergencies

      Etiquette

      F

      Festivals

      H

      Health

      Inoculations

      Healthcare and insurance

      Pharmacies and hospitals

      Hours and holidays

      Public holidays

      I

      Internet facilities

      L

      LGBTQ travelers

      M

      Media

      Money

      ATMs

      Currency

      Credit cards

      Travelers’ checks

      Tipping and taxes

      P

      Postal services

      R

      Religion

      Restrooms

      S

      Smoking

      T

      Telephones

      Cell phones

      Time zones

      Tourist information

      Tours and guides

      Transportation

      Getting there by air

      Public transportation

      Taxis

      Driving

      V

      Visas and passports

      W

      Weights and measures

      Women travelers

      Language

      Survival Spanish

      Numbers

      Common expressions

      Shopping and eating

      Getting around

      Driving

      Books and Film

      Books

      Natural history

      Field guides

      Cell phone app

      E-book

      Photography

      Culture and history

      Literature and folk stories

      Film

      Recommended Routes For...

      Away from it all

      Go off grid at an eco-lodge on the Osa Peninsula or a castaway lodge across the Golfo Dulce (route 8). Pamper yourself at a hot springs spa in Arenal (route 9) or relax with yoga and therapeutic massage in Nosara (route 11).

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Children

      Introduce youngsters to endearing baby sloths at the Sloth Sanctuary in Cahuita (route 12) and remarkable bats at the Bat Jungle in Monteverde (route 10). Enjoy a beach vacation in family-friendly Sámara (route 11).

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Foodies

      Savor San José’s eclectic downtown restaurant scene (route 1) and get a taste for spicy Caribbean cuisine in Cahuita (route 12). Nosara has healthy, organic offerings and Sámara has two of the country’s standout Italian restaurants (route 11).

      Alamy

      History and culture

      Explore pre-Columbian culture at San José’s Gold or Jade museum (route 1) and at the Finca 6 Museum of the Spheres (route 7). Vestiges of colonial times survive in the Orosí Valley (route 3) and Heredia (route 2).

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Outdoor adventure

      Hike in the highland Cloudbridge Reserve (route 5), zip-line through lowland rain forest at Hacienda Barú (route 7), learn to surf in Nosara (route 11) and snorkel Punta Uva’s coral reef (route 12).

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Tropical nature

      Take a walk in Monteverde’s cloud forest (route 10), visit Wilson Botanical Garden’s world-famous collection of heliconias (route 6), or take a boat through Central America’s largest mangrove (route 7).

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Views

      Take in idyllic views of the Orosi Valley (route 3) and of the Arenal Volcano rising above misty Lake Arenal (route 9). Embrace picture-perfect Playa Carrillo (route 11) and spectacular sunsets on Dominicalito Beach (route 7).

      Shutterstock

      Wildlife

      Seek the resplendent quetzal in the highlands (route 4); watch snakes being fed a live lunch (route 7); see butterflies emerge from cocoons (routes 9 and 10); or glimpse a secretive tapir or jaguar in Corcovado (route 8).

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Explore Costa Rica

      With an astonishing array of natural habitats, exotic flora and fauna, and miles of pristine coastline, Costa Rica is a magnet for nature-lovers. Outdoor adventures and off-the-grid experiences abound, within a sustainable framework of genuine ecotourism.

      From impoverished, neglected Spanish colony to progressive, democratic republic, Costa Rica has made some wise public policy decisions along the way. Among them was the creation in 1955 of the first national park, protecting Poás Volcano, which set the country on a conservation course that has made it one of the world’s premier ecotourism destinations.

      Fisherman mending his net, Puntarenas

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      Geography and Layout

      Wedged between Nicaragua and Panama on the Central America isthmus, Costa Rica stretches between 8 and 11 degrees above the equator. With a land area of just 51,000 sq km (20,000 sq miles), Costa Rica extends only 460km (286 miles) from top to bottom, and at its narrowest point, measures 120km (74.5 miles) across.

      Small as it is, four mountain ranges, which separate east from west, present challenges in traveling around the country. Two-lane, winding roads have to climb up and over mountains, and snake along indented coastlines.

      There is no countrywide train service, but buses are plentiful and relatively cheap. Many remote destinations are reachable only by boat or small plane. To get to some of the off-the-beaten routes described in this book, driving a car, preferably with four-wheel drive and a good navigation system, is the best option.

      White-faced capuchin

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      History

      Since the army was abolished in 1949, governments have devoted a large percentage of the country’s resources to education, health, and conservation. The resulting social peace has made Costa Rica a relatively safe and pleasant place to visit.

      The investment in conservation has paid off, too. Almost a quarter of the country is now protected in national parks, biological preserves, wildlife refuges, and private preserves, home to more than 900 species of birds, 250 mammals, and almost 6 percent of the world’s total identified species.

      Climate

      Although it’s so close to the equator, the climate is surprisingly variable and moderate, thanks to changes in altitude. In the high central valley, where most of the population lives, it’s ‘perennial springtime,’ with average temperatures ranging from 20°C to 26°C (68°F to 78°F) day and night. Higher up in the mountains, temperatures at night can fall into the low teens Celsius (50s Fahrenheit). Down on both coasts, however, temperatures are decidedly tropical, with very high humidity and temperatures climbing into the 30s Celsius (90s, Fahrenheit).

      Pre-Columbian model display, Jade Museum, San José

      Corrie Wingate/Apa Publications

      The country’s two seasons, invierno (winter) and verano (summer) are more related to rainfall than changes in temperature. The rainy season (invierno) starts in mid-May and runs through the end of November. But even in the rainy season, mornings are often dry and sunny, followed by heavy afternoon downpours.

      Generally speaking, high season in Costa Rica is December through the end of March, with a second burst of tourism May to September. Toward the end of the rainy season can be the most pleasant time to visit since the landscape is at its lushest and greenest, and the sun-seeking crowds from northern climates have not yet arrived.

      A bushmaster, the largest New World snake

      Getty Images

      DON’T LEAVE COSTA RICA WITHOUT…

      Savoring a breakfast à la Tico. Sit down to at least one típico breakfast of gallo pinto, tortillas, queso, and tortillas with natilla. La Criollita in San José is an excellent place to have breakfast (for more information, click here).

      Flying through the air. Zip-lining is a thrilling way to experience Costa Rica’s rain forest. Wing Nuts Canopy Tour in Sámara is adept at calming the most apprehensive youngsters and oldsters (for more information, click here). The Osa Canopy Tour, more challenging, will suit the more adventurous (for more information, click here).

      Watching a Pacific sunset. With or without a tropical drink in hand, join locals and visitors on Playa Pelades in Nosara in the daily ritual of watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean. Watch out for the fabled green flash as the sun disappears under the horizon (for more information, click here).

      Climbing a volcano. Get up-close and personal with Arenal Volcano by hiking up the steep Lava Trail (for more information, click here).

      Watching a butterfly take wing. Of all the wild things in Costa Rica, butterflies are the easiest to see and the most captivating. Watch one emerge from its cocoon and release it with your own hands into the Butterfly Garden in Monteverde (for more information, click here).

      Going off grid. The greatest luxury in Costa Rica is escaping the noise of modern civilization. The last outpost is the Osa Peninsula where you can walk the scenic Coastal Path from Drake Bay (for more information, click here), or wander the forest preserves of the eco-lodges along the road to Carate (for more information, click here).

      Population

      The latest census puts the population at just under 5 million. The overwhelming majority of Ticos, as they call themselves, are of mostly Spanish heritage, with various mixtures of mestizo (indigenous) and other European ancestry. The vast majority – around 70 percent – live in the Central Valley.

      The country’s largest minority is the English-speaking, Afro-American population on the Caribbean coast, descendant of Jamaican immigrants. A sizeable population of Chinese (called Chinos) is descended from 19th-century indentured

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