Costa Rica: The Complete Guide: Eco-Adventures in Paradise Paperback – January 1, 2015

This is my favorite guide book ever, Costa Rica-specific or not. We had 5-6 other guides for our trip to Costa Rica last year, but this ended up being the only one we used. It was so comprehensive! We started our trip off with a large group of family, and it definitely made me feel like the expert of the group. We discovered so many things that we'd have otherwise missed! For the second half of the trip, my boyfriend and I rented a car and went off on our own. We used the book as a road trip guide and it was spot on in every place we visited. I *loved* how it was laid out by town -- we knew what was coming next, what the points of interest were, along with any interesting tidbits we needed. I'm writing this review so late because we're heading to Colombia next month and had hoped that James had written a guide for there as well. Unfortunately there isn't one (yet, anyway!) and the other guide books I've found have me missing this one even more. If you're going to Costa Rica, *definitely* pick up this book. You won't be sorry.We're going to Colombia in a couple of months and were very bummed that you didn't have a guide for there. Keep doing what you're doing -- can't wait to see what you come out with next!

This was the first travel guide I read cover to cover before a trip and I’m grateful I did. The attention to detail, photographs, and organization with this guide was perfect in helping me identify locations that most interested me, hidden gems, and ideal times of year to visit different regions in Costa Rica. I’d recommend using this travel guide to grasp all that Costa Rica has to offer and plan your hostel/eco-lodge/resort stays based on regions that most appeal to you. The educational depth of this book around culture, politics and history far exceeded my expectations. Not only did it leave me more prepared, it left me more excited for my trip.Looking forward to more adventures in Costa Rica!

I am in the planning stages and have found this book to be very insightful and organized. I like the slick pages, photographs, and detail. HOWEVER, no fault of the author, but the book has already fallen apart. I haven't even moved it off the table yet, but just turning pages seems to be too much for it. The binding is terrible. Looks like I'll have to take it fully apart, punch holes, and put it in some kind of notebook to take on my trip. Disappointed in that.Back from trip to CR. On further review, I have to say some of the info in this book is misleading. The book makes it feel like you would have a hard time driving in CR. NOT TRUE. The roads are not that bad and the drivers are more courteous than anywhere I have driven in the US. Next trip, I will save $300 in driver fees and see the country!

I love this book. It is so easy to read. It gives me an understanding of Costa Rica and its culture that is not available from anywhere else in such concise detail. I have all the guide books by the six other publishers with all the snippets and hotel and restaurant recommendations but this book fills a niche of knowledge not touched by the others.I so much appreciate this author James Kaiser doing such in depth study of Costa Rica and presently his knowledge in this wonderful book.I read every bit of the sample provided by Amazon online but knew I had to get the whole book in paperback with all the details and photos. I want to read all of his books now and go to those places also.

This book was invaluable on our recent visit to explore Costa Rica. Very unbiased information. Great for understanding the culture and avoiding frustrations. My only complaint is that the book binding started falling apart before we even left for our trip.Another recommendation; we tried to use James Kaiser's web site for hotel reviews but he just gives his picks and links you to their websites. We found it easier to just go to trip advisor for reviews, pricing and availability. We did not book any lodging before going because we wanted to be free to go or stay when we wanted to.This book was a great help in our adventure and we had a wonderful trip-just wish it had been longer; like maybe a couple of years!

Great for a simple, straightforward explanation of the highlight reel of the country.However, in-country, I found that I needed a lot more information that this book is lacking. It's also frustrating not to have any hotel information. Kaiser always says "see my website for the most updated information" which is not convenient on the road, at 10 at night, when you're trying to figure out where to rest your weary head.Didn't feel like it stood out from any of the other travel books out there, and lacked important information

I got this book for my fiance and I to gain some inspiration and plan our honeymoon. We are both not into the all inclusive scene, but maybe a smaller bnb or resort/get more local vibes.(yes, we enjoy cooking and grocery shopping!) I wanted to know more about the country and where we should take said honeymoon.after reading the book i feel confident that we can manage our own itinerary and do more local attractions while staying at a airbnb. Book is jammed packed with useful information and good background so we dont look like gringos.Def. the book for the plan it yourself/local adventure guide. its a must have! thanks james!

I plan my trips on the plane ride over with books like this one. It was a nice guide and offers great tips, especially not to stay out past about 11pm in San Jose. The zombie apocalypse happens about that time. Hostels close too, so find one early. There is a full spread picture of a rope swing with Tico Time described. It does not give the location of it. I found it with some help. See if you can. Wonderful swimming hole.