Whether you want to surf in Manuel Antonio, zip-line through the Monteverde Cloud Forest, or hike around Arenal Volcano, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Costa Rica are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Costa Rica guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been fully-redesigned with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos.

Fodor’s “Essential” guides were named by Booklist as the Best Travel Guide Series of 2020!

Fodor’s Essential Costa Rica travel guide includes:



AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do
MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time
MORE THAN 35 DETAILED MAPS and a FREE PULL-OUT MAP to help you navigate confidently
COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust!
HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS FROM LOCALS on the best sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, side-trips, and more
PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on “Best Beaches,” “Best Eco-Lodges,” “Best Outdoor Adventures,” “Best Surfing,” and more
TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS including when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money
HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, politics, art, architecture, cuisine, music, geography and more
SPECIAL FEATURES on “Ecotourism in Costa Rica,” “Weddings and Honeymoons in Costa Rica,” “What to Watch and Read Before You Visit,” and “What to Eat and Drink”
LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems
SPANISH LANGUAGE PRIMERS with useful words and essential phrases
UP-TO-DATE COVERAGE ON: San Jose, Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Cara National Park, Cano Negro National Wildlife Refuge, Manuel Antonio National Park, Monteverde Cloud Forests, Guanacaste, surfing, beaches, sloth sanctuaries, and more

Planning on visiting Belize? Check out Fodor’s Belize.

*Important note for digital editions: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images or text included in the physical edition.

ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us!