Fodor's Costa Rica 2012

Book excerpt: Get inspired and plan your next trip with Fodor’s ebook travel guide to Costa Rica (including San José, the Central Valley, the Northern Plains, the North Pacific, the Central Pacific, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean). Intelligent Planning: Discover all of the essential, up-to-date travel insights you expect in a Fodor’s guide, including Fodor’s Choice dining and lodging, top experiences and attractions, and detailed planning advice. Easy Navigation for E-Readers: Whether you’re reading this ebook from start to finish or jumping from chapter to chapter as you develop your itinerary, Fodor’s makes it easy to find the information you need with a single touch. In addition to a traditional main table of contents for the ebook, each chapter opens with its own table of contents, making it easy to browse. Full-Color Photos and Maps: It’s hard not to fall in love with Costa Rica as you flip through a vivid full-color photo album. Explore the layout of city centers and popular neighborhoods with easy-to-read full-color maps. Plus get an overview of Costa Rican geography with the convenient atlas at the end of the ebook. What’s Covered? Get to Know Costa Rica: Almost everyone passes through San José on their way to the beach or the mountains. This capital city isn’t much to look at, but it has great restaurants and nightlife and fascinating museums dedicated to gold and jade. You won’t want to linger long in the Central Valley, as it lacks any of the country’s big-name attractions. But there are quite a few day-trip possibilities, including exploring mountain villages, rafting through whitewater rapids, and gaping into the mouths of some of the country’s most accessible active volcanoes. The Northern Plains attract those who don’t like sitting still. After zipping along cables through the misty jungle of Monteverde Cloud Forest, windsurfing on glittering Lake Arenal, or watching the nightly fireworks of Arenal Volcano, you can reward yourself with a dip in the bubbly waters of Tabacón Hot Springs. If you came for beaches, the Northern Pacific is for you. Each has a unique personality: Flamingo’s endless stretch of sand draws sun worshippers; Tamarindo’s nightlife is legendary; Avellanas’s strong swells challenge surfers; Ostional’s nestling sea turtles bring nature lovers; and Papagayo Peninsula’s all-inclusive resorts provide every creature comfort. The Central Pacific area is not just for spring breakers. Drive down the coast to the cluster of small hotels and restaurants at Manuel Antonio. The national park, on a peninsula jutting into the ocean, has the easiest wildlife viewing on the planet. The South Pacific, also known as “The Amazon of Costa Rica,” has rustic lodges in Osa Peninsula that sit on the edge of the country’s wildest region. Hikes reveal toucans and scarlet macaws in the treetops, and boating trips often include swimming with whales and dolphins. Despite its name, Costa Rica’s Caribbean isn’t known for white-sand beaches or crystal-blue waters. Come here for spirited music, the tasty food, and the chance to mix with the Afro-Caribbean population. The coast also attracts turtle-watchers, as four different kinds nest at Tortuguero National Park. Note: This ebook edition is adapted from Fodor’s Costa Rica 2012, but differs in some content. Additionally, the ebook edition includes photographs and maps that will appear on black-and-white devices but are optimized for devices that support full-color images.