The New Key to Costa Rica

by Blake, Beatrice; Becher, Anne; Hyde, Deidre; Wheeler, Nik

• ISBN13: 9781569753163
• ISBN10: 1569753164
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-08-01
• Publisher: Ulysses Pr

Table of Contents

Costa Rica: A Brief History	1	(15)
Pre-Columbian Costa Rica	1	(1)
Colonial Costa Rica	2	(2)
Independence	4	(1)
The Saga of William Walker	5	(3)
The Atlantic Railroad and United Fruit	8	(2)
Liberalism Arrives in Costa Rica	10	(1)
Roots of the 1948 Civil War	10	(2)
Since 1948	12	(4)
The Ecological Picture	16	(22)
Ecosystems	17	(2)
Flora	19	(3)
Fauna	22	(6)
Interactions	28	(1)
Deforestation	29	(2)
How to Help	31	(7)
Planning Your Trip	38	(42)
Surfing the Web	38	(1)
When to Go	39	(2)
Calendar of Events	41	(3)
Coming and Going	44	(1)
Transportation	45	(2)
Sample Itineraries	47	(3)
Packing	50	(1)
Electricity	51	(1)
Traveling Expenses	51	(3)
Health Precautions	54	(4)
Accommodations in Costa Rica	58	(2)
Notes for Senior Travelers	60	(1)
Notes for Travelers with Disabilities	61	(2)
Notes for Traveling with Children	63	(3)
Notes for Women	66	(1)
Notes for Men	66	(1)
Notes for Traveling with Pets	67	(1)
Notes for Student Travelers	67	(1)
Notes for Gay and Lesbian Travelers	67	(1)
Special Ways to Visit Costa Rica	68	(12)
Once You Arrive	80	(33)
Travel Insurance	80	(1)
Local Transportation	80	(7)
Driving in Costa Rica	87	(6)
Safety and Theft	93	(2)
Embassies and Consulates	95	(1)
Health Care	95	(1)
Tipping	96	(1)
Business Hours	97	(1)
The Metric System	97	(1)
Time Zone	97	(1)
Communications	98	(3)
Laundry	101	(1)
``Tiquismos''---Having Fun with Costa Rican Spanish	101	(3)
Fruits and Vegetables	104	(4)
Comida Tipica (Native Food)	108	(2)
Souvenirs	110	(3)
The Outdoors	113	(18)
National Parks, Reserves, and Wildlife Refuges	114	(1)
Hiking	114	(1)
Camping	115	(1)
Beach Safety	116	(2)
Fishing	118	(5)
Other Outdoor Sports	123	(8)
Getting to Know San Jose	131	(42)
A Walking Tour	132	(6)
Creative Arts	138	(3)
Nightlife	141	(4)
Restaurants	145	(8)
Lodging	153	(14)
Miscellaneous Information	167	(6)
Central Valley and Surroundings	173	(35)
Alajuela Area	174	(9)
Grecia	183	(2)
Sarchi	185	(1)
Volcan Poas National Park	186	(4)
Heredia and Surrounding Towns	190	(3)
Volcan Barva	193	(2)
Braulio Carrillo National Park	195	(2)
Cartago and Volcan Irazu	197	(1)
Orosi Valley	198	(4)
Turrialba Area	202	(6)
The Atlantic Coast	208	(48)
Puerto Limon	209	(3)
Tortuguero National Park	212	(10)
Barra del Colorado	222	(3)
Talamanca Region	225	(24)
Side Trips to Panama	249	(7)
The Northern Zone	256	(54)
The Guapiles Area	256	(2)
Sarapiqui	258	(9)
On the Way to Arenal Volcano	267	(4)
Cano Negro Wildlife Refuge	271	(3)
Volcan Arenal	274	(10)
Lake Arenal	284	(2)
Nuevo Arenal	286	(4)
Tilaran	290	(1)
Monteverde	291	(19)
Guanacaste Province	310	(68)
Las Juntas de Abangares	311	(1)
Canas and Rio Corobici	312	(3)
Bagaces Area	315	(2)
Liberia	317	(3)
Beaches near Liberia	320	(6)
Beaches near Belen	326	(12)
Santa Cruz	338	(2)
Beaches near Santa Cruz	340	(2)
Nicoya	342	(2)
Nosara, Samara, and Carrillo	344	(10)
Barra Honda National Park	354	(1)
North of Liberia	355	(11)
Side Trips to Southern Nicaragua	366	(12)
The Central Pacific Zone	378	(47)
Puntarenas	378	(4)
Nicoya Peninsula	382	(15)
Carara National Park and Environs	397	(3)
Central Pacific Beaches	400	(8)
Quepos and Manuel Antonio	408	(15)
Matapalo	423	(2)
Southern Zone	425	(64)
Santa Maria de Dota and Copey	425	(3)
Cerro de la Muerte	428	(2)
San Isidro de El General	430	(3)
Chirripo National Park and Environs	433	(6)
Dominical and the Costanera Sur	439	(6)
Ballena National Marine Park	445	(3)
Osa Peninsula	448	(19)
Corcovado National Park	467	(5)
Golfito	472	(4)
Golfo Dulce	476	(1)
Zancudo	477	(3)
Pavones	480	(2)
San Vito	482	(2)
Parque Internacional La Amistad	484	(2)
Boruca	486	(2)
Isla del Coco	488	(1)
Staying Longer	489	(15)
Options for Residency	489	(3)
Ways to Work	492	(1)
Legal Advice	492	(1)
Real Estate and Investments	493	(1)
Renting	494	(1)
Driver's License	495	(1)
Schools	495	(2)
Labor Relations for Domestic Help	497	(1)
Health Care	498	(1)
Resources	499	(1)
Recommended Reading	499	(5)
Index	504	(10)
Lodging Index	514	(9)
Dining Index	523	(14)
About the Authors, Photographer, and Illustrator	537