Many Costa Rica guides provide hotel, restaurant, and arrival information, but Lonely Planet's stands out from the pack. Written by Rob Rachowiecki, an award-winning travel writer and naturalist, this guide delves into Costa Rica's flora, fauna, and nature reserves like no other. Rachowiecki's Costa Rica includes a 36-page color wildlife guide, contacts, and details on outdoor activities from kayaking to scuba diving, and bird watching to surfing. There are 54 maps of cities, towns, regions, and parks, plus a comprehensive e-mail and Web site directory, and scads of eating and accommodations options, from budget to upscale. With its rainforests, wildlife, volcanoes, and beaches, Costa Rica is among the most beautiful destinations, and Rachowiecki's guide prepares you to explore and enjoy.

Book Description
Stroll through pristine cloud forests and peer into simmering volcanoes, catch the perfect turquoise wave and howl back at howler monkeys, gaze at the waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific from the top of Mt Chirripo - Costa Rica is an adventurer's dream. Packed with expert advice on making the most of your trip, our authoritative guide will help you discover your own paradise in the land of pura vida. • GET WILD - our full-color wildlife guide gets you in touch with the swingers, the swimmers and the slitherers • GO NATURAL - an expert ecologist gives you the scoop on Costa Rica's stunning national parks in our environment chapter • TAKE IT OUTSIDE - our adventure travel chapter has you covered, from hiking and surfing to rafting and kayaking • GET AROUND - 77 user-friendly maps, more than any other guidebook to Costa Rica • REST EASY - from treehouse hammocks to luxury ecolodges, accommodations to please every style and budget

Excerpted from Lonely Planet Costa Rica (Lonely Planet Costa Rica) by Carolina Miranda, Paige Penland. Copyright © 2004. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Destination: Costa Rica Surfer dudes, bird nerds, hiking fiends, mountain trekkers, back-to-the-land fans, beach bums and party animals have all found something in common in Costa Rica. The waves are prime, the natural beauty staggering, the pace of life slow, the beer plentiful and the locals friendly. A stronghold of peace in a region torn by strife, this tiny nation attracts a stream of more than a million eager visitors annually. The country stands apart from its Central American neighbors on various points. The first is that it has no army. Armed forces were abolished after the 1948 civil war, and Costa Rica has avoided the despotic dictatorships, military coups and internal turmoil that have plagued other countries in the region. The country is also unique globally for its enlightened approach to conservation. More than 27% of the country is protected in one form or another, and more than 14% is within its national park system. Lush jungles are home to playful monkeys, languid sloths, crocodiles, countless lizards, poison-dart frogs and a mind-boggling assortment of exotic birds, insects and butterflies. Endangered sea turtles nest on both coasts and cloud forests protect elusive birds and jungle cats. Thrill seekers can fly through the forests on zip lines, peer into boiling volcanoes, surf oversized waves, scuba dive with dolphins and whales and come face-to-face with poisonous snakes - all in the course of a normal day. Then again, if you have some serious chilling to do, you can always lounge in a hammock and enjoy the pure life, or pura vida - a national expression that sums up the desire to live the best, most hassle-free existence.