Customer Reviews

Moon Handbooks: Costa Rica (3rd Ed.)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

We purchased the 1999 edition directly from Moon (it was so new Amazon had not received it yet) hot off the press ! We also purchased several other competitors guidebooks to take with us. The Costa Rica Handbook came back from the trip very worn! Of all the books, this one has the most travel information, the best maps, most useful suggestions and funny traveler's stories that were relevant to our trip. We tried using and referring to the other books many times while in Costa Rica, but we found ourselves reaching for the Costa Rica Handbook by Moon time and time again! If you can only afford to buy one book with information on travel to this country buy this one! One shortcoming you should conisder before buying this book - it contains little about wildlife...you will need to purchase another book that contains pictures and identification information about animals, plants, insects, birds, etc. of this country if your primary purpose for going is to sight animals and birds native to Costa Rica ! Another note: If you are planning on driving outside of tourist areas you might want to learn a little Spanish...we speak intermediate Spanish and while I was in the country, I couldn't help thinking that someone who had no knowledge of the Spanish language would find traveling by car and stopping outside of tourist areas (lodges, restaurants and gas stations) a bit confusing (they speak almost no english outside of tourist areas)...Know your road signs in Spanish! it helps a lot - buy a beginner's guide to Latin American Spanish with a tape so you can hear pronounciation.

Having lived in Costa Rica and traveled there many times and, having purchased copies of most of the Travel Guides written about Costa Rica during the past ten years, I consider this by far the best, most comprehensive travel guide I have ever read. Many travel writers give you bits and pieces of information based on their preferences ... preferences which may/may not be yours. This writer provides a vast array of information about an exceptionally beautiful country so that you can make your own choices.

We have just returned from a four-week trip to Costa Rica. We bought three guides to plan the trip: the Moon Handbook, Lonely Planet, and Footprint. Of these the Moon Guide was by far the best. Author Christopher Baker has a great way of identifying interesting places to stay, eat, and visit and helping the reader visualize what they are like. As a result we discovered mnay exceptional places to stay and found that his desciptions were right on target. If you are planning more than a one-week quicky to Costa Rica this is the guide to plan your trip.

I used 4 books on my 2-week trip (Fodor's, Rough Guide, Lonely Planet, and Moon). Moon was the most comprehensive (it should be, at twice the size of the other books!) and down-to-earth, and had good maps. Fodor's was the best for practical information and has the next-most-extensive hotel and restaurant reviews (after Moon), but not as many choices. Lonely Planet had decent maps and wildlife info, but I found it hard to navigate. RG was pretty useless and out of date and difficult to navigate---used it only as a backup to double-check maps and other information from the other books. The worst thing about Moon was its lack of practical information and the fact that lots of stuff was outdated. Some of the advice was sketchy---like how to look for "love beneath the palms."

I bought 4 guidebooks before our trip to Costa Rica, and left "Explore Costa Rica" at home because the middle section of the book had already fallen out after a few looks. "Lonely Planet" was also left at home because the reviewer didn't seem to go inside most of the restaurants and lodgings he reviewed. I took "New Key Guide" and "Moon Handbook" and rarely opened the "New Key Guide". The writers of "New Key Guide" don't seem to like Costa Rica very much, making unnecessary and inaccurate comments like "Costa Ricans don't trust each other, and neither should you". This left me relying on the Moon Handbook, which more than made up for the inadequacies of the others. It has everything you need: first you need to find a place to stay. They're grouped by price and described accurately as to amenities and type of clientele. Then you want to eat. Same orderly presentation. Some of the other guides group the hotels and eateries all together, without sorting into price and type. What a hassle to do the sorting yourself when you're tired and it's late. Moon Handbooks also give lots of descriptions of things to do. But the best and most indispensible part was the town maps. I don't know how we would have figured out where we were going without them. This is the only one you need. And it is still intact after a month of daily use and abuse.

If you are planning to travel extensively in Costa Rica or concentrate on a particular region, this is your guide book.

I recently got back from an off road trip of Guanacaste and Mr. Baker left no stone unturned. Couple this book with his National Geographic Costa Rica book, which highlights well the major Costa Rica attractions (and more higher end lodging and dining), and you will not be disappointed.

If you are used to upper end accomodations, be aware that you will not generally find that for less than $75 per night, as listed in Mr. Baker's book.

Concerning the organization, Costa Rica's sights are vast. So if you are hitting the highlights: get the National Geographic guide book. You can't help a little disoraganization, as there is no straight line path through the country.

If you do travel off the path, be prepared to call Mr. Baker, "swash buckler", as we did...

This book allowed us to prepare for and tour ten days in Costa Rica. We were able to book perfect hotels, find great restaurants, prepare adequately for the roads, and arrange for activities. The book is comprehensive and provides for a variety of budgets and interests. Baker is one of the finest travel writers I have had the pleasure to peruse.

I bought this book in 1996 and went to Costa Rica for three months on a shoestring budget. I carried this book everywhere with me and it was invaluable. Barker's descriptions are right on and the book is set up in an easy to read manner. I took another 'guidebook' down with me as well, but it came back looking like new while Barker's book is well worn. I am going back this year and plan to buy his latest edition.

Having traveled extensively on five continents, I know a good guide book when I see one. On two five week adventures traveling through Costa Rica by bicycle, backpacking, bus, car and boat my wife and I found Baker's book invaluable for locating food and lodging to suit our moods from adventurous and a little crazy to predictable and comfortable. This book is very practical, containing all the information you need to see the 'attractions' of Costa Rica but also includes descriptions of out of the way places and back-doors into some of the National Parks if you want some solitude or a unique experience. I'm anxiously awaiting the new edition slated for December of 1998 release.

I'm taking a class to Costa Rica and I am requiring them to read this book. The information on ecosystems and environmental ethics are excellent summaries of information that is necessary for travelers. I would say that I disagree with the comments on Costa Rican food which I enjoyed. Although a bit weighty, this was my book of choice.