The Southern Costa Rica Handbook [Paperback]

Alexander del Sol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

The most up-to-date, accurate and vividly detailed information resource available for lodgings, restaurants, tours and other traveler services in Costa Rica's most lush and exciting region.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A surfer, diver, entrepreneur and writer originally from California in the United States, Alexander del Sol traveled to Australia, Mexico, Hawaii and other tropical playgrounds before deciding to make the tropical paradise of southern Costa Rica his 'home away from home'. He strongly encourages the visitation and exploration of this pristine, blossoming region before more of its natural beauty departs this world on the trailers of lumber trucks. He currently lives much of the year in the world famous Osa Peninsula of southern Costa Rica.

Product Details

• Paperback: 218 pages
• Publisher: Alexander del Sol (April 2002)
• ISBN-10: 9977124833
• ISBN-13: 978-9977124834
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,589,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Know Before You Go!, August 20, 2002

By 

Britta Lee Shain (Julian, Ca United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Southern Costa Rica Handbook (Paperback)

Prior to departure, I sat on the floor of my local bookstore sifting through no less than 17 books on Costa Rica. An hour and a half-- and one headache-- later, I finally narrowed my choices down to what I like to call "the big four"--those familiar-named guidebooks that everyone would be carrying. It was not until I was already traveling in Costa Rica that I discovered Alexander del Sol's Southern Costa Rica Handbook and realized that I had finally arrived.

After two dizzying weeks of trying to decipher the nondescript differences between various hotels, restaurants and tourist traps as reviewed by the big four, what a joy it was to finally read about a destination in such detail and clarity that you could actually picture where it was you were headed. Mr. del Sol has done a terrific job of culling out the junk for you, and then describing his choices in such a manner that you can joyfully plan your trip with confidence.

As one of his previous reviewers commented, I only wish he would write a guide book for the rest of Costa Rica--and the world, for that matter!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Need help on your Southern Costa Rica journey..., May 30, 2003

By 

J W (Laguna Hills, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Southern Costa Rica Handbook (Paperback)

What a tremendously detailed book of all the Hotels, place to eat and visit in the Southern Zone of Costa Rica! The book was a great help while weeding through the vast array of choices to choose from. We looked at several books prior to our excursion, but found that there was something missing for this beautiful part of the country. Southern Costa Rica Handbook provided us exactly the descriptive information to make our trip more fulfilling, while educating us on "local knowledge" of the area. A must read prior to any journey to this area!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Reads like an advertorial, April 27, 2004

By 

Girlycake (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Southern Costa Rica Handbook (Paperback)

I was disappointed with this book -- it read as if the writer had paid sponsorships from the places he reviewed. Plus, despite its promise of including hikes, hikes were barely mentioned, but plenty of advertising was provided for local tour companies. The book isn't a complete waste of time, but if you're looking for a guide that spends time discussing the area in depth and doesn't just review the local businesses, don't buy this one.