With a wealth of attractions and adventures, Costa Rica is one of the hottest vacation destinations in the Americas. Whether you want relaxation or excitement, youll find it. Stroll leisurely on the beach or zip through the treetops on a canopy tour. Explore urban San Jose or incredible national parks with unspoiled wilderness. Choose the Caribbean Coast or the Central Pacific Coast. Lounge beside an infinity pool or battle a billfish. Seek out exuberant nightlife or take in the lush tropical scenery. Go golfing, snorkeling, volcano viewing, river rafting, sea kayaking, mountain biking, or horseback riding. Stay in a luxurious resort or a rustic wooden cabin . . . a Mediterranean villa or an Ecolodge tent. This friendly guide clues you in, with:

• The lowdown on how to get to Costa Rica and how to get around after you arrive
• Details on San Jose and the Central Valley; the Guanacaste area, Costa Ricas Gold Coast; the Manuel Antonio area, the most popular ecotourism destination; the Monteverde area with its misty cloud forests; and the rest of the country
• Suggested itineraries to help you make the most of your time
• A Quick Concierge section with key phone numbers, Web addresses, and other handy how-tos for traveling in Costa Rica

Like every For Dummies travel guide, Costa Rica For Dummies, 3rd Edition includes:

• Down-to-earth trip-planning advice
• What you shouldnt miss and what you can skip
• The best hotels and restaurants for every budget
• Lots of detailed maps...

Researched by a veteran travel writer who lives in Latin America, Frommer's Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands takes you through this fast-changing country, to visit rugged wilderness preserves, sleepy beach towns, the bustling, colonial captital, and, of course, the spectacular Galapagos Islands. Ecuador offers an opportunity for adventure for all ages and abilities: from mountain biking in Baños, to swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos; from whitewater rafting on the Rio Blanco, to summiting Cotopaxi, the highest active volcano in the world.

With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience the wonder of Ecuador's amazing biodiversity, as we point out the best places to see hundreds of unique, colorful species of animals and plants. Frommer's Ecuador even includes a wildlife appendix, to help you identify the creatures you'll encounter along the way. Plus, we give you detailed information on planning an adventure vacation, everything from A to Z. Travel like a pro with our handy Spanish-language glossary and detailed regional and town maps....

NEW FULL-COLOR GUIDE!

Completely updated every year, Frommer's Costa Rica features gorgeous color photos of the lush rain forest, the amazing array of wildlife, and the spectacular beaches that await you.

Personally researched by a longtime resident, it's the only truly up-to-date guide that gives you such in-depth coverage of this fast-changing country, with recommended accommodations in every price category.

You'll visit rugged wilderness preserves and sleepy beach towns, spectacular orchid gardens and mineral hot springs at the foot of a steaming volcano. There are adventures here to suit all ages and abilities: swooping from treetop platform to treetop platform on a canopy tour, taking a dip in a jungle swimming hole, spotting playful spider monkeys as you hike through lush foliage, windsurfing on Lake Arenal, or watching endangered sea turtles nest on the beach.

With Frommer's in hand, you'll experience the wonder of Costa Rica's amazing biodiversity, as we point out the best places to see hundreds of unique, colorful species of animals and plants. You'll even get a color fold-out map!

...

America’s #1 bestselling travel series

Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer’s Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.

• More annually updated guides than any other series

• 16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides

• Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries

• Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

...

Frommer's Central America is the premier guide to the region, with complete coverage of Belize, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama. Whether you're an archaeology buff, an outdoor adventurer, or a partier in search of a good time, Central America presents so many diverse travel options that it'll make your head spin. Frommer's Central America will help you plan a memorable trip, starting with our highly opinionated lists of the best experiences the region has to offer.

Our authors have lived in and written about Central America for years, so they’re able to provide valuable insights and advice. They’ll steer you away from the touristy and the inauthentic, and show you the real heart of this region. Let them take you to exciting cities, charming colonial towns, lovely beach resorts, ancient ruins, traditional Maya villages, and natural wonders, with advice on everything from hiking Costa Rica’s cloudforests, to touring Nicaragua’s volcanoes, to snorkeling Belize’s Barrier Reef.

You’ll travel Central America like a pro with our candid advice and handy Spanish-language glossary. Also included are accurate regional and town maps (including site plans of the major ruins), up-to-date advice on finding the best package deals, and extensive info on sustainable travel....

America’s #1 bestselling travel series

Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer’s Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.

• More annually updated guides than any other series

• 16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides

• Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries

• Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

...