Fodor's Costa Rica 2012 (Full-color Travel Guide)

 (47 customer reviews)

The writers at Fodors say that they spend lots of time finding the best places in a destination "so you don't have to." Having used several of their guides for vacations, I believe that their claim is largely true. Fodor's guides are solid, reliable, comprehensive, and not terribly entertaining. They are more reliable than Lonely Planet, and more comprehensive than Frommer's. If you are part of their intended audience, which implies being over 30, financially secure, and not too adventurous, these are the best general guides for travel.

I read Fodors to extract information, not for pleasure or deep insight. This guide will provide needed information before a trip to the Costa Rica, including broad overviews of the country's regions, hotels and restaurants in every price category, details on major attractions, and a few "Fodor's choice" highlights.

I recommend this guidebook, although the suggested retail price, $21.99, may be a bit steep for your wallet. I...Read more

Overall this guidebook provides a great overview of the entire country and will be especially pleasing to travelers who design a trip around the activities they want to experience. Other highlights include a map featuring Costa Rica's Eco-zones and National Parks that is helpful for vacationers wanting to pick their micro-climate. There are nice color photographs in the flora and fauna section which includes marine life.

Major thumbs down on the book's use of quotes from website users. Do the publishers at Fodor's realize how many fake reviews are on the internet? This is quite lazy on the part of the publisher. Am I really going to take seriously a comment by "volcanogirl" (pg. 311, 499)or "owlwoman" (pg. 486 who comments on her stay at the Iguana Lodge). owlwoman could own the Iguana Lodge! I would rather the guidebook author, not any old random, comment on lodging and restaurants. Isn't that why I'm buying a book to plan a trip instead of just reading online...Read more

I was in Costa Rica earlier this year and wish I had this book with me when I was there. It is jammed packed with information on every aspect of Costa Rica and its warm welcoming people. Its coverage of tourist attractions is simply second to none, and I found it to be very accurate in regards to places I visited. I would only take exception to its comments on coffee which it says the best is exported and what is left is not that good. I disagree, I tried several local brands and brought back a suitcase full and everyone who tried it begged for more! Also, the tap water is safe and good tasting and the locals drink it. I visited several houses and none used bottled water!
This wonderful country felt more like a small European country in some ways and was absolutely safe. The book comes with a superb fold-out map in the back which itself is worth the price of the book. It is full of quality color photos. It's print is large enough for me to read comfortably yet the book is travel...Read more