Central America - Costa Rica (Chapter)

This is the Costa Rica chapter from Lonely Planet's Central America guidebook.

Mention Costa Rica and people think paradise. The country's Disneylike cast of creatures – ranging from howler monkeys to toucans – are populous and relatively easy to spot. The waves are prime, the beauty is staggering and the sluggish pace seductive.

• paddle a maze of canals with growling howlers, sloths, crocs, turtles and manatees in Parque Nacional Tortuguero
• give in to the seductive tranquility of Montezuma, a terminally chilled-out Pacific beach town
• scale Costa Rica's highest peak (3820m), where the panorama yawns from the Atlantic to Pacific, in Parque Nacional Chirripó
• maps
• transport
• restaurants & accommodations

Coverage includes: San José, Central Valley & Highlands, Alajuela, Parque Nacional Volcán Poás, Heredia, Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, Cartago, Río Orosi Valley, Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú, Turrialba, Monumento Nacional Arqueológico Guayabo, Caribbean Coast, Tortuguero, Puerto Limón, Cahuita, Parque Nacional Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Manzanillo, Sixaola, North Central Costa Rica, Tilarán, Monteverde & Santa Elena, La Fortuna & Volcán Arenal, Los Chiles, La Virgen, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, Guanacaste, Cañas, Parque Nacional Palo Verde, Reserva Biológica Lomas de Barbudal, Liberia, Parque Nacional Rincón de La Vieja, Parque Nacional Santa Rosa, Peñas Blancas & La Cruz, Península de Nicoya, Playa Del Coco, Playa Tamarindo, Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste, Playas Avellanas & Negra, Playa Sámara, Playa Naranjo, Paquera, Montezuma, Mal País & Santa Teresa, Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco, Central Pacific Coast, Puntarenas, Parque Nacional Carara, Jacó, Quepos, Manuel Antonio, Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Dominical, Uvita, Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, Southern Costa Rica & Península de Osa, San Isidro de El General, San Gerardo de Rivas, Parque Nacional Chirripó, Palmar Norte & Palmar Sur, Sierpe, Bahía Drake, Puerto Jiménez, Parque Nacional Corcovado, Golfito, Pavones, Neily, Paso Canoas and Costa Rica Directory.