Award-winning author and Costa Rica expert Christopher Baker guides you through this incredibly varied and alluring country, one of Central America's premier ecotourist destinations. Illustrated with 120 vivid photographs and 20 full-color maps, the book starts with a detailed introduction to the country's history and culture--including a section on its unique flora and fauna. You are then guided through each of the country's regions: the capital city of San Jose; the lush Central Highlands; Guanacaste and its volcanoes; sea-fringed Nicoya; the Central Pacific; Zona Sur; the South Central and its cloud forests; the Northern Lowlands; and the Caribbean. Special features give comprehensive information on topics ranging from snakes and butterflies to volcanoes and rafting, while ten guided drives and walks take you into some of the country's most fascinating areas, including a stroll through San Jose's Otoya and Amon barrios and a drive along the Inter-American Highway. Sidebars on experiential travel abound, revealing how to save macaws, learn Spanish, and best enjoy the coffee culture.