Here is a selection of books you may want to consider reading before your journey to Costa Rica.

Costa Rica, Travelers' Wildlife Guides

By Les Beletsky

This outstanding book is a field guide to the natural history of Costa Rica featuring 350 color illustrations of common birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Introductory chapters cover habitats, parks and conservation in Costa Rica.

Rough Guide Costa Rica

By Jean McNeil

This is a compact guide with a historical and cultural overview of Costa Rica that pays special attention to its natural history

Costa Rica Spanish Phrasebook​

By Lonely Planet

A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos.

Costa Rica Adventure Map

By National Geographic

A double-sided color map of Costa Rica at a scale of 1:350,000, with good shaded relief.

The New Key to Costa Rica

By Beatrice Blake

A comprehensive, frequently revised guide to Costa Rica with excellent information on hotels, restaurants and excursions throughout the country.

Costa Rica, An Ecotraveller’s Guide

by Hannah Robinson

A compact, well-illustrated guide to parks, wildlife reserves and outdoor activities throughout Costa Rica, organized geographically. Featuring dozens of local maps, suggested walks and activities, and an overview of wildlife.

Costa Rica’s National Parks and Reserves

By J. Franke

A practical guide to the flora and fauna of Costa Rica focusing on its parks and preserves. It features profiles of Costa Rica’s 40 protected areas, including sketch maps, practical directions and trail information.​

A Neotropical Companion

by J.C. Kricher

A tropical primer aimed at the motivated general reader. It’s a systematic overview of the ecology, habitats, animals, plants and ecosystems of Central and South America.

Costa Rica in Focus

by Tjabel Daling

A concise guide to the people, politics, economy and culture of Costa Rica. The author explores the history of democracy since the abolition of the army in 1948, economic doldrums of the 1980s, and impact of tourism.​

Culture and Customs of Costa Rica

by Chalene Helmuth

Featured topics include Costa Rica’s, legacy of social reform, religion, social customs, media, and literature, national traits, cuisine, family roles, sports, and art and the performing arts.

Central America, A Natural and Cultural History

by Anthony G. Coates (Editor)

A concise overview of the region with contributions by diverse authors on the geology, natural history and culture of the Central American isthmus. A publication of the “Paseo Pantera Project.” With charts, graphs and maps.

The Ticos, Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica

By Richard Biesanz

An insightful, fact-filled portrait of Costa Rican culture, history and society. This revised edition, by the same team that researched and wrote The Costa Ricans, brings the story up through the economic crisis of the 1980s and into the late 1990s. It’s an excellent survey for the interested traveler.

For more book to read before you trip, visit the resource tab at holbrooktravel.com/where-we-travel/americas/costa-rica.