534
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OUR READERS Many thanks to the travelers who used the last edition and wrote to us with help-ful hints, useful advice and interesting anecdotes: Cayla Damick, Dan Allen, David Wingo, Donna Harshman, Duncan Smith, Enrico Mezzato, Fanny Wiedmer, Frances Pordes, Jennifer Covington, Juliette Giannesini, Jurgen van de Vijver, Luise Winkler, Nan Oomes, Paola Brighenti, Paul de lange, Sarah Hatherell, Sonia Rodrigue, Stefano Mezzato and Ville Ekman
AUTHOR THANKS Wendy YanagiharaI wish to acknowledge some amazing staff at Lonely Planet with whom I’ve had the pleasure of working, who have since departed, and who are greatly missed. Catherine, Kathleen and Bruce laid the groundwork for this book. Special thanks in Costa Rica go to Corey, Chapu, Bob, Monique and Marcel, Kathleen, rangers Herold and Roger, Yolanda and Manuel. Abrazos to Chris for traveling all the way from the Middle East to Central America, and to my superstar support system in Carp.
Gregor ClarkMuchísimas gracias to the countless people who shared their knowledge, especially Daryl and Lydia in Tortuguero, Sara and Toine in Orosi, Lis in Turrialba, José and David at La Danta Salvaje, Jürgen at Selva Bananito, Fernando vand Sarah in Punta Mona, and Andrés and Brian in San José. Besos y abrazos to Meigan and Dr Bwinkle, for adventuring with me from the Caribbean to the volcano-tops, and to Gaen, who always makes coming home the best part of the trip.
Mara VorheesThanks to Catherine Craddock for many years of leadership and cooperation on Central America titles – you will be missed! I am so grateful to my parents for their patient hearts and adventurous spirits. And thank you to my boys, all three of them, for coming along on this amazing journey.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Climate map data adapted from Peel MC, Finlay-son BL & McMahon TA (2007) ‘Updated World Map of the Köppen-Geiger Climate Classifica-tion’, Hydrology and Earth System Sciences, 11, 1633¬44.
Cover photograph: Baby three-toed sloth, Mark Kostich/Getty ©
Behind the Scenes
©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
THIS BOOK This 11th edition of Lonely Planet’s Costa Rica guidebook was researched and written by Wendy Yanagihara, Gregor Clark and Mara Vorhees. The previ-ous edition was researched and written by Nate Cavalieri, Adam Skolnick and Wendy Yanagihara.This guidebook was com-missioned in Lonely Planet’s Oakland office, and produced by the following:Commissioning Editors Catherine Craddock-Carrillo, Kathleen Munnelly
Managing Editor Bruce EvansCoordinating Editor Sarah BaileyProduct Editor Kate MathewsSenior Cartographer Mark GriffithsBook Designer Mazzy PrinsepSenior Editor Karyn NobleAssisting Editors Nigel Chin, Charlotte Orr, Gabrielle Stefanos, Ross TaylorAssisting Cartographers Corey Hutchison, Valentina Kremenchutskaya
Assisting Book Designer Virginia MorenoCover Researcher Naomi ParkerLanguage Content Branislava VladisavljevicThanks to Ljubomir Ceranic, Brendan Dempsey, Elizabeth Jones, Catherine Naghten, Claire Naylor, Martine Power, Eleanor Simpson, Ron Tjoeka, Tracy Whitmey, Amanda Williamson
536
Map Pages 000Photo Pages 000
Aaccommodations 24, 506-7,
see also individual locations
ecolodges 29luxury resorts 29
activities 30-2, 40-50, see also individual activities
addresses 511Afro-Caribbean culture 167,
168, 188air travel 518-19, 521-2, 522Alajuela 108-12, 110alligators 327, 396, 420,
442amphibians, see frogsanimals 487-99, see also
individual speciesants 498aquariums
Parque Marino del Pacífico 353
aracaris 393, 458, 21archaeological sites 469
Alma Ata Archaeological Park 282
Finca Cántaros 427Monumento Nacional
Arqueológico Guayabo 138
Parque Nacional Carara 356
Sitio Arqueológico Finca 6 449
area codes 515Área de Conservación
Guanacaste 237-40, 233Arenal, see Volcán ArenalArias Sánchez, Óscar
474, 475art galleries, see museums
& galleriesarts 479-80, see also
individual arts
Atenas 115ATMs 513
BBahía Drake 451-5, 452Bahía Gigante 333-4Bahía Potrero 296Bahía Salinas 242-4Baird’s tapir 413, 420, 431,
458, 460, 497Bajos del Toro 119-20banana industry 148, 472-3bargaining 25Barra del Colorado 166-7Barrio Amón 70, 17Barva 124-5basilisks 15bathrooms 515Battle of Santa Rosa 237beaches 27
Bahía Salinas 242-3Cahuita 168El Segundo 356Golfito 433Manuel Antonio Village
388Matapalo 395Montezuma 336-7Nosara 318Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Península de Nicoya 298Playa Avellanas 312Playa Blanca 441Playa Brasilito 300Playa Caletas 456Playa Camaronal 328Playa Carrillo 327Playa Cativo 435Playa Cocalito 456Playa Cocles 185Playa Cocolito 339Playa Conchal 300-1Playa Coyote 329, 332Playa Doña Ana 356Playa Esterillos 371-2
Playa Flamingo 297Playa Grande 301-2Playa Guiones 318Playa Hermosa (Pacific
Coast) 370Playa Hermosa (Península
de Nicoya) 293Playa Herradura 359-60Playa Junquillal 313Playa Negra 312Playa Nicuesa 435Playa Ocotal 295Playa Palo Seco 376Playa Pan de Azúcar 297Playa Penca 296Playa Pochote 335Playa Sámara 323Playa San Isidro 356Playa San Josecito 435,
456Playa San Miguel 329Playa Santa Teresa 14Playa Tamarindo 303-4Playa Tambor 335Puerto Jiménez 442Puerto Limón 150Punta Uva 185
beetles 498bellbirds 215bicycle travel, see cyclingBijagua 220-1Biolley 430biological reserves, see
national parks & reservesbirds 490-1, see also
individual speciesbird-watching 27-8, 44, 46,
487-8Área de Conservación
Guanacaste 238Bosque Nuboso
Monteverde 213Hacienda Barú National
Wildlife Refuge 395-6Nature Pavilion 280Parque Internacional La
Amistad 431
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo 144
Parque Nacional Carara 357
Parque Nacional Chirripó 420
Parque Nacional Corcovado 458
Parque Nacional Isla del Coco 440
Parque Nacional Los Quetzales 413-14
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena 404
Parque Nacional Palo Verde 225
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 158
Rafiki Safari Lodge 394-5Refugio Nacional de
Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal 240-1
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro 271-2
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú 335
San Gerardo de Dota 412San Isidro de El General
415blue morpho butterflies 73,
276, 498, 498boat travel 521, 522-3boat trips
Isla Tortuga 334Parque Nacional Palo
Verde 225Parque Nacional
Tortuguero 158Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
283Puntarenas 353Tortuguero 159
Boca Tapada 277-8books 109, 464, 473, 476,
479, 483, 501border crossings 520-1
Nicaragua 163, 242, 270Panama 189
Index
©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
537IN
DEX B- D
Bosque Nuboso Monteverde 11, 212-16, 28, 214, 233, 503
Bribrí 191-2Bribrí people 167, 183, 407,
431, 467, 478bridges
Crocodile Bridge 357Rock Bridge 116
budget 23bullfighting 30, 97, 213,
252, 268, 290, 478bungee jumping 116,
131, 202bus travel 521, 523, 525-6business hours 513butterflies 238, 276, 395,
440, 498, 498Arenal EcoZoo 261Butterfly Garden 195Mike’s Jungle Butterfly
Farm 332Santuario de Mariposas
Aguas Silvestres 280Spirogyra Jardín de
Mariposas 73
CCabécar people 141, 183,
407, 422, 431, 467Cabo Matapalo 446-8Cabuya 342cacao 174, 203, 441Cahuita 168-74, 168-9Calderón Guardia, Rafael
Ángel 471, 472, 473Canales de Tortuguero 154Cañas 218-20canoeing, see also kayaking,
white-water raftingLa Fortuna 252Parque Nacional
Tortuguero 158Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
283Río Sarapiquí 283Tortuguero 159
canopy tours 48Arenal Paraíso Canopy
Tours 253Aventura 202Canopy Los Cañones
253Crazy Monkey Canopy
Tour 185Ecoglide 253Extremo Canopy 202Hacienda Barú National
Wildlife Refuge 395-6Hacienda Pozo Azul
Adventures 280
Miravalles Volcano Adventure Center 224
Miss Sky 318Monteverde Theme Park
195, 197Original Canopy Tour
202Rainforest Aerial Tram
146Rainmaker Aerial
Walkway 372Río Perdido 26Selvatura 202Sky Trek 262SkyTram 199SkyTrek 202Spider Monkey Canopy
Tour 241Sun Trails 338Titi Canopy Tours 374Veragua Rainforest
Research & Adventure Park 152
Wing Nuts 324canyoning 199
La Fortuna 253Laguna de Arenal 264
capuchins 497, 496car travel 521, 523-5caracaras 386Carate 448-9Cariari 147Caribbean Coast 61,
140-92, 142-3climate 140food 140highlights 142
carretas 117, 126Cartago 125-9cathedrals, see churches &
cathedralscaves
Parque Nacional Barra Honda Caverns 317
Venado Caves 276cell phones 22, 515Central Valley 60, 105-39,
106-7accommodations 105climate 105food 105highlights 106-7
ceramics 97, 315Cerro Chirripó 16, 62,
419-21, 16, 428Cerro de La Muerte 414children, travel with 51-4
Central Valley 132Jacó 362Manuel Antonio area 382
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio 393
Quepos 377San José 71
Chiquita Banana, see United Fruit Company
Chorotega ceramics 97, 315
Chorotega people 315-16, 467
churches & cathedralsBasílica de Nuestra
Señora de Los Ángeles 128, 91
Catedral de la Mercedes 116
Catedral Metropolitana 72
Cathedral (Alajuela) 108Iglesia de Cañas 218Iglesia de la Inmaculada
Concepción 122Iglesia de San José
Orosi 131Iglesia de San Ramón
120Iglesia San Bartolomé
124La Agonía 227
Cinco Ceibas 26, 282cinemas
Escaleras 401Manuel Antonio area 385San José 95
Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos) 276-7
climate 22, 30-2, 508, see also individual regions
cloud forests 214-15, 485, see also national parks & reserves, parks & gardens
Bosque Nuboso Monteverde 11, 212, 214-15
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo 144
Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba 139
Reserva Santa Elena 203coatis 133, 138, 175, 198,
206, 213, 225, 238, 248, 260, 286, 317, 322, 343, 393, 447, 458, 497, 496
coffee industry 471-2, 501coffee plantations 19,
202-3, 19Columbus, Christopher
467-9consulates 508-9Coronado, Juan Vásquez de
468, 469
courses, see dance courses, language courses
credit cards 513crocodiles 225, 283, 301,
357, 434, 436, 492safety 239, 303tours 359
culture 476-80currency 22customs regulations 508cycling 49-50, 522
La Fortuna 251Playa Tamarindo 305
Ddance 479dance courses
Montezuma 338San José 75
dangers, see safetydengue fever 510disabilities, travelers
with 516diving & snorkeling 29,
48-9Bahía Drake 451-2Manzanillo 188Montezuma 338Parque Nacional Isla del
Coco 439-40Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Parque Nacional Cahuita
175-6Península de Nicoya 295Playa Conchal 300-1Playa del Coco 290Playa Hermosa 293Playa Ocotal 295Playa Tamarindo 305Puerto Viejo de
Talamanca 177-8Punta Uva 185Quepos 375Refugio Nacional de Vida
Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 190-1
dolphins 494, 495Bahía Drake 453environmental issues 499Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Quepos 375Refugio Nacional de
Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 191
Dominical 396-401Drake, Francis 470
538
INDEX D
- H
drinking 55-9, 57, 59, see also individual locations
driving, see car travelDVDs 514
Eearthquakes 514ecostays 29
Arenas del Mar 383Casa Corcovado Jungle
Lodge 457Casa Río Blanco B&B
146La Danta Salvaje 145Maquenque Eco-Lodge
278Rancho Naturalista 137San Luis Ecolodge 207Selva Bananito 173Villa Blanca Cloud
Forest Hotel & Nature Reserve 121
El Castillo 261-3El Fortín 122electricity 508, 514embassies 508-9emergencies 514endangered species 488,
499environment 464-5environmental issues 135,
500-2banana industry 148books 501deforestation 273, 500-2golden toads 217ojoche 405reefs 483tourism 502turtles 154, 156-7
epiphytes 214Escaleras 401esferas (spheres) 449, 469Estación Biológica La
Selva 285etiquette 25events, see festivals &
eventsexchange rates 23eyelash pit viper 493, 493
Ffauna, see animals,
individual species
fer-de-lance pit viper 492festivals & events 30-2
Alajuela 109Barva 124Best Fest 26, 30, 402Costa Rica Film Festival
338-9Día de Juan Santamaría
31Día de los Muertos 32Envision Art, Music &
Sacred Movement Festival 402
Feria de la Mascarada 30-1
Fiesta de los Diablitos 423
Fiestas de la Fortuna 252
Independence Day 31-2Jungle Jam 26, 30, 363Las Fiestas de
Guanacaste 213Las Fiestas de Palmares
30, 120Playa del Coco 290Puerto Limón 150Puntarenas 354
Figueres Ferrer, José 472, 473, 474
films 464, 480fishing 29
Bahía Drake 452-3Barra del Colorado 166Cahuita 169Golfito 433Playa Carrillo 327Playa del Coco 290Playa Hermosa 293Playa Tamarindo 303Puerto Jiménez 444Quepos 375Refugio Nacional de
Vida Silvestre Caño Negro 271
San Gerardo de Dota 412Talamanca 412
food 55-9, 55, 58, 164football (soccer) 478forests, see national parks
& reservesfrogs 492-3
gaudy leaf frogs 493golden toads 217poison-dart frogs 457,
488, 492, 487, 492red-eyed tree frogs
492, 7yellow tree frog 365
Ggalleries, see museums &
galleriesgallo pinto 57Gandoca 190Garabito 358gardens, see parks &
gardensgay travelers 509-10
Manuel Antonio 385San José 95
geography 481-3geology 482-3golden toads 217golf
Playa del Coco 290Playa Tamarindo 305San José 75
Golfito 432-4Golfo Dulce 20, 432-9, 20great green macaws 158,
279, 329Grecia 116-17green iguanas 158, 271,
393, 492, 492Guaitil 315Guápiles 145-7Guatuso 274-5Guaymí people 426
HHacienda Barú National
Wildlife Refuge 395-6hammerhead sharks 494health 510-11Hercules beetle 498Heredia 121-4, 122hiking 28-9, 41-2
Área de Conservación Guanacaste 238-9
Bahía Drake 451Bahía Drake to
Corcovado 455-7Big Forest Hike 26Bosque Nuboso
Monteverde 212-13Cerro Chirripó 420El Castillo 262Estación Biológica La
Selva 285Hacienda Barú National
Wildlife Refuge 395-6Jacó 362La Fortuna 253Las Hornillas 224Monteverde 197-9Orosi 131Parque Internacional La
Amistad 430-1
Parque Nacional Barra Honda 317
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo 144-5
Parque Nacional Cahuita 175
Parque Nacional Carara 357-8
Parque Nacional Chirripó 420-1
Parque Nacional Corcovado 460-1
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio 392-3
Parque Nacional Palo Verde 225
Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja 234
Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte 133
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 158
Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal 260-1
Parque Nacional Volcán Tenorio 222
Playa Cocolito 339Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
283Puerto Viejo de
Talamanca 178Rafiki Safari Lodge
394-5Refugio Nacional de Vida
Silvestre Curú 335Refugio Nacional de Vida
Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 190
Reserva Biológica Nosara 318
Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco 343
Reserva Santa Elena 203San Gerardo de Dota 412Santa Elena 197-9Sendero Botos 113Sendero Canto de
Aves 113Tortuguero 159Volcán Arenal 253
hire cars 524-5history 467-75
banana industry 472-3books 473, 476civil war 473-4coffee industry 471-2colonization 467-71Columbus, Christopher
467-9disarmament 473-4independence 470-1
Map Pages 000Photo Pages 000
539IN
DEX H- M
Nicaraguan war 474-5pre-Columbian era
467, 468Santa Rosa 237US influence 474-5
hitchhiking 525holidays 514Horquetas 285-6horse parades 213horse riding 49
Cahuita 169Jacó 362-3La Fortuna 252La Virgen 280Monteverde 199, 212Montezuma 338Quepos 375Rafiki Safari Lodge
394-5Santa Elena 199Volcán Arenal 252
hot springs 235Canyon de la Vieja
Adventure Lodge 235Eco Termales Hot
Springs 251El Guayacán 224El Tucano Resort 276-7Hot Springs Rio Negro
234Orosi 131Paradise Hot Springs 251Rio Perdido 223-4Springs Resort & Spa
252Tabacón Hot Springs 252Termales del Bosque 276Termales Miravalles 224Thermal Hot Springs
417-18Thermo Manía 224Yökö Termales 224
howler monkeys 155, 175, 203, 213, 234, 248, 259, 271, 322, 332, 387, 393, 433, 497
Humedal Nacional Térraba-Sierpe 450-1
humpback whales 243, 295, 393, 401, 403, 404, 453, 494
hummingbirds 215coppery-headed emerald
hummingbird 45fiery-throated
hummingbird 490green-crowned brilliant
hummingbird 10violet sabrewing
hummingbird 215
Iiguanas 158, 271, 393,
492, 492immigration 518indigenous peoples 183,
467Bribrí 167, 183, 407, 431,
467, 478Brunka (Boruca) 373,
422-3Cabécar 141, 183, 407,
422, 431, 467Chorotega 315-16, 467Guaymí 426Kèköldi 141, 167, 183Maleku 271-2, 274Ngöbe 426, 441
indigenous reserves Reserva Indígena Boruca
422-3Reserva Indígena
Guaymí de Osa 441insurance 524-5internet access 511internet resources 23, 466,
500, 504Isla Cabuya 342Isla Damas 376Isla del Coco 439-40Isla Gigante 333Isla Guayabo 333-4Isla Los Pájaros 333-4Isla Negritos 333-4Isla San Lucas 333Isla Tortuga 334Islita 328-9itineraries 33-9, 33, 34,
35, 37, 38-9San José 67
JJacó 360-9, 361, 40jaguars 144, 158, 173, 218,
271, 413, 431, 459, 497, 497
Juntas de Abangares 217-18
Kkayaking 27, 46-7, see also
canoeing, white-water rafting
Bahía Drake 452Dominical 397Jacó 363La Fortuna 252La Virgen 280Manuel Antonio Village
388
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio 393
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 158
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí 283
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú 335
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 191
Río Sarapiquí 280, 283-5Turrialba 136
Kèköldi people 141, 167, 183kitesurfing 46
Bahía Salinas 243Laguna de Arenal 263
LLa Casona 238La Cruz 241-2La Fortuna 248-59, 249,
250La Garita 114-15La Palma 441La Virgen 279-81Laguna de Arenal 263-8lakes, see rivers & lakeslanguage 22, 25, 527-31language courses 511
Central Valley 125Jacó 363Monteverde 199, 202Montezuma 338Orosi 131Playa Sámara 324Puerto Viejo de
Talamanca 178San José 75Tamarindo 305
leaf-cutter ants 498legal matters 511-12lesbian travelers 509-10
Manuel Antonio 385San José 92
Liberia 226-31, 228-9literature 479, see also booksloggerhead turtles 155,
156, 191Los Chiles 269-71
Mmacaws
great green 158, 279, 329
scarlet 45, 357, 13, 45, 386, 486, 490
Mal País 14, 344-8, 14, 306malaria 510
Maleku people 271-2, 274Maleku sites 282mangroves 450, 485-6manta rays 494, 494Manuel Antonio area
379-85, 380Manuel Antonio Village
388-9Manzanillo 188-90, 21maps 512-13markets 56, see also
shoppingFeria Verde de Aranjuez
97La Casona 98Mercado Artesanal (San
José) 98Mercado Borbón 73Mercado Central Annex
(San José) 73Mercado Central
(Cartago) 128Mercado Central (San
José) 72-3Mata de Limón 356Matapalo 395measures 514mobile phones 22, 515Moín 152money 22, 25, 508, 513monkeys 389, 392, 497
howler monkeys 155, 175, 203, 213, 234, 248, 259, 271, 322, 332, 387, 393, 433, 497
squirrel monkeys 489white-faced capuchins
497, 496Monteverde 195-212,
196-7Monteverde Cloud Forest,
see Bosque Nuboso Monteverde
Montezuma 12, 336-42, 337, 12
Monumento Nacional Arqueológico Guayabo 138
mosquitoes 369motorcycle travel 521,
523-5mountain biking 49-50Muelle de San Carlos 275Museo de Arte y Diseño
Contemporáneo 70Museo de Jade 67Museo de Oro
Precolombino y Numismática 66
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica 67
540
INDEX M
-P
museums & galleriescacao museum 174Casa de la Cultura
(Heredia) 122Casa de la Cultura
(Puntarenas) 353Ecomuseo de las Minas
de Abangares 217Galería Nacional 73Museo de Arte
Costarricense 73-4Museo de Arte y Diseño
Contemporáneo 70Museo de Ciencias
Naturales La Salle 74Museo de Cultura
Popular 124Museo de Guanacaste
227Museo de Insectos 74Museo de Jade 26, 67Museo de los Niños 73Museo de Oro
Precolombino y Numismática 66
Museo de San José Orosi 131
Museo Histórico Marino 353
Museo Juan Santamaría 108
Museo Nacional de Costa Rica 67, 91
Studio of Fran Vázquez 192
TEOR/éTica 71music 479
Nnational parks & reserves
141, 195, 248, 291, 352, 410, 499-500, see also cloud forests, parks & gardens
Área de Conservación Guanacaste 237-40
Barra del Colorado 166-7Bosque Nuboso
Monteverde 11, 212-16, 28, 214, 233, 503
Humedal Nacional Térraba-Sierpe 450-1
Parque Nacional Barra Honda 316-17
Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo 144-5
Parque Nacional Cahuita 175-6
Parque Nacional Carara 356-8
Parque Nacional Chirripó 16, 419-22, 16
Parque Nacional Corcovado 13, 458-62, 459, 13, 364, 428
Parque Nacional Guanacaste 239
Parque Nacional Isla del Coco 439-40
Parque Nacional Juan Castro Blanco 119
Parque Nacional Los Quetzales 413-14
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio 15, 389-94, 15, 390
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena 403-4, 386, 387
Parque Nacional Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste 301
Parque Nacional Palo Verde 224-6
Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas 434-5
Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja 234-7
Parque Nacional Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte 133
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 13, 154-9, 155, 13, 47
Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal 259-61
Parque Nacional Volcán Irazú 129-30
Parque Nacional Volcán Poás 112-14
Parque Nacional Volcán Turrialba 139
Refu gio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional 322-3
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Camaronal 328
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro 271-2
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú 335
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 190-1, 483
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Golfito 432
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque 279
Reserva Biológica Dúrika 422
Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere 167
Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño 457-62
Reserva Biológica Lomas de Barbudal 226
Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce 440-2
Reserva Indígena Boruca 422-3
Reserva Indígena Guaymí de Osa 441
Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco 343-4
Reserva Santa Elena 203Neily 424-5newspapers 466Ngöbe people 426, 441Nicaragua
border crossings 163, 242, 270, 520
relations with 477Nicoya 315-16Nicuesa, Diego de 468,
469North, Oliver 474Nosara 17, 307, 318-22, 17Nuevo Arenal 265-6
Oocelots 133, 144, 158, 218,
273, 334, 431, 434, 459Ojochal 404-6ojoche 405opening hours 513orcas 393orchids 214, 214Orosi 131-2
PPacific Coast 62, 349-406,
350-1climate 349food 349highlights 350-1
Palmar 424Paquera 334-5Paraíso 130-1Parismina 153-4parks & gardens, see
also cloud forests, national parks & reserves
Catie 135-6Finca Cántaros 427Finca La Isla 177Frog’s Heaven 286Heliconia Island 286
Herrera Gardens & Con-servation Project 442
INBioparque 123Jardín Botánico Else
Kientzler 117Jardín de Orquídeas 197Jardín Pura Vida 359La Paz Waterfall Gardens
113Lankester Gardens 130Mike’s Jungle Butterfly
Farm 332Montezuma Gardens 337Paradise Tropical Garden
425Parque Central (Alajuela)
108Parque Central (Liberia)
227Parque Central (San
José) 72Parque España 70Parque Francisco
Alvarado 118Parque Metropolitano La
Sabana 73Parque Morazán 70-1Parque Vargas (Puerto
Limón) 149Spirogyra Jardín de
Mariposas 73Tree of Life 168-9Wilson Botanical Garden
425-6Parque Internacional La
Amistad 430-2Parque Nacional Barra
Honda 316-17Parque Nacional Braulio
Carrillo 144-5Parque Nacional Cahuita
175-6, 175Parque Nacional Carara
356-8Parque Nacional Chirripó
16, 419-22, 16Parque Nacional Corcovado
13, 458-62, 459, 13, 364, 428
Parque Nacional Isla del Coco 439-40
Parque Nacional Los Quetzales 413-14
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio 15, 389-94, 15, 390
Parque Nacional Marino Ballena 403-4, 386, 387
Parque Nacional Piedras Blancas 434-5
Parque Nacional Rincón de la Vieja 234-7
Map Pages 000Photo Pages 000
541IN
DEX P- S
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 13, 154-9, 155, 13, 47, 165
Parque Nacional Volcán Arenal 259-61
Parque Nacional Volcán Poás 112-14
Parrita 372-3Paso Canoas 425passports 518Pavones 437-40Península de Nicoya 61,
287-348, 298accommodations 287climate 287food 287highlights 288, 288-9
Península de Osa 62, 407, 440-62, 408-9
accommodations 407climate 407highlights 408
photography 514planning
budgeting 23calendar of events 30-2children, travel with 51-4Costa Rica basics 22-3Costa Rica’s regions
60-2internet resources 23itineraries 33-9, 33, 34,
35, 37, 38-9repeat visitors 26travel seasons 22, 30-2
plants 484-6Playa Avellanas 306, 312-13Playa Brasilito 300Playa Carrillo 298, 327-8,
298Playa Cativo 435Playa Chiquita 185-8Playa Cocles 185-8Playa Coyote 298, 329,
332-3Playa del Coco 290-3Playa Esterillos 371-2Playa Flamingo 297Playa Grande 301-3, 306,
307, 330Playa Guiones 318, 319-20Playa Hermosa 293-5, 370-1Playa Herradura 359-60Playa Junquillal 298, 313-14Playa Naranjo 333Playa Negra 306, 312-13Playa Nicuesa 435Playa Ocotal 295Playa Pan de Azúcar 297,
298
Playa Pochote 335-6Playa Sámara 19, 323-
7, 18Playa San Josecito 435Playa San Miguel 298, 329,
332-3Playa Tamarindo 303-11,
304, 331Playa Tambor 335-6plazas
Parque Central (San Ramón) 120
Parque Juan Santamaría 108-9
Plaza de la Cultura 66Plaza de la Democracia
67-70politics 464-6population 465post 514pre-Columbian sites,
see archaeological sitesprostitution 512public holidays 514Puerto Caldera 356Puerto Jiménez 442-6,
443Puerto Limón 149-52, 150Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
283-5Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
176-84, 178-9, 164Punta Uva 185-8Punta Uvita 403-4Puntarenas 353-6punto guanacasteco 213pygmy owl 44
QQuakers 204, 215Quepos 373-9, 374quetzals 19, 215, 18, 491
Rradio 466rainforests 484-5refuges, see national parks
& reserves, wildlife reserves
Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Ostional 322-3
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Caño Negro 271-2
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú 335
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 190-1, 164, 483
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Golfito 432
religion 465reptiles 492-3Reserva Biológica Bosque
Nuboso Monteverde 11, 212-16, 28, 214, 233, 503
Reserva Biológica Dúrika 422
Reserva Biológica Isla del Caño 457-8
Reserva Forestal Golfo Dulce 440-2
Reserva Indígena Boruca 422-3
Reserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco 343-4
Reserva Santa Elena 203, 214
reserves, see indigenous reserves, national parks & reserves
resplendent quetzals 19, 215, 18, 491
Río Nuevo 441Rio Pacuare 135Río San Juan Saga 465-6rivers & lakes
Lago de Cachí 133Laguna Botos 113Laguna de Arenal area
263-8Pozo Verde 119Rio Pacuare 135Río Savegre 411, 412, 42
rodeos 213Rosario 115ruins, see archaeological
sites
Ssafety 514-15
hitchhiking 525mosquitoes 369riptides 311, 514-15road 524, 525San José 99
San Carlos 276-7San Gerardo de Dota 411-13San Gerardo de Rivas
417-19San Isidro de El General
415-17, 415San José 16, 60, 64-104,
65, 68-9, 72-3, 76-7, 79, 83, 17
accommodations 64, 77-85
activities 75children, travel with 71
climate 64courses 75drinking & nightlife 92-5emergencies 99entertainment 95-7festivals & events 76-7food 64, 85-92highlights 65itineraries 67medical services 99shopping 97-8sights 66-74tourist information 99tours 75-6travel seasons 64travel to/from 100-3travel within 103-4
San Luis 268San Miguel 278San Rafael de Guatuso
274-5San Ramón 120-1San Vito 426-7Sandinistas 474Santa Cruz 314-15Santa Elena 195-212, 196-7Santa María 411Santa Rosa 237Santa Teresa 307, 344-8Sarapiquí Valley 20, 278-86Sarchí 117-18scams 103, 523scarlet macaws 45, 357,
13, 486sex trade 512sharks 494Shiroles 183shopping 515, see also
markets, individual locations
Sierpe 449-50Siquirres 147-9Sixaola 192Sloth Sanctuary of Costa
Rica 169sloths 158, 166, 175, 199,
203, 213, 248, 271, 283, 343, 357, 387, 389, 392, 393, 436, 459, 447, 487, 497, 486, 200, 387, 496
snakes 492, 493snorkeling, see diving &
snorkelingsoccer 478spas 29, see also hot
springsJacó 363Manuel Antonio area 379
spiders 498
542
INDEX S
-W
sportfishing, see fishingsports 478, see also
individual sportssurfing 14, 27, 42-4, 306-7,
478, 43, 14Área de Conservación
Guanacaste 239Boca Barranca 356Dominical 397El Segundo 356Jacó 362, 40Mal País 307, 344-5, 306Manuel Antonio 381Manuel Antonio Village
388Matapalo 395Montezuma 338Nosara 307, 318Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Pavones 437Playa Avellanas 306,
312-13Playa Carrillo 327Playa Cocles 185Playa Coyote 329, 332Playa Doña Ana 356Playa Esterillos 371-2Playa Grande 301-2, 306,
307, 330Playa Guiones 318,
319-20, 17Playa Hermosa 370Playa Junquillal 313-14Playa los Cedros 342Playa Negra 306, 312-13Playa Sámara 324Playa San Miguel 329,
332Playa Tamarindo 303-4,
331Puerto Viejo de
Talamanca 177Salsa Brava 176, 14Santa Teresa 307, 344-5
sustainable travel 502-4swimming, see also hot
springsBahía Drake 451Jacó 362Ojo de Agua Springs 109Parismina 153Parque Nacional Cahuita
175Parque Nacional Manuel
Antonio 392-3
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca 177
Ttarantulas 498Tárcoles 358-9taxes 520taxis 525, 526Teatro Nacional 66-7, 91telephone services 22, 515theaters 66-7, 72, 96thermal springs, see hot
springsTicos 477Tilarán 268-9time 22, 515tipping 25, 513toilets 515topes 213Tortuguero 159-63toucans 133, 138, 144, 148,
166, 167, 169, 177, 186, 198, 225, 271, 280, 387, 491, 490
tourist information 516tours
Bahía Drake 453Barva 124Bosque Nuboso
Monteverde 216Cabo Matapalo 447Cahuita 169Dominical 397El Castillo 262Isla Tortuga 334Jacó 363La Fortuna 252-3Las Juntas de Abangares
217Los Chiles 269-70Monteverde 202-3Montezuma 338Parismina 153Parque Nacional
Corcovado 461Parque Nacional Isla del
Coco 440Parque Nacional Manuel
Antonio 393Parque Nacional Rincón
de la Vieja 235Parque Nacional Volcán
Irazú 129Playa Carrillo 327Playa Cocles 185Playa Tamarindo 308Puerto Jiménez 442-4Puerto Viejo de
Talamanca 178-9Puntarenas 353-4
Quepos 375Refugio Nacional de
Vida Silvestre Caño Negro 272
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 191
San Isidro de El General 415
San José 75-6Santa Elena 202-3Tárcoles 359Tortuguero 159-60Turrialba 136Uvita 402Volcán Arenal 252-3
traditional medicine 428travel to/from Costa Rica
518-21travel within Costa Rica
521-6traveler’s checks 513trekking, see hikingTronadora 268Turrialba 135-8turtles 154, 156-7, 157
books 499leatherback turtles 494loggerhead turtles 155,
156, 191olive ridley turtles 494volunteering 153, 157,
159, 176turtle-watching
Área de Conservación Guanacaste 238
Parismina 153Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Parque Nacional
Marino Las Baulas de Guanacaste 301
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 155-8
Playa Junquillal 313-14Refugio Nacional de
Fauna Silvestre Ostional 322-3
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Camaronal 328
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo 191
typhoid 511
UUjarrás 134United Fruit Company
148, 473
Upala 273-4Uvita 401-3
Vvacations 514Valle de Dota 411Valle de Orosi 130-4vegetarian travelers 59Venado Caves 276Venecia 277vipers 493, 493visas 22, 516Volcán Arenal 11, 259-61,
11, 201, 481Volcán Miravalles 223-4volcanoes 260
Volcán Arenal 11, 259-61, 11, 201, 481
Volcán Barva 144-5Volcán Irazú 129-30Volcán Miravalles 223-4Volcán Platanar 119Volcán Poás 113, 500Volcán Porvenir 119Volcán Rincón de la Vieja
234-7Volcán Turrialba 139
Volcán Poás 113, 500volunteering 516-17
Montezuma 338Parque Nacional Braulio
Carrillo 144Profelis 334Proyecto Asis 277San José 78turtles 153, 157, 159, 176
WWalker, William 470, 471walking, see hikingwaterfalls
Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva 359
Centro Turístico Cataratas Nauyaca 396
El Chorro 339La Catarata de la
Fortuna 249-51La Catarata de la
Paz 113Las Cataratas de Los
Chorros 116Llanos de Cortés 225,
232Montezuma 336-7
weather 22, 30-2, 508weights 514whale sharks 494
Map Pages 000Photo Pages 000
543IN
DEX W-Z
whales 494, 495humpback 243, 295,
393, 401, 403, 404, 453, 494
killer 393whale-watching
Bahía Drake 453Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Playa Pochote 335-6Playa Tambor 335-6Quepos 375
white-faced capuchins 497, 496
white-water rafting 12, 27, 46-7, see also canoeing, kayaking
Cañas 219Central Valley 136Dominical 397La Fortuna 252La Virgen 280Orosi 131Parque Nacional Manuel
Antonio 393Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí
283Puerto Viejo de
Talamanca 178Quepos 374-5Río Pacuare 136, 28Río Reventazón 136Río Sarapiquí 280, 283-5Turrialba 136
wildcats 334jaguars 144, 158, 173,
218, 271, 413, 431, 459, 497, 497
ocelots 133, 144, 158, 218, 273, 334, 431, 434, 459
wildlife reserves, see also zoos
Africa Mía 227Aiko-logi 177El Castillo-Arenal
Butterfly Conservatory 261
Fundación Santuario Silvestre de Osa 432-3
Hacienda Barú National Wildlife Refuge 395-6
Jaguar Centro de Rescate 185
La Ensenada Lodge & Wildlife Refuge 219
La Selva 327Manuel Antonio Nature
Park & Wildlife Refuge 379
Motmot Jungle 264Profelis 334Rancho La Merced
National Wildlife Refuge 402
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Bahía Junquillal 240-1
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Maquenque 279
Reserva Biológica Oro Verde 402
Santuario de Mariposas Aguas Silvestres 280
Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica 169
wildlife-watching 15, 27-8, 44-6, 269, 487-8, see also dolphin-watching, turtle-watching
Área de Conservación Guanacaste 238
Bosque Nuboso Monteverde 213
Nature Pavilion 280Parque Internacional La
Amistad 431Parque Nacional Barra
Honda 317Parque Nacional Braulio
Carrillo 144Parque Nacional Carara
357Parque Nacional Chirripó
420Parque Nacional
Corcovado 458-9Parque Nacional Isla del
Coco 440Parque Nacional Manuel
Antonio 393Parque Nacional Marino
Ballena 404Parque Nacional
Tapantí-Macizo Cerro de la Muerte 133
Parque Nacional Tortuguero 158
Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere 167
Reserva Biológica Lomas de Barbudal 226
Wilson Botanical Garden 425-6
windsurfing 46, 263
women in Costa Rica 478women travelers 517work 517
Yyoga
Dominical 397Mal País 345Montezuma 338Nosara 319Pavones 437Playa Hermosa 370Playa Tamarindo 305Santa Teresa 345
Yorkín 183
ZZancudo 436-7Zarcero 118zip lining 13, 13zoos, see also wildlife
reservesArenal EcoZoo 261Arenal Natura 248Bat Jungle 197Butterfly Garden 195Ecocentro Danaus 248Las Pumas 218Monteverde Theme Park
195-7Parque Reptilandia 396-7Serpentarium 197Snake Garden 280World of Snakes 116Zoo Ave 115
551
Walking Tour detourWalking Tour
Path/Walking Trail
BankEmbassy/ConsulateHospital/MedicalInternetPolicePost OfficeTelephoneToiletTourist InformationOther Information
AirportBorder crossingBus
CyclingFerry
Underground station
MonorailParking
Metro station
Petrol stationSubway/Subte stationTaxiTrain station/RailwayTram
Other Transport
LighthouseHut/ShelterBeach
LookoutMountain/VolcanoOasisParkPassPicnic AreaWaterfall
River, CreekIntermittent River
Swamp/Mangrove
Reef
Canal
Water
Dry/Salt/Intermittent Lake
Glacier
Beach/Desert
Airport/Runway
Cemetery (Christian)
Cemetery (Other)
Park/Forest
Mudflat
Sportsground
Sight (Building)
International
DisputedRegional/SuburbMarine ParkCliffWall
Capital (National)Capital (State/Province)City/Large TownTown/Village
State/Province
LaneTertiary
TollwayFreewayPrimary
StepsPlaza/Mall
Pedestrian overpass
Secondary
Unsealed roadRoad under construction
Tunnel
Cable car/Funicular
BeachBird SanctuaryBuddhistCastle/PalaceChristianConfucianHinduIslamicJainJewishMonumentMuseum/Gallery/Historic BuildingRuinSento Hot Baths/OnsenShintoSikhTaoistWinery/VineyardZoo/Wildlife SanctuaryOther Sight
DivingBodysurfing
Sleeping
Eating
Entertainment
Shopping
Drinking & NightlifeCafe
Camping
Canoeing/KayakingCourse/TourSkiingSnorkelingSurfingSwimming/PoolWalkingWindsurfingOther Activity
Information Routes
Boundaries
Hydrography
Areas
Geographic
Population
Transport
Sights
Activities,Courses & Tours
Sleeping
Eating
Drinking & Nightlife
Entertainment
Shopping Note: Not all symbols displayed aboveappear on the maps in this book
Map Legend
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©Lonely Planet Publications Pty Ltd
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