Pura Vida!: Gay and Lesbian Costa Rica

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Summary: The worst Tourist guide I ever READ!!
Review: As a Costarican I found this book, not only poor in knolodge of our country but terrible misleading the tourist market. I wish nothing happens to any of the people who read this book and try to hired prostitutes in Costa Rica. If this is the case please blame this man in San Francisco not our country. I considered the book sick and really do not contributed to anybodies benefits. I talk to a friend of my in Costa Rica who give an interview to Mr Itiel and he told me that he was very sorry he waisted his time with this man.Costa Rica is beautiful full of nice people who will show you our country, and will make you feel welcome, not because you have some $$ but because in Costa Rica we love people from everywhere. Some of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica is in Manuel Antonio where we have a gay and lesbian resort call Casa Blanca, please if you come to our country meet the people of Costa Rica, not the people of Mr Itiel. I'm ashamed of this book, and I'm gladd I did not espend the money in buying but I read it because someone give to me. As we say in Costa Rica "nos encanta la gente" and Pura vida don't mean nothing an less you conserve your "vida" Life

Rating:
Summary: Pura vida is a misleading, inaccurate and incomplete 'guide'
Review: I have traveled several times to Costa Rica and have many acquaintances among native Costa Ricans. Mr. Itiel's book gives an inaccurate picture of life in Costa Rica, and should some unwary reader attempt to follow Mr Itiel's footsteps (in regards to 'hiring' so-called guides) an uncomfortable and potential dangerous outcome may ensue. The maps, Spanish phrases, in the book are incorrect- and evidence either poor knowledge on Mr. Itiel's part or poor effort in proof-reading. The book is extremely short and superficial and ignores many aspects of which Costa Rica is famous throughout the world. The black and white photos are not very descriptive and do not do justice to the beauty and color in Costa Rica. N. Del Pizzo's chapter was just as superficial as Mr. Itiel's work- it is regretable that she did not evidence/experience much of the 'ambience' of CR- that being the case, somebody who HAD seen the 'woman's side of Costa Rica" should have written that chapter. It would have been more informative. I am very sorry that I WASTED $20 on this book and I strongly urge potential readers NOT to consider it. Thank you, J. A Thomas Test

Rating:
Summary: BRILLIANT, ENTERTAINING, FULL OF GOOD ADVICE
Review: It is unbelievable how prejudiced people can be about books written by men who travel with paid escorts. This is a fascinating story about Joseph Itiel's visit to Costa Rica. It was written about ten years ago so might be a bit dated.
However, his descriptions of traveling to "tourist spots" and discovering little unknown places along the way could help anyone have a nicer visit to Costa Rica.
It would probably be difficult for a tourist who didn't speak spanish to vet a reliable guide. However, Itiel's description of how a hanger-on street boy became a familiar face and weedled his way into their confidence, helped their friend go to the airport, then slipped away with one bag and money as the tourist stood in line with passport, ticket and several other bags (unable to chase him) is a classic.
Joseph Itiel is a fantastic travel guide. Uptight people from Costa Rica and uptight naive tourists from the USA might not like his writings because he tells you what traveling as a "moneyed tourist" is really like in underdeveloped countries.
But every gay traveler would be well advised to read this book and every other guide he's written. They are all boiled down and capsulized in "Adventures of a Gay Traveler".
I can't wait to go to Costa Rica and this guide will be a great help to me.