Choose Costa Rica, 6th: Travel, Investment, and Living Opportunities for Every Budget

Rating:
Summary: Informative and enteraining read on Costa Rica
Review: Choose Costa Rica is a wonderful guide for anyone who is looking for a safe, affordable, and enjoyable place to spend one's retirement or to start a business. Particularly helpful is the detailed description of the most interesting and hospitable communities throughout the country. Not only does this book provide a wealth of information about such bread and butter matters as laws, prices, weather, and the like, but it also paints an irresistible picture of the country's natural beauty that draws so many travelers and new residents.

Howells obviously knows his way around and he does a great job of sharing his extensive knowledge with his readers and helping them to understand what is so special about the country. I found it useful as a first-time visitor because of its beneath-the-surface treatment of subjects ignored by the hotel and restaurant guidebooks.

The case studies of people who have gone into business there helped me to think through not only the potentialities, but also the risks and potential hazards of following their examples.

I also appreciated the Web link to a site that keeps you abreast of changes in Costa Rica through frequent updates of the information in the book.

Altogether, I highly recommend Choose Costa Rica to anyone who would like to explore the possibilities "the Switzerland of the Americas" offers, either in a new career or after retirement.

Rating:
Summary: Choose Costa Rica For Retirement
Review: I live in Costa Rica and can attest to the value of this book. Yes, other books are better factually but this book captures the vibe and Tico mentality perfectly. Worthwhile for anyone looking to spend extended time in Costa Rica.

Rating:
Summary: A good feel for the country
Review: This book not only provides a tremendous amount of valuable information on virtually every aspect of living in Costa Rica, it gives you a true feeling of what it's like to live there. Most other books just provide the information. This one puts it in a perspective that allows you to understand all the nuances of the country and understand truly what living there is like. I especially like the day in the life of the author, where he lists what he does during the day from waking up on.

If you only buy one book, I'd buy this one. The Golden Book is also good, but this is better.

Rating:
Summary: A good feel for the country
Review: This book not only provides a tremendous amount of valuable information on virtually every aspect of living in Costa Rica, it gives you a true feeling of what it's like to live there. Most other books just provide the information. This one puts it in a perspective that allows you to understand all the nuances of the country and understand truly what living there is like. I especially like the day in the life of the author, where he lists what he does during the day from waking up on.

If you only buy one book, I'd buy this one. The Golden Book is also good, but this is better.

Rating:
Summary: Not Complete as We Thought
Review: This guide seems to be far too subjective rather than factual . My husband and I found it to be incomplete in several key areas. It is not as detailed as several of the other guides on the subject. We have read them all since we live in Costa Rica.

Rating:
Summary: A good guide book, even if you're not retiring there!
Review: This was actually a really help guide while traveling in Costa rica. Like the firtst reviewer, I also appreciated the Web link that keeps you abreast of changes in Costa Rica through frequent updates of the information in the book.

Another Globe Pequot Press book I bought, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made," was helpful before I went. It's an essay-photo book on the country's various histories- political, geological, cultural -that would actually be VERY helpful for anyone considering working or retiring there.

Rating:
Summary: A good guide book, even if you're not retiring there!
Review: This was actually a really help guide while traveling in Costa rica. Like the firtst reviewer, I also appreciated the Web link that keeps you abreast of changes in Costa Rica through frequent updates of the information in the book.

Another Globe Pequot Press book I bought, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made," was helpful before I went. It's an essay-photo book on the country's various histories- political, geological, cultural -that would actually be VERY helpful for anyone considering working or retiring there.