Costa Rica: A Natural Destination

Rating:
Summary: Great book!
Review: Hi, My name is Leonie and I am working at ILISA Language Institute in Costa Rica, San Jose and I just want to say that this book helps our students a lot by giving them helpful tips and their way around in Costa Rica. Thanks!

Rating:
Summary: Well intended, but confusing
Review: The author clearly loves this country and the book shows it. However, she does not do a good job of organizing this information in an easy-to-read way. The text is continuous and does not have any headings. I also got the feeling that she did a lot o promotion of her local friends who own restaurants, hotels and nature preserves. Overall, the book does not give a professional impression. I do not recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of good information to supplement "The New Key"
Review: There is a lot of good information here, if you are willing to search it out--since information about one destination might be found in several sections ("What to See," "National Parks," "Private Nature Reserves," etc.) Ree Strange Sheck has a lot of knowledge to share, and I feel she only writes about what she has personally researched and experienced. I found many interesting lodging descriptions in various price ranges, where travelers can experience natural areas on their own. The author also mentions local guides, nature preserves, drivers and Costa Rican tour companies which provide services similar to the large foreign tour companies as well as the opportunity to meet Costa Ricans, generally at lower cost and with more benefit to local people. My first choice in Costa Rica guidebooks would be The New Key to Costa Rica, but this book is a nice supplement.

Rating:
Summary: Lots of good information to supplement "The New Key"
Review: There is a lot of good information here, if you are willing to search it out--since information about one destination might be found in several sections ("What to See," "National Parks," "Private Nature Reserves," etc.) Ree Strange Sheck has a lot of knowledge to share, and I feel she only writes about what she has personally researched and experienced. I found many interesting lodging descriptions in various price ranges, where travelers can experience natural areas on their own. The author also mentions local guides, nature preserves, drivers and Costa Rican tour companies which provide services similar to the large foreign tour companies as well as the opportunity to meet Costa Ricans, generally at lower cost and with more benefit to local people. My first choice in Costa Rica guidebooks would be The New Key to Costa Rica, but this book is a nice supplement.