Thoughts on *Costa Rica* Globetrotter guide by Rowland Mead

• Costa Rica Travel Guide and Map by Rowland Mead
• Publisher: Globetrotter; Fifth edition (March 20, 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1780090177

Back-of-the-book blurb: The handy pocket-size guide is packed with useful information, tips and recommendations, accompanied by color photographs, charts and maps for the first-time traveler who wants to experience the major highlights that Costa Rica has to offer. The fold-out map of Costa Rica is ideal for tourists and visitors.

She Is Too Fond of Books‘ thoughts: We recently traveled to Costa Rica for the wedding of J’s sister – we were on the Pacific coast, near Manuel Antonio National Park. Coming from Boston, we routed via Miami to San José International Airport – a 3+ hour drive along narrow twisty mountain roads to our final destination.

We knew we were in for an adventure, and had recently been alerted (via this front page article in the Wall St. Journal) that in Costa Rica many street names are unmarked or nonexistent, and that directions tend to be given in relation to landmarks and other buildings.

“Maybe a map would come in handy” said my spouse – both the voice of reason and redundancy.

Why did we choose this guide? Even though it touches on the entire country, not just the region we were visiting, we thought the photos, sidebars, and easy-to-read text would appeal to the kids (we were right!). The set is packaged in a plastic wallet (like a sealed dust jacket), with the guide in the front pocket, and the fold-out map in the rear. I love this feature! Such a simple touch, but so smart for a little guide that’s getting pulled in and out of the backpack (with sunscreen, wet hands, etc.).

Did we use the guide? Yes, to a point. It was passed around on the flights down to San José (while J and I hummed along the old Dionne Warwick song of the same name. If you don’t know what I’m talking about … well, I’m showing my age!). We used the map to show the kids where we were going in relation to where we landed (“How much longer ’til we get there?!”), and in relation to the rest of the country and its neighbors.

I don’t think we gave it a fair test, as we were staying in one village the five nights we were in the country. It was great to read when planning/anticipating the trip, and I do believe that plastic wallet is brilliant!

Globetrotter Guides are published by New Holland Publishers (London) and distributed by The Globe Pequot Press in the US. They have an interesting assortment of destinations, including Malaysia, Riga, the Baltic States, Crete, Japan, and Namibia.

Of course, no brief review of a travel guide would be complete without gratuitous photos of us enjoying the trip:

The TFOB family, plus "Uncle Matt" and our guide. White water rafting was a blast!

The Pacific in the distance - the water is SO warm! (compare to our Cape Cod beaches ... brrr!)

It looks like a set from a movie, doesn't it?!

color-coordinated kids!

The bride and groom

I could have stayed in Manuel Antonio Natl Park all day, watching the monkeys move in the trees around us!

Like The Barenaked Ladies sing, "Haven't you always wanted a monkey!?"