Bruce Conord - San José & Costa Ricas Central Valley

San Jos & Costa Rica's Central Valley

Bruce & June Conord

HUNTER PUBLISHING, INC,

www.hunterpublishing.com

Ulysses Travel Publications

4176 Saint-Denis, Montral, Qubec

Canada H2W 2M5; 514-843-9882, ext. 2232

Roundhouse Group

Millstone, Limers Lane, Northam

Devon, EX39 2RG, England; 01237-474474

Hunter Publishing, Inc.

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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

This guide focuses on recreational activities. As all such activities contain elements of risk, the publisher, author, affiliated individuals and companies disclaim responsibility for any injury, harm, or illness that may occur to anyone through, or by use of, the information in this book. Every effort was made to insure the accuracy of information in this book, but the publisher and author do not assume, and hereby disclaim, liability for any loss or damage caused by errors, omissions, misleading information or potential travel problems caused by this guide, even if such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.

Maps by Kim Andr, 2009 Hunter Publishing, Inc.

Author Profiles

The Conords have been traveling and writing about their journeys for years. They enjoy adventure and ecological travel, as well as historical and cultural forays in foreign lands. Their other Hunter titles, Adventure Guide to the Yucatn, Adventure Guide to Costa Rica , Cancn, Cozumel & The Riviera Maya Alive!, and Pocket Adventures Yucatn garnered critical acclaim and won several prestigious travel writing and photography awards from the North American Travel Journalists' Assoc.

Bruce went to Rutgers University and has written biographies of John Lennon, Bill Cosby and Cesar Chavez. He has worked as an import manager, teacher, advertising executive, copywriter and publisher's representative. Writing, photography, soccer and travel are his passions.

June grew up in southwest England and went to Plymouth Art College. Whenever she gets near the ocean, she feels happy. Her professional credits include numerous newspaper and magazine articles and stock photography. She has edited, photographed and worked alongside Bruce in many of their joint efforts to eke out a living and travel more. For relaxation, she could happily spend all day on a pebble beach, poking a stick in rock pools and collecting shells.

Their individual work is represented by a stock photography agency and together their photographs of Mexico have been featured at an exhibit in the prestigious New York Arts Club.

Visit their website at www.adventureguides.com.

1. Introduction
   1. How to Use this Book
   2. Costa Rica At A Glance
   3. Top 20 Spots
   4. Suggested Destinations
   5. Surfing Safaris
   6. Wild Windsurfing
   7. Fantastic Fishing
   8. Gay & Lesbian Travel
   9. Travel Essentials
      1. Entry Requirements
      2. Measurements, Dates & Time
      3. What to Take
      4. Customs & Immigration
      5. Way to Go
      6. Coming & Going
2. The Land Between the Oceans
   1. Geography
   2. Environment
   3. Flora
   4. Fauna
3. The People, Their History
   1. History
   2. Modern Times
4. Being There
   1. Culture & Customs
      1. Holidays & Fiestas
   2. Food & Drink
   3. Alternative Accommodations
      1. Down on the Farm
      2. Bed & Breakfasts
      3. Hostels
      4. Camping
   4. Getting Around
   5. Learning Spanish
   6. Sports
   7. Money Matters
   8. Safety & Crime
   9. Health, Special Concerns
   10. Communications
       1. Phone Calls
       2. Getting On-Line
   11. Just in Case
       1. Credit Card Issues
       2. Costa Rica Tourist Board
       3. Emergencies
       4. Embassies
   12. Handy Hints
5. San Jos
   1. Orientation
      1. A Walking Tour of San Jos
      2. Other Downtown Sights
   2. Adventures on a Shoestring
      1. Hot Springs
      2. Road to Nowhere
   3. Day-Trips, Tours & Local Adventures
      1. Tour Companies
      2. Adventures in the Air
      3. Adventures on Horseback
      4. Adventures on Foot
      5. Adventures on Water
      6. Adventures for Children
   4. Shopping
   5. Nightlife
      1. Nighttime Hangouts
      2. All-Night Eateries
      3. Gay & Lesbian Nights
   6. Places to Stay
      1. Moderate Accommodations
      2. Budget Accommodations
      3. Other Choices
      4. B&Bs
      5. Airport & Beyond
   7. Places to Eat
      1. Center City
      2. Barrios Amon & Otoya
      3. West End
      4. East End
      5. Escaz
6. The Central Valley
   1. East of Town
      1. Cartago
      2. Iraz Volcano
      3. Lankester Gardens
      4. Oros
      5. Lake Cach & Ujarrs
      6. Turrialba
         1. Places to Stay & Eat
   2. West of Town
      1. Heredia
         1. Places to Stay & Eat
      2. Alajuela
         1. Places to Stay & Eat
      3. Pos Volcano
         1. Places to Eat & Stay
   3. Coffee Country
      1. Grecia
         1. Places to Stay
      2. Atenas
      3. Sarch
      4. Naranjo
      5. Zarcero
      6. San Ramn
         1. Places to Stay
      7. Ciudad Quesada (San Carlos)
         1. Places to Stay
7. Appendix
   1. Useful Websites
   2. Rainy Day Reading
   3. Showtime
   4. Spanish Vocabulary
   5. Transportation Schedules & Fares