Costa Rica

READING AND TRAVEL GUIDE

Kids

Books for

Enrich your travels with reading! Here's a hand-picked list prepared for your journey in conjunction with the book experts at Longitude.

Essential Reading

Item EXCRC30. Buy these 4 items as a set for $67 including shipping, 15% off the retail price.
With free shipping on anything else you order.

ADD SET
TO BOOKBAG
Lonely Planet Costa Rica

Lonely Planet Costa Rica

by Mara Vorhees

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 608 PAGES

A practical guide in the popular series, featuring a wildlife guide, adventure travel section and 32 pages of full-color photographs. (CRC19, $21.99)

The Ticos

The Ticos

by Richard Biesanz

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 307 PAGES
  • HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE

This insightful, fact-filled portrait of the Costa Rican people explores their culture, history and society. (CRC32, $22.95)

Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion

Costa Rica, A Traveler's Literary Companion

by Barbara Ras

  • ANTHOLOGY
  • 1994
  • PAPER
  • 238 PAGES

26 well-chosen stories by Costa Rican writers introduce the people, culture and land. (CRC03, $14.95)

Costa Rica Adventure Map

Costa Rica Adventure Map

by National Geographic

  • 2008
  • MAP

A double-sided map at a scale of 1:500,000. (CAM22, $11.95)

 
Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish

Breaking Out of Beginner's Spanish


by Joseph Keenan

  • LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS
  • 1994
  • PAPER
  • 215 PAGES

Idioms, common mistakes in word usage, and other helpful advice on tackling spoken Spanish. You'll need some foundation to take full advantage of this book -- but even a complete novice will appreciate the author's playful sense of humor. (CAM06, $19.95)

Costa Rica in Focus

Costa Rica in Focus


by Tjabel Daling

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2002
  • PAPER
  • 82 PAGES

A concise guide to the people, politics, economy and culture of Costa Rica. The author explores the history of democracy since the abolition of the army in 1948; the economic doldrums of the 1980s; and the impact of tourism. (CRC28, $12.95)

Costa Rican Spanish

Costa Rican Spanish


by Lonely Planet

  • LANGUAGE & PHRASEBOOKS
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 256 PAGES

A pocket guide to understanding idioms, slang and Spanish as it is spoken by the Ticos. (CRC25, $8.99)

Culture Smart! Costa Rica

Culture Smart! Costa Rica


by Jane Koutnik

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2006
  • PAPER
  • 168 PAGES

A guide to local customs, etiquette and culture. (CRC45, $9.95)

National Geographic Costa Rica

National Geographic Costa Rica


by Christopher P. Baker

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 272 PAGES

This stylish and informative travel resource features 200 photographs, many maps and good information on the country's history, nature and culture. (CRC26, $22.95)

A Brief History of Central America

A Brief History of Central America


by Hector Perez-Brignoll

  • HISTORY
  • 1989
  • PAPER
  • 223 PAGES

A good overview of the region's economic, political and social history through the 1980s by a professor at the University of Costa Rica. Well-written, informative and concise. (CAM49, $25.95)

Coffee and Power, Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America

Coffee and Power, Revolution and the Rise of Democracy in Central America


by Jeffery M. Paige

  • HISTORY
  • 1998
  • PAPER
  • 448 PAGES

Panoramic in scope, this scholarly history examines the emerging democracies of Central America and especially the political impact on powerful families who control coffee production. (CAM50, $30.00)

The Art of Crossing Cultures

The Art of Crossing Cultures


by Craig Storti

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 153 PAGES

Tips for travelers adjusting to a new culture. (GEN136, $24.95)

A Naturalist in Costa Rica

A Naturalist in Costa Rica


by Alexander Skutch

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 1992
  • PAPER
  • 382 PAGES

A warm account of living and studying ornithology in the Pacific hills of Costa Rica over the last 35 years at what is now Los Cusingos Neotropical Bird Sanctuary. Skutch died on his ranch in 2004 just short of his 100th birthday. (CAM09, $24.95)

The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America

The Monkey's Bridge, Mysteries of Evolution in Central America


by David Rains Wallace

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 280 PAGES

Opening this absorbing account of the history and biogeography of the Central American isthmus with the tale of Columbus, Wallace then weaves his own travels in the region with a crisp overview of exploration, nature and evolution. Natural history buffs and ecologically minded travelers will appreciate this valuable resource. (CAM56, $18.95)

Tropical Nature

Tropical Nature


by Adrian Forsyth | Ken Miyata

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 1984
  • PAPER
  • 248 PAGES
  • FAVORITE

A lucid portrait of the tropics as seen by two uncommonly observant and thoughtful field biologists. Its 17 marvelous essays introduce the habitats, ecology, plants and animals of the Central and South American rainforest. (GPS13, $16.00)

Wild Costa Rica

Wild Costa Rica


by Adrian Hepworth

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2008
  • HARD COVER
  • 176 PAGES

This beautiful, informative survey of the habitats, wildlife and protected areas of Costa Rica features 200 color photographs and chapters on natural history and conservation. (CRC69, $29.95)

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica

A Photographic Guide to the Birds of Costa Rica


by Susan Fogdon | Michael Fogdon

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2005
  • PAPER
  • 144 PAGES

Arranged by family groups, this pocket field guide to 250 common birds includes color photos, identification notes and range maps. (CRC42, $15.95)

Costa Rica Birds

Costa Rica Birds


by James Kavanagh

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2007
  • PLASTIC CARD

A handy, laminated fold-up card with full-color illustrations of birds commonly found in Costa Rica. Great for kids, too. (CRC56, $5.95)

Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths

Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths


by James Kavanagh

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2007
  • PLASTIC CARD

A handy, laminated fold-up card. (CRC57, $5.95)

Costa Rica, Travellers' Wildlife Guides

Costa Rica, Travellers' Wildlife Guides


by Les Beletsky

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2004
  • PAPER
  • 448 PAGES

This handy field guide features 350 color illustrations of commonly encountered birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. With chapters on habitats, parks and conservation. (CRC11, $29.99)

Costa Rican Wildlife

Costa Rican Wildlife


by Pocket Naturalist

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2000
  • PLASTIC CARD

Put it in your pocket! This handy, fold-up card includes color illustrations of dozens of typical birds, mammals and reptiles. We also carry plastic cards for Costa Rica Birds (Item CRC56) and Costa Rica Butterflies & Moths (Item CRC57), $5.95 each. (CRC24, $5.95)

Mammals of Costa Rica

Mammals of Costa Rica


by Fiona Reid

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 28 PAGES

A palm-sized guide to 65 native mammals, with handsome full-color illustrations and helpful descriptions. Includes a map, viewing tips and a checklist. (CRC37, $7.00)

More Recommendations

Here are some other groups of books that might be of interest