Book excerpt: For a limited time, receive a free Fodor's Guide to Safe and Healthy Travel e-book with the purchase of this guidebook! Go to fodors.com for details. Whether you want to surf on the Nicoya Peninsula, glide on a zipline through the rainforest in Monteverde, or stand in awe of Arenal Volcano, the local Fodor’s travel experts in Costa Rica are here to help! Fodor’s Essential Costa Rica 2020 guidebook is packed with maps, carefully curated recommendations, and everything else you need to simplify your trip-planning process and make the most of your time. This new edition has been FULLY-REDESIGNED with an easy-to-read layout, fresh information, and beautiful color photos. GET INSPIRED • AN ILLUSTRATED ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES GUIDE to the top things to see and do • COLOR PHOTOS throughout to spark your wanderlust! • PHOTO-FILLED “BEST OF” FEATURES on the best beaches, eco-lodges, and food to try while you're there • UP-TO-DATE and HONEST RECOMMENDATIONS covering the most recommended sights, restaurants, hotels, nightlife, shopping, performing arts, activities, side-trips, and more. GET PLANNING • MULTIPLE ITINERARIES to effectively organize your days and maximize your time • SPECIAL FEATURES on “Choosing a Beach,” “Coffee, the Golden Bean,” “Surfing Costa Rica,” and “Canopy Tours” • COVERS: San José, Monteverde Cloud Forest, Arenal Volcano, Manuel Antonio, Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste, Limón, Tamarindo, Jacó, Osa Peninsula, and more GET GOING • MORE THAN 35 DETAILED MAPS AND A FREE PULLOUT MAP to navigate confidently • TRIP-PLANNING TOOLS AND PRACTICAL TIPS on when to go, getting around, beating the crowds, and saving time and money • HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL INSIGHTS providing rich context on the local people, government, sports, cuisine, geography, and more • LOCAL WRITERS to help you find the under-the-radar gems • SPANISH LANGUAGE PRIMER with useful words and essential phrases Planning on visiting other destinations in Central America? Check out Fodor’s Belize and Fodor’s Cancún & the Riviera Maya. ABOUT FODOR'S AUTHORS: Each Fodor's Travel Guide is researched and written by local experts. Fodor’s has been offering expert advice for all tastes and budgets for over 80 years. For more travel inspiration, you can sign up for our travel newsletter at fodors.com/newsletter/signup, or follow us @FodorsTravel on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. We invite you to join our friendly community of travel experts at fodors.com/community to ask any other questions and share your experience with us! IMPORTANT NOTE: The digital edition of this guide does not contain all the images included in the physical edition.