Before you come

Reading List & Links

The following is an abbreviated list of books, articles and websites we recommend. Your visit to our country is more rewarding if you arm yourself with a little knowledge first. If you’d like to go beyond this list, we highly recommend a trip to the periodicals section of your local library. Check the subject catalogue under Costa Rica, Central America, Rainforest, Tropical Nature, etc.

Travel Guides

  • Baker, Christopher P., Costa Rica Handbook, Moon Publicatons, 1999.
  • Blake, Beatrice et al., The New Key to Costa Rica, 18th ed. Costa Rica, 2005. Excellent information. Constantly updated.
  • Frommer, Arthur and Eliot Greenspan, Frommer's Costa Rica 2008, Eliot, IDG Books Worldwide, 2007.

Field Guides

  • Beletsky, L. Costa Rica: The EcotravelerBeletsky, L. Costa Rica: The Ecotraveler’
    Identification, distribution and conservation information on Costa Rica’s frequently spotted animals, including birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Also includes information on habitats and parks.
  • DeVries, P. The Butterflies of Costa Rica and Their Natural History. Princeton University Press, 1997
    An introduction to the biology of butterflies and their habitat in Costa Rica. Excellent illustrations. Not all families are treated.
  • Emmons, L.H. and F. Feer, Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide, University of Chicago Press, 1990
    This excellent little book covers all of the mammals that occur in Costa Rica. Natural history and Conservation in the Tropics
  • Carr, Archie. The Windward Road, University Presses of Florida, 1979 (first published by Alfred A. Knopf, Inc., 1955)
    One man’s adventures in search of sea turtle nesting grounds throughout the Caribbean basin, Mr. Carr’s account focuses mainly on Costa Rica Carr, Archie. The Windward Road, University Presses of Florida, 1979.
  • Janzen, D.H. Ed., Costa Rican Natural History. Chicago, University of Chicago Press, 1983
    A valuable sourcebook on all aspects of natural history in Costa Rica. Detailed species accounts of many of the more commonly observed plants and animals. Slightly technical but definitely worth it.
  • Kircher, J.C., and Plotkin, Mark, A Neotropical Companion: An Introduction to the Animals, Plants and Ecosystems of the New World Tropics, 2nd Rev. Edition, Princeton University Press, 1997
    Another excellent book which takes the ‘systems’ approach to neotropical ecology and which results in a clearer understanding on the part of the reader.
  • Perry, D., Life Above the Jungle Floor, New York, Simon & Shuster, 1987
    A close-up look at life in the rainforest canopy, a biological frontier.
  • Skutch, Alexander F., A Birdwatcher’s Adventures in Tropical America, University of Texas Press, 1977
    A highly readable account of Dr. Skutch’s early days in Central America, highlighting Costa Rica. Excellent overview of basic tropical ecology.
  • Wallace, David Rains, The Quetzal and the Macaw: The Story of Costa Rica’s National Parks. Sierra Club, 1991
    Excellent account of the struggle to establish the National Park System of Costa Rica, with incisive reporting on the politics of conservation and accurate, often humorous, characterizations of the principle players in this great achievement.

Other Titles of Interest

  • Schafer, Kevin, Costa Rica: The Forests of Eden, Rizzoli International Publications, New York, NY, 1996
    An outstanding pictorial essay of Costa Rica’s natural treasures complemented by the photographer's / author’s sensitive writing. Introduction by Alvaro Ugalde.
  • Ras, Barbara, Ed. Costa Rica: A Traveler’s Literary Companion, Introduction by Oscar Arias, Whereabouts Press, San Francisco, CA, 1994.
    An excellent collection of Costa Rican short stories, sensitively translated into English. A window into the soul of Costa Rican culture.

Websites

 
 

Horizontes is a proud member of The International Ecotourism Society (TIES), Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA), Costa Rica’s National Tourism Chamber (CANATUR), Costa Rica Tour Operator’s Association (ACOT), Costa Rica’s National Ecotourism Chamber (CANAECO), Adventure Travel Media Source, and FUTUROPA. Horizontes is fully licensed with the Costa Rican Tourist Board (ICT) and has been certified with the highest level of the CST with Five Leaves (Certification for Sustainable Tourism).

 

Horizontes and Rainforest Alliance have established an alliance to work with suppliers in Best Management Practices in Sustainable Tourism Program since December 8, 2005. Horizontes supports MarViva´s efforts in protecting and supporting the management of Marine Protected Areas, Habitat for Humanity in promoting the community development through housing solutions, World Heritage Alliance seeking to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage and supports the Tourism Code of Ethics Campaign, to protect children and adolescents from Sexual Exploitation.