36_584413 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 9:14 PM Page 367 Index adventure itinerary, 39–40 • A • aerial tram tours, 145, 218 AAA, 51, 68, 74 Agua Luna (Puerto Jiménez), 305 AAA Travel Agency, 64 Agujitas River, 296 AARP, 51, 68, 74, 79 air travel accessibility issues, 80 booking online, 59–60 accommodations within Costa Rica, 47, 66–67 air-conditioning and, 73, 74, 107 cost-cutting tips, 58–59 babysitting service, 78 departure tax, 55, 123, 362 bed-and-breakfast, 73 Dominical area, 228 best, 9–12 to Drake Bay, 296 best room, reserving, 76 fares, 46–47, 58–59 booking online, 50, 75–76 Golfito and Golfo Dulce, 313 boutique hotels, 73 La Fortuna, 253 cabinas, 74, 78 Malpaís and Santa Teresa, 288 Cahuita, 325–327 Manuel Antonio, 186 chain hotels, 73 Montezuma, 278 children and, 50, 77–78 Puerto Jiménez, 303–304 choosing, 71 Punta Islita, 287 cost of, 46, 47, 72, 74 Tortuguero, 342–343 cost-cutting tips, 49–50, 74 air-conditioning, 73, 74, 107 Dominical, 223–225 airlines Drake Bay, 297–300 carryon luggage, 93 ecolodges, 11–12, 73–74, 295 contact information, 57–58, 363–364 elderhostel, 80 package tours and, 63–64 familyhostel, 78 security measures, 92–93 Golfito and Golfo Dulce, 12, 315–318 senior discounts, 78 Guanacaste, 158, 160–167 airports home rentals, 225 Daniel Olduber International Airport hotels, 9–10, 73, 83, 364 (Liberia), 57, 152 Jacó and Playa Herradura, 209–213 Internet kiosks at, 90 with kitchenettes, 50, 78 Juan Santamaria International Airport La Fortuna, 255–260 (San José), 57, 98 Lake Arenal, 267–270 Tobís Bolaños International Airport luxury resorts,COPYRIGHTED 9–10, 72–73 MATERIAL(Pavas), 67 Malpaís and Santa Teresa, 290–292 transportation from, 98–99 Manuel Antonio, 189–194 Alby Lodge (Cahuita), 325 Monteverde, 238–241 alcoholic beverages, 361 Montezuma, 11, 279–282 Allegro Papagayo Resort (Papagayo price range for, 2 Peninsula), 158, 160 Puerto Jiménez, 305–308 all-terrain vehicle (ATV), 177, 200, 218, Puerto Viejo, 333–336 238, 288, 290 rack rate, 49, 74 Almonds & Corals Tent Camp romantic, 83 (Manzanillo), 333 taxes, 47, 123, 362 American Express, 120, 359 36_584413 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 9:14 PM Page 368 368 Costa Rica For Dummies, 1st Edition American Express Travel Service, 64 Amor de Mar (Montezuma), 11, 279–280 • B • Annexation of Guanacaste Day, 33 babysitting service, 78 appetizers (bocas), 23, 142 Bahía Culebra (Guanacaste), 153 Apuy, Otto (artist), 177 Bahia Marine National Park, 229 Araya, Johnny (mayor of San José), 97 Bakea (San José), 12, 115 archaeological sites, 146 Baldi Termae, 262 architecture, local, 22 Ballena Marine National Park, 226–227 Arco Iris Lodge (Santa Elena), 238 Bar & Restaurant La Cubana Arenal Botanical Gardens and Butterfly (Golfito), 318 Sanctuary, 271 beaches. See also Jacó and Playa Arenal Lodge (near Lake Arenal), 255–256 Herradura; Malpaís and Santa Arenal National Park, 261 Teresa Arenal Observatory Lodge (on the flanks Ballena Marine National Park, 226 of Arenal volcano), 11, 256 best, 13–14 Arenal Pacifico (Jacó), 209–210 Caño Island, 302 Arenal volcano Chauita, 323 climate around, 260 Dominical, 221, 228–229 described, 29, 260–261 Drake Bay, 302 eruptions, 252–253, 261, 358 Guanacaste, 152, 153, 155–157, 176–177 map of, 257 International Beach Clean-Up Day, 34 safety issues, 261 Manuel Antonio, 198, 199–200 art galleries, 136, 249–250 Montezuma, 14, 283, 284–285 Aserri, 119, 357 Puerto Viejo, 331 Atlántida Lodge (Playa Negra), 326 riptides and, 217 ATMs, 52, 53–54, 359 San Josesito, 302 attractions south of Puerto Viejo, 337–338 best, 14–15 Tortuguero, 349 Cahuita, 329–330 bed-and-breakfast accommodations, 73 cost of, 48 Berlitz Latin American Spanish Dominical, 226–228 Phrasebook and Dictionary, 361 Drake Bay, 300–303 Biesanz, Barry (woodworker), 137 family spots, best, 15–16 Bijagual Waterfalls, 215 Golfito and Golfo Dulce, 318–320 biking. See also mountain biking Guanacaste, 173–181 Jacó, 208 Jacó and Playa Herradura, 215–219 to Manzanillo, 338 La Fortuna, 260–264 Puerto Viejo, 333 Lake Arenal, 270–272 Bilge Bar, Restaurant & Grill (Golfito), 318 Malpaís and Santa Teresa, 292–293 Blue Lake (Guanacaste), 173 Manuel Antonio, 197–202 blue-plate special (casado), 22 Monteverde, 244–249 boat tours, 201–202, 349 Montezuma, 283–285 boat travel Puerto Viejo, 337–341 to Drake Bay, 297 San José, 126–133 Golfito, 314 ten ideas for, 356–358 between Monteverde and ATV (all-terrain vehicle), 177, 200, 218, La Fortuna, 235 238, 288, 290 outside of San José, 145–146 Avenida Central (San José), 134 to Punta Coral, 146 Aviarios del Caribe and the Buttercup to Tortuga Island, 145–146 Sloth Rescue Center, 329 to Tortuguero, 343–344 Azania Bungalows (Playa Cocles), 11, 334 36_584413 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 9:14 PM Page 369 Index 369 bocas (appetizers), 23, 142 to Monteverde, 235–236, 238 boogie-boards, renting, 217 to Montezuma, 278–279 booking online to Puerto Jiménez, 304 accommodations, 50, 75–76 to Puerto Viejo, 331 air travel, 59–60 in San José, 106 rental car, 50, 68–69 to San José, 100 books. See also publications by title thieves and, 362 on Costa Rica, 24–25, 331 to Tortuguero, 344 for gay or lesbian travelers, 82 business hours, 120 San José bookstore, 136 Buttercup Sloth Rescue Center, 329 for senior travelers, 80 Butterfly Farm (Alajuela), 130–131 for travelers with disabilities, 81 butterfly gardens Bosque del Cabo Rainforest Lodge Fincas Naturales, 198 (Osa Peninsula), 12, 306 Monteverde, 246 boutique hotels, 73 Punta Uva, 341 Braulio Carrillo National Park, 323 Spirogyra Butterfly Garden, 128–129 Bribri Indians’ Kéköldi Reserve, 340 Butterfly Sanctuary (Lake Arenal), 271 Britannia Hotel (San José), 108 bucket shops (consolidators), 58–59 budget for trip. See also money issues • C • accommodations, 47 cabinas, 74, 78 attractions, 48 Cabinas Casa Verde (Puerto Viejo), 334 cost of things in Costa Rica, 46 Cabinas Jinetes de Osa (Drake Bay), cost-cutting tips, 49–51 297–298 gas for rental car, 47 Cabinas Los Cocos (Playa Zancudo), 315 nightlife, 48 Cabinas San Clemente (Dominical), 223 restaurants, 48 Cabinas Sol y Mar (Playa Zancudo), 315 shopping, 48 Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve sightseeing, 48 (Montezuma), 283–284 taxes, 55 Cabuya, 284–285 tipping, 98, 106 Café Britt Farm (Heredia), 131 transportation, 46–47 Café del Teatro Nacional (San José), 115 “The Bug Lady” (Stice), 303 Café Milagro (Manuel Antonio), 197 bugs, 353 Café Mundo (San José), 116 bungee jumping, 145 Cafeteria 1830 (San José), 116 bus travel Cahuita to Cahuita, 323–324 accommodations, 325–327 in Costa Rica, 70, 100 attractions, 329–330 Dominical, 222 described, 30, 323 to Drake Bay, 297 fast facts, 350 to Golfito and Golfo Dulce, 314 guided tours, 324 in Guanacaste, 158 map of, 325 to Guanacaste, 152–153 nightlife, 331 to Jacó and Playa Herradura, 207–208 orientation, 324 from Juan Santamaria International restaurants, 327–329 Airport, 99 safety issues, 354 to La Fortuna, 254 shopping, 330–331 to Lake Arenal, 267 transportation, 324 to and from Limón, 343 traveling to, 323–324 to Malpaís and Santa Teresa, 288 visitor information, 324 to Manuel Antonio, 187–188 36_584413 bindex.qxd 9/26/05 9:14 PM Page 370 370 Costa Rica For Dummies, 1st Edition Cahuita National Park, 323, 329, 330 car rental. See rental car calendar of events, 33–34 Carara National Park, 205, 207, 216 Caliche’s Wishbone (Jacó), 213 Caribbean coast, 32, 322, 350 Camarón Dorado (Playa Brasilito), Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s 13, 167–168 Visitors’ Center and Museum camping (Tortuguero), 348 Almonds & Corals Tent Camp, 333 Cariblue Bungalows (Playa Cocles), Ballena Marine National Park, 226–227 334–335 Cahuita National Park, 330 Carnaval or Día de la Raza, 34 Corcovado National Park, 311 Carnival, 34 Malpaís Surf Camp & Resort, 290–291 Casa Corcovado Jungle Lodge Cañas, 177 (Osa Peninsula), 298 Caño Island Biological Reserve, 302 Casa Creole (Playa Negra), 327 Caño Negro National Wildlife Refuge, 261 Casa Marbella (Tortuguero Village), canoeing, 329, 349 345–346 canopy tours Casa Orquideas (Golfito), 319 Drake Bay, 302–303 casado (blue-plate special), 22 Guanacaste, 180 cash, carrying, 53–54 Hacienda Guachipelin, 174 casinos, 143–144, 182, 203 Jacó and Playa Herradura area, 218 Cassafont, Miguel (Costa Rican Malpaís, 293 artist), 116 Manuel Antonio, 200–201 Catholic Church (Cañas), 177 Monteverde, 246–248 CDW (Collision Damage Waiver), 69 Montezuma, 284 cellphone, 89–90 outside of San José, 145 central pacific coast, 28, 205 overview, 15, 357 Central Valley, 4, 27 Tabacón Hot Springs Resort and Centro Nacional de Arte y Cultura Spa, 263 (National Arts and Culture Center) canyoning, 201, 248, 263 (San José), 126 car, driving. See also rental car ceramics, 181 to Cahuita, 323 Cerro de la Muerte (Mountain of on Cerro de la Muerte (Mountain of Death), 221 Death), 221 Cha Cha Cha (Cahuita), 328 in Costa Rica, 360 chain hotels, 73 in Dominical, 221–222 Chalet Nicholas (Nuevo Arenal), 267–268 driver’s license for, 360 Chef Bob’s Louisiana Bar & Grill to Golfito and Golfo Dulce, 313 (Playa del Coco), 168 in Guanacaste, 157–158 children to Guanacaste, 153–154 accommodations for, 50, 77–78 to Jacó and Playa Herradura, 206–207 attractions for, 353 to La Fortuna, 253 babysitting services, 78 to Lake Arenal, 266–267 best family attractions, 15–16 to Malpaís and Santa Teresa, 288 hotel discounts for, 77 to Manuel Antonio, 186–187 one-week itinerary for, 38–39 to Monteverde, 234–235 passport for, 78 to Puerto Jiménez, 304 traveling with, 77–78 to Puerto Viejo, 331 Children’s Museum (San José), 127 rainy season and, 32 Clarion Amón Plaza (San José), 108