Costa Rica

Beyond the deserted beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula and the visceral heights of the Monteverde cloud forests lies the real Costa Rica - a land of delicate pathos, forthright purity and hard-won pacifism. Tromp through virgin rain forest - sighting poison-dart frogs and howler monkeys along the way - or simply explore the local lore and laid-back beach scene with this picture book. You'll visit rugged wilderness preserves and sleepy beach towns, spectacular orchid gardens and mineral hot springs at the foot of a steaming volcano. Through the best of Costa Rica's images, this new addition to the Countries of the World series conjures the nation's allure and vitality, its coffee fields and palm groves, cicadas and songbirds, shrouded mountains and blazing savannas.