A trip to Costa Rica is most assuredly going to be filled with Pura Vida, sandy beaches, and verdant jungles. Yet this small Central American country is filled with a rich history, diverse geography, and cultural roots that most travelers miss on the surface. 

Best Costa Rica Books

Costa Rica: A Traveler’s Literary Companion by Barbara Ras & Oscar Arias

This full collection of short stories from all over Costa Rica is cleverly divided by geographical regions and shows the importance of nature and why it is important to take care of it. The focus of the book is not entirely on the environment of Costa Rica, it also describes various other social situations that affect the country and culture of Costa Rica.

The Gringo's Hawk by Jon Maranon

Jon Maranon, an American author who has lived thirty years in the rainforest of Costa Rica, documents the obstacles as well as the successes of attempting to live in an environmentally conscious and sustainable way of living in paradise. His work explores the consequences of mixing nature with people and looks to generate awareness to the readers regarding ecosystems, fauna and flora as well as the social culture Costa Rica has throughout its territory.

Discovering Sophie by Cindy Roland Anderson

Sophie’s father is missing and was last seen in the jungles of Costa Rica. Desperate to know where he is, the decides to travel to this remote and unknown country to search for him herself. She hires a professional guide, who will help her not get lost in the jungle, however, they both seem annoyed at each other. The annoyance can be translated into chemistry and attraction, and they both feel it. Nevertheless, the guide’s job is to lead Sophie inside the rainforest to a remote village, the one her father was last seen. Jack the guide will manage to protect Sophie from the dangers of the jungle, yet who will be in charge of protecting her from falling in love?

Happier Than a Billionaire: Quitting My Job, Moving to Costa Rica, and Living the Zero Hour Work Week by Nadine Hays Pisani

What better way to pursue the happy life you deserve than quitting your boring job and starting a completely new life in the paradise jungle of Costa Rica? Nadine Pisani shares what it took to take the risk of starting from zero and learning why Costa Rica is ranked as one of the happiest places on the planet. Through humor and wit, Pisani recounts many challenges as she fell in love with this country.

A Place in the Rain Forest: Settling the Costa Rican Frontier by Darryl Cole-Christensen

Back in the 1950s, Coto Brus was a mountainous and practicably impenetrable region in the southeast of Costa Rica and had its first settlers, the family of author Darryl Cole-Christen. The book describes the main challenges and successes of arriving in a very remote and raw region in the middle of the jungle, as well as describing the negative impact these incomers had looking on the ecosystems and wildlife in this untouched region. The author is not looking to excuse or defend his actions during that time; however, he is using this platform to describe what settlers are looking to achieve, even if it means living in constant risk and dangers in exchange for recognition and some sort of rewards.  

Monkeys Are Made of Chocolate: Exotic and Unseen Costa Rica by Jack Ewing

Jack Ewing uses this book to share all the observations and incredible mysteries gathered of how living ecosystems interact with one and other in Costa Rica after living more than thirty years in southwestern Costa Rica. Discover the mysterious and fascinating ways in which animals, plants and people interact with one another in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Author and naturalist Jack Ewing shares a wealth of observations and experiences gathered from more than three decades of living in southwestern Costa Rica, home to some of the most prolific and diverse ecosystems on earth.

The Ticos: Culture and Social Change in Costa Rica by Mavis Hiltunen Biesanz

This detailed book describes Costa Rica’s development from the economic, educational, political and social lenses, as well as religion, health-care system, and family culture in the nation and how they have affected people’s way of living. Biesanzes has first-hand perspectives and observations on Costa Rica’s for more than half a century, therefore the analysis provided in this volume gives a clear and comprehensive idea of why Costa Rica’s cultural structure is the way it is, and potentially find a way to improve it.

The Old Patagonian Express: By Train Through the Americas  by Paul Theroux

The book starts with acclaimed author Paul Theroux taking the subway during rush hour and ending up on the Old Patagonian Express steam engine, which comes to an abrupt stop in the middle of nowhere. The story tells the story of Theroux’s journey through North and South America, surviving through the drastic changes in temperature, interacting with individuals from other cultures and admiring the ancient civilizations that have marked the traditions and history of the Americas. Though not exclusively about Costa Rica, Theroux does pass through this little spot of Central America. If you’re into immersing yourself in cultures and taking the risk of being outside your comfort zone, this book is definitely for you.

Want to travel to Costa Rica? We have multiple small group Costa Rica trips – check them out here!