Below are a few books that we believe are very useful when visiting, investing in or relocating to Costa Rica.  We have personally read these books and found them enlightening as well as educating.  I hope you enjoy them as much as we have. 

The New Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica  
By: Christopher Howard

This comprehensive guide covers all aspects of living, retiring and investing in Costa Rica. It should be read by anyone, regardless of age, thinking of living full or part-time in one of the world's most beautiful and affordable tropical paradises. The Golden Door to Retirement and Living in Costa Rica offers thousands of tips and insider information plus the ins and outs and dos and don'ts, guiding the reader step-by-step on how to live inexpensively without sacrificing your quality of life; where to live in Costa Rica; how to find companionship and make friends; activities to keep busy; the best investments in Costa Rica; how to learn Spanish the easy way; starting a business in Costa Rica; finding work; inexpensive medical care; finding a rental home; locating and purchasing real estate and so much more.

Take advantage of the detailed descriptions of each major vacation destination, road maps, of the primary tourists towns, and the wide selection of places to stay, eat and experience described in detail. Designed for travelers on every budget, this book gives you both the high points and the low down on the world famous wild side of this unspoiled country. As a stand alone guide or a low cost supplement to the general guidebooks, this handbook will help you plan your adventure intelligently while stretching your vacation dollar. No matter what your preference or predilection you will definitely enjoy it more if you know before you go! Includes local bus schedules, detailed maps, hiking and camping tips. Large print for easy reading.

Lonely Planet Costa Rica
By Carolina A. Miranda, Paige Penland

Stroll through pristine cloud forests and peer into simmering volcanoes, catch the perfect turquoise wave and howl back at the howler monkeys, gaze at the waters of the Caribbean and the Pacific from the top of Mt. Chirripo – Costa Rica is an adventure’s dream packed with expert advice on making the most of your trip, our authoritative guide will help you discover your own paradise.

This phrasebook gives an essential guide to mastering the local Spanish idiom, and includes an extensive section on the flora and fauna of Costa Rica. It covers food, accommodation and getting around, and gives a guide to grammar and punctuation.

The Legal Guide to Costa Rica provides the answer to most of the questions you will have about living and doing business in Costa Rica. Now in its new and revised Fourth Edition the Legal Guide to Costa Rica will allow you to make informed decisions about your transactions in Costa Rica. Each chapter is organized into a specific area of law which in turn provides valuable information on several legal topics. These topics include, real estate transactions, corporations, residency and immigration, commercial transactions, banking and finance, powers of attorney, environmental laws, copyrights, trademarks, worker’s compensation, automobile regulations, taxation, social security, labor legislation and much more. The appendix includes examples of some of the most common legal forms which you are likely to encounter in Costa Rica. The forms, which have been translated into English are a valuable reference tool for understanding the transactions which you will undertake.

The annual effort of the staff and contributors of Central America's leading English-language newspaper, Exploring Costa Rica 2006 is the world's most complete, up-to-date and concisely written guidebook on this unique and fascinating nation of outspoken independence, proud social guarantees, rumbling volcanoes, idyllic beaches and misty rainforests. 
Our writers, who live in Costa Rica year-round, use their extensive travels, first-hand insight and love of the country to fill in the factual and cultural gaps left by other guides. Within these 384 full-color pages, feature 122 photos, 33 full-country and regional maps and five town-center maps, you'll find five informative sections: General Information, Living Culture, Inside Tiquicia, Seeing the Sights and Sports & Leisure. 

Costa Rica's first restaurant guide helps you select the perfect place to dine. This 224-page bilingual guide comes complete with nearly 400 restaurant listings throughout the country and 13 maps. Each listing includes the restaurant name, phone number, address, hours and a description of the type of food plus a calification for price and for quality/atmosphere/service. Three indexes, by location, type of food, and price, make it easy to use. The guide also includes a directory of fast food chains and express plus frequently dialed and emergency phone numbers.

The most comprehensive guide for surfers traveling to Costa Rica. Details over 70 breaks on both coasts and over 100 hotels nearest the breaks. Includes a "helpful tips" section with helpful packing list and advice on packing surfboards. Many maps and helpful driving directions. A down-and-dirty backpack ready guide. If Indiana Jones surfed, this would be his guide to the most perfect of surf destinations.

The Tico Times, an award-winning weekly newspaper.  You can have it delivered or you can subscribe to their online edition. www.ticotimes.net or (506)258-1558.