Book Review - Moon - Dominican Republic by Lebawit Lily Girma

The Dominican Republic is on my travel bucket list for (hopefully) next year so I ordered this book to start planning. What I love most about this book is how authentic the author's experiences come through for each of the areas she has visited. We can get a good understanding of the foods, hotels, travels and experiences for each place. Lots of first-hand advice and descriptions. Also, advice for women travelling alone.

The book is divided out by areas starting with the capital: Santa Domingo, Punta Cana and the Southeast Coast, The Samana Peninsula, Puerto Plata and the North Coast, Santiago and the Cibao Valley, and Barahona and the Southwest. Each of those region chapters is further broken down by city and then sights, foods, accommodations, transportations, and more. Then there's a chapter dedicated to the country's tumultous but fascinating background. A chapter for Travel Essentials (Transportation, Money, Tips, Food, Hotels, Health and Safety, Services, etc). Then a nice Spanish phrasebook that you can rip out and take with you.

Top 10 Experiences introduction is followed by a useful "Planning Your Trip" section with information on passports, transportation, etc. Followed by suggested itineraries in "The Best of the Dominican Republic". Most of us are looking for the "Best Beaches" page listed by area. "Romancing the DR" will interest couples or honeymooners. There's a page listing out top Diving and Snorkeling spots. The culture in Dominican Republic places a lot of emphasis on music and you'll find a call-out section dedicated to enjoying that as well as sprinkled throughout the book. For those so inclined, there's a page about Social Impact Tourism.

Lots of good info and full-color maps. Definitely a keeper guide to add to the collection.

Title: Moon Dominican Republic (Travel Guide)
Author: Lebawit Lily Girma
ISBN: 978-1640490468
Pages: 400

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Book Review - Fodor's Travel Guide - Essential Costa Rica

Costa Rica has become a popular tourist destination and is definitely on my bucket list. A lot of airlines fly directly to the city of San Jose which is in the center of the country or Liberia which is in the northwest. Cruise lines are also making Costa Rica a stop on their itinerary. This guide is massive and very thorough with lots of colorful pictures and maps.

"Experience Costa Rica" is the first chapter and lists out most of the "must do" reasons to visit Costa Rica - Top 18 experiences, Best Beaches, Best Ecolodges, What to Eat and Drink, Eccotourism, Outdoor Adventures, Weddings or Honeymoons, The People, and Families. Followed by a "Travel Smart" section listing out how to get here and get around, the main language is Spanish and there's a handy guide of useful phrases, What to Pack (expect rainy weather), Tours and Calendars. The rest of the book is divided out into areas starting with San Jose, The Central Valley, Northern Lowlands, GuanaCaste, The Nicoya Peninsula, Central Pacific Coast, South Pacific, and The Caribbean Coast.

Each section lists contains a map, detailed information on the national park within it, food and accomodation suggestions, "planning your time" info, nightlife and shopping. I really appreciate the safety callouts for some of the more adventurous activities (like ziplines). The table of contents lists out all the maps with page numbers if you want to pull those out to pack in your luggage (like I do since I don't trust Wifi internationally). Excellent guide published in 2025.

Title: Fodor's Travel Guide - Essential Costa Rica
Author: Fodor's Travel Guide
ISBN: 9781640976924
Pages: 528

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