Search - Costa Rica - A Traveler's Guide on DVD

Not really bad ! Not really good either !

NicoTico | CA | 03/23/2006

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, I can't believe the passions that this video has aroused in
my fellow travelers here on Amazon.com. I bought and watched
this video out of curiousity and because I have been to Costa
Rica and Central America many times.
1) OK, parts of the video is shameless promotion of a few
expensive hotels and spas but that in itself is not so bad.
It is just that so much was left out. They left out some
other expensive hotels particularly in the Quepos area that
would put the ones in the video to shame because they are
much more beautiful, elegant and worth more for your money.
2) The film quality of the video itself is very good and even
beautiful in the parts where the lovely hostess is not
prancing around a few select hotels and spas. 30 more
minutes of nature and this video would have been 4 stars.
3) If you have never been to Costa Rica you will see some of it
in this video and it looks great, unfortunately there is not
much variety. The hostess herself tells you in the last few
minutes of the video that she is sad that her 2 weeks in
Costa Rica have come to an end. Well, there you go! Two weeks
of very fast, albeit decent camera work is what you get.
4) Buy the used video version and maybe you won't feel so bad
about the price and the lack of depth and variety. Remember,
up-to-date videos about Costa Rica and Central America in
general are rare. Even the 2005 Globetrekker video did not
do such a great job on presenting Costa Rica and especially
did a poor presentation on Nicaragua.
Good luck on your travels in beautiful Costa Rica. It is not to
be missed and it is getting more and more expensive every minute!! Don't forget beautiful but forgotten Nicaragua !
You won't be disappointed!! Pura Vida !!"

Costa "Richa"

Debra Oursler | Colorado, USA | 07/12/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I am so disappointed that there isn't more on DVD about this neat country. We wanted to learn more about the country as a whole; people, different provinces and areas, the economy, etc. What we got was a host who is about ten minutes old, lounging in expensive resort spas and looking at rain forests and waterfalls. And I'm sorry guys, but she is NOT amazing. We kept waiting for the informative stuff to come, but it never happened. We are not backpackers, looking for $15 a night places, nor are we interested in spending as much as possible in a trendy European resort. (From that perspective, it DID feel like a promo for these resorts. Period.) We wanted to see more diverse everything, including common sense hotels, transportation, etc. If you are interested in learning more about Costa Rica, buy the books, not this video. If you're over twenty five years old, you'll be disappointed, I promise you."

Good and Bad

P Letts | New Jersey, USA | 07/10/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, what mixed reviews!! The BAD first: For a movie that was less than 60 minutes, it was too heavy on seeing the inside of a few posh resorts and the people who own them. Also, too much of the pretty host posing in her various bathing suits in front of her mirror, in the pool, by the falls, in the fountain, in the dining room, on the massage table, on a lounger......
The GOOD: Some nice shots of the scenery as seen from the resorts, a quick glimpse of the volcano, a great boat ride mangrove tour, some quick glimpses of local towns from the car, a fishing trip, a cute sloth, a little shopping, dancing in nightclub, and nice waterfalls. I feel that I have to buy another video to see Costa Rica, the people, the land, the towns, and what to expect if I go there and can't afford the posh resort.
"

Pura vida

Lizette Rosen | Atlanta, Georgia | 04/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Having a mother from Costa Rica, I found that this documentary really espressed the true realism of what makes Costa Rica so unique. It truely is a magical experience to travel to this country. I myself learned of several hidden places this exquisite country had to offer that I did not know of myself. It is well worth buying the DVD. Waiting for a second volume to come out. Hurry !"