Color photos, species accounts, and distribution maps, for almost three hundred species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates are complimented by general introductions to each group, the ecology of Costa Rica, and how to travel to see wildlife.

by Carrol L. Henderson (Author), Steve Adams (Illustrator), Paperback, 559 pages, Publisher: Univ of Texas Press; 1st edition, (2002), ISBN: 029273459X

The Traveler’s Wildlife Guide to Costa Rica is a wonderful book that fully deserves its endorsement by the Wildlife Conservation Society. Beletsky’s understanding and extensive experience of tropical ecology result in a clear, interesting, and useable guide. This tiny country has more diverse habitats and wildlife than almost any other place in the world, which makes the Guide’s accessible descriptions of them and their interactions all the more impressive.

by Les Beletsky, John Myers (Illustrator), Priscilla Barrett (Illustrator), Paperback, 440 pages, Publisher: Interlink Pub Group, (2003), ISBN: 1566565294

Over 400 illustration of the mammals, their tracks, scats, dens, and anatomical details combined with identification keys, range maps, vocalization descriptions, sexual behavior, derivations of common and scientific names, evolutionary history, local folklore and mythology give a complete picture for Costa Rica’s common and more elusive mammals. Excellent introductions to the natural history and conservation of this region make this much more than a source to identify what you just saw.

by Mark Wainwright, Paperback, 384 pages, Publisher: Distribuidores Zona Tropical, S.A., (2003), ISBN: 0970567812

by Fiona A. Reid, Paperback: 456 pages, Publisher: Oxford University Press, (1998), ISBN: 0195064011

Standard format field guide with 49 high quality color plates and ~8 mammals per plate. Detailed and accurate, but it’s mammals only.. lots of rats and bats as well as the monkeys, felines, and marine mammals.

Laminated folding pocket guide packs a lot of information into a little space. Designed as an introduction and quick reference there are full color illustrations and a wealth of general information.

by Rainforest Publications (Author), Mark Wainwright (Illustrator), Robert Dean (Illustrator), Jannah Brown (Illustrator), Enrique Leal (Illustrator) (2010), ISBN: 1888538120

Convenient laminated folding pocket guide packs a lot of information into a little space. Designed as an introduction and quick reference there are full color illustrations and a wealth of general information.

by Waterford Press, Paperback, 12 foldout pages, Publisher: Waterford Press, (2001), ISBN: 1583550739

An excellent field guide to one of the most diverse bird populations anywhere with 52 beautiful color plates, detailed species accounts, descriptions of birding localities. If you’re already hooked on birding you know from your friends that this is the book you need, and if you’re a novice, this is a perfect place to start.

by F. Gary Stiles, Alexander F. Skutch (Contributor), Dana Gardner (Illustrator), Paperback, Publisher: Cornell Univ Pr, (1990), ISBN: 0801496004

A more compact and usable field guide than the classic Skutch. The detailed full-color illustrations show identifying features―including plumage differences among males, females, and juveniles―and views of birds in flight wherever pertinent.Robert Dean has supplied more than 360 new illustrations, including sixty-four species that are illustrated for the first time in this edition. RECOMMENDED

by Richard Garrigues (Author), Robert Dean (Illustrator) , Paperback, Publisher: Zona Tropical, (2014), ISBN: 0801479886

The guide to Costa Rica’s amphibians, herpatofauna, and reptiles. This is a big book and not for the field but it’s one of our favorites on the bookshelf. Hundreds of fantastic color photos and detailed species accounts with range maps, breeding and much more

Jay M. Savage (Author), Paperback, 954 pages, Publisher: University Of Chicago Press, (2005), ISBN: 0226735389

Not a filed guide per se, but a good introduction to the field.

Readable and accessible for tourists, students and scientists, this introduction to the American tropics, their rainforests and other ecosystems, and the creatures that live there is the most comprehensive one-volume guide to the Neotropics available today.
Highly recommended by Scientific American.

by William E. Davis (Illustrator), John C. Kricher, Mark J. Plotkin, Paperback, 448 pages, Publisher: Princeton Univ Pr; (2017), ISBN: 0691115257