Garmin map for Costa Rica

I have a Garmin 176 and was looking at the base map of Costa Rica, it is very basic. I looked at Garmin's web site and they have a more detailed map, but you have to buy the "more" detailed World map just to get the map of CR. To much cost for to little info that I will use. Is there any other way you can get just a more detailed for Costa Rica for my GPS.

If the Worldmap detail for Costa Rica is like the rest of Central America and South America that I have traveled, it is not very good. Very innaccurate and almost bad since you might actually trust what is on there. Seems the most accurate part of the Worldmap are the coastlines; perhaps since Garmin has long marine roots. I know there are likely several folks that would let you evaluate a copy and you could see for yourself.

Thanks for the heads up on the accuracy of the Garmin map. I'll go with the base map on my GPS and buy a paper map. Any suggestions on which maps of CR are the most reliable?

find someone with the World Map to load Costa Rica into your memory card. You should note that the Garmin World Map data isn't that detailed.

You might look through this site:

http://gpsinformation.net/#software

They've got a ton of GPS information.

Marc

Just my 0.02 :
My be to try Touratech maps for Garmin? I have not experience with these maps, but heard good stuff about them. Maybe other members on forum would be able to comment.

And it takes *very* little space in memory. In fact, I can get all of Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica (and this also includes a lot ofColumbia and southern Mexico) in only <drum roll please> 1.16MB!

Now that's a cheap memory card!

Hmmmmmm, mebbe it's so small due to that... what did he say.... oh yeah, lack of detail... :huh

As far as Touratech maps... *PLEASE* correct me if I'm wrong, 'cus I'd really like to be, but Garmin units will only take Garmin maps...

Maybe this company have something: Garmin Venezuela

They are third part developers and have detailed maps in this area.

OK, then what is that ?
I thoght it's a substitute for Garmin crap...

I read it as a PC based map that will allow you to load waypoints you get from the PC map to your GPS, but you will still see the Garmin map on the GPS.

So, when you are navigating on the bike, you will not see anything but the roads in the Garmin map and any waypoints you downloaded to the GPS. It will not increase the detail of the map you see.

I am not sure how other 3rd party software works, but my understanding, like Steve's, was that only Garmin maps could be loaded.

Gustavo

There are these four guys who went to Morroco. so somehow, one of them got a sobstitute maps for garmin. I will e-mail him and ask how to get them, and/or is it possible to create them. might be not a bad idea

The Garmin software (MapSource) and devices only recognize a few formats. I've heard that the GDB file format has been hacked and folks have been able to create and load their own maps. I don't know where or how. Perhaps one can find it with a search engine.

GDB and GDBv2 have been hacked but they are not map formats.

GPSmapper is a third party tool that can create Garmin format maps but it is very time intensive.

The GPS Passion forum might be a good resource. The Maps & POI section - http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=137

I looked in their database but didn't see Costa Rica. You'll get better results by asking. Folks there seem pretty knowledgeable.

Try the folks at GPSTravelMaps. They don't provide autorouting maps but they do "enhance" the Garmin basemap level data. There maps are very reasonably priced.

By the way, there are many third-party Garmin map developers so search around and you will find something if Garmin doesn't have a [good] offering.

You also don't need MapSource to load maps to your Garmin GPS. There are several "map loader" programs available.

I used a Costa Rica map from GPSTravelMaps.com and STRONGLY recommend against that. On the way from San Jose to Arenal it actually led us in a circle (go figure!) and trying to get to the airport recommended going through downtown San Jose, instead of around it. We ended up asking cab drivers to point us back in the right direction (no, I am not directionally challenged, and navigate in the US without any problems, thanks for asking .

WorldTraveller007 - This is Michael from GPSTravelMaps.com, please email support@gpstravelmaps.com and we will send you the updated Costa Rica GPS map with these fixes for free. These issues, many new highways and POI's have been added on a monthly basis to the Costa Rica GPS map.

DRTBYK - GPSTravelMaps.com does provide auto routing GPS maps and Basic gps maps. Auto routing will give you turn by turn directions and the basic GPS is basically like a paper GPS that shows your location on the earth as you travel.

If any Advrider members have any questions about the Costa Rica GPS map then please email support@gpstravelmaps.com

If I can answer any questions about the Costa Rica GPS map or any of our other GPS maps for Advrider members then please don't hesitate to ask!

Best Regards,
Michael
GPSTravelMaps.com