Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nervesof first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the mostjaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still givinginsights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations anditineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (39)

Great Resource
Best overview on India.If you want more in depth you need to buy books related to a particular subject.This book gives an overview on everything Indian.Really important resource for a traveller in India.

AS MUCH ABOUT TOURISM IN INDIA AS CAN BE PACKED INTO A BOOK
It is almost a crime to try to fit a great country such as India into a one volume guidebook.However, being such the understandable proposition -- tourists are unlikely to want to carry many guides -- this guidebook does a very nice job of putting it all together.
Strongly recommended to anyone planning to visit any part of this remarkable country either for business or for pleasure
This expanded and updated eleventh edition of India is the result of considerable research and study by Lonely Planet's expert staff including Sarina Singh and ten associates. India is an comprehensive and highly portable 1140-page paperback guide to the diverse country of India. Introducing travelers to a significant grasp of Indian culture and land, India offers readers a "user-friendly" reference for best accommodations for budget, historical information, lesser known locations such as national parks, remote tribal villages and serene secluded mountain treks, comprehensive understandings of Indian cuisine, and transportation information with over 200 precise maps. India from Lonely Planet is very strongly recommended to anyone planning to visit any part of this remarkable country either for business or for pleasure.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. India    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years, and as a result has experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (39)

good reference
The info in this book is universal to different types of travelers.It is not meant to be read completely.It's format provides an overview of cities for tourists.Another writer from England, Ian Middleton, spent four months backpacking across Mexico.He considered Lonely Planet to be a "Barclaycard", never leave home without it.While Ian Middleton wrote an ebook titled "Down Mexico Way"(availabe at diesel ebooks) that is written in a different and candid format.I originally bought his book to research driving through mexico.But his book is mainly a sharing of one's journey as a backpacker by bus, personal van, hitchhike and train.I suggest decide what kind of traveler or tourist you are before when you buy these books.

Go Pick Up Let's Go Mexico instead
I just returned from a 10 day trip to three different states in Mexico with a friend.I had "Let's Go Mexico" and she had this book.By the end of the trip we were both cursing this guide.We found several innacuracies (the museum hour times in Mexico City are not correct for the Museums around the Zocalo, it also is innacurate as far as the days open while the Let's go book is correct), the descriptions were not helpful, and we found several instances that the descriptions describing sites were simply false.Also, Let's Go gives much more information and history on Mexico.

a good guide
I am living in mexico now and working and have a two year contract.Living here, I take advantage of going around Mexico during my holidays at work. I always take this book with me around and traveled around Mexico.This book was very helpful to me and telling me where to go.However, it is good to note, sometimes if you are looking for mid range to high end hotels in big cities (Mexico City, Monterrey, Acapulco, ect..), it is better to make reservations via the internet.But smaller cities like Durango, Zacatecas or Torreon, LP is very helpful and truth to what it mentions.Reserving through the internet, you can also see what it mentions in LP to compare, which is very helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (14)

Leaves A Reader More Excited Than Ever To Get To New Zealand!
Like other volumes in this series, this book does what I think is a first-rate job of pointing out sites of interest most other guides wouldn't think to include. The Lonely Planet books are not for every traveler but for anyone who wants to leave the more typical tourist locations behind, it is truly valuable. It is loaded with (the usual) practical information a first-time visitor to New Zealand might need and I think it will save A LOT of time and trouble with its helpful tips and suggestions. I am really pumped by this book and found it excellent.

Simply outdated for 2006 travel
I am near the end of my 1 month stay in NZ, and in the past month, I have encountered too many instances where I relied on LP's info but found it to be erroneous.Trains/ferries no longer running, activities/tours no longer in operation, and restaurants that have closed (in various regions). This book has proven to be a disappointment for 2006.(Thank god for the internet so I am able double-check everything.)

Mom loves it
I bought this book for my mom, who is spending three months in New Zealand.She says she loves it and reads in it all the time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. New Zealand    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Mexico    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Costa Rica    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (11)

Practically useless!
So we're in BA last week with this guide, and we're trying to go to some of the restaurants this book recommends. But the book is so OUT OF DATE that the restaurants have CLOSED DOWN.I don't know how this book is for the less traveled parts of Argentina, but for Buenos Aires, it is USELESS.

1 US$ is how much?
While the LP guides has a lot to say for them, both the latest and the previous guide book to Argentina+Uruguay+Paraguay share one serious flaw with all other LP guide books - all the prices are in US$, and all the countries in South America they have their own currency.
The value of this guide is found when you leave Buenos Aires.
Lonely Planet has broken down Argentina into nine geographical areas and the guide is at its best outside of Buenos Aires. The guide excels at providing you with insight into the culture, history and uniqueness of the wonderful countryside of Argentina.But, in Buenos Aires it falls short.
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Subjects:  1. Reference - Guides (General)    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Argentina    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (16)

Bundle with Party Europe
LP is a great book and had lots of awesome ideas. If you really want to have the best time of your life, buy a copy of Party Europe as well. LP tells you where to stay and eat, Party Europe will tell you how to have fun. Great combination. Can't wait to head back to the old country.

Too many countries
The book itself is awesome, lots of useful info.
Essential, perfect for a road trip
I bought Europe in a Shoestring as a preparation for my move from Italy to the UK. The book is an excellent reference for accomodation and eating, plus it gives the essential info on places to see and where to go.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Europe    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (34)

perfect coffee table book
I own the beautiful hardback copy of this book.I have had it over a year but I never get tired of flipping through it.It is informative and the photos are amazing.My fiancee and I flip through it and dream of our next adventure.

A close-up view of the world
Every country in the world is listed in this book alphabetically from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.Each country has a double-page spread with colour photos and a brief description of the country, with advice on the best time to visit, what to eat, drink, listen to etc, and a list of 'essential experiences'.Also what to read if you want to know more about the country.There is no favouratism, every country has the same amount of space regardless of size.
Wonderful reference
This book, in fact, is a very like a kind of reference book of geography rather than a travel book but you can use it to give you a rough idea of the countries you want to visit before you are really going to plan your trip.
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Pictorial works    3. Pictorials    4. Special Interest - Adventure    5. Travel    6. Travel - General    7. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (10)

Buy another book
I have used LP books for a lot of my travels throughout Southeast Asia and usually am pretty satisfied with my experience.This LP book on Vietnam though, does not live up to the standards of other LP travel books!
"Rather good" rated by evietnamese.net
I read Lonely Planet of Vietnam and Korea and I found that it's not bad at all. Don't understand why people around here mostly don't like it. Useful informations, many times updated, rather good.
Beware of border information
I used this edition on a bicycle trip across northern Vietnam from Laos to China. The authors confused the new Na Maew/Na Meo crossing between Laos and Vietnam with another crossing farther south. Na Maew/Na Meo is the northernmost international crossing between the two countries, and wasn't described at all. (Note to Lonely Planet: Please restore the UPDATES feature on your website!)
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Vietnam   

Reviews (25)

A "must-have"
The collaborative effort of travel experts Virginia Maxwell, Mary Fitzpatrick, Siona Jenkins, and Anthony Sattin, Egypt is now in its newly updated and expanded eighth edition as the author-researched, traveler-tested guide from Lonely Planet to experiencing the wonder of the Land of the Pharaohs, whether on a business or pleasure trip. Black-and-white and color maps and photographs illustrate this information-packed guide to key locations in Cairo, the Nile Valley, the Western Desert, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea Coast, and much more. History, hours and admission costs of landmarks, a handful of useful words, and a crash-course in adapting to unfamiliarities of Egyptian culture are among the many useful features that make the 8th edition of Egypt a "must-have".
Seems straightforward and comprehensive
Although my trip is still in the planning stages - leave in 2 months - this book has been a real help.I'm learning about Egyptian customs, how to travel in a Muslim nation without undue problems and how to take their beliefs and customs into account.Hopefully this will make me not only a better guest in their country, but a better ambassador for my country.

Making the Trip a Good One
I have found Lonely Planet Egypt to be just what I wanted as I plan a long visit there next winter.
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Subjects:  1. Egypt    2. Guidebooks    3. Middle East - Egypt    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (21)

Lonely Planet Italy
This is the 3rd edition of Lonely Planet Italy that I've purchased in the past 6 years.They seem to get better with each new edition.I hightly recommend it for anyone traveling to this beautiful country!

Not worth the money.
Before embarking on a 2 month trip to Italy a friend let me borrow Rick Steve's guide and said that it was better. I was skeptical but took the book anyway figuring it might come in handy on such a long trip. She was right. Rick Steve's organizes information in a much clearer and more intuitive way. This comes in handy when you're standing in a busy square, you haven't eaten all day and everything you've tried so far has been a jip and you just want someone to tell you where you can find a good deal. Flipping through Lonely Planet you might think you've been handed a manual on how to overhaul an engine - overloaded with information poorly organized. Rick Steve's book on the other hand is a breath of fresh air or, to put it more tritely, a helping hand. Not to mention that his guides have a personal touch and some of Rick Steve's own character sewn into them. After some time you really get the sense that he's there with you, helping you along (- now isn't that sweet!).

Experience from living in rome and using the book
I've been living in Rome for about a month and a half now and I would consider the LP book average relative to other books I've seen. Most of the places to sleep and eat are overly expensive. I don't know about the average traveler, but as a college student backpacking through Europe, I hoped to find meals that were maybe at max $25 (which you can totally find if you're smart about it).
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Guidebooks    3. Italy    4. Reference - Guides (General)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money. Read more

Reviews (19)

Tries to do too much...
China is such a massive country with a rich culture that it is a formidable task to really explore it in one book, even if it is very thick! I used this during a 2 week trip to Eastern China and found that many of the sights that we really enjoyed and seemed to attract a fair amount of tourists were really shafted in this guide book. Maps of the subway system was useful to have, but the stations themselves are very well marked. Really didn't use this as much as I have used my LP books on trips in the past.

Hope it's good!
Appears to be chuck full of info.However, won't know the accuracy until I use it next month.

Best for the Backpacker
Overall, "Lonely Planet" remains the best travel guide for the backpacker. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. China    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (8)

A disappointment
I generally like the Lonely Planet Guides and have used them in many countries.This particular guide became a running joke.It is difficult to get a bad meal in Japan, but the worst meals we had were at places recommended in the Guide.If the Guide recommends a restaurant, I would stay away.Just use the maps to wander around a neighborhood, look at the food in the windows, find something that looks good and you will enjoy your trip much more than if you depended on this book for culinary recommendations.

Much like everyone said - the best general guide for Japan, but that doesn`t make it good
It`s not a bad guide, but it fails on many fronts.
Our Japan travel "bible!"
I find the other reviews of this book interesting.Maybe it's b/c going to Japan was the first trip out of the country on our own (so we don't have any other LP guides to compare to), but my boyfriend and I found this book invaluable for our trip.A day didn't go by when we didn't pull this book out and look at its maps or information about where we were at in Japan.In fact, one day we left the book in our hotel room--and we regretted every minute of it.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Guidebooks    3. Japan    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (6)

A Book that Inspires one to Travel!
This book serves as an excellent tool of inspiration for travelling around the globe. With its beautiful full color pictures and easy-to-read layout, it was hard for me to put the book down. Lonely Planet does a great job of keeping their intelligent writing casual and intruiguing. I would definitely reccomend it to any reader interested in the wonders that the world has to offer!!!

A highlight of over 400 unique experiences around the world
BLUELIST is more than just a book: here it's defined as a verb, 'to recommend a travel experience' - and what better publisher to do so than Lonely Planet which for years has been publishing independent traveler's guide to the byways of the world? BLUELIST uses the knowledge and experiences of the entire Lonely Planet community of authors, staff and travelers to provide a highlight of over 400 unique experiences around the world. Use BLUELIST as a guide: it's packed with color photos, maps, reviews of trends and global events, and insights on the 'best places' to go in each country. From things to take and see to 'defining experiences' unique to different regions, BLUELIST is the place to go for something different.
World of possiblity!
A wonderful book for travellers dreaming of their next adventure.There are so many possiblities for seeing amazing things in the world and this book makes them easily searchable.Beautiful pictures. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Description And Travel    2. Guidebooks    3. Pictorials    4. Travel    5. Travel - General   

Editorial Review

Many Costa Rica guides provide hotel, restaurant, and arrival information, but Lonely Planet's stands out from the pack. Written by Rob Rachowiecki, an award-winning travel writer and naturalist, this guide delves into Costa Rica's flora, fauna, and nature reserves like no other. Rachowiecki's Read more

Reviews (38)

This is a lucky book.
My friend said he has loaned this book to six people, all of whom have returned from Costa Rica, ecstatic and safe.This book is good luck... I said write to the author to tell him, and he said, "No, this is a really popular book, he gets hundreds of emails every week."I thought I'd try anyway.

Outdated, sorely lacking, get Tico Times in-country
I bought this book for my Costa Rica trip (8 weeks w/ a class, 3 weeks w/o), and replaced it within the first week. Most of the hotels are priced above what is listed, if they even exist anymore. Same with the restaurants. Also, LP over-emphasized many extreme tourist hotspots without giving enough info about smaller towns (don't miss Cauhita!), lesser-known forests (check out the Children's Eternal Rainforest), getting around by bus, super-budget hotels or border crossings. My advice: wait until you get into Costa Rica, then get the Tico Times guidebook, updated EVERY YEAR, written by the local english newspaper. It's easy to find and so much more relevant, with maps of every town, bus schedules, local festivals (where and when), border information, updated hotel + restaurant info, and how to find the information you can't find anywhere else.

Least helpful travel book I've ever used
I bought this book before a trip to Costa Rica, based on the "Lonely Planet" name alone.Lonely Planet usually publishes the best travel books, but not in this case.We found that the directions to many of the establishments were incorrect, as were the descriptions.Some of the locals even pointed out parts of the book that were blatantly incorrect, such as certain restaurants or bars that were in a different part of town than stated in the book. This particular book could have used a better fact-checker.I will not be taking it with me on my next trip to Costa Rica. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Mexico    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Costa Rica    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (6)

I recommend this guide only as a complement to the "Top 10 New York" guide, or other small guide like that...
I recently visited NYC for the first time. I took only three books about that city with me: this guide, the "Top 10 New York" guide, and "The Metropolitan Museum of Art Guide". I must say that the "Lonely planet NYC Guide" was not my favourite, though.
Pretty Good
I liked the combination of facts and opinions.Interesting suggestions.Good walking tours.Good color maps.

Great guide, BAD index
What makes this a great guide is the fact that the listings for attractions/ shops / etc all have map numbers, which makes them very easy to find on the book's maps.Also, the maps have their own little mini tables of attractions.So, it's easy find where to go (if you are looking for something in particular) or what's around you (if you're already there).Unfortunately, the index is sorely lacking.Suppose you want to go for a horse-drawn carriage ride in Central Park, and you want to know where to find the carriages.You will not find out through the index.There is no mention of them under "Central Park."There is no listing for "carriages" nor "carriage rides" and the listing for "horse-drawn carriages" is about the ones in Philadelphia.Luckily, there actually is an extensive paragraph telling you all you need to know about this, and it is in the book's description of Central Park (which makes sense).But you wouldn't know by looking at the index.So, if you're planning a trip to N.Y., and you don't see a particular attraction in the index, do some research on the web, find out where it's supposed to be, and then turn to the section on that particular neighborhood in the book.Maybe you'll find it there.Use a highlighter to mark the page. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    5. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    6. New York    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (10)

6th edition 3.5 stars... time for update, guys
I'm a Lonely Planet addict who knew better than to blindly buy this edition (if you order one now -6th edition, as I did, you'll get 2003 info), but addicts usually are not known for using their heads.
You can take it with you
I've used LP before for trips.Once you get the book, you are invited to go on-line for up-dates.There you are directed to "The Thorn Tree" forum.I used it just about every day to keep well-informed and prepare for the trip.The guide is an easy ready and full of useful information.Prior uses were very accurate.

Solid Travel Reference
Many travelers depend on LONELY PLANET travel guides, and usually with good reason.I used this very practical travel guide during my summer (2005) visit to the affordable and thoroughly enchanting nation of Ecuador.This edition contains much valuable information on budget hotels, travel hostels, local customs and fauna.Just as importantly, there's the vital information on getting to and from cities, resort areas, train stations, bus stations, airports, city centers, etc.
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Subjects:  1. South America    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Ecuador    7. Galapagos Islands    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

FACTUAL ERROR
As the author of "The Complete Guide to Easter Island" (Easter Island Foundation, 2004), I read with much interest the chapter on Easter Island in the 2006 edition of "Chile & Easter Island" by Charlotte Beech, et al. There is one important factual error that readers show know about: The account of the Peruvian slave raids on Easter Island as it appears on page 428 makes reference to an out-dated and erroneous account of Easter Islanders being forced to work the guano deposits on Peru's Chincha Islands. Due to confused personal accounts reported incorrectly by early ethnologists and historians, this story appeared in some of the first Easter Island literature and has been repeated ad nauseam by more contemporary writers who haven't done their homework -- so it's no surprise that it might end up being source material for the authors of "Chile & Easter Island" who may have had little or no way of knowing the inaccuracies involved. But, as Easter Island researcher and author Grant McCall discovered after doing extensive historical and genealogical research on the islanders (including a visit to the Chincha Islands), there is no evidence to support allegations that Easter Islanders were taken to the Chincha Islands. There is evidence that Easter Islanders were taken to coastal plantations in Peru where they were sold as indentured servants, however. One key fact that has been uncovered in investigating this misinformation is that the guano mines were not actually operating at the time of the 1862 slave raids (they were temporarily closed due to Spanish raids), so it's clear that Easter Islanders couldn't even have been on the Chincha Islands. This may all seem like a small matter but, when it comes to Easter Island (where there has been no shortage of nonsense written and far fewer mysteries than most people would like to believe), the more accurate we can get, the better!
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Subjects:  1. South America    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Chile    7. Easter Island    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (10)

Good Guide!
Normally, I look at tour books for the following things:
Maps could be better
But overall, very good book, wouldn't expect less from LP. However, I feel they should really make a stronger statement about the scams in Bangkok. I mean, it makes it sound like you 'may' be approached by people claiming temples are closed, etc. ... This happened every single time we left the hotel! The details on the sights were very good. The maps sections left a lot to be desired, they often skipped large sections of streets and more than once we got a bit lost...

New Cover, Same Content
If you have never owned a copy of this book, then buy it. It has a lot of practical info on where to stay, where to eat and what places to visit. I can't say the reviews are all unbiased, but like other Lonely Planet titles, it's a bible for the independent traveller. Generally, following their advice won't get you into serious trouble.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Guidebooks    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Thailand    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

Wouldnt recommend...
My bf and I recently went on a two week trip to Morocco and took along this book. I have to say, the maps were horrible, we got lost so many times trying to follow the maps and had to constantly ask locals to guide us. We also discovered that the book didnt mention that you need reservations in pretty much every riad and the majority of hotels you want to stay at. Also, make sure you get the most recent edition... a few places listed were closed and had been for some time.
It Just Helps Me Live
I know of no other book that assists in living overseas as well as Lonely Planet.There are other guidebooks out there, and they have their own attributes, but I'm familiar with the Lonely Planet system, and it seems to be far more diverse in the countries covered than any other travel collection.And living in Morocco as I do, I particularly enjoy the Moroccan edition.
itm
Rather stereotyped cultural comments which are not particularly accurate. Having seen the DK Guide to Morocco since, wish I had bought that instead. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Morocco    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nervesof first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the mostjaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still givinginsights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations anditineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (6)

one backtrack mind
this book was extremely helpful and informative. its history and description of the culture and landscape was a great precursor to my visit. my only complaint is that "shoestring" can be so objective. i didn't want to stay in hostels but still was interested in budget options. unfortunately, there just weren't many good suggestions for this level of travel. i think i'll need to write that book . . . "South America on a Cheap but Classy Budget!"

Must have companion ...
A travelers life support system. The consistency of the LP series across various continets is amazing. Some information in the SA edition is a little dated, but the locals indicated that small hostels and food places go in and out of business faster than the book can keep up. I particularly liked Argentina section (I just came back from a wonderful trip), the information was very correct and some of the prices accurate to the decimal. Needless to say, the maps and orientation information was extremly helpful.
BAD BAD BAD
Maps are good, that's all. After 1 year in south america with both Footprint SA and South america on a shoestring, I can say the first one in much better (exept the maps).
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel & holiday guides