Reviews (6)

Out dated material
I find nothing worse about a travel guide that is old before it is issued. I found almost every area of this book to be not just one or two years behind what the writer was saying about prices but even places that had been closed for more than two years before this book was sold. Maybe this writer should have done a little checking on his own, before letting it be published.
A Great Read as Well
Bill Friar is enjoyable to read. His books on Panama and the Canal have always appealed, because he is interested in the environment as well as the necessities of travel, hotel, restaurants.He brings the reader close to the sights, sounds and smells of a country, and off the usual beaten path.I recommend this book highly. Hal De Mun

Indispensable!
Just returned from 2 weeks in Panama with Mr. Friar's guidebook close at hand. We also had, by way of backup, a copy of the Lonely Planet guide. Without doubt the Moon Handbook is the superior guide and I would consider it indispensable for anyone traveling to Panama. Friar's writing style is highly readable and we found the research and his assessment of the opportunities to be spot on. From budget travel to luxury stays, Friar covers the gamut with humor and perceptive insight. The only caveat I would offer is that the prices quoted by the author are already out of date. We found lodging to be consistently $5 - 15 higher than the prices quoted in the book. This is the challenge of writing about a dynamic world using a static medium, and in no way is meant to be a negative comment about the book or author. The reality is that Panama has "been discovered," and prices are rising to reflect increasing demand. Still, we had a great time and the success of our trip was due in no small part to the guidance set down in Moon Handbooks Panama. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Panama    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Central America   

Reviews (26)

"The Good Book"
Since this is the ONLY guidebook available for Nicaragua, we could have been stuck with whatever they gave us.But this book is quite good.The writing is clever, informative, and thorough.I used it every step of the way while traveling -- for sights to see, food to eat, and places to stay. It was such a companion for the trip, I just refer to it as "The Good Book."

A good, average guide.
Honestly, I only purchased this book because of the lack of options in Nicaragua travel guides.I normaly purchase the DK eyewitness series, or AAA spiral guides, because of their pictures and maps.But, after spending a month in Nicaragua in Jan 06, I definately recommend this book.Alot of the prices are out of date, especially in regards to the hotels and stuff... but the places and locations never change, and the guide is, for the most part, right on.

Moon Nicaragua
This is a very good book.I've had other travel books on Nicaragua and Central America and this is, by far, the best.I also found it to be very accurate. I was quite surprised.Outstanding. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Nicaragua    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Central America   

Reviews (3)

Best Yucatan Guidebook
I bought the Moon Cancun & Cozumel for a family trip to Cancun, and got this one for traveling on my own later. I loved the Cancun book, and was equally impressed with this one. The depth is amazing - the authors seemed to go everywhere (including Chiapas, which isn't really part of the Yucatan but still fascinating). I had planned to get the Lonely Planet guide, but it's puny compared to this one and is three years old (but it costs the same!). The Moon book covers all budgets - I mostly stay at mid-range places, but talked to backpackers and high-end using the same book and they seemed equally happy. I also liked the authors' writing, unlike the cookie-cutter books you sometimes get. The background/informational sections were detailed and well-written, and they throw in enough humor thoughout to keep it interesting.Moon isn't well-known, but this is really a top-notch book.

Good overall guide, But
This is a good overall guide with decent maps.But I think it misses some great little out of the way places.I recommend you read through the reviewes of several guide books and choose at least 2 and probably three to take on your trip, as all will likely lack in some aspect.Oh! and do check out the thriller "Tourist in the Yucatan" for a thrilling beach read!

Comprehensive and accurate
Took three books with us on our trip to the Yucatan; the Moon Handbook was the best by far. The maps are excellent. This book covered everything thoroughly including the states of Chiapas and Tabasco. The other books spent too much time on Cancun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Mexico - History    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (30)

Fifi
Excellent guide to Fiji.
Book lacks details for actual travelers
Although I agree that the sections on the history and culture of Fiji are excellent, this by itself does not make for a good guide book. This book first appeared in the 1980's and it seems as if all subsequent updates were soleley made by contributing readers and businesses. I used the book recently for travel in Fiji and could not shake the impression that the author has not been to Fiji in a long time. While he lists all of the main attractions, many details are sketchy at best. To give an example, he mentions the Sikatoga sand dunes as one of the main attractions on Fiji but then uses a single paragraph(!) to describe them. No detailed description of any interesting features that could be used as a guide for a visit. Similarly when describing the Yasawa islands he is busy listing all the resorts but does not seem to care too much about what actually can be done on these islands. Bottom line: The book is an excellent reference on history and culture of Fiji (something one could write after some diligent research) but lacks useful details for actual travelers.

A great guide
We used this guide on our trip last summer. We had an excellent time off the beaten track, and this book got us where we wanted to go, with the relavant phone numbers and lots of tips. The 100 or so pages on Fiji's history and culture were also of great interest while we rode on boats to where we were going. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Fiji    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Reviews (7)

Good guidance
This is an excellent,dependable resource for this area. The guide is easy to read, practical, informative and inclusive. I was pleased with the recommendations that I pursued.

Find everything about Oaxaca
B. Whipperman really knows Oaxaca.The book is with me at all times when in Oaxaca, and helps me to investigate more places to explore in the towns around the city of Oaxaca.This book was written by a person who loves that area.

Recommended
(Planeta.com Journal) The book is perfect for those planning to spend at least a week in Oaxaca. Coverage is first rate and includes many tips for visiting archaeological sites, out-of-the way resorts and mountain communities. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. North America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / North America   

Editorial Review

Where else but in Honduras can you find a seamless blend of powdery soft, palm-lined beaches, untouched coral reefs, Mayan ruins, cobblestone colonial villages, dense jungle, monkey-filled forests, and the nicest people this side of paradise? Honduras's appeal is gaining tourist attention, but it's a slow process. You can still wander small villages and be treated with kind hospitality, without the dollar frenzy of more tourism-dependent nations.Read more

Reviews (6)

"Alli No Mas"
Whenever you ask for directions in Honduras, this is what you'll be told: "alli no mas", just a little further down the road.Take this book with you instead.
The one to get for Honduras!
I'm not sure there even is another country-specific guidebook for Honduras, but if you're going to be there for even a few days this is the one to get! I've used a lot of different guidebook series in many parts of the world, and I can confidently say that the country-specific Moon Handbooks for Central America are far and away the best guidebooks I've ever used. They're extremely complete in every way--both in the practical and the historical--and they include "hidden gems" not mentioned in other guidebooks. That's because these guidebooks are written by people who've lived in the countries they're writing about, and clearly care about these countries. It really shows through in the quality of the books. You might want to read the reviews of the Moon Handbook for Nicaragua to get a sense of the quality of Moon's Honduras handbook--they're similar in many ways.

Terrific Book, very helpful
Honduras Handbook has been very helpful to me in my travel throughHonduras. It is comprehensive, and especially strong in historicalreferences. I look forward to the 2nd edition which should reflect thereality of tourism in Honduras after Mitch. However, most of theinformation continues to be accurate and helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Honduras    6. North America    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Central America   

Reviews (13)

Unpretentious and Comprehensive
This is an unpretentious travel book but fairly thick almost 600 pages long. I say unpretentious because unlike many other travel books it features mainly black and white photographs that give it a certain aura like an old black and white movie that seems to suit the Baja. The book is very detailed like a Michelin guide with page after page of details and information on all aspects of the Baja peninsula including roads, maps, beaches, entertainment, restaurants, hotels, etc. It is an excellent guide and makes a nice souvenir.

Cummings Covers the Waterfront...And the Backroads
You couldn't ask for a better travel book on Baja. I found myself reading it repeatedly on my trip, not just for hotel and restaurant info, but like a novel--for the sheer pleasure of it. The sidebars and thumbnail histories are so well-researched and expertly delivered that I rank it not just among the best travel books on Mexico, but among the best books of any kind. The concise discussion of the ejido system and of the changing rules for foreign real estate purchases are just two small examples.Cummings touches on every aspect of Mexican society and its interaction with the people to the north, in addition to giving the essentials on gas stations and bus schedules and airports and resorts-all in the delightfully understated style that has become his hallmark.
We used it, but we swore at it a few times
This book was our primary guide through the 2,000 mile odyssey of driving the Baja pennisula. It did cover every place we saw BUT it was missing information or out of date which surprised me since it was just revised October 2004. It definately does not cover Cabo well, but that is not its focus, so I did not mind that weakness as much as the others. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Mexico - History    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides   

Reviews (2)

Terrific
This is by far the best guidebook to Cancun and surrounding area out there. The depth is incredible; the authors mention somewhere that they stayed in Cancun for two months, and it shows. It's not just Cancun either - the coverage of Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, the Mayan ruins, and all up and down the coast is excellent. The problem with some guides (Lonely Planet, Frommers, etc) is they "take sides" - they're either too cynical about "gringos on vacation" or totally ignore anything that's not sold in a package.The Moon book really showed both sides: from beaches and nightclubs and five-star restaurants, to museums and Mayan ruins and street food. (Real culture in Cancun - who knew??) There's also good suggestions for people traveling with kids, another complaint of mine about some guides.We got all the R&R we wanted, plus a few things I didn't expect. Moon isn't a well-known name, but this book is worth getting.

Excellent
I used to be a loyal lonely planet buyer, until I got my hands on this book.The maps, detail, and recommendations were spot on, from the restaurants to the accomdations to the activities.The only time that we had anything other than an excellent meal in Cozumel was when we went to a place recomended by someone in the hotel, as opposed to what was recommended in this book.The detail on each location is very informative.I took three guidebooks with me to Cozumel (fine, I admit it, I am guidebook obsessed), and next time I would take nothing other than this one. In fact, based on this trip, I would pick a Moon guide every time I travel.The section on the Mayan ruins was especially informative.I took the book's recomendation to travel to Coba instead of Tulum, and I was not disappointed.
Read more

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

Editorial Review

The thought of Cuba conjures images and associations with Castro politics and contraband cigars, but a visit reveals more: vibrant hummingbirds, corral-colored flamingos, a profusion of insect life, and miles of sugarcane. The Read more

Reviews (25)

Comprehensive, but...
This is an excellent thoroughly researched, detailed book as stated in other reviews.
The Definitive Cuban Guidebook!
Chris Baker knows Cuba intimately.This guidebook is hands down better than the others (in fact, forget Lonely Planet on Cuba - trust me).It contains a brief history of culture and politics (the two entwined in this country) as well as in-depth coverage of the sites you want to see.
It helped me put into words what eyes were witnessing!
I've never gone on an overseas adventure without a guide book, and usually they are good for a few phone numbers and museum hours, but mostly end up being dead weight in your pack. This book on Cuba was like a lifeline during my adventure in Fidel's homeland. Anyone who has been to this pearl of the caribbean know's the social, political and economical ocean that is the Cuba of today is 100,000 leagues deep, and as a foreigner you feel as though you are caught, tumbling, in a wave not knowing which way is up. This book helps to make sense of Cubas past, while helping you to understand the nuances that hint to its uncertain future. A true pleasure to explore, with my Moon's book in hand! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Cuba    6. North America    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Used 4 yrs ago- will not go again without it
A must for traveling and truly enjoying the people and countryside.Details of out-of-the-way places as well as the city life.Able to getaround without driving (on the wrong side of the road).Will long rememberall of the friendly people and the cleanliness of cities and countryside.

informative and resourseful
This book is great for backpackers and students. It is also helpful members of Hostelling International and VIP backpackers.It explains the cheapest way to travel and the must sees in New Zealand ... Read more

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

Reviews (16)

Tahiti: Including the Cook Islands by David Stanley
I have started reading the book. There are some interresting sections and others no so interresting. The book seems to be complete in that it publishes everything you ever wanted to know about French Polynesia's past and the surrounding area, including the Cook Islands and the Marquesas. Remember that this book covers 3.600 square miles of the south Pacific, so it is not particularly specific to any island, or even group of islands. It covers a triangular section from Hawaii to the North, New Zealand to the southwest and Easter Island to the Southeast. I have not read the book long enough to see if there are recommendations on places to go, restaurants to eat in or places to see. I'll have a better fix on this as I continue. Bon Voyage!

Very useful each day of our trip!
An excellent guide to the islands of French Polynesia.We used it during the planning stages to pick our resorts and research the activities we might be interested in in Tahiti, Moorea and Bora Bora.Each day we were there, the book helped us plan our activities and learn more about the islands and what they had to offer.The island and Papeete city maps were of great use finding our way around.The book covers all islands of French Polynesia and the Cook Islands.I enjoyed reading about all the others we didn't visit.Will definitely take this our next trip down.Highly recommended.

The best guidebook for any kind of trip to Eastern Polynesia
During my two big trips through the South Pacific, I always had one of David Stanley's guidebooks in my backpack. Stanley has been writing guidebooks to these islands for almost 25 years. Like his other Pacific guides, this fifth edition of Tahiti Handbook (which includes the whole of French Polynesia, the Cook Islands and Easter Island) is completely packed with information for the traveller. Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Australasia, Oceania & Other Land Areas    6. Tahiti    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

It is the age of specialization, which is a good thing if you're traveling to Pacific Mexico. Let's say you're heading off to Mazatlán or Guadalajara, Oaxaca or Acapulco, you no longer need to lug along every detail on every town, city, and hotel in Mexico. Just the pertinent particulars will do, and that's what Bruce Whipperman delivers in his Lowell Thomas Award-winning Read more

Reviews (7)

No more Moon for me
I just returned (Dec 2002) from a trip to Mexico using this publication.This was my third trip with a Moon Handbook.I was not to happy with the one to Baja, I found the one for Costa Rica filled with inaccurate information but this one was the worst. Essential for a Mexican road trip
I used this book extensively this past summer for an epic driving trip into Mexico that took me almost to Manzanillo. I found the book extremely useful for discovering those off the beaten path sidetrips. I also used Fodor's but found this book a notch above in terms of helpful recomendations.Since the bulk of the 3+ weeks was spent in Puerto Vallarta(actually Mismaloya) the book proved to be a good guide for excursions into the surrounding states ofNayarit and Colima. For the most part the details given were accurate but with any travel book there are problems with current information as things are usually in flux in the touristtrade. I suppose that is why they can come out with new editions every year. Some of the information when missing can be a letdown, for example one day we went out for an adventure in the hopes of seeing the turtle rescue attempts in a not so nearby bay only to find out it was not exactly naturesrighttime.There were other let downs such as the time we wet out to Mexicalitlan ," House of the Mexicans", where the ancient Aztecs/Mexicasupposedly set outfrom Aztlan to establish Tenochitlan where the eagle would be found on top of a nopal devouring a snake. The description calls it a "scenic little island town." If you consider peering into the open doors of the living rooms of the locals I guess it was scenic!For my part I found it to be a waste of a drive. The museum was closed also which brings to a point one should consider whenever driving to a destination in Mexico. Do not arrive during the tradional siesta time or one will have to wait until 4 or 5 in the afternoon to enjoy the local musem etc! By contrast unexpected pleasant surprises can result by the books ommision of information as inthe opportunity to see the hatching of baby crocodiles at the end of the jungle cruise on La Tovara near San Blas. All in all the guide is very, very useful to plan out a tripand see things and experience different parts of Mexican culture. The short histories, hotel recomendations, restaurant guides etc are pretty accurate and invaluable in planning a trip within a trip. There is diversity in recomendations for the earthy camper or the poshfive starluxury hotel traveler. I would recommend this book for any traveler along the lovely Pacific Mexican trail.

Useless!
Want my book?It is useless.This book is full of information, none of it practical.You can't find ANYTHING you are looking for in it.NO hostels are listed.They don't even highlight any of the amazing festivals that are held here in Mexico.Believe me, I am living here in Mexcio, and I am going to go buy the Lonely Planet.I wanted something more specific to my region, but this is NOT it.This book is written like the author took one pathway through the region, and wrote along the way.So unless you are following the exact same route, the information is SO useless. ... Read more

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

Reviews (27)

Moon Costa Rica handbook
This book divides Costa Rica up into areas, and is very easy to follow and read. I have bought several other Moon handbooks, and have always been quite happy with their accuracy when I've gone on my trip.We won't be going to Costa Rica until June, but I am sure I'll be ready.

Take this book with you.
Very helpful book! It was 1 of 6 books I bought to help me decide whether I wanted to live in Costa Rica for retirement.It was very comprehensive and 1 of my favorites with up to date information.

Other people DON'T have this one.
EVERYONE has LP Costa Rica.In the month I was in Costa Rica I saw only one other person with this book--if you want to know where to stay, avoid the LP places and stay in the tiny places this book rec's.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Central America - History    3. Costa Rica    4. Guidebooks    5. North America    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel Guides   

Reviews (5)

The best Arizona guide out there
For anyone planning to visit Arizona, this is definitely the best guide you can bring with you. Although I wish it had more photos give a clue as to what you'll be seeing, the excellent maps, detailed descriptions, and sheer volume of information provided more than makes up for it. I had only a few days in Arizona and didn't have time to waste, so it was important that I find the best places to see while I was there. This book proved to be absolutely vital for my trip. Without it I would never have found many of the interesting sights that I visited. In short, don't go to Arizona without this book.

Hot spots in AZ
I recently moved to AZ and knew no one out here and very little about what there was to do. This book is chuck full of fun things to do by region in AZ.It also guides you to great camping spots, hiking trails, even the best places to grab a bite to eat. The only negative about this book is that it does not provide good information on how to get to these great places.Not much in a way of maps.But,other than that, this book is definately worth buying!

Best All-Around Arizona Guidebook
Recently my wife and I planned a trip to Eastern Arizona. We got copies of all the available guidebooks to Arizona and began going through them for information. It soon became clear that Bill Weir's book had by far the most information. He has been everywhere. The book is well-written, authoritative without being pedantic, and is nicely laid out so that it is easy to use. We especially appreciate his coverage of hiking trails.Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Mountain - Arizona    5. United States - West - Mountain (General)    6. British Columbia    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Out of Date
The Moon Handbook for Oregon, sixth edition, is packed with interesting information and history about areas throughout Oregon. Includes scenic pictures and some nice black and white street maps of various cities with points of interest labeled. The book is broken into regions (Portland, Willamette Valley, Coastal Oregon, etc.), which makes referencing handy when traveling through an area.Also has a nice index at the back.
Resourceful
I have purchased Moon Handbooks in the past for other out-of-state trips I've taken, and found them to be extremely helpful.In fact, I've been so pleased w/ the content that I now use them to research and help me plan my trip.Aside from having great information on lodging, restaurants, and parks, the historical background is also very accurate and helpful.While they don't go into a great deal of historical depth, the authors are very knowledgeable and give you enough history to help you decide if you want to learn more.From a handbook, I feel that's all you can expect.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Oregon    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Oregon    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (8)

The Best
This is the best guide available. Moon travel beats the major competitor (the main travel-trail eye-sore creator) in almost all respects, but not all. Disappointing
This book is getting mixed reviews. It seems like friends of the author say its great. Those who tried to actually use the book are disappointed that everything is so out of date. This edition was not updated since the first edition and is now really out of date. Things change, but sloppy research is always out of style.

An Outstanding Guidebook
I've been using Michael Buckley's Vietnam Handbook for two months now and have found it to be excellent. It's well organized with country introductions which told me almost everything I wanted to know. Michael'ssidebars are intriguing and I especially appreciate the city walking tourswhich have led me to many hidden little places I might have missedotherwise. The maps are better than those in the other guidebooks becausesites are labeled right on the maps themselves rather than coded in a keywhich is impossible to read in dim lighting (a fault with the Lonely Planetseries). Michael has provided not only the usual city and country maps, butalso detailed inner city maps and even maps of the individual templesaround Angkor Wat. This book covers three countries and sure beats havingto buy and lug around individual guides to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.I've found that the coverage better than adequate and certainly head andshoulders above the general Southeast Asia guides which are surprisinglysketchy about these countries. Indochina is changing so fast that much ofthe practical information in any guide is bound to be out of date beforethe book reaches the shelves and this 1998 edition does require updating,but so do all the other guides to the region. You usually end up gettingthat kind of information from other travelers anyway. Of the threecountries included, the coverage of Cambodia is the weakest, obviouslybecause that country is only now opening to independent travel. Nextedition Michael needs to get to places like Kampong Cham, etc. Meanwhile Irecommend this handbook highly over all its competitors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Cambodia    6. Laos    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Asia / Southeast    9. Vietnam   

Reviews (2)

More useable info than any other book
This book covered every area we were interested in visiting. It was dead on the restaurant and lodging reviews. Prices have gone up for lodging but other than that very informative and well used on our trip. We had the Frommers book and off the beaten path book. The Moon book was the one we kept going back to.

Incredible Guide Book!
The Washington Handbook is the best book I have found for information on the state of Washington!It is truly comprehensive in it's coverage of the entire state.Being a member of a military family, moving to a newlocation can be a very frightening prospect.This book has the type ofin-depth information that makes Washington feel familiar without ever evenbeing there!I've looked at MANY travel guides (Fodor's, etc.) and theWashington Handbook outshines them all. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Washington    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. USA    8. Washington state   

Reviews (24)

Too many pages, yet missing details you'll need
I travel to Korea on business trips lasting 2-3 weeks, and the many sightseeing days mixed into those frequent trips has allowed me to evaluate this and several other Korea guides. While Lonely Planet's guide covers Korea efficiently, in 400 pages, by including details you'll need, and leaving out details on obscure cities rarely visited, I found that Handbooks' South Korea includes too many sections of rambling historical notes, and coverage of rarely visited cities.For example, Lonely Planet covers Busan's Geumgang Fortress in less than half the text used by Moon Handbooks; however, Moon Handbooks fails to provide adequate directions on getting there, and forgets to warn of the maddening crowds found on holidays, and weekends - important info included in Lonely Planet Korea. Faced with the challenge of Busan's tens of thousands of restaurants, Moon Handbooks chooses to review NONE and only suggests city areas to look for them, while Lonely Planet Korea gives us helpful reviews of specific restaurants. If like me you plan on spending more than a few days in Seoul, you'll find it useful to combine Lonely Planet Korea with Lonely Planet Seoul, because the latter includes far more detail for your Seoul visit.Be sure to visit the tourist information centers (found in major airports) upon your arrival and get the free city maps.I suggest you withdraw extra Won from the ATM's in Seoul (or Busan's Gimhae airport) because you'll find ATM's that accept international cards very difficult to find in cities outside Seoul. Don't buy Moon Handbooks' South Korea unless you're planning a Korea trip length of over a month and need details on obscure cities, and want pages of historical info on every city.

In the long haul, superior to Lonely Planet
Out of curiousity, when considering my next trip to Korea, I purchased the Moon Handbooks South Korea.I already had the 5th and 6th editions of the Lonely Planet Korea books, and am a self-avowed fan of Lonely Planet.On reviewing the Moon book, and comparing it to the LP products, I have to admit to being impressed by the breadth of coverage of Korea by the Moon Handbook.I lived there for a year (in Gumi, near Daegu), and have visited twice more for several weeks, but there were places mentioned in the Moon book that I was totally unaware of, despite spending several days in some areas with my LP guide book.In fact, Gumi isn't even mentioned in the LP at all (except on a map), while the Moon book does have a brief section about the city, which surprised me, as the only thing of note in Gumi is the fact that it is the birthplace of President Park Chung-hee.
Probably more info you'll ever need
This book is very informative. My Korean-native friend has reviewed this book, and she said this is a very good book. Most of what is said is accurate, unlike many other travel books. This book includes a brief section of Korean vocabulary and dialogue, which will be helpful for my trip. I plan to visit Korea in 2 months. I have no prior knowledge of Korea and its culture. After reading parts of this book, I am a bit more confident in my travels. Haven't made the trip yet, but I'll see how useful this book really is. Don't expect to see colorful pictures in this book. In fact this is just black and white. If you're into history, geography, and social studies about Korea, this book is the book to have also. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Far East    2. Asia - Korea    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. ASIA    7. South Korea    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Very Complete, but poorly organized
This book has the most complete information on Mexico City and the surrounding area that I've seen! The information on hotels, attractions, and transportation well-written and informative. Even better, the book covers almost every conceivable place near Mexico City that you could go for a day/weekend trip.
Very happy with this guide book
Although this book is now almost 4 years old, it is still the best Mexico City-only guide I could find. The text information on sites, restaurants, hotels, etc. is generally excellent, and held up well during my recent trip to Mexico City. Some of the maps and graphics could be updated, but generally I found this to be a reliable, entertaining and useful book. I'd recommend it to anyone planning a trip to Mexico City unless and until something better comes along.

There has to be a better guide out there
After seeing the five-star review for a previous edition of this book I was eager to buy it for my recent trip to Mexico City. Sadly, it fell far short of my expectations. For starters, the maps are woefully inadequate. There aren't enough of them, they lack sufficient detail, and there is no number and letter grid system. That last problem is inexcusable and made it nearly impossible to find many of the sights mentioned in the book. The overall organization of the book is also not done well and does not seem very logical. Making matters worse, the book is not bound well and actually started to lose pages before my relatively short trip even ended. I have had far better books than this when I have visited other parts of the world. I have to think someone makes a better Mexico City guide too. ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

This guide is in desperate need of an update.Not Recommended.
Of the five Argentina guides I brought with me (3/2006) this guide is the least useful and, the most out of date. Do not let the publishing date fool you; the information in this guide comes from research done in 2001/2002.