Reviews (1)

This is your guide if you are trying to visit Mexico on your lunch money.
"Let's Go Mexico" has been running with the big dogs (Rough Guide & Lonely Planet) for years and it is the best guide out for those on a "starving student" budget.
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (18)

TALE OF HISTORY, ADVENTURE, LOVE AND SCIENCE
This book is actually a collection of different topics weaved together with the background of the love story between a lowly French scientist and an upperclass Ecuadorian lady.
A history book whose story kept me reading
I was very surprised by this book.First off, I loved it.It was hard for me to put it down.I was a bit skeptical by the sub title "A true tale of love..."However I was pleasantly surprised when much of the book turned out to be a wonderful history -- a narrative history -- of science, exploration, adventure, and adversity. Whitaker has woven a history book that was neither dull nor boring.I wish the history books I read in school were more like this.
Fascinating bit of history

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Subjects:  1. 18th century    2. Amazon River Region    3. Description and travel    4. Ecuador    5. Expeditions & Discoveries    6. General    7. Godin des Odonais, Isabelle de    8. Godin des Odonais, Isabelle de Grandmaison,    9. Historical - General    10. History    11. History: World    12. Latin America - South America    13. Science    14. Scientific expeditions    15. Travel    16. b. 1728?    17. History / General   

Reviews (1)

Sidebar Information Erroneous/Out of Date
As the author of "The Complete Guide to Easter Island" (Easter Island Foundation, 2004), I recently read with keen interest the sidebar "The Incas and Easter Island" in the 2005 edition of "The Inca Trail" (p.97) and thought readers would find it helpful to know that the information in the sidebar is significantly out of date. In one case, it is completely erroneous.
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Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Peru    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / South America    8. Walking, hiking, trekking   

Reviews (11)

Great book...
This was a good, easy read. A little frustrating for this more experienced pilot, but for lesser-experienced pilots, and especially women pilots, you will really enjoy it.
Moving story, beautiful images
There are a lot of things wrong with this book, as noted by other reviewers, including:
Fascinating!
This book is not only extremely entertaining but also a great collection of beautiful color photographs of different spots "South of the border...WAY South."Read more

Subjects:  1. Air travel    2. Central America    3. Cessna aircraft    4. Description and travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Latin America    7. Piloting    8. South America    9. Special Interest - Adventure    10. Travel    11. Travel - General    12. Travel writing   

Reviews (10)

Not too impressed
I've been a "lonely planet" traveller for quite some time, and have a whole bookshelf of their guides.However, Lonely Planet Panama was fairly inadequate.Luckily, we also purchased the Moon Handbook and were much more impressed with it.The LP guidebook was outdated, uninspired, inaccurate, and lacking significant detail.If you're heading to Panama, buy the Moon Guide instead.

Fantastic Companion for any trip to PANAMA - 5/5 STARS
I found this guidebook to be very useful during my time in Panama and I can't see what the problem is with the other reviewers here. LP guides are all different, I was just in Mexico using another LP guide and found it just as useful as the one for Panama.
Very Out of Date & Inaccurate
I travel quite a bit (for business and vacations) so I have purchased and read over 30 Lonely Planets.Of all of them, this one has more errors and is more out of date than any I can recall - much more out of date than the publishing date suggests, which makes me think the latest addition was not a thorough update.Over half of the restaurants they recommended, which I tried to visit, were either out of business or not in the location they listed in the book.Prices in general for everything from taxis to hotels were inaccurate.Some of the maps were inaccurate as well.Whole streets in Bella Vista were omitted.Sometimes this was a minor inconvenience, and other times it was a disaster (trying to get the ferry to Isla Toboga for instance - one of the ferry companies listed is out of business, and the docks from which the ferries leave moved nearly two years ago, but the old address and times are stilled listed in the LP - thus we missed our ferry).This guide is one of the only LPs (the LP Trekking in Nepal being the other) that I felt it was actually a hindrance to rely on because it was often so inaccurate.Unfortunately, this negates any positive aspects of the book. ... Read more

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

Reviews (22)

Amazing.
After hearing about Yossi Ghinsberg on the Discovery Channel's show "I Shouldn't Be Alive" I had to pick up his book and get the details. I was enthralled from the first page. As astonishing as Mr. Ghinsburg's experiences are - and believe me, there were many times I felt like he wasn't going to make it, even though I knew he had lived to write the book - what truly stands out in my memory is the way the writing took me into the jungle with him. His storytelling is rich with descriptions and details. It left me feeling triumphant, as though I had been rescued with him, and incredibly grateful for all of the blessings and comforts in my life.

Unbelievable
I had the privilege of meeting Yossi at an international event that I had attended and it touched me to meet him in person after such a harrowing experience.He has definitely humbled and has become more spiritual and I guess thats what becomes of people who go through such unbelievable and miraculous escapes in life.
Suspenseful, but lacking.
I sat down and read this book in an almost entirely uninterrupted 6 hour sitting.That's how thrilling it was.It is an amazing story.However, my only critique is that it felt all for nothing by the end.Yossi spoke only of the survival, but nothing of the questions provoked throughout his journey.The reader is forced to question and experience some hard things: the nature of man, the nature of the jungle, why or how mother nature manipulates the mind, the body and then swallows it or spits it out.The very nature of survival is constantly at bat.I found his experiences incredibly difficult to face even in the comforts of my bedroom, and relished the opportunity to explore these tough questions with him - someone who looked at them in the eye in the darkness of a barbaric existence.But I felt almost that he had led me to that place and then left me at a dead end.It's not that Yossi does not necessarily have some answers, or at least has not attempted to answer some of those hard realities.If you look at his website, it seems as if he has come to many conclusions and at least adopted a variety of "slogans" for them.In spite of this, I was disappointed that the book left me hanging there.There were various opportunities to discuss the nature of his predicament, but in the end, I did not learn from it.Except perhaps never to go into the Amazon with a man named Karl.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bolivia    5. Description and travel    6. General    7. Ghinsberg, Yossi    8. Outdoor Skills    9. Special Interest - Adventure    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Travel    13. Tuichi River (Bolivia)   

Reviews (20)

Excellent Guide, but Politicized and Ethnocentric.
Lonely Planet, probably has the most up-to-date, comprehensive, practical guide for Panama, currently available. Would I recommend it? Absolutely! Unfortunately, Lonely Planet, failed to edit the author's crude, narrow-minded, self-righteous, self-serving commentary. The author also glosses over or totaly ignores pertinent information. Personal politics and self-aggrandizement have little, if any place in a travel guide, and when it exists in such a publication, it suggests a lack of empathy for, and or understanding of, other people and their cultures. The shortcomings of Lonely Planet's guide, noted above, mar an otherwise excellent publication. For the typical "Ugly American" wanting to "Do" Panama, the Lonely Planet guide should prove more than adaquate. If on the other hand, you are an open-minded traveler capable of independent thought, you might consider, also obtaining, "Getting to know PANAMA" by Michele Labrut, a former press attache to the French Embassy in Panama. Written with class, mature intelligence and a sense of respect for Panama and it's People, "Getting to know PANAMA", not only fills the gaps in the previous guide, it is also an excellent travel guide in it's own right and an outstanding source for unbiased information.

Tourism or Colonialism
Having traveled for 3 months in Panama, I found the guide to contain many opinions and to be extremely judgemental.It is actually offensive in some parts with it's colonial nature.Also very ego heavy.The author believes his opinions to be golden. Helpful Guidebook but Not a Bible
As the owner of afirst and only backpackers hostel in David City,Panama (The Purple House) .... I see many people carrying this useful book around and it seems to be a great help to many. My only complaints about the book (not the writers' fault) is that 1) we are not in it yet because we weren't open at the time of his research.2) the city of David is not made to sound attractive as a place to visit. There are lots of things to do here that aren�t listed.Of course, that too is Not the writers fault, he can't possibly visit everything the way a person like me can.I have lived here for more than 3 years so I have been able to collect alot of information over that time.Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Panama    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Best Central America guide available
I just returned from a month long trip through Central America, during which I visited the following countries: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, in that order.For the trip I brought two guide books along with me, this one and Lonely Planet's Central America on a Shoestring.I found myself using this guide almsot constantly and Lonely Planet's not at all.So if you are going to Central America, take this book with you.
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Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Central America   

Reviews (7)

Best book I have read this year!
I don't give a book 5 stars to often, but I have to say this is an excellent book. I couldn't put it down and finished over the weekend. This book is written very well and makes you want to keep reading. The fact that all of this is true makes it so much more interesting, also the pictures that were included were a nice touch. It just made the book that much more real. I would definitly recommend.

Quite a remarkable book
Thomas McFadden is a drug trafficker.Oh don't worry, he freely admits to it in this book and he was actually caught trying to smuggle drugs out of South America when he was double crossed by a customs official.
A good read, but ...
Having travelled throughout Latin America, I can report that the way in which the jail is run is not so strange, and is actually common throughout the poorer countries of the continent.The need for outside assistance and money is required in order to have any chance of long-term survivorbility.In countries where public funds are scarce, it makes common sense to the population that inmates should fund their own incarceration.
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Subjects:  1. 1975-    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Bolivia    5. Criminals & Outlaws    6. Drug dealers    7. General    8. La Paz    9. McFadden, Thomas    10. Penitenciaria Nacional San Ped    11. Penitenciaria Nacional San Pedro (La Paz, Bolivia)    12. Penology    13. Prisoners    14. South America    15. Travel - Foreign    16. Young, Rusty,   

Features

• Folded Map

Reviews (1)

The right way to make a map.
I drove through various counties in South America. Before leaving on this 16,000K trip I sought out the best maps.In comparison to other maps, this map ofArgentina is a must have.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12    2. General    3. Maps    4. Maps & Road Atlases    5. Travel    6. Argentina    7. Travel / South America    8. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (9)

Great
I found one error the first time I opened the book (an incorrect page number in the index), but that's the only one I found on a 2,000 mile road trip. Served us well, was fun to use. It's certainly oversized, but we'll keep it in our car and reference it freqently. Recommended.

Well done but not as good as in the past
This is better than the lower cost Rand McNally Atlas.
Spiral-bindings make all the difference!
This is a road atlas designed for use while actually in a car. The spiral-binding is a must for ease-of-use. And, Rand McNally isn't one of the biggest names in map-making for nothing. An excellent product. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Canada    4. Earth Sciences - Geography    5. Maps & Road Atlases    6. Mexico    7. Reference    8. Reference - General    9. Road Atlases    10. Road maps    11. Travel - United States    12. Travel Guides    13. United States    14. United States - General    15. Maps, charts & atlases    16. North America    17. Travel & holiday guides    18. Travel / road maps & atlases   

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

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

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

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

Reviews (1)

Trekking map
This is just what I needed. The paths are clearly marked as are the camp sites and contour lines. Some of the print is very small and sometimes blends in too much with the background colour, but you will be able to work it out.All walks are also given an approximate walking time which really helps give an idea of the terrain before you go there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Maps    2. Maps    3. Travel    4. Chile   

Reviews (4)

An amazing Guide to Mystical Peru
Through this book Jorge and MaryAnn lead you on an unforgettable journey throughout Peru's Sacred Valley including Machu Picchu , Cuzco and Lake Titicaca. Jorge's teachings of Incan traditions, rituals and ceremonies allow the reader to feel connected with Pachamama (Mother Earth), the Sacred Apu (Mountain Spirits) and the Peruvian People.He speaks of the spirit world and one'sconnection to it through their authentic self. This book makes you want to board the nearest plane and travel to Peru to experience such a powerful and special place!

Magical! Get an insider's view on Peru, from a gifted steward of the Earth.
My husband and I had the incredible honor of meeting and traveling with Jorge Luis Delgado in Peru a few weeks prior to the release of this book. We went to Peru to visit the sacred sites and were blessed with Jorge as our local guide. We had no idea beforehand!
Wow!
If you have ever thought about travel to Peru, to see it's people and places then this book is very informative.But what a trip!This book is like the Holy Grail of Peru.It focuses on mystical Peru. Even if you never travel to Peru it will take you on a fascinating journey.It is also a fascinating story of a real Shaman living in our own time.A must read for anyone interested in Peru or mystical journies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Inca cosmology    3. Incas    4. Religion    5. Rites and ceremonies    6. South America    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Peru    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. South America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Brazil    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (7)

Excellent content, but poor packaging
Comprehensive and (relatively speaking) up to date. However, as with the other reviewers, I agree that not being able to remove the color plates added around 3 kg for every sojourn I took while living there. The book also demonstrated to me how little we know about the birds of Ecuador (distribution maps in particular are spotty). Talking to locals/guides resulted in conflicting opinions regarding species distributions (e.g., "no I saw one of these birds here last week" whereas the guide did not even indicate localized records of such species). Hefty weight is worth it. Also, do not repeat my accident of leaving your copy of the Birds of Ecuador (with color plates)(bought in US for $35) on a river in Mindo and then buy a new one in Quito (for $95).

Birdwatching in Ecuador
Ridgley's Birds of Ecuador was an indispensable birding guide used on a recent trip (2005) to experience the natural history of Ecuador -the highlands, coast and Galapagos Islands.I brought along the soft cover edition which contains an informative map showing the ecoregions of Ecuador and this should be consulted before visiting so as to help better understand the geography, climate and ecosystems and where a particular species might be observed.Helpful hints include comparisons to similar Neotropical migrants.Most of the color plates are beautifully rendered and I would recommend Ridgley's guide to anyone who wants to know the birds they are seeing while in Ecuador and surrounding regions.

A neotropical must-have
I finally ordered this magnificent guide, and now I wish I would have bought it sooner.This should be on every travelling birder's bookshelf.Just glancing through the plates makes me just want to hop aboard the next flight to Quito.Before buying this title, I heard plenty of contrasting opinions on the quality of Greenfield's plates.Being quite picky with artwork, and prefering that of the elite artists (Ian Lewington, Tim Worfolk, etc) I was a bit nervous.But overall I feel that the plates are very good.The colors, in particular, are very bright, and the plates are aesthetically pleasing.In comparison to Guy Tudor's plates (found in the Colombia and Venezuela Guides), I feel Greenfield measures up very well.I'll admit that some birds aren't drawn as well as Tudor's, but many of his plates are better than those in the Colombia guide.I would definitely take the Ecuador guide to Colombia or Peru, along with those countries' respective guides.As for the text, it is very detailed and distribution maps are placed right beside the text so you don't have to keep flipping around.The maps contain elevation information, and show the locations of two principal cities (Quito and Guayaquil-spelling?) for reference.I haven't yet seen volume 1, but I am assuming it is just as impressively done. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Birds    2. Birds & Birdwatching - General    3. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    4. Ecuador    5. Identification    6. Nature    7. Nature/Ecology    8. South America    9. Birds (ornithology)    10. Reference works   

Reviews (2)

Fun on the Baja

Don't Buy It
Was shock in the lack of detail and inside info on hotels, activities, and restaurants. Heading to Cabo San Lucas in Nov 06 and did not even list our 4 star hotel that has been around for decades with the exception of a one liner about festival night, nor the two pirate ship cruises, glass bottom boats, ultra lite info, baja racing....well you get the idea. If you have not been there before you would assume there is nothing to do but club, whale watch, golf and eat. Good general info for Mexico traveling. ... Read more

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