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 (11)

Good Map
This is a good, clear map which is easy to read.The vinyl cover is a definite plus.It helps keep the map clean and notes can be tucked inside it.

Solid Road Atlas
Rand McNally is a consistantly good road atlas.The 2006 issue was very helpful in planning my recent trip.It doesn't replace the on-line maps or city atlases that show every street, turn, and such, but when you run into a temporary interstate closure, it answers the question of what is my best option now.

As easy as it gets
Ever since my first trip to NYC in 1989, I have relied on having a -no more than 2-3 years old- copy of Rand McNally in our rented car.
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Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Canada    4. Maps & Road Atlases    5. Mexico    6. Reference    7. Road Atlases    8. Road maps    9. Travel - General    10. United States    11. United States - General   

Reviews (33)

Very, very Dissappointing
I like Susana Palazuelos, I enjoyed her meal at Izote in Mexico City...and have used her recipes, but I have no idea what she was doing for this book.
a great book
this was a terrific book with lots of beautiful pictures and easy to follow recipes. there was something for everyone from novices to chefs. its great!!

Fantastic
"Mexico, The Beautiful Cookbook" not only is a wonderful cookbook filled with authentic recipes, but also a gorgeous coffee table book showing the beautiful country of Mexico.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery, Mexican    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Description and travel    5. General    6. Mexico    7. Regional & Ethnic - Mexican    8. Cooking / General    9. Mexico - Description and Travel    10. Mexican   

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

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)

Retiring in Mexico
It was this very book that gave my husband and I the information we needed to start bringing our dreams of retiring in Mexico to reality.
An excellent primer for assessing Mexico's pros and cons
Modern retirees who want to get the most out of shrinking retirement benefits will want to look at CHOOSE MEXICO FOR RETIREMENT, appearing in its 9th updated edition to provide the latest facts on local real estate, costs, medical care, business opportunities and more. From Baja California to the Yucatan Peninsula, discussions revolve around cultural and economic considerations alike and also include first-person insights on development and direction. An excellent primer for assessing Mexico's pros and cons.
If you buy just one book on moving to Mexico, this is it!
Nicely organized and full of information, this is a great resource for anyone thinking of moving to Mexico.As much as anything, I learned what questions I should be asking, and what I need to consider before making a final decision.Different locations are compared in a meaningful way, so that I actually zeroed in on my tentative location (Sayulita, which I had never even heard of before) with the help of this book.
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (6)

An Excellent Handbook for Mexico
This is an excellent, detailed, and humourous nuts-and-bolts instruction manual for anyone in the USA or Canada planning to move to Mexico. Don't leave home without it!

Entertaining Read that's Packed with Info
Thinking about the move to Mexico, I saw this book recommended in more than a few places on the internet. What an awesome recommendation it was!
Laugh-out-loud funny!
I had to comment on Don's book for two reasons. First, his cantankerous style is laugh-out-loud funny and will end up making you feel better for having read his book. Secondly, Don was very kind in responding to an email I sent him, as a fellow expat, that was helpful in a time of great personal need. He is a star in my book and I want you to buy ten copies each of his for Christmas presents!
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. 1-55369-562-3,1553695623,Head for the Border,Head for the Border - the preparation handbook for relocating to Mexico,trafford publishing,Trafford,Don Adams,mexico,retirement,moving,relocating,travel,ajijic,guadalajara,puerto vallarta,mazatlan,colima,budge    5. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    6. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (8)

woodalls north american campground directory 2005
This is the first book we bought about anything related to camping and we brought it with us on our second trip. It was a life saver. We wanted to stop somewhere else on our way home and were able to find all the information we needed. The size of our space is important to us along with privacy and distance to local attractions. We found a lot of that information at each areas listing, along with a map of each state. Every camper needs a directory.

Woodalls
Excellent book, sometimes the woodalls ratings are quite my opinion but otherwise a great source.

Woodall's NA Campground Directory has got it all
The directory is great.You can find all the campgrounds in the area by looking up the city name.It tells you all the facilities available at the campground. You can find the phone number, web site information...anything that you need in order to make reservations. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Mexico    3. North America    4. Parks & Campgrounds    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel - General    8. United States - General    9. Caravan & camp-site guides    10. Travel / United States / General   

Reviews (12)

better, more accurate info available on the Internet
I did a lot of research on our trip.We live in Honduras and are driving to the US over a three week period as we leave the area for good, so ordered the book.I was already very versed in the trip from countless stories on the Internet, and from exploring Central America over the last three years, so found the book simple, badly written, and not very helpful at all.I suggest that instead of spending your money on this book, you do research on the Internet and you will get much better information for free.

Read but not tested
We have not yet driven the Pan-American highway, but were given the Pritchard's book as a gift in preparation for an eventual trip; therefore, I can't comment on the traveler tips. I was, however, amused and distracted by the incredible number of typos on each page (coastal is consistently spelled "costel"). The book seems very basic and at times naive (toilet paper discussion). I had the feeling that my grandfather was explaining the ropes to me... That said, the book seems to have some helpful information and tries to be specific regarding border crossings, the roads, etc.

Outdated
We bought this book before our RV trip in 2003 which eventually resulted in our own book, "99 Days to Panama" (www.99DaystoPanama.com).We found the info mildly useful but not accurate, e.g. Hotel Guanacoste Travel Lodge in Liberia, Costa Rica, hardly has a "trailer park".We recently bought the 6th edition of "Christopher Howard's" version with a new cover but it is exactly the same as the 6th edition of Pritchards book we bought three years ago. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile travel    2. Canada    3. Central America    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Guidebooks    6. Mexico    7. Pan American Highway System    8. South America    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (3)

Lonely Planet comes through again!
I purchased three Belize guide books, and this was by far the best! Fantastic Book - RIGHT ON THE MONEY
Bravo Lonely Planet!
Good for some, not for budget travel
How to rank this book depends upon what you are looking for. In my case, I've been using Lonely Planet guides for many years and am accustomed to their assistance for traveling on a real budget. This book was different in that it focused much more on the mid-range of travel, and was really lacking on the budget end. For example, it assumes that you will use a tour and tour guide to visit many archeological sites instead of pulling it off using public transportation and your feet. And the least expensive hotels are often not covered.
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Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Mexico    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Belize    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (24)

10 stars!
Too bad it's not possible to give more than 5 stars to a book, because this is one of the best books ever written, fiction or non-fiction!
BY FAR .... THE BEST BOOK OF "REAL" MEXICO !!
I have read several different editions of this guide, and found all of them useful and eye-opening! Read this and there will be no surprises when you arrive. Interesting reading... not boring. All about the REAL Mexico and REAL people... the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (not too much ugly!). Reading this gave me the courage to try a Mexican trip with my daughter ten years ago.I've been back to Mexico nine times since.... and I LOVE IT !!!!There is something for everyone in Mexico.... and your photographs will be so colorful!! 99 % of the people you'll meet arefriendly.... welcoming...and courteous.Read the book... then be sure to go ---- you won't be sorry !!

Where ever you go - there you are
This book is not a tour guide but a survival guide. I have a 1972 edition. I lost my year book, my class ring and honor pin but I still have this book!!! This first edition has gotten me up and down Central America a few times. I'm bringing my 18 yr. old daughter to Mexico for the first time. She is in love with the 60's & 70's.This will be a cultural and historical book for her. She will be able to enter my world at her approximate age.
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (3)

Wondefull book.
I tested this book down in the wilderness of the Baja California peninsula and it worked out just fine. Very good information and photos.

Overall, a good book
Overall, "Baja California Plant Field Guide" is a good book forthe naturalist. However, its design may not help the begginer since itassumes that the readear has a well developed knowledge in plantmorphology. Introductions to Baja California and its bioregions are verygood but the section for plant identification may cause some trouble to thenaturalist that is trying to identify a new plant species (unless it is acommon one). If the book is re-edited it might be good to incorporate aformat similar to some bird guides and particularly, newer plant guides.

Excellent! A must for anyone serious about Baja flora.
Beautiful presentation for the novice and expert alike.Excellentphotography.Gives botanical names, Spanish and English of plants.Thefolklore(medicinal) of native plants is also very interesting.NormanRoberts is a true friend of Baja. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening/Plants    2. Nature / Flowers    3. Travel / Mexico    4. Baja California    5. Baja California (Mexico)    6. Guidebooks    7. Mexico    8. Nature    9. Travel    10. Wildflowers   

Reviews (23)

Highly Recommend "The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico"
As someone who has visited Mexico several times as I struggle with my study of Spanish, and who is thinking of moving there, I found this book to be far superior to the general run of guides on the expatriate life or retiring in Mexico. Some of the others of this genre just lack the ring of authenticity, or seemed to be aimed at people with a lot of bucks who are headed for a gated community or an expensive house in Cabo San Lucas. But the Bowers' book has that ring of authenticity and is squarely aimed at the (for lack of a better cliche) "average Joe" who is looking for a life that is different and/or better and needs down-to-earth practical advice on how an American can make this transition.
LOTS OF HELPFUL INFORMATION!
This book was packed with important information.We will take the Bower's advice and make several, short trips in order to pinpoint our new home.We want to live among the Mexican population and plan to brush up our rusty Spanish.I was glad to see that we possess the traits necessary to become "successful expatriates."
Too much ranting, too little information
There are quite a few books available on moving to Mexico.So far I've read 3 of them and this one was by far the least helpful.There are a few nuggests of information, but there are also pages and pages of the author's personal opinions about American TV commercials and teenagers owning cellphones.Not to mention all the details of the author's health problems.I didn't pay good money for this, nor do I appreciate the time wasted wading through it.Even the ranting about Ugly Americans, which I completely agree with, was repeated ad nauseum--there's no need to tell us over and over and over.If you want to know everything you possibly can about Mexico, then you might want to include this book on your list, but there are much better books out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Mexico    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Family & Relationships-Aging - Retirement    7. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    8. Travel / Mexico   

Editorial Review

Mexico is a heady sort of place; it inundates you with sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and tactile sensations. A dry text, no matter how informative, just doesn't do justice to Mexico's allure. DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide series, on the other hand, does. Sure, it provides the necessary data points. The "Travelers' Needs" section contains 168 recommended hotel options and another 168 restaurants--as well as a beautifully illustrated guide to the foods of Mexico. And there are pages of practical information on visas, health precautions, time zones, electricity, taxis, security, banking, communications, and the like.Read more

Reviews (7)

The best I've seen
I've been to Mexico twice, and I'm in love with it. I was planning a special short trip on Easter week this year, but because of personal reasons I couldn't go. In my frustration, I went to the book store and looked at every guide about Mexico, and to my surprise, this was the most complete. The rest were just text. I bought it inmediately, and while I read it I traveled without leaving home. The most importante feature is the abundance of pictures. Great Travel Guide, Beautiful Coffee Table Book!
. A work of art that fails to inspire
If you want the definitive picture guide ot the wonderful archaeological sights of Mexico, then this book is it.All the major cities are covered in spendid colour - as is Mexico city.The eidtors have done a wonderful job in bringing the highlights alive.When you open the pictures pages you will really want to see the real thing up close. Read more

Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - United States    4. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (5)

Pretty Good
Not bad!I liked it better than his last book on Mexico.Only frustration was having the U.S. "invasion" of Afghanistan mentioned about 5 times throughout the book in a very melodramatic way, but other than that, a worthwhile read.

You Must Buy This Book
There are those of us, like me, who fancy themselves writers who are in reality HACKS. I write and sell books but am, by comparision to Tony Cohan, a HACK. Tony is a WRITER. I should be so lucky to be writing like him by the end of my lifetime.
Mexican Days: Journeys into the Heart of Mexico
For those of us who don't get to travel as much as we'd like, this book is perfect.Tony Cohan takes us into places in Mexico that I wouldn't have dreamed of visiting, but I would now! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cohan, Tony    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Mexico    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel - General    8. Travel Guides    9. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (1)

Champage comedy - again!
Once again, the Working Dog team have come up with a gem for the Jetlag travel series.You'd have thought that by the time book three came out, the format would be a little tired, but you'd be wrong.
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Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Mexico    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Nonfiction    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel / General   

Features

• Folded Map

Reviews (1)

Excellent map and current
I bought this map before taking a driving trip in the Yucatan in April 2006. It is an excellent road map and has current road information which is important because older maps are missing roads. Signage in the Yucatan can be very poor. I highly advise buying a road map if you're driving around the Yucatan at all! It saved us a few times from long backtracks after we missed turnoffs due to poor signage. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Maps    2. Maps & Road Atlases    3. Mexico    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel / Mexico    7. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (5)

A must read if you are an artist...
I can tell that this was a really interesting book.After reading it, I now have a new outlook on his work, as I finally understand it thanks to this book, as well as complete respect for Edward. An amazing individual Edward Weston was with a fascinating life, with all who he encountered.A must read if you are an artist, photographer or not!

Daybooks of Edward Weston
Second time reading Weston's Day Books over thirty years.First time I was young and only looking for technical hints.This time I'm much more interested in relationships, family, and Weston's struggle with his art, money and lifeA must read for all artists.

The Weston experience- an introspective look
A fascinating introspective look into the mind of one of the great American photographers of the beginning of the 20th century, Edward Weston. With his intricate, yet simple, and sometimes abstract images, Weston created a world of his own together with his "one true love," his camera. By evidently pouring his soul into every entry of his daybooks, Weston makes the reader gain a greater understanding of his technique and extraordinary eye for beauty. The chronological organization of entries takes the reader from Weston's days in Mexico through his days in California.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1886-1958    2. Biography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description and travel    5. Diaries    6. Essays    7. General    8. Individual Photographer    9. Mexico    10. Photographers    11. Photography    12. United States    13. Weston, Edward,    14. Biography: general    15. Individual artists    16. Photography & Photographs    17. USA   

Subjects:  1. Aliens    2. Americans    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Business & Economics    5. Business / Economics / Finance    6. General    7. History    8. Mexico    9. Personal Finance    10. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Reference    13. Sayulita (Nayarit)    14. Travelers    15. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Retirement Planning   

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Earth Sciences - Geography    4. General    5. Maps & Road Atlases    6. Reference    7. Road Atlases    8. Travel - United States    9. United States - General