Lonely Planet Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (Includes Chilean Patagonia) [Paperback]

Sandra Bao (Author), Ben Greensfelder (Author), Carolyn Hubbard (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

Venture from the streets of lively Buenos Aires to the beaches of Punta del Este, and the rainforest of Parque Nacional Ybycui without missing a step. This guide includes 96 detailed maps, including Buenos Aires city, lodgings and dining to cover all budgets, as well as a handy Spanish language guide.

Editorial Reviews

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

So you're going to the Southern Cone? Or perhaps only thinking about it? Well, think about it some more, and place these images of Argentina in your mind: the Western hemisphere's highest peaks, rising to almost 7000m and blanketed in virgin snow; the painted deserts of the northern Andes, high and dry with colonial cities and lanky cacti; legendary Iguazu Falls, a massive rush of water falling nearly 20 stories and extending as far as the eye can see; shimmering blue-green lakes stretching out between lush mountain forests in the Lake District; astounding southern glaciers actively calving huge slivers of ice; and the magnificent desolation of Patagonia, instilling a romantic tingle and wanderlust. Then there's Tierra del Fuego, the tip of the southern world, encompassing beautiful scenery and the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia. Or how about a cruise to (relatively) nearby Antarctica?

Everywhere in Argentina, from the northern subtropical lowlands to the Patagonian shores, you will glimpse wildlife ranging from strange guanacos, rheas and capybaras to the more familiar flamingoes, whales and penguins.

Also, let's not forget the probable start of your adventure: The urban frenzy that is Buenos Aires. This sophisticated capital city circulates through bustling streets and grand avenues lined with historic edifices born of European architects. All around are beautiful portenos (inhabitants of Buenos Aires), elegantly coiffed and forever fashionable, passionately expressing their Spanish and Italian roots through energetic personalities and expansive body language. Old-time cafes, tango bars, fine restaurants (think succulent steaks!), late-night dancing and charming colonial neighborhoods complete this picture, and all this is just a start.

If you want to get away from the tourist beat, you can see backroads of grassland or lush forests and meet some of the friendliest folks in South America. Outside Argentina, you can even have some fun at the raucous summer beach resorts in Uruguay or explore the region's indigenous roots in Paraguay. These two under-appreciated countries are brimming with colonial architecture and Jesuit ruins, generations-old traditions, subtropical lowlands and an astounding range of wildlife - and you won't have to share it with many other tourists!

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 4th edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740590279
• ISBN-13: 978-1740590273
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,038,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > Travel > Latin America > South America > Paraguay & Uruguay

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fills more of the void than the others, March 9, 2003

By 

"itzadave" (Carlisle, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (Includes Chilean Patagonia) (Paperback)

I used the guide in February 2003 to complete a trip in Argentina. The Lonely Planet guide was the best that I found, but none were up to par. I had Rough Guide to Argentina with me as well, and found it superior for the descriptions of points of interest. Lonely Planet, however, provided adequate descriptions and added travel information (75% correct) and local maps from time to time. Particularly unreliable were prices (of course, with the economic situation) and flight information. Pricing in any of the Arg. guides published for early 2003 is only good for comparison between like opportunities. Flights tended to be offered on different days or had been cancelled since publishing. The only notable information flaw I remember was in the El Bolson description, where they placed the cervezeria and associated campground on the opposite side of town. Everyone I met travelling to Uruguay or Paraguay had the Shoestring Guide to S.A. rather than this specialty guide, so I have no information on those sections of the book. All in all, the L.P. guide provided the best overall information, and I wouldn't have had as much time to enjoy my trip without it.

12 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars A step backward, April 20, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (Includes Chilean Patagonia) (Paperback)

Except for most of the Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego chapters, which show evidence of capable research and writing, this is a step backward from the previous edition. The coverage of northwestern Argentina is superficial and even naive, and the coverage of Iguazu falls missed the enormous changes that resulted from privatization of national park services over the past few years. It looks as if only one, perhaps two, of the five authors was really up to the job.

13 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A step up, rather, July 18, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay (Includes Chilean Patagonia) (Paperback)

The first 'reviewer' has it wrong--this edition of Lonely Planet's Argentina book is a remarkable improvement over the 3rd edition, which at times is convolutedly wordy beyond belief. The review sounds like it was written by the previous author. Be aware that some competetive guidebooks, such as those put out by Avalon (or Moon) pay their authors based on the royalty system. In other words, on how many books they sell. Avalon may be putting out their own Argentina guide soon. Your best advice: run through the books at a bookstore and decide for yourself which fits your needs best.