The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) [Paperback]

Rough Guides (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2, 2009 | Series: Rough Guide Travel Guides

The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget is the definitive guide to making the most of this exotic region without breaking the bank. Backpackers, career-breakers, gap year travellers and those who want more bang for their buck, will find in depth budget information for all seven Central American countries and every aspect of travel. From accommodation and restaurants to special events, festivals and adrenalin-pumping outdoor activities, this guide is packed with the best budget information. This guide is packed with the best budget information for night-life, shopping, markets and entertainment, as well as “Treat Yourself” boxes that highlight great places and things worth splashing out on. There is a full-colour introduction with highlights for every country. You’ll also find useful words and phrases in every language and detailed maps for hundreds of locations.

Make the most of your time with The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget.

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget is packed with all that the budget traveler needs to prepare and enjoy their trip -

* an introductory section, including highlights of each region
* in-depth coverage of all the must-see sights in 7 countries
* comprehensive listings of the best places to stay, eat, party
* useful spanish words and phrases
* detailed maps for over 100 locations
Now that we are traveling with a kid, we don't really need the nightlife part of this book, and there are no entries on traveling with children - but this travel guide is quite detailed for all the things we'd need to plan a trip to Central America.
It includes itineraries, basics (getting there, getting around, etc.), a culture guide, health and travel essentials, country guides, and language guides.
As always with Rough Guides Budget travel books, there are a wide array of budget options, each one laid out in great detail. You never feel like you'll walk into a dive, with this guide. For instance, the Hotel Silani in Guatemala's description: "Turn right off the dock and walk till the end of the path. Tranquil setting with superb lakeside views and a lovely little treehouse to stay in, as well as some more traditional doubles." - who can resist THAT?
Or, try Patty's Bistro, in Belize: "A brightly decorated, small place that draws both locals and tourists. Great Belizean , Mexican and American fare - cheeseburgers to fish soups." - anything with locals has to be good - what a great recommendation!
This book is an incredible find, and a great resource for any traveler, but especially those that would like to stretch their money to travel more. --WanderingEducators.com:

About the Author

Written by a team of experienced Rough Guide authors, including the writers and researchers of the individual Rough Guides to Belize, Guatemala, Costa Rica and Mexico - all bringing their wealth of knowledge on specific countries.

Product Details

• Paperback: 832 pages
• Publisher: Rough Guides (February 2, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1858288045
• ISBN-13: 978-1858288048
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,257 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #82 in Books > Travel > Specialty Travel > Budget Travel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Missing important details; otherwise OK., August 29, 2009

By 

A. Liscovich - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback)

Just returned from a 2-week trip to Central America. I previously used Lovely Planet guides in a number of countries, but this time Lonely Planet did not have an exact analog, so I decided to try the Rough Guide.

My main complaint is that the book misses very important details that Lonely Planet usually provides. For example, departure times of most buses are not listed. Where Lonely Planet would say something like "Departures at noon and 8pm", Rough Guide says "2 departures daily". This is not really helpful!

Also accommodation prices are not quoted, instead they provide the number-coded price category. Why generalize, when you can provide actual prices? Lonely Planet gives actual prices and even though they sometimes go up between the moment of publication and your check-in, it is still more informative than a number-coded category (which is by the way also off in about 1/3 of the cases).

Other than that, the book is usable. So you might want to opt for it, rather than buy separate Lonely Planet guides for all the countries covered here.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars solid choice for the budget traveler, January 6, 2011

By 

John Walzer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback)

With Lonely Planet in corporate ownership and skewing upmarket, budget travelers need alternatives. Rough Guides' "On a Budget" series meets that need. I used their Central America guidebook on a month's travel through northern Central America. Overall, the guidebook served well. Written clearly and with humor (but blissfully free of LP's jaded attitude), it covers all the high points as well as more off-the-beaten-trail adventures.

This is the first edition, so there are a few kinks: maps with places shown out of place; some awkward phrasing (e.g. describing Copan as "infamous"); listing only high-end places when budget options are available. I also have a beef with the two-tone (black/orange) text; in low light (i.e. most budget places), the tiny white/orange price circles become illegible.

One thing I miss from Lonely Planet is the info on population and altitude given with each town's listing. This gives an immediate snapshot of likely climate and level of services, and Rough Guide does not include it.

Most guidebook reviewers complain about the gap between a guide's stated prices and real-world prices. I was happy to find the situation reversed: traveling in low season at the recession's end meant prices were often lower than listed. Most guidebooks list high-season prices, so that was part of it; but shop and hotel owners did tell me business had been dead and prices lower as a result.

Slip Rough Guides' Central America On a Budget in your pack and you're in good hands. Happy trails!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OMG!! I would have died without this guide!, January 3, 2011

By 

Candy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Rough Guide to Central America on a Budget 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides) (Paperback)

Guatemala experience was crazy!! This book was very accurate in Hostels and attractions to visit. I went in 2009. So make sure u buy the most updated version. But I will definitely buy this brand for the next trip I go on.