Guatemala guide [Paperback]

Paul Glassman (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 355 pages
• Publisher: Passport Press; 4th edition (1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0930016130
• ISBN-13: 978-0930016135
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.4 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,936,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Glassman is Phenomenal Travel Writer, January 13, 1998

By 

John Ragsdale (San Jose, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guatemala Guide Your Passport to Great Travel! (Paperback)

I first bought a copy of "Guatemala Guide" preparing for a trip in 1987. Of all the (limited) sources available, Glassman's guide stood out as a true portrait of the people and cities, not the horrid tourist guides that point you to the popular hotels and towns and ignore the history and culture....which a traveler (not a tourist) wants to experience. I wrote Mr. Glassman after the trip to compliment him and pass along a few updates, and he wrote back a warm letter, explaining he has a home in Panajachel, and lives part of the year in Guatemala, which explains his in-depth knowledge of the country.

He has produced updates to the book through the years, which I have purchased for arm chair readings, as well as return trips. The 97 update is the best ever.

Also pick up his "Costa Rica Guide" which is an excellent book to a far-too touristy spot.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Other Guides Are Better, August 8, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Guatemala Guide: Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist! (Paperback)

I just bought last week the newly revised Paul Glassman *Guatemala Guide* that is part of the "Open Road" series. I was very disappointed --particularly because I had been waiting for its release date since January. It has larger print which translates to less info per page than the "Rough Guide" or "Lonely Planet" series. It was more superficial in terms of presenting/explaining history, culture, traditions, sites, and in fact, omitted places discussed in the "Rough Guide" or "Lonely Planet" books. Glassman apparently lives in Antigua, but it didn't feel like an insiders guide to me. He does, however, list some hotels that were not mentioned in the other guides--nonetheless I don't think anyone goes to Guatemala for the hotels. My advice, invest in another guide book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another take on Glassman's book, January 29, 2001

By 

[e-mail] (Elgin IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guatemala Guide: Be a Traveler, Not a Tourist! (Paperback)

Glassman's guides to the hotels is crucial to some tourists and business people, especially if you're not planning to stay in a downscale establishment and might actually expect to find a working shower, private bathroom, and a restaurant.

Though many people coming to Guatemala aren't interested in upscale establishments, they do exist, and Glassman outlines them in a relatively no-nonsense fashion. For example, Pension Bonifaz in Quetzaltenango is the best hotel in town. It's is also where anyone flying in and out of Xela must go for pickup to the town airport.

There are other guides, but I wouldn't dismiss Glassman's guide out of hand. We live in Quetzaltenango, and run a Spanish language school there.