Let's Go Peru 1st Edition [Paperback]

Ashley E. Isaacson (Author), Lindsay Crouse (Author)

Book Description

Series: Let's Go: Peru | Publication Date: November 18, 2004

Brand-new Let's Go: Peru is the only guide you'll need to South America's cultural hotspot. From millennia-old pre-Inca sights to wild nights of salsa, Let's Go's intrepid researchers have canvassed the Andes to bring you the best of Peru. Combining new text and maps with Let's Go's forty-five years of travel savvy, this insider's guide provides extensive coverage of Lima, Lake Titicaca, and Cusco and the Sacred Valley, while paying significant attention to less-touristed destinations. Valuable tips and listings deliver the know-how to see the sights and make a difference, and completely new features provide an in-depth look at the culture. So, whether you'd rather spot condors soaring over fathomless canyons or bask on spectacular sun-kissed beaches, Let's Go can show you the way.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"For independent travelers on a budget, with an emphasis on whatever's hip, fun, or free."
- Associated Press

"Guides that penetrate the veneer of holiday brochures and mine the grit of real life"
- The Economist

Product Details

• Paperback: 464 pages
• Publisher: Let's Go Publications (November 18, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312335660
• ISBN-13: 978-0312335663
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,507,179 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is your guide if you are trying to visit Peru on your lunch money . . ., September 8, 2005

By 

Allan M. Gathercoal "fdoamerica" (Norcross, GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Let's Go Peru 1st Edition (Paperback)

With this 1st edition "Let's Go Peru" is getting off the proverbial porch and running with the big dogs (Rough Guide & Lonely Planet -- see my reviews). "Let's Go" is outstanding in two areas: Budget Travel and Alternatives to Tourism

Budget Travel. "Let's Go" guides are known for their ability to find you the best bargains. So, if you are counting every `centavo' then this guide will come through. The authors will find you a rock bottom, dirt cheep, bargain basement, lowest price possible accommodation and restaurant to match. IE: Hostal Rocha (gotta love that name) in Huacachina goes for $2 a night and you might bargain them down.

"Alternatives to Tourism." This twelve-page section covers "Volunteering," "Working" and "Studying" in Peru more throughly than any other guide. Each listing includes the names, address, phone numbers and electronic contact information that you will need. So even if you are not a minimalist, but you are planning to stay in Peru for a while, you will want to have this information.

I have lived in Peru for the past five years and I have frequented many restaurants listed in this guide. With the exception of one or two, "Let's Go" is right-on-the-money. I found the listing to be up-to-date and their descriptions are the best of any of the guides out today. For those who love "Nightlife" (bars & clubs), these sections are great. All of their recommendations are easy to find on a fairly decent map.

The Andes can be brutal if you get altitude sickness. I have seen the effects of "severe" altitude sickness, and it is not pretty. Sadly, for some Dilbert reason, `Let's Go Peru' only gives you the altitude of about 60% of the cities. They include the altitude of Tacna (562m or 1,842' ), but omit the altitude of such place as Puno/Lake Titicacawhich, which is at the nosebleed altitude of 3830m (or 12,565'). Go figure. Altitude information is important, and yet only `Lonely Planet' list the altitude of all the cities.

Some areas need additional work. The "Essential" section (Documents, Climate, Money Etc.) in this guide is bare-bone-basic and not as good as other guides. The four pages "Staying Healthy" section is anemic and barely covers important health information (in comparison, Lonely Plant's devotes ten pages about all important health information needed for your trip). Though the maps are easy to read, the guide has fewer maps than found in the other mentioned guides. These disparities will probably will be corrected in the 2nd edition.

Bottom line: This is guide is especially valuable if you are trying to do Peru on your lunch money and/or may stay awhile to work, volunteer or study. Caveat: if Machu Pichu, the Inca Trail, or the Manu National Park (Peru's Amazon) are your primary destinations, then you will get better information from either `Rough Guide' or `Lonely Planet'. Happy Trails. Strongly Recommended.

5.0 out of 5 stars A must before taking the trip to Peru!!!!!!, September 24, 2009

By 

Maria T. Sanchez "notmia" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Let's Go Peru 1st Edition (Paperback)

I wish I had purchased this book before my trip to Peru. You could say I went "cold turkey"!!! After coming back I purchased the book and what I read I lived!!! Most of it was what I had experienced!! Luckily I had my Peruvian friend with me or else I would have been lost big time. I recommend anyone one to learn what is out there to read for any country before traveling outside of USA...Very helpful.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Let's Go Delivers Again, November 25, 2004

By 

Melinda "Melinda" (Grand Junction, CO USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Let's Go Peru 1st Edition (Paperback)

I looked into a lot of guides to Peru, and Let's Go is by far the best. Like the other LG guides, it's not only up to date but also fun to read and contains inside tips and info that none of the other series seem to provide. The coverage of Cusco is awesome, so much fun!!! The book also has pretty cool little essays on a bunch of interesting topics every few pages. Gracias, Let's Go!