Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Cuba (1997 ed.)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I am normally a big fan of Lonely Planet, but this book is the ultimate in political correctness. It is a mouthpiece for the government (which would be fine if it also gave alternative points of view.) It's full of American bashing and yet does not point out the problems the Europeans/Canadians are now creating for the island in terms of prostitution and worshipping material goods.

The book is focused more on Tourists rather than independent travel...great if you want to know about swimming pools and colour TV's in Hotels. Yet, it provides virtually nothing with regard to casa particulars (staying with Cuban families for cheap) and paladares (eating in Cuban homes). Both of which can save travellers lots of money and give them the experience of talking to real Cubans first hand. The book emphasises eating and staying in places in which the Cuban government can charge monopoly prices.

I found the Cuba Handbook to be much more comprehensive.

The book is very unorganized and often contains contradicting information. I found it heavily geared to Canadians and much to political for a travel book. It read and sounded like official communist propaganda...badmouthing Cuban exliles in the USA and repeating Cuban economic and social facts of dubious truth. Often, timetables and other basics were given but they were generaly not authentic. They seem to be Official info but with little regard for the obvious or reality on the ground. It read like a political satire laced with travel info. It was as if somebody was trying to convince me to sway my opinions and not to evaluate the Island and its people on my own, It is almost patronizing in scope. I will recomend the Moon Handbook to anyone that goes. I was able to to see a copy of the Moon book three times in cuba and found it a saving grace. it was practical and real. Buy The MOON handbook and learn of the real cuba . I found that The Lonley Planet book is not very usefull in cuba.

I found this book to be very useful on my trip to cuba. It was accurate and informative. The book is some what negative towards America, but the info about hotels, beaches, and food is very good. I highly recommend this book for someone traveling to cuba.

I've used Lonely Planet books for several major trips and always found them to be definitive and essential for budget travel. This book, however, seems to be far more geared to the Canadian package tourist than the independent traveler. The author notes what shape the recomended hotels' pools are, noting that better hotels have non-rectangular pools. "Mayabe Beer" is listed as one of Cuba's top 10 attractions.

Moon's Cuba book by Chris Baker looks really great, and will be the book I take with me. Incidentally, I found it much better laid out and easier to read than the LP series. It has everything that you would usually find in a Lonely Planet book.

With a wealth of information and an easy-to-use format, Lonely Planet's guide to Cuba is probably the best on the market. Beginning with a comprehensive overview of the country, Lonely Planet gives information on the history, culture, religion and politics of the country in concise, yet detailed, synopses. The comprehensive Practical Information section is an in-depth guide to planning your trip, whether you prefer a package tour or to go it alone. You'll find information on Snowbird-style beach-only, all-inclusive packages, as well as information on city stays for the more urban among us. In contrast to many guides, Lonely Planet covers tour operators from a variety of countries, such as Canada, Mexico, and the Bahamas so that individuals may match their taste to a specific package. If you want to go it alone, Lonely Planet provides excellent information and contacts for airlines, hotels, restaurants, how to get your own visa, and the like. This is a rarity among modern Cuba guides. There are sections dealing with gay and lesbian travellers, the disabled, and students which provide contacts for things such as work/study programs, and other not-so-typical types of tourism. The island is covered in considerable detail, which is a real boon to those wanting to explore more than one location. Further, the would-be tourist is guided through the difficulties of local transportation and dining when you're not part of a tour group. For those wanting to visit the island without a clear idea of what to do once there, Lonely Planet really shines. It provides a Top Ten Best & Worst places to visit, and a great overview of the island so that you'll be able to find/explore exactly what you want. On the downside, although the book is new, the text style is vintage Lonely Planet. It may overwhelm those who just want a week at the beach, and may frighten those not accustomed to international travel with its comprehensive detail of the ins and outs of coming and going to and within Cuba. The book caters to the more adventurous, but is still an invaluable tool for the more cautious, who, at least, will enjoy beachchair travel throughout this fascinating island.

Americans are clearly too sensitive. How anyone can find this book biased is bizarre Buy the book, read it, go to Cuba and have a fantastic time. at least you won't be in America!

I found David Stanley's guide very useful to have on a recent first visit to Cuba. I did not, as an American, find it anti-American, and would say that those of my countrymen who do are much too thin-skinned.

I think there is a need to update the guide soon, as prices are rising fast, and those given in the guide are rapidly getting out of date. Also, new hotels are appearing rapidly and this too has to be updated.

U.S. readers may tire of the book's anti-American sentiment. Unfortunately, it's expressed throughout the book, especially in the historical overview, which is incredibly biased.

For a much more objective treatment, I recommend Christopher Baker's Cuba Handbook (Moon Travel). Mr. Baker doesn't seem to have an axe to grind, and simply delivers what one would expect to find in a decent travel guide: Good travel information without all the tedious politicizing.

Disclaimer: The aforementioned is an expression of my *opinion* as protected under the U.S. Constitution.

A new edition of "Lonely Planet Cuba" is now available - search for it on this site.

This is a very good book to take on your trip to Cuba.