Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Honduras & the Bay Islands (Country Travel Guide)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I was wary about buying this book after reading the negative review. I was also getting nervous about my trip to Honduras, because all the websites have really expensive hotels, more than $100 US. Thank goodness for Lonely Planet because I can now enjoy a trip that I can afford. It's got just what I need, plenty of places to stay, eat and visit, all for much less than online. I guess that the places in Honduras that can afford websites charge an arm and a leg. I'm all about budget travel, and this book is the perfect companion. And it's slim, so it won't take up much valuable backpacking space. In response to the earlier review, as a student on a budget, I'm not too concerned that the history may be inaccurate. I'm going to Honduras to have a good, and inexpensive time. This book has saved me tons of money and let me relax and have a good time. Thanks Lonely Planet.

Some Lonely Planet books are better than others. Seems to be that the older ones have had a few years to mature. And let's face it: some countries are more interesting to visit than others. Sometimes, the author is just not feeling it and would rather be doing something else.

I think this edition has all three problems. Regardless, it's not a great guidebook by any measure. It is uninspired, sometimes wrong, and lazy. It will not do much to get you pumped about a visit to Honduras.

But if you're a Lonely Planet reader, what are you going to do? Buy a MOON Guide? Get real.

Let's just hope the next edition is better.

I have just read most of this 2010 guide. I have been to Honduras for 7 days previously, not exploring much on that occasion. Now I am looking to go again soon and see much more of what the country has to offer. This is my first Lonley Planet (LP) guide book although I do subscribe to their travel magazine.

Examples of contradictions:

First of all in the history section we are told "a military coup removed President Zelaya" and yet it is also written that the exile of the President was authorized by the Supreme Court! First, a "coup d'etat" as it was also written in LP, did not take place. Secondly free elections were held within a few months of the event, so it is undisputable that the constitution of Honduras was followed in order to prevent Zeleya from clinging to his position for ever.

About Copan Site: "is certainly overpriced" then a few words later "a day-trip is well worth the price of admission.

Unclear English:

Writing phrases like "hillsides dating from the Postclassic" or "the longest inscription discovered in Mesoamerica." is unhelpful. Replace or explain it please. It looks as if history sections are cut and pasted into the guide when they read like this - clearley not the author's/reader's every-day language.

Overly cynical tone and attitude towards San Pedro Sula:

"Go figure most people leave Honduras' second city as soon as possible." This sort of attitude is not helpful if you ARE staying in San Pedro, since as you admit, "most people do" it's a shame more effort is made of slighting the city than informing the reader what he CAN do. You are supposed to be my guide for the city, to provoke enthusuasm for the traveller on his sometimes tough or lonley travels, not be a moaner.

"Sights & Activities" listed for this city: look at the cathedral and 3 museums.

"There are few museums or urban attractions to make it worth your while."

What about the two waterparks? The market? Going for a walk or jog up Coca-Cola Mountain? I don't know much about San Pedro but the fact I know more than this guide cared to research is very sad indeed.

On the positive note this guide is useful as opposed to having no information at all, but I really didn't like the tone or way of writing (full of rubbish like telling me I will catch up with friends I have met on my travels in Copan). Try another guide if you can find one!

PS Mr lonley Planet Author, did you know if you try to get to Honduras from Peru and several other countries you can't? They won't let you in or even board the plane without a yellow fever immunization certificate. This is a huge deal if you don't know about it, since you can't have it injected and covering you the same day, it has to be done in advance to cover you. If you know this then why is the part that mentions yellow fever vaccinations so so vauge as if you paste it into all your books you produce. It doesn't say it is neccecarry for Honduras. I expect specific information about the place I am visiting.

First off, I'm a fan of the excellent colorful and enthusiastic Lonley Planet magazine and that made their guidebook to Honduras my first choice.

The guide has served as a basic platform to build on (lots of building required!) Some websites listed in the book do not work/exist and this was supposed to be a revised edition for 2010.

FORT SAN FERNANDO OMOA "IT'S WAY OVERPRICED FOR YOUR AVERAGE INDIE TRAVELLER"

Er, no. Fortunatley I did not get put off by Lonley Planet's negativity and I went last week and it was $4 including the museum. An extra $5 gets a guide for the whole group. It was a great day. It took about 1.5-2hrs for the museum nd fort tour, plus an hour walking around (ask the guide for permission to go to the graveyard and older fort site at the back if you want to feel like getting off the main site where there are no tourists. Not that we saw more than 10 other visitors on the whole site, which was great.)

"TOP TIPS FOR STAYING SAFE" Does contain a few good ones, like not taking your mp3 players and avoiding standard buses. However I would have considered it more important to advise not travelling between towns at night, not taking ANY rings (including wedding rings), watches, bracelets, ear rings, expensive or expensive looking bags or shades, and anything that is not essential. In other words nothing that will tempt theives in the first place. And nothing you will mind loosing.

"MILITARY COUP REMOVED ZELEYA" Er, no it did not. This type of ignorance annoys many Hondurans, possibly offensive, and makes a traveller look ignorant.

Standard Lonely Planet guide book, but it certainly met and exceeded my needs. Has ample restaurants, lodging, and activities. I personally think Lonely PLanet is apt to young travelers on a budget who are looking to maximize their trip. If this is you, then this is your book. I personally think DK Eyewitness (a recent favortie of mine), Frommers, and Rick Steve's are all directed at older, more affluent travelers.

Wife bought me this book from Amazon, guess we are going to go here sometime soon. Lonely Planet did a great job like they always do. I only got skunked once from them. Alot of info in this book and a must IF your headed this way in the future.

Lonely Planet does a great job and ive used there books for trips to Mexico and Jamaica.