Customer Reviews

Lonely Planet Mexico, 6th Edition

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

 

 

Lonely planet guides are absolutely invaluable for the independant adventurous budget-minded traveler, and LP Mexico is no exception. Included are informative sections on pre-departure info, cultural tips, etc. I travelled extensively throughout Mexico with the 5th edition last year, and it really got me to explore some of the remote places I otherwise wouldn't have found- such as the silver towns of Guanajuato, Zacatecas and Taxco. Plus, out of the way beaches, hard-to-find ruins, centotes, you name it. They're covered. Don't borrow you'r friend's old dog-eared copy of the 3rd of 4th edition. Spend the money on the latest edition, because price info is almost always out of date within months after printing, and an older edition is usually hopelessly out of date. I found myself disregarding their accommodations recommendations, because once a place finds its way into the LP Guide, their visitor traffic usually increases exponentially, the staff gets surly, and prices go up. If you're just going to Cancun, Mazatlan, etc, skip this book, but if you're not afraid to venture out into the 'real mexico', grab it.

In comparison to the LP guide for India ( an old edition I used in 1989 ), the mexico guide is rather disappointing.. at least for DF and Oaxaca state. Firstly, this is still the current edition for 1999, when it was compiled in 1997. The info on coastal Oaxaca is pre-hurricane Pauline, and often cannot be relied on, i found on a recent trip ( November ). A more serious flaw is that there is almost NO info as regards hiking and other outdoor activities. Just places of interest and shopping.

Travel information is incomplete. For instance, for getting to the Pacific coast from Oaxaca city, only the direct buses are listed, which are few in a day. The hourly ordinarios find no mention. Of course one could find this out on reaching oaxaca, but it would help planning if this info had been included. Maps sometimes disappoint too. The map of Oaxaca city could have been slightly larger in range. Mexico City maps are practically useless for travelling around, except Map 1 which shows the entire metropolis region. The other maps are of selected areas. What would be useful is a map of DF that is larger in scale, maybe a foldout. I had to purchase a map as the LP ones were of not much use. Other reasons for disappointment are more subtle.. again in relation to that old India guide which had fantastic humor and an understanding for the country's sociocultural mileau. Not so here.. some of the Oaxaca perspectives were very clearly "gringo-ish".

It is still a very useful guide, however.

I just got back from a month in Mexico. The book was probably quite impressive back in the early 90's. However, many of the hotels and restaurants listed in the book have gotten so much business that they have lost what good attributes they originally had. Also, many of the prices quoted in the book were way off. The book prices were frequently one-half what the concierge or waiter quoted. The peso has not changed enough for a 5 dollar hotel room to become 12 or 15. Perhaps that is the risk one finds with any guidebook.

Museum hours were consistently incorrect, especially for Mondays, weekends and evenings.

This book might keep you out of trouble, but it is not the guide for a budget traveler.

I've been reading Lonely Planet Guides before every trip abroad to Europe and Asia and I found this guide the least useful for anyone who has already been to Mexico a couple of times. The information for each location is too general. I would suggest getting one of the regional books which can delve more into the meat of what you are after: off the beaten track locations, lodging, activities etc.

Although generally a fair travel guide, the book is incomplete in some areas. As a resident of Mexico, I found lonely planet often does not contain the places which are the best values in each of the cities listed. However, I prefer it that way, since many of Lonely Planet's listings feel they can suddenly increase prices. Although some out of the way places are listed, not many of them, and we have Lonely Planet to thank for destroying such sanctuaries.

I looked several guides and I decided for this one; I think is the more complete. I use it a lot to travel arround and organize my trips.

I used the 6th edition during a 2 week trip to Mexico City, Zihuatanejo, and Guadalajara in September, 1998. The restaurant and hotel descriptions were incredibly accurate and definitely pointed us in the right direction of what to do, how to get there, where to stay, and where to eat. The maps and historical background information were very helpful, accurate, and interesting. These LP books are truly the best.

Hi my name is Jason: your book was great.But as I was visiting in Acapulco during the Easter weekened many people like myself were in trouble trying to find a place. I was and three other people were saved by this wonderful canadian women who runs something like a bed and breakfast in Acapulco. She only charged us 80pesos's per nite and had everything we needed to be comfortable..kitchen facilities, beautiful scenery of the ocean and the Acapulco bay..I would say she has a beautiful manson on the hill..just above the famous cliff divers. Her name is Heather and she can be reached in canada 1-450-297-1256 for reservations in advance and herself she will be arriving back in Mexico in November sometime.Her phone number there is 82-33-22..She is a very kind and generous person.Please add her to the Lonely Planet..Her address is 24 la mira by the famous Quebrada..Thank you very much Jason Please if there is anyone else that stayed at her house help her out..If you are planning a trip please keep her mind. Just a reminder her home is your home. Home away from home..