Award-winning travel writer Christopher P. Baker highlights Cuba's best lesser-known local hot spots, including Finca Manacas (the birthplace of Fidel Castro), Parque Lennon, and Rumba de Salvador's Alley. He also offers fun and creative travel suggestions, such as A Week in Havana, 10 Best Scenic Drives, and Cars, Cigars, and Cabarets. Moon Cuba provides in-depth information on Havana and complete coverage of the island — tip to tip.
Moon Cuba (Moon Handbooks)
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About the Author
Christopher P. Baker was born and raised in Yorkshire, England. He received a B.A. in geography from University College, London, and masters degrees in Latin American studies from Liverpool University and in education from the Institute of Education, London University.
He began his writing career in 1978 as contributing editor on Latin America for Land & Liberty, a London-based political journal. In 1980 he received a Scripps-Howard Foundation Scholarship in Journalism to attend the University of California, Berkeley.
Since 1983, Christopher has made his living as a professional travel writer, photographer, lecturer, and tour guide, and is acclaimed for his specialist knowledge of Cuba and Costa Rica, about which he has written 10 books. He has contributed to more than 150 publications worldwide, including Caribbean Travel & Life, Maxim, National Geographic Traveler, The Robb Report, and the Los Angeles Times. Christopher has been profiled in USA Today; appears frequently on radio and television talk shows and as a guest-lecturer aboard cruise ships; and has been privileged to address such organizations as the National Press Club, the World Affairs Council, and the National Geographic Society. He is a National Geographic Resident Expert and currently escorts cruise-tours of Costa Rica and Panama for National Geographic Expeditions.
His many books include Moon Costa Rica and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba, winner of both the 2002 Lowell Thomas Award for Best Travel Book and the North American Travel Journalist Association's Grand Prize. His other awards include the prestigious Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers in 2008, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization in 2005.
He began his writing career in 1978 as contributing editor on Latin America for Land & Liberty, a London-based political journal. In 1980 he received a Scripps-Howard Foundation Scholarship in Journalism to attend the University of California, Berkeley.
Since 1983, Christopher has made his living as a professional travel writer, photographer, lecturer, and tour guide, and is acclaimed for his specialist knowledge of Cuba and Costa Rica, about which he has written 10 books. He has contributed to more than 150 publications worldwide, including Caribbean Travel & Life, Maxim, National Geographic Traveler, The Robb Report, and the Los Angeles Times. Christopher has been profiled in USA Today; appears frequently on radio and television talk shows and as a guest-lecturer aboard cruise ships; and has been privileged to address such organizations as the National Press Club, the World Affairs Council, and the National Geographic Society. He is a National Geographic Resident Expert and currently escorts cruise-tours of Costa Rica and Panama for National Geographic Expeditions.
His many books include Moon Costa Rica and Mi Moto Fidel: Motorcycling Through Castro's Cuba, winner of both the 2002 Lowell Thomas Award for Best Travel Book and the North American Travel Journalist Association's Grand Prize. His other awards include the prestigious Lowell Thomas Travel Journalist of the Year from the Society of American Travel Writers in 2008, and the Caribbean Tourism Organization in 2005.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 48 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I've been to Cuba seven times. I met my wife on the second trip. 99% of tourists never leave the resorts, except for an excursion to Habana Viejo (Havana's old city). Most of the guidebooks are for those people, presenting only the places that tourists go. Of those guidebooks the Lonely Planet guidebook (Sainsbury, 4th ed.) is the best.
Only one guidebook covers every pueblito on the island. My 4th edition of the Christopher Baker's Moon Handbook is falling apart from too much use. I'm ordering the 5th edition for my trip in a few weeks. The Moon guide is not only complete, it is a pleasure to read. Baker is a fine writer. The photos and maps are excellent too. The history of Cuba in the back is better than some of the history books I've read. If you want to go to Cuba's less popular national parks (i.e., not Vinales or Topos de Collantes) you'll have to get Baker's guidebook, as this is the only book that covers the undeveloped national parks.
I liked Baker's guidebook so much that I read "Mi Moto Fidel," his book about writing the first edition of the Moon guidebook. My only complaint about the Moon guidebook is that it makes me want to take six months and see all the amazing places he describes. Also, my wife and Cuban in-laws are continually shocked at the out of the way places I want to see. They just want to go to a resort and lie by the pool (they weren't allowed to enter resorts until a couple years ago, so this is a dream to them). I want to go see something the Baker found -- an American fighter-bomber that was shot down in the Bay of Pigs invasion, miles down a rugged trail; or hire an ornithologist to go into a swamp to see a bee hummingbird (the world's smallest bird); or hire a guide to explore the Gran Caverna de San Tomas, Cuba's biggest cave.
**update** The 5th edition (2010) is much smaller. My favorite resort, Hanabanilla near Manicaragua, was left out because few tourists go there (which is one reason I like it). I wish that Christopher Baker had updated the 4th edition and then the publisher had released it on the Kindle. The 4th edition was heavy to carry around. What would be perfect would be to carry the Lonely Planet guide (in print) and have the 4th edition Moon guide on your Kindle.
Only one guidebook covers every pueblito on the island. My 4th edition of the Christopher Baker's Moon Handbook is falling apart from too much use. I'm ordering the 5th edition for my trip in a few weeks. The Moon guide is not only complete, it is a pleasure to read. Baker is a fine writer. The photos and maps are excellent too. The history of Cuba in the back is better than some of the history books I've read. If you want to go to Cuba's less popular national parks (i.e., not Vinales or Topos de Collantes) you'll have to get Baker's guidebook, as this is the only book that covers the undeveloped national parks.
I liked Baker's guidebook so much that I read "Mi Moto Fidel," his book about writing the first edition of the Moon guidebook. My only complaint about the Moon guidebook is that it makes me want to take six months and see all the amazing places he describes. Also, my wife and Cuban in-laws are continually shocked at the out of the way places I want to see. They just want to go to a resort and lie by the pool (they weren't allowed to enter resorts until a couple years ago, so this is a dream to them). I want to go see something the Baker found -- an American fighter-bomber that was shot down in the Bay of Pigs invasion, miles down a rugged trail; or hire an ornithologist to go into a swamp to see a bee hummingbird (the world's smallest bird); or hire a guide to explore the Gran Caverna de San Tomas, Cuba's biggest cave.
**update** The 5th edition (2010) is much smaller. My favorite resort, Hanabanilla near Manicaragua, was left out because few tourists go there (which is one reason I like it). I wish that Christopher Baker had updated the 4th edition and then the publisher had released it on the Kindle. The 4th edition was heavy to carry around. What would be perfect would be to carry the Lonely Planet guide (in print) and have the 4th edition Moon guide on your Kindle.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By S. Mueller
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I heard this author interviewed recently by Rick Steves and his unbridled enthusiasm for Cuba (as it is today) really tempted me to go. His book gives advice about places to see if you only have a limited time (and, as tourists, we only have limited time) and the considerations for Americans about how to go legally are very practical. The book has web sites to use to reserve the required first 3 nights in Cuba and tips on where to stay, what the currency is, and all the things you'd want to know about any first-world country ... and he adds honest comments about the poor infrastructure and the poverty in the country.
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Hammockman
Format:Paperback
I've literally been around the world backpacking with Lonely Planet guides and like them a lot for budget travel. This is my first experience with Moon and I like this one better. I also ordered the Lonely Planet Cuba guide at the same time and they were released in October and November, '06 so they're comparable in that sense. The Moon is a little heavier which is a consideration if you're traveling light, but that's not insurmountable.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars
An absurd author
A traveler will be better informed by Google than the misleading information by Christopher Baker. Basic information, accommodations, and maps are incomplete and/or incorrect. Read more
Published 1 day ago by Candace Figg
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great resource
I can't usually say that I agree almost all the time with travel writers, but in this case it was true! Read more
Published 25 days ago by Mary N
5.0 out of 5 stars
Better than Lonely Planet
The only down side is that you have to figure out the parts of Havana first but once you get your bearings, this book is excellent. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Mark Caplin
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very Good Resource
Excellent history and discussion of the country. The author was presented on Rick Steves Radio Show and obviously loves the country and its people.
Published 5 months ago by Robert L. Forste
4.0 out of 5 stars
Found a copy in Cuba and was delighted with how much more informative...
Out of habit I took the LP to Cuba. I was frustrated by its cursory explanations and less efficient layout (as compared with my over ten years of experience with the LP). Read more
Published 9 months ago by F, 33, married, one tall dog
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Must for Travelers to Cuba
This is an even-handed, up-to-date guide book that provides an excellent, concise summary of Cuba's history. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Patricia J. Schwarz
1.0 out of 5 stars
What to avoid in a guide book
I have visited Cuba a number of times since 2001. About two years ago I decided to invest in a guide book to find out what I had been missing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by sanchell
5.0 out of 5 stars
Best travel guide for Cuba
I have tried different travel guides for Cuba, but this is by far the best. I used it for the first time in 1999 and now the new edition for a 3 week trip in November. Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ewald Schick
4.0 out of 5 stars
A useful, honest, but by necessity Castro regime influenced book, with...
Baker, Christopher P. 2006 Cuba (Moon Handbooks) Avalon Travel Publishing (Perseus); 4th edition (Oct 9, 2006) ISBN-10 1566918022
A useful, honest, but by necessity... Read more
A useful, honest, but by necessity... Read more
Published 21 months ago by Laurence Daley
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heads up... Get a Guide (or two) for Cuba
If ever you needed a guide CUBA is where you need it. Internet connections are hard to find, very slow and you often need to wait in line for a terminal. Read more
Published on March 4, 2011 by Allan M. Gathercoal
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