Customer Reviews

Traveler's Tool Kit: Mexico and Central America

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I bought Traveler's Tool Kit because I loved Guatemala and am considering a trip to other countries in the region. The book told me everything I wished I'd known on my Guatemala venture and I need to know to choose which other countries I want to see. It's specific about itineraries, costs, food, health, safety and available adventures.

This is really two books for the price of one. Beyond Central America, it contains comprehensive information and advice that I can use to travel anywhere in the world and deals with the obstacles that keep many people from enjoying the rest of the world - like money, time, safety, and health. For example, instead of listing a few of the "best" hotels in some city (advice that can become outdated almost overnight), the authors explain how to find good lodging anywhere, anytime. Since knowledge is power, this book makes the reader king.

This is an ideal planning tool for a trip to Central America. The authors have thoroughly researched the region and provide a compendium of ideas for places to see and activities for the adventurous traveler. I appreciate the progressive approach that encourages interaction with local people and traveling in a way that benefits, rather than exploits, them.

The earlier negative review from Dan Watts doesn't understand that this is not a guidebook - it's a tool for planning and research that complements a good guidebook. I would, however, have appreciated seeing this book come out in a smaller format -- it would be good to take on an extended trip to Central America. Its heft makes it too big to easily carry on the road, which is too bad because it could be as valuable on the road as it is at home. With smaller format and type, and thinner paper, the publisher could have gotten the same amount of advice into a more portable book.

But don't let that deter you from buying this Traveler's Tool Kit. The book lives up to its name with hundreds of handy nuggets of info ranging from advice on preparing a savvy budget to suggested itineraries like "If you have a week in Guatemala." This itinerary recommends highlights such as Lake Atitlan and the colonial town of Antigua, places travelers won't want to miss. And the trip planning chapters will be especially valuable for first-time visitors to the region.

I also like the chapter titled "The Day You Get There" with advice such as don't joke with immigration officials, and take buses not taxis to have more interaction with local people. I've ridden buses throughout Guatemala and can attest that cramming five to a seat with local families might not be the most comfortable way to travel but it will be the most memorable.

Tool Kit is a $15 investment in your most precious commodity: your vacation time. It will pay off many times over, even if you just use some of the many great suggestions in the book.

This trove of invaluable information will inspire you! The authors are passionate about the impact travel can have--on the traveler as well as the places visited. They provide perspectives that will make yours the most fun, gratifying visit to Mexico and Central America. Unlike typical guidebooks that just summarize "what to see and where to stay," this book tells you how to plan and enjoy.

It contains up-to-the-minute facts other books skip (such as 2008 prices for bottled water and internet access)--and resources others lack (want to volunteer, work or retire in one of these eight countries?)--it's all there. Check the table of contents.

The Traveler's Tool Kit goes well beyond the eight countries the title describes, and helps you get the most from any international trip. There are criteria for selecting everything from a guidebook to a travel partner; there are practical, checklists to help prepare.

The Traveler's Tool Kit has the BEST information I've ever read about how to travel alone as a woman (even though it was written by two men), and the ONLY information I've ever read, about how to spend the first few days after you've arrived home.

Best, it's fun to read: its 550 pages will make you smile. Frankly, I was dazzled.

I chose Traveler's Tool Kit because I wanted to learn what Mexico and Central America have to offer, beyond their world class beaches. I am currently looking for other kinds of adventures when I travel.

After reading this book, I can't wait to get to Chichen Itza on the Yucatán Peninsula and other Maya sites in Guatemala, Belize, and Honduras. I also read about zip-lining among orchids and scarlet macaws in a cloud forest - and added Costa Rica to my list.

The authors are so enthusiastic about rafting, kayaking, snorkeling and scuba diving in Belize and the Bay Islands off Honduras that I'm up for trying that too, at least some of it. After reading about deep sea fishing, jaguars, giant anteaters, incredible birding, and pristine lakes surrounded by extinct volcanoes, I'm completely hooked. Though I have traveled in this region before, this book has given me the master key to really experience the places and the people as I never have before. It contains so much information that no other guides do, information that has shown me the way to the kind of travel experience I am looking for. Can't wait to get going!

I've read Leffel's other travel books and know that I can always count on him for solid, no-b.s. travel advice. Chapter 1's "How Travel Will Change Your Life" is right on the money and (in this reviewers opinion)is worth the price of admission alone for explaining why one should travel. This hefty reference guide answers every possible question I would have about traveling to Mexico or Central America: how to get around, safety, food, highlights, etc. across the whole region. It gives the kind of cost comparisons that you can't find in individual guidebooks and isn't afraid to point out the bad with the good. Now when I cross the border and head south, I'll be really ready.

this is a great book to take along on your trip. it offers lots of useful information to make your dollars stretch on a trip. I found the information easy to follow and very practical. when i take my next trip to mexico or central america, you can bet i will bring this book along!
The tools offered in this book will surely make a good trip, great!

it is a great book whith alot of information i need
on south america and mexico very helpful thankyou

I follow Tim Leffel's blog so I know that he has spent time in central america. I was excited about this book because I thought, here is a guy that can pass on some great first-hand knowledge about central america. It can help me figure out exactly what to expect. The book is called "Traveler's Tool Kit - Mexico & Central America". I was expecting a book targeted to that part of the world. The book offered some great travel information but besides the 1 chapter that described each of the CA countries, the rest of this is just a generic, travel safely on a budget book. None of the information that I found about the CA countries was really unique. At the very least, I would have expected the health section to focus only on risks in Central America but, no, it didnt. Of all of the great little first-hand travel stories, most are from other parts of the world. I feel that this book provided just as much info about traveling to Thailand as Guatemala.

This book would have gotten high marks from me if it was only called "Traveler's Toolkit" because that is what this is....a generic toolkit.

A very good book. I recommend it to all my friends and clients traveling to the fascinating, varied countries of Mexico and Central America. As each country is unique in its culture and geography, this guide is a great source. Thanks to you two for sharing your professional and personal insights and information. Creatively written and full of timeless advice. Goes beyond the "listing" nature of most travel guidebooks. This is one of those truly outstanding sources of travel information. Read and enjoy.

I have traveled to several countries in Central America as well as several locations in Mexico, so I have purchased many travel books. This one is perhaps the least helpfull I have purchased to date.

There is very little information about the specifics of each country (hotels, attractions, food and Drink, activities, travel tips) and a significant amount of information that would be considered very basic by anyone that has ever traveled domestically or abroad. The issues include generic safty information, health watchouts and general "don't be stupid" guidelines.

I think you would be better off with any selection from Moon, Bradt, Fodors or Lonely Planet.