Lonely Planet Mexico (Paperback)

~ John Noble (Author), (Author), Scott Doggett (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years, and as a result has experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach. While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.

Lonely Planet has done a superb job of capturing Mexico's diverse offerings in one totable book. Whether you're headed for Baja or Chiapas, this is an essential reference with excellent coverage of Mexico City, regional arts and crafts (including how to buy handicrafts), helpful Web sites, and a useful traveler's Spanish language section. --Kathryn True

Review

Lonely Planet guidebooks are, quite simply, like no others.' --New York Times
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1016 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet; 6th edition (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0864424299
• ISBN-13: 978-0864424297
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 5 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,644,235 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

73 of 78 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars You can't go wrong with a Lonely Planet guide, February 17, 2001

By	Hilde B (Norway) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Mexico (Paperback)

I have just returned to Norway after backpacking around in Latin America for a year (of course accompanied by the Lonely Planet book). I do not claim to be an expert, but I do know what I am looking for in a travel guide.

The Mexico guide is a good, complete guide. Filled with information, history and beautiful pictures about almost every corner of this gorgeous country. Reading the whole book gives you a good update on your history and geography knowledge! (Something to do if you are trekking around by bus like I did!)

I have always been satisfied with the LP guides. The information given is good, just what you need to get around. The only negative with this book (and the reason I give it 4 and not 5 stars) is that it was completely outdated on prices etc. Another thing (that goes for most of the travel guides) is that many of the hotels that are listed in the book has gotten so much (too much?) business so that the service is down to a minimum. This we found especially in Isla Mujeres where the price was the double of what the book said, and really lousy customer service, if any.

144 of 159 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Still One Star after all these years, February 4, 2002

By	"cued" (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Lonely Planet Mexico (Paperback)

I reviewed this book a while ago and didn't like it one bit. I just got back from three week road trip driving from Mexico City to Huatulco and back. I brought three books with me: a borrowed copy of LP Mexico, my out-dated copy of Joe Cumming's Mexico Handbook (Avalon / Moon), and Bruce Whipperman's Oaxaca Handbook (Avalon / Moon)... The trip reconfirmed what I have always said about LP: they are over-used, under-researched, and too many people rely on them as if to travel without LP is a sacrilege. Some LP titles might be very good, but LP is now a huge multi-million dollar publishing house with hundreds of titles, not all of which are of equal quality. This is not to say that Avolon's huge, 2 inch thick super Mexico handbook is great either. There is too much brevity in the Mexico Country Handbook... too much editing and cutting. For Mexico I have come to the conclusion that you cannot write a 5 star guidebook and try to cover the whole country. There is simply too much to cover in one book. I live in San Diego and so I appreciate the other reviewer's comment that not including Puerto Nuevo and Rosarito in the LP book is a MAJOR oversight. The best book by far was Bruce Whipperman's Oaxaca book: it was incredibly detailed, covered the entire state, and left practically no stone unturned. I have some criticisms of that book as well (see my review), but if you are going to Mexico, unless you plan on covering the entire country, buy Avalon's Moon Handbooks for specific regions (Oaxaca, Pacific Coast, Mexico City, etc). They are much more accurate, newer, and more complete in terms of the number of attractions covered and the details about each one. The only problem is that there are not enough regional titles to cover the entire country. good luck!

45 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Dont leave home without it, January 19, 1999

By	R. Ritzman "sfseals" (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.