Lonely Planet Jamaica (Paperback)

by Christopher P. Baker (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
For reliable and authoritative travel information, reach for your Lonely Planet guide.

-- The Times

Product Description

Indulge in Jamaica’s shimmering beaches, hidden waterfalls, ethereal sunsets and world-famous reggae scene. From the beach haven of Negril to the secrets of the Blue Mountains, this expert guide puts you on the inside track to the real Jamaica. No matter what your budget, it’ll be cool runnings, mon!

• the lowdown on hiking, diving, sport fishing, rafting and more
• food and lodging options to please all, from roadside jerk stands to beachside villas
• the hottest spots for live music and dancing under the stars
• easy guide to understanding patois
• 31 detailed city and regional maps

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 3rd edition (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1740591615
• ISBN-13: 978-1740591614
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #662,057 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For those who want to see and do everything, January 6, 2002

By	W. Wedenoja (Springfield, MO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Lonely Planet Jamaica (Lonely Planet Jamaica, 2nd ed) (Paperback)

I have used four different guidebooks in two trips to Jamaica in the past two years. This Lonely Planet guide is clearly the most thorough and comprehensive (although the others are more than adequate). I can't think of anything of significance that was left out, and I've been studying the island for 30 years now. That said, it's probably far more than most tourists to Jamaica will need or want. The vast majority go to major resorts for fun in the sun. If that is your intent, then this book will be very helpful to you in planning your trip--choosing a place to go, places to eat and stay, and things to do-but so will the other guides. This is, however, the guide par excellence for those who want to know as much as possible about Jamaica, its people and culture, and who will be traveling around the island, perhaps to areas remote from the tourist industry, for an extended period of time. It will be invaluable for anyone who is moving to Jamaica and working there-such as missionaries, teachers, embassy staff, and Peace Corps volunteers.

The guide starts with an excellent 66 page overview of the island that you should read before you go. It also has a great 47 page history of popular music. And lots of beautiful color photographs. Followed by detailed information on where to go, where to stay, and what to do in every area of the country. Along with priceless sage advice on the local culture. The author really knows his way around the country and the people. It can be a tricky place to be, and most tourists don't venture far from the resort areas, so if you are going cross-country on your own then you should definitely read what he has to say.

Because it is so comprehensive and informative, I can also recommend this guide as a beginning reference on Jamaica. I don't know any other book where you can learn so much about the country between two covers.

You can rely on this guide totally. And, by the way, it's a tough book too, with a stitched spine to keep it together, so it won't fall apart before your next trip to Jamaica.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best guidebook on Jamaica ever!, July 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Jamaica (Lonely Planet Jamaica, 2nd ed) (Paperback)

This is the guidebook that answers all of the questions you might have about this beautiful country. I was able to enjoy 2 wonderful weeks in Negril, and planned most of my activities, hotel accomodations, restaurant visits, entertainment, and transportation using this book. What I appreciate most about Lonely Planet books is that they give information on all of the towns in a given country - not just the big resort places. The ratings of hotels and restaurants was very accurate, as were the maps. They tell you the good, the bad and the ugly in realistic terms that make getting around a breeze. This book is a must if you are planning to travel to Jamaica!!

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is really a survival kit!, September 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Lonely Planet Jamaica (Serial) (Paperback)

Planning our holidays just one week before we flown to Jamaica was really hard to handle. We heard of -Lonely Planet- and buyed this book. This holidays could have turned out into the worst holidays of our lives because we diddent known anything about Jamaica and the people who are living there. But thanks to this book and its author, we were able to leave the tourist centers and started to discover this beautiful island. The prices mentioned in the book really helped us, and we were really surprised to find everything like it was described in the book. By the way: Thanks for telling us about the SHAW GARDEN PARK in Ocho Rios, we had a lot of fun there!

Bjoern S. & Marc S. from germany