Lonely Planet Mexico (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Initially specializing in Asia guidebooks, the Lonely Planet Travel Survival Kit series has long been a favorite of budget travelers all over the globe. Lonely Planet guides have a reputation for plainspoken and practical advice as well as thoughtful writing about history and culture, and Lonely Planet Mexico is no exception. Complementing the information about sights, accommodations, and food are extensive background notes about each region's notable past and present characteristics, from cuisine to geography to art. (Check out the full-color illustrated insert on Mexican artesanías, or handicrafts.) One note: this edition came out during the worst of the peso devaluation crisis, so the prices quoted may vary widely from the actual amount. It's best to rely on another guidebook for exact prices (try one that comes out every year), but for basic comparative information, Lonely Planet is a good name to trust. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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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: 1096 pages
• Publisher: Lonely Planet Publications; 7 edition (October 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1864500891
• ISBN-13: 978-1864500899
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (59 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,082,178 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

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

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)

This review is from: Lonely Planet Mexico (Paperback)

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.