No comments about New Mexico (Flyfisher's Guides) (Flyfisher's Guides).

5 comments about Guanajuato, Mexico: Your Expat, Study Abroad, and Vacation Survival Manual in the Land of Frogs.

1. This book is really good at explaining life in Guanajuato. It tells what to expect if you want to shop, take public transportation, stay for awhile, eat, buy property, etc. The number one piece of advice offered is to LEARN TO SPEAK SPANISH. The author recommends this town as a place to go if you want to experience authentic Mexican life and culture. It hasn't been taken over yet by americans. However, my neighbors across the street told me this week that there are more and more tourists visiting there and more americans buying property (the neighbors are from that area). I highly recommend that you read this book before you go!



2. How to books about Mexico often fail as they are outdated...this is just another self important,self published guide book.
   Mexico Connect is a good starting point.



3. Another good book by Doug Bowers and his wife. If you are considering living in Guanajuato, Mexico all his books need read by you.



4. When I read the autobiography of former Mexican president Vicente Fox who hails from Guanajuato State I became curious about the city of the same name. My research led me to this useful little book packed full of practical information about the charming, historic city of Guanajuato. The book is clearly written and my only criticism is the frequent repetition of information. It could use some fine tuning by a careful editor. I found it clear, honest, helpful and even inspiring. Muchas gracias Doug and Cindi Bower.



5. It is very sad to that this author feels the need to twist and distort facts about living in Mexico. He seems to have the need to built up his own self esteem by denegrating those expats who enjoy living in Mexico. His rantings about San Miguel de Allende show him to be a very sad, small, and poorly informed author. Please find another book if you want to leaarn about and enjoy the many cities and wonderful people in Mexico.

3 comments about Above Mexico City.

1. This book is a superb example of how Robert Cameron and Herb Lingl's aerial photographs exemplify the the beauty and majesty of Mexico City. The detailed text is a guided tour of the architecture and landscapes of this oftentimes overlooked cultural metropolis. Now for the first time we see Mexico City in her finest glory. As a native this book makes me proud of my city.



2. Robert Cameron's books are always first rate and this one is no exception, I think it is one of his best, I was so pleasantly surprised to see him produce another book because of his age, but with the help of his partner he has produced an awesome book. This book highlights the most familiar parts of Mexico City and some that may not be as familiar, all with the most incredible arial photography. The images are crisp and just jump off the page. If you have any interest in Mexico City or just love great photograph quite frankly, then you will love this book. Thank you Mr. Cameron for another top notch book, you are the benchmark in arial photography of this kind. Uh, now how about a city it Texas, Houston?, Dallas?, we'd love to have you capture us, with your unique talent, here's to your continued good health.



3. This is the first book of aerial photography on Mexico City. Bob Cameron and Herb Lingl have done an outstanding work, especially that Mexico City skies are mostly highly cloudy and gray with smog and pollution. They captured extradordinary moments of clear and blue skies of Mexico City and vecinity. They have photographed unusual places and almost unknown and secrets spaces even for Mexico City natives. There are photos that in many years of visiting and touring so many places of the City I really never could see as well as in this magnificent book. This historical bool also shows old moments of the this great City and the new developments of its modernity. If you want to get a realistic and creative approach to this latino metropolis that is a good example of modern architecture and colonial buildings, get the book as soon as possible, the writing done by former Mexican diplomat Luis Herrera-Lasso is first quality. A great value for present to any of your friends or anyone proud of Mexican heritage and contemporary Mexico.

2 comments about Horizontal Yellow: Nature and History in the Near Southwest.

1. Dan Flores' long-awaited new book once again proves he has few peers when it comes to a deep understanding of his native Near Southwest, a vision for its long term health, and the ability to weave a tale which is scholarly, literary, and deeply personal.



2. Dan Flores has lived most of his life in the Horizontal Yellow. Another, more historical term for this land would be the Spanish-Mexican Frontier. Florida was not settled from Mexico, of course, and the settlement of California was decades to more than a century later.
   
   Flores explores this land from both the history and natural history points of view, with the historical part generally beginning with the first Spanish-U.S. contact as part of post-Louisiana Treaty boundary negotiations.
   
   Not all Texas is the Southern spillover of Dallas and Houston; get acquainted with the rest of it, and adjacent areas, in this book.

3 comments about Canyon.

1. The author carefully weaves his own experiences as a Grand Canyon river guide with the history of the Canyon. This book will keep you enthralled right up to the last page.

   I would heartily recommend this narrative to all who enjoy adventure books. This classic should be on the bookshelves of everyone who enjoyes whitewater rafting.




2. This book is full of interesting information about the Colorado River going through the Grand Canyon. The author has included all aspects of this great place. He tells the history of the river and canyon, including the geolgy, the first residents, the first settlers, the daming and problems with the daming, the many people who have tried to make the trip, and the history of the wildlife. I found it to be a great read with a lot if great insight into the Grand Canyon. I couldn't put it down and I look forward to reading it again before I take the pluge and float this great river.



3. Well written narrative that provides good information about the Colorado River at higher levels. Decent adventure story and also captures some of the magic or running the river in this magnificent canyon.

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Mexico City (Moon Handbooks).

1. Although this guide was a bit out dated and recommended resturants on the more expensive side, the maps and information were perfect. I accompanied it with Mexico City: An opinionated guide for curious travelers and the combination was PERFECT. The Opinionated Guide was more about the culture and the inside of Mexico City whereas Moons Guide was a bit more turisty. In the Moons Guide we were able to get a brief history of each sight. I would most definitely recommend this book. If you are traveling to more than one city in Mexico though, I would probably get an all encompasing book. This book is a bit large to carry in addition to others. But this one is GREAT for Mexico City and the places surrounding it.



2. As a former resident and frequent visitor to Mexico City, I still appreciate having access to this guidebook, which I find quite practical and easy to carry along (as opposed to the more common, bulkier Mexico country guides). I find the author's writing to be directed not just towards the casual tourist, but also towards longer-term visitors and ex-pats as well, with its extensive coverage of nightlife, day-trips, restaurants, bars, neighborhoods, and experiences that would not necessarily be of interest to a first time, short-term visitor. At the same time, it is well-organized and precise enough to be very useful to short-term visitors, I have on several occasions lent my copy to colleagues or friends and they have all had a good experience using the this guidebook. I find the writing strikes the right balance between being descriptive enough to get a very good feel for the sights/events and succint enough not to overwhelm with description. To boot, it can be an entertaining and informative read, especially in its side bars and background information sections (i.e., "chilango slang"). Overall, highly recommended.



3. This book is compact, easy to carry. It is well written - concise, intelligent, and informative. I've been getting to know Mexico City over the last year through two trips and a third upcoming, and so far this book hasn't let me down. I'm particularly interested in cultural, architectural, and historical sites, and the Moon Guide has directed me to many wonderful things, some well frequented by tourists, others less so. I've found it to be a perfect combination of seriousness and brevity.



4. I picked up this guide for a five day trip to D.F. last summer and it proved to be very helpful. It provided a varied and eclectic source of ideas and helpful tips on what to do and where to stay, and it helped guide my travel companion and me to some of the Capital's less-frequented attractions that a more concise guide might have left out. Though in some parts a bit dated, it is generally pretty good about offering interesting background information on different sights and attractions, as well as providing the reader with what to expect as far as hours, costs, and accessibility.
   
   The book itself is well organized, accessible, and easy to use. Indeed, it would have been made more complete with the inclusion of a more detailed map of the metro system, but I was easily able to pick up one of those in a book store before I left. Luckily, the metro system in Mexico City is quite good and not difficult to maneuver. And Mexicans are abundantly courteous about offering assistance to haggard-looking travelers with a limited grasp of Spanish.



5. The plusses: the book includes a great deal of useful information about the city, its history, and the surrounding areas. The descriptions are well-written and it's clear the author has spent a great deal of time in the city; I didn't go wrong at any of the hotels or restaurants recommended. The list of ways to spend your time in the DF is incredibly detailed, and the chilango slang glossary toward the back is excellent.
   
   Potential cons: the author assumes you will be driving; while this is very useful to anyone who is road tripping, instructions on getting around via Mexico City's extensive public transportation system are occasionally unclear or nonexistent. The maps take some getting used to in order to be useful, and woe to you if your route requires you to skip from one map to another to find yourself.
   
   Also, since the book was published three years ago (are there any more recent?), expect most prices to be $US 5-10 higher than listed and be prepared for some sights to no longer exist (the aquarium in Coyoacán, for example, is no more). This, of course, is not a criticism of the book since all travel books age quickly; it's just an FYI.

2 comments about Rand McNally 2008 the road atlas, United States | Canada | Mexico.

1. Each year, I look forward to purchasing the newest Rand McNally road atlas. At last, I have purchased the 2008 edition. One nice touch this year--a plastic cover to help protect the normal soft cover.
   
   Since I was a kid, I have always enjoyed this publication. This atlas has never just been a source of information about how to get from point A to point B. There has always been a certain amount of "romance." Even as a kid, I would trace a route from one place to another, and look for the special sites along the way--and imagine what they were like. Whether a state park, a national monument, a battlefield, the birthplace of someone special, I would close my eyes and wonder.
   
   Even now, I still do the same thing.
   
   But there are also many practical aspects to the atlas. You can go to a web site to get further information, including road construction sites. There are phone numbers for contact information about hotels and road conditions. For short hand estimates of how long it would take to get from one place to another, the "miles and minutes" map on the inside of the back cover is a favorite.
   
   As my eyes lose a little of their power with each passing year, it's sometimes a challenge to read the small print.
   
   Still and all, this remains, for me, a classic and a purchase made each year that carries a little extra pleasure with it.



2. The atlas is ok. Honestly I don't like it as well as the 1997 version. I bought this 2008 version to replace the 1997 one. It's very similar...of course, it is updated but the printing is darker and that makes it harder to read.

5 comments about 2008 Riviera Maya Guide & Map by Can-Do.

1. The value of this map cannot be overstated. It is a bargain at twice the price. Don't go to the Riviera Maya without it! Laura and Perry McFarlin work hard to keep it up-to-date -- no minor feat in this fast-changing area of Mexico.



2. The value of this map cannot be overstated. It is a bargain at twice the price. Don't go to the Riviera Maya without it! Laura and Perry McFarlin work hard to keep it up-to-date -- no minor feat in this fast-changing area of Mexico.



3. I have purchased two of these. The last one was updated in 2000. They are very detailed, and extremely well done. I applaud Perry and Laura for their excellent job! You can't go wrong with these map guides.



4. If you are going to the Maya Riviera.....BUY THIS MAP! I agree with the comments made by everyone else here....this map is INVALUABLE! So much detail and a very conversational style that is enjoyable and easy to follow. Also, lots of photos which really make a difference in deciding where to go and what to do. You really could bring this map alone and it would be all you would need as a travel guide. HOWEVER, I would also highly recommend their book "Adventure Guide to the Yucatan" to bring along with the map. Extremely useful book! Read it before you go and you will have the best trip possible. Well worth the money!



5. We purchased this map for our honeymoon trip to the Mayan Rivera. It was an excellent investment. It tells you the approximate price of various cab fares to different locations. It even provides you with a list of alternative transportation services. All activities of the area are listed and even most all resturants. The best part is they offer their own reviews of the resturants and give good adivce on where to go. I highly reccommend this map if you are planning a trip. Even if you set everything up through a travel agent, this has tons of listings for things you may not hear about and may enjoy doing.

1 comments about Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Cozumel (Lonely Planet Diving and Snorkeling Guides).

1. I took this with me this past May to Cozumel, where I went diving. I was happy to be able to read and hi-light the pluses and minuses of the water conditions there. I always order these Lonely Planet books months BEFORE my trip, not only to see if it is really where I want to go, but also as my guide when I am there!
   
   They contain, JUST ENOUGH INFORMATION, without overkill. Nice colorful photos, and the end section always makes you educated on the dangers in the ocean as well!

5 comments about Adventure Guide to the Yucatan, Cancun & Cozumel.

1. I spent a week in Cancun last year and this was the only guidebook I took with me. The best part about this book is that it highlights some more out of the way sites and things to see and do. I also appreciated the section on car rental since we did end up renting one to see some of the aforementioned out of the way sites (Tulum and Aktun Chen - which, if you are planning a trip to the Yucatan, are must-see sites).
   
   The dining recommendations were spot on. We ate at several of the reviewed restaurants and were very happy. When I didn't follow their recommendations, I was a bit disappointed (they were right and I didn't listen).
   
   If you want a Mexican vacation where you sun yourself on a beach and want some upscale dining and hotel recommendations, this book might not be for you. However, if you want to stay busy every day with exciting things to do and interesting sites to see, this book will surely help you on your adventure.



2. We visited the Yucatan area for ~8 days and used this book extensively throughout our trip. This is an excellent guide if you like to do things different than the mainstream. Not surprisingly we got tired of Cancun itself very quickly, with it's Vegas-like atmosphere, crowds and prices. This book was the only reference we needed to visit the surrounding region and provided a great overview of the 'real' Yucatan.
   
   However, the coverage of hotels and restaurants is not comprehensive. The authors only describe the places that where they have actually eaten/stayed, with a lot of personal opinions rather than objective views. Also, they seem to be fixated on bakeries, which was kind of odd.
   
   Overall a great book, but I would suggest to get a complementary guide for the purpose of food/lodging.



3. Might be a great book, but for my purposes (travel from Cancun to Tulum) it really didn't cut it. (1) None of the maps are to scale. Not a big deal, but in some instances towns don't appear to be placed in the correct geographic locations (e.g., shows Playa de Carmen located inland), and in the text the authors sometimes neglect to mention how far the town is from benchmarks (e.g., other towns, kilometer markers). As a result, you will have no idea if you are getting close or still have 20 km to go. In unfamiliar terrain this is somewhat of a big deal ("did we pass it?"). (2) Many of the prices listed in the book are WAY off. Not sure how this could be unless the locals have recently figured out they can charge a lot more. (3) Some of the recommended "budget" or "moderately-priced" hotels were faily sketchy. Personally, I wouldn't recommend a hotel that didn't come with a toilet seat on the toilet, or that provided only one dingy, ripped towell for the shower. Maybe that suits budget travelers, but at $60/night I doubt it.



4. This is a great guide we have been using now for the last two editions. We have looked at other guides, and so far this one is the most comprehensive for folks who want an unbiased guide to travel and learn the local flavor, locations, and habits of the people of Cancun and the Yucatan. If you are an "all-inclusive" type traveler who stays in one of those mega-resorts, this guide may enable you to see what you are missing by not venturing out on your own outside of the "packaged" trips controlled by the mega-resorts. If it had more information on local shopping areas like Mercado 28, Mercado 23, etc. and more local street restaurants, I would have rated it a 5.



5. This is a great guide. I've been to the Yucatan and Cozumel many times, and have family who live there. Still I found new places to go and things to do using this guide. I recommend it over the other guides out there. Some of the other guides claiming to be for the current year (2007-2008) list restaurants that closed down 2 or 3 years ago as favorites. It doesn't seem like the reviewers have actually been to the area. This guide really does seem to be from first hand experience. The descriptions are honest and informative.