5 comments about Moon Oaxaca (Moon Handbooks).

1. 
   Book is very explicit of what to do depending on the days that you are planning to stay. It maps your journey very well and give you good information of what to expect and what to do.



2. Overall this is a very good guide, but it does have its defects.
   
   Here are my impressions after having spent nearly 7 weeks in Oaxaca City and State. First, the good points.
   
   It is very extensive and detailed. The author seems to have left almost no stone unturned in the State of Oaxaca.
   
   His local maps are quite good, and very thankfully he had gas stations symbols on his larger maps. On the one occasion that exact distance was important to us, he got it exactly right. He also states how long in time trips will take in the mountains, not just giving the kilometers, which latter are misleading if you don't realize how curvy and slow the roads are. "It's only 100 km from Oaxaca. No time at all."
   
   The book, like other Moon handbooks, has the good menu of `What to do if you have X days' choices.
   
   In addition, Mr. Whipperman provides many interesting sidebars on various topics.
   
   It's easy to sum up the virtues, which are extensive in applying throughout the book. Now for some of the problems.
   
   Many of the places in the book are described in glowing, even poetic terms. These did not always seem to bear a relation to reality--I'm talking really off--as in our visit to Puerto Angel. The main problem here is that with so many effusive descriptions, it's difficult to make judgments. On the other hand, on those much rarer occasions where a place is described as `downscale' or such, you'd better believe it.
   
   There didn't seem to be directions for where to turn off for Ixtlan (what's the matter with 'turn right at the Pemex station'), and the directions on how to pick up the road for Pluma Hidalgo in Santa Maria de Hualtulco didn't seem correct.
   
   In Oaxaca City, he doesn't mention the comida corridas: inexpensive, light 3-4 course meals offered in the late afternoon, nor does he say where you might find the best of them at the low prices, like 25 pesos. If you ate in our neighborhood at one, south of the zocalo, you'd be having a definitely non-tourist experience. But they are hardly haute cuisine.
   
   However, the most significant fault in the book that I found was in its gross failure to provide sufficient guidance with respect to buying rugs at Teotitlan, a village near Oaxaca City. As a minor matter, he says if you take a bus you need to get off on the highway and then walk or hitchhike the several km into town. This isn't true. There's a bus that goes right to the village. Also, he doesn't mention that the colectivo taxi is only 15 pesos or so.
   
   But the most significant problem is this: you can sign up with a tour company (a lot more expensive) and you will most likely be taken to a specific weaver with little time to see others. Of course, the tour operator's large commission is built into the price of the rugs. And then, to help your reasoning, you may be plied with mescal and/or cerveza.
   
   It's a general phenomenon. The language school I attended arranged a trip just like this too to the same place. Which had both their own Suburban type van and an SUV in their driveway. Hey, they deserve to make good money from their rugs, but not by setting people up. But even this isn't the point. The guidebook should have warned of this common technique related to the rugs. Just as guidebooks to Thailand warn you of the various tout schemes. In a similar vein, Moon Oaxaca doesn't mention that some weavers now use chemical and not the more expensive natural dyes, while swearing otherwise.
   
   The next two times I went to Teotitlan--I was into the rugs--I took the colectivo taxi at 15 pesos and the bus once (4 pesos), and compared rugs at my convenience from many weavers.
   
   Two smaller guide books to Oaxaca, locally written, are Oaxaca Tips ([...]) and Viva Oaxaca ([...]). These are for Oaxaca City and valley only. They are more idiosyncratic and opinionated than Moon Oaxaca, with some more local detail. Viva Oaxaca, for example, lists its favorite comida corridas. We generally carried these around in the city, in part because they are light. Amazon, why don't you carry these books???
   
   Nevertheless, Moon Oaxaca is overall a good guide.



3. This is a great travel book. It was up-to-date with information. Descriptions of restaurants, hotels and things to see was accurate. The back of the book has a wonderful section on the history of Oaxaca which is rich and interesting. I would highly recommend this book. And I saw a lot of copies in the hands of fellow travelers.



4. This a pretty detailed guide for only one state of Mexico. Oaxaca is one of the most diverse and indigenous states in Mexico with very unique cultural traditons. If you have the chance to spend substantial time in this state I recomend this book to get you off the beaten path.



5. We used this over and over during our recent trip. Excellent details, maps, etc. Highly recommended.

5 comments about Bicycling The Pacific Coast: A Complete Route Guide, Canada To Mexico.

1. This book should really be titled, "Touring the Pacific Coast By Bicycle" because it really isn't about the cycling. Following the route in this book pretty much takes you on the most direct route down the coast and misses some great riding roads. Might be OK if you are pulling a trailer or carrying too much stuff but if you are travelling light and like riding, I'd suggest the Adventure Cycling and Krebs Maps as better routes. It does suggest some nice parks to stay at but I found it not worth the weight and ended up leaving it at a friends halfway through my trip.



2. I used this book for a trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles and found it to be extremely useful for determining route, elevation changes, distances and overnight stops. Its up-to-date and informative, and you don't have to follow the described overnight stops for it to be useful. I brought regular maps for the trip, but ended up only using BTPC for reference throughout. The book is portable enough to bring along for the ride, or you can easily photocopy just the pages you need and stick them in your mapcase. I'll be taking another trip further up the coast this year and will be using this guidebook again.



3. We just completed a coastal ride from San Francisco to Mexico. I bought this book prior to the trip hoping it would shed some light on what to expect, tips, training, etc. I was initially disappointed.
   
   But..as we started our trip we found the maps were very valuable (the rest of the book..so/so). The altitude scales were okay, but good enough to set some level of expectations. They didn't always reflect the map in the right scale, but it worked well enough. We initially thought we could ride route 1 the whole way, but found we couldn't in many of the bigger cities, which is where the book came in handy. The maps showed which side streets to take. You can also follow bike signs or bike lanes along the way, but they're not always around when needed. We usually ripped the page out of the book and only carried the small map vs a bunch of maps. You will be surprised how many different maps you would need to carry. Use the book and maps as a general guide, but don't be afraid to wing it. In a few areas like Santa Cruz, South LA, La Jolla and South San Diego (near the boarder) we couldn't find the streets on the map. We got lost, but usually found our way via other streets using general navigation.
   
   Other tips the book doesn't give...wear bright colors, in SF and LA you will be on busy streets with cars zipping by. I hear going in April or Sept are best to avoid tourists and still have really good weather. We used Yahoo Yellow Pages to print out high level city maps with all the hotels listed with contact info and pre-plotted on the map. This was very handy when trying to find a motel in the evening. I also recommend buying the toughest tires you can find (i.e. Specialized Armadillos). Normal road tires are too soft and get too many holes. Between the two of us we had 6 flats and a tire slash in the first day leaving SF..very discouraging. We bought heavy duty tires at a bike shop in Santa Cruz and never got another one the whole trip! We avg. about 78 miles per day with an avg. speed of 15.5 miles per hour, allowing us to get from SF to Mexico in 8 days. Make sure you know how your bike fits you and your body reacts to long days, esp multiple days. I started to ice my knee and quads every night, which made me feel much better the next day. All in all...it was a lot of fun!



4. Today, I finished cycling the Pacific Coast from the Oregon border to Los Angeles [900 miles] and can say without hesitation this is one of the most inaccurate guidebooks I've ever used. Mileages often were wrong; elevations frequently were wrong [one climb described in the book as 800' turned out to be 300']; climbs were in the wrong place; towns which were on the bottom of climbs were placed by the book at the top; important places were missed entirely; the maps often did not conform to road maps. Worse, some alternate routes, such as the ride over San Marcos Pass into Santa Barbara, were described positively, but were found to be hellish experiences---5,000' total of climbing, bumper-to-bumper traffic driving at high speeds, minimal shoulders. The authors also missed some obvious alternate routes, such as Santa Rosa Road from Lompoc to Buellton, a gorgeous lightly-traveled country road through wine country in favor of highway 154, a boring 4-lane highway with fast-moving traffic.
   
   A much more accurate, and easier to use, cycling guide is the Krebs map for the Northern California coast. Unfortunately, Krebs has published no map for the Southern California section. Let's hope Krebs produces a riding guide for the rest of California.
   
   Despite the many inaccuracies of the Kirkendall book, this is a great bike ride and no one should be deterred by a crappy guidebook. Some sections are absolutely sublime. Riding from Half Moon Bay to Morro Bay in three days, our riders, some of them very experienced [one had ridden the Road Across America], said, "This is the most beautiful day of riding I've ever had," only to say the next day, "Today was even better." Some of the riding encounters fast traffic and no or small shoulders, so take care in those sections. Also, avoid weekends in the more tourist-oriented sections.



5. I bought this because I wore out the old copy I had and it was a little out of date. This book is so valuable to cyclist up and down the coast that they simply refer to it as "The book". While I did notice some inaccurate information, specifically, the book mentions that there is no camping on Hornby Island while I stayed in a huge campground there, It is mostly accurate as I read it cover to cover upon receipt to relive my last ride from Powell River BC to Seattle. This book is indispensable for anyone considering cycling any part of the coast from Canada to Mexico. Don't leave home without it!

5 comments about On Mexican Time: A New Life in San Miguel.

1. I absolutely loved this book!! The writer's style was such that I could vividly imagine myself in SMA during the mid-eighties to the mid-nineties. The characters were so real and full of life: the gardener who had a mistress, the man who killed someone twice, the young girls who helped around the house and grew to be women with their own girls, and many many more characters came to life. The book was like a great movie you don't wish would end and when it does it leaves you sad that it's over. Luckily for us Tony Cohan has another book, Mexican Days: Journeys into the Heart of Mexico, on his life in Mexico which I'll be quickly ordering to pour through just like I did with "On Mexican Time".



2. I bought this book 7 years ago and am currently reading it yet again. This is one of those books I can't read enough. I never get bored with this book. Cohan uses all the senses to bring the reader into the story and paint the most beautiful mental portrait of Mexico.
   -Jodi: age 24



3. I have lived in San Miquel and this is a good book on the city and the people. Things have changed a lot in the past forty years and we need another update.



4. When I was 16 years old, I traveled to San Miguel de Allende under the kindly watch of a young teacher-couple that I knew through my church. After two weeks in their rented home on Calle del Chorro, they set me up in a casa de huéspedes on Pila Seca Street. It was the most formative adventure of my young life! The introverted and frightened-of-his-own-shadow kid that I was disappeared rapidly as I was enveloped into the fold of the guests at Domingo and Pita's place. I really grew up that summer and made San Miguel my home. I returned home an older and more confident person. My stay in San Miguel de Allende changed my life and is responsible for my love of Mexico and my chosen profession: high school Spanish teacher.
   
   Tony Cohan caught the essence of San Miguel de Allende and I was transported back through his wonderful prose to those days. It was such a thrill to recognize the places he wrote about and the experiences (both frustrating and exhilarating)that time and travel in Mexico provides.
   
   If you want wonderful writing, a deeper understanding of Mexican culture and a view of one of the most beautiful towns in Mexico, I highly recommend On Mexican Time!



5. Author has a nice touch, however, half way through he seems to run out of much to say except reportage. Reports about fixing a centuries old house can be about as dull as being there. No duller. There are interesting reflections, along with descriptions of people and places in the first half of the book, making it worth the cost of the book and your time reading at least half of it.

No comments about Fodor's Puerto Vallarta 2008: With Guadalajara, San Blas, and Inland Mountain Towns (Fodor's Gold Guides).

5 comments about Red Glass.

1. Laura Resau's beautifully written RED GLASS is one of those books that lingers in memory. It's the story of not-so-brave Sophie, who goes on the adventure of her life, in Mexico, and later Guatemala, an unstable and dangerous country, finding her courage and love along the way.
   
   For teens, and adventurous middle schoolers, who realize the world is wide open to them!



2. Sophie has been afraid of just about everything: cancer, gems, car wrecks, and becoming an orphan. Then one day her stepfather Juan gets a phone call from the hospital. Pablo, a six-year-old Mexican boy is recovering from a trip across the Border. The same trip that killed both of his parents. Pablo comes to Sophie's home. She grows to love this little boy who she calls-her Principito, Little Prince. After a year Sophie's parents are able to contact Pablo's extended family in Mexico. Sophie, her Aunt Dika, and Dika's new boyfriend and son must travel with Pablo so he can make a heartwrenching decision.
   
   On the way down Sophie feels a strong connection to Angel, her Aunt's boyfriend's son. But she fears she'll lose him. A tragic accident forces Sophie to make a dangerous journey where she must learn to face her fears. Will she always be delicate Sophie? Or will her difficult choice make her become fuerte--strong?
   
   I enjoyed this story of a young girl who must face her fears in order to grow stronger. The road trip into Mexico was very vivid and I remembered similar things on my own trip many years ago. The contrast between Mexico and Guatemala are striking. I don't know if I'd be as strong as Sophie to travel down there alone. But what really stands out about this book is how Sophie learns to reach out to those around her. Dika, the eccentric aunt who survived the Bosnia war. Mr Lorenzo who survived beatings from the Guatemalan police. And little Paco, who watched his parents die while crossing the Border. They all learn from each other even when one of them makes a heartwrenching decision.



3. Contains all the ingredients for a good story: tragedy, comedy, love, and danger. I'm using it in my book club for adult ESL learners who are from various world cultures. They love it! It treats modern issues of immigration, alienation, and human rights with sensitivity. Hispanic culture is beautifully interwoven as are the lives of common people who come to know and respect each other accross vast landscapes and invisible borders.



4. Laura Resau writes the kind of books I loved to read when I was a teen, and still do. She takes us to new places with characters who are both loveable and flawed. In her latest book, Red Glass, she introduces us to a colorful cast of characters who quickly become so endearing we are happy to follow them to Mexico and beyond. Her main character, Sophie, is a girl doing what so many of us hope to do, pushing her own boundaries. Through Sophie's adventures helping return an orphaned Mexican boy to his village, Resau teaches us a little about tolerance, a little about bravery, a little about humanity and a lot about love. Her settings are so wonderfully drawn that we can easily imagine ourselves along for Sophie's ride. I've been happily sharing this book with the young girls in my life and they've been telling me that they, too, love it!



5. Before I read this book I thought it would be completly depressing and not a very good story. After I started reading the book I realized that it is an amazing story about love and lost. The main character, Sophie, goes through many challenges but she learns to cope extremly well for someone so young. She learns many lessons that I think everybody needs to learn sometime in there life.

4 comments about Frommer's Cancun, Cozumel & the Yucatan 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. This was one of two guides I purchased for a trip to Cancun and it was by far the most helpful. There was good coverage of hotels, restaurants, night clubs, beaches and watersports, and shopping. The guide also offers good general information on traveling to Mexico in general and Cancun particularly. I should add that the entire Yucatan peninsula has similar coverage in this guide, not just Cancun.
   
   As for their recommendations, we found their restaurant choices to be very solid (they recommended Thai Lounge and that was the highlight of our trip). On the other hand, they overrated my hotel (Westin) by one star as it fell far short of Westin caliber. Other attractions such as Xel-Ha, Xcaret, and the ruins of Tulum all seemed to be graded and discussed fairly.
   
   Overall, this guide does a good job of covering the Yucatan peninsula. The standard Frommer's format is here with "Best of" lists as well as suggested itineraries. In addition to information on each specific region of the Yucatan, there is also some excellent general information helpful to planning a trip to this part of Mexico. I would recommend buying this book. If you plan to do a lot of sightseeing, then also pick up either the Cancun & The Yucatan (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides) or the Insight Compact Guide Cancun & the Yucatan. Both have pictures to help you see which sights you will most want to visit and which ones you don't mind skipping.



2. Just back from three weeks in the Yucatan (and I had a wonderful time!), and found this to be a reliable guide. The rating system is dependable, the maps helpful, and for the most part the info is up to date. I will say this, you might concidering more than one guide book as all of them seem to have some defficincies. This would be most important for the independent travler and the travler who is planning to get away from the major resorts. You might also consider buying good maps. This book, and "A TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN" (Great thriller!) made my vacation truely unforgettable! A Tourist In The Yucatan



3. The pull-out map was very helpful but on the whole--I should have purchased the Foder's book. The structure of this text is hard to follow and not very user friendly.



4. I'm headed to Cancun soon and was looking for a comprehensive guide to Cancun. While the title of this guide starts with Cancun, the guide covers all of the Yucatan.... the section on Cancun is only 15 or so pages. I was disappointed with the limited infomation on Cancun... a handful of restaurant recommendations.... brief, not very informative descriptions of the outdoor activities... it's more of a general overview instead of the in depth guide I wanted...

5 comments about Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler.

1. I bought several travel guides before I went to Mexico City. This was the only one that I took with me every day before I left the hotel. The walking tours, restaurant recommendations and travel information are exactly what you need for an insider's look into Mexico City. I lent the book to some family before they went to Mexico City and they agreed, this was the best Mexico City book.



2. The little book on Mexico City by Jim Johnston is quite wonderful. As someone who has visited there many times, he still offers places that were new to me, and frankly, it was fun to read about places I'd already seen, as he brought a fresh point of view to them. Getting taxis in this bustling town is crucial and I much appreciated his listing all the hidden spots where one could get a safe cab. His one page riffs on various cultural aspects of Mexico are gems, especially one on surrealism and another of friendliness. This book does what any first-rate travel guide should do, it made me want to get on the first plane back to Mexico City.



3. This book covers a lot of stuff in a compact guide. For a short trip, or for a longer trip, it is worth it in terms of value: financial, information and size. It doesn't have extraneous information and it is helpful for walking tours of different neighborhoods. It includes assorted unique details, like about gardens and architecture which makes the information very interesting. And, it even includes information on restaurants and food, making it complete.



4. I just returned from Mexico City and cannot say enough about how much I depended on this book. While any mainstream guidebook can point out the common sites, this one takes you off the beaten track and leads you through tours of less frequented neighborhoods. Its like having a (very well informed) local right there with you. I felt as if I could make an entire trip just by following the walking tours and food recommendations. Certainly get another book for details like street and subway maps, but use this one to plan your days and get to know the real Mexico City.



5. My partner Jeb and I returned last week from an amazing trip in Mexico City. We had sought out a guide to the city and found this one online. We had read quite a bit from other sources but found things here that appealed to our sense of wanting to "get to know the place" rather than simply hitting the greatest hits alone.
   
   
   We quickly found ourselves carrying this book with us as so many moments we spent following Jim Johnston's lead were quite amazing. In addition to fantastic food advice, this guide is written with enough restraint not to squander the impact of "discovery". We had many of these fine experiences - the fantastic cakes at Pasteleria Ideal , the joy of the "wet dog" park in La Condessa, and the surprise on first seeing the psychedelic dining room on the approach to La Gruta were really gratifying examples.
   
   
   We are already planning future trips to Mexico City and spending time in La Roma and La Condessa made us think to seek out short term rentals there. This book shares special information not found in other guides and is written with a personal passion that will really add value and authenticity to your trip.

5 comments about The People's Guide to Mexico (Peoples Guide to Mexico).

1. This is one of the best and most comprehensive books I have seen about travelling in Mexico. It is full of interesting cultural facts, points about etiquette, and even how best to haggle with vendors without insulting anyone. It was recommended by our University's Study Abroad Director and was well worth the investment. Would advise anyone going to Mexico to buy this book and study it well.



2. If there's Rick Steve in Europe, There are these Carl & Lorena(authors) in Mexico. Unlike any other guide books, there are nothing you should omit. This is my first time i read every single words in the book.



3. Sometimes a book can go beyond the limitations of the genre, much as a comedy can reveal deeper truths or music can inspire you to reflect on your life. "The People's Guide to Mexico" transcends the normal limitations of the travel guide to offer deeper truths about life itself to those who wish to experience them.
   
   Few books are so meaningful that one can read them several times and always remain entertained, challenged, and inspired. The cooking section alone is worth the price of the book. I refer to it frequently when cooking Mexican food dishes. But the author's perspective on life, experiences, and advice continue to provide new truths every time I read it.
   
   Some of you are probably thinking I must be nuts to rant and rave about how brilliant a travel guide to Mexico is. I can hear you thinking, "Dude, it's not the Bible. Chill." Just read it. Seriously, give it a shot. I think at worst you will find it a series of entertaining stories about some hippies who lived in Mexico. But I think if you open your mind to the deeper truths it offers, it will be worth it.
   
   I try when I write reviews to give readers the positive and negatives of whatever I'm reviewing to make the review as helpful, accurate, and balanced as possible. Of this particular book, I can't think of any criticism of it at all. That says a lot.



4. Well written and useful, with information and comments you might not see elsewhere. Sometimes a little more chatty and anecdotal than I'd hope for in a practical guide, and skewed a bit maybe to the backpack and VW Microbus crowd, but it's never dull reading. I would bring this book to Mexico for sure, but I would bring other, more conventional, guides along also.



5. I've lived in a 23ft travel trailer since 2000. Space is obviously limited, so periodically I gather all the books I've acquired and sell or give them away.
   
   All, that is, with one exception--the People's Guide. I bought an early edition in the mid 70s and have purchased every edition since to read and reread. Franz is an astute observer of culture and master story teller who writes with a knee-slappingly funny and outrageous style.
   
   The People's Guide is simply the most informative, instructive and entertaining book I've ever read.

4 comments about Top 10 Santa Fe, Albuquerque, Taos (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides).

1. If you are planning a trip to New Mexico this is an invaluable guide to have on hand. It very thoroughly covers all of the sights you would ever want to see and gives wonderful recommendations for hotels and restaurants. The one drawback is the maps are a little small so you will still want to have a bigger map of each town. Despite this the information is very well organized and easy to use. This is a much needed guide and one that I highly recommend.



2. A Good book that highlights most of the popular attractions/restaurants.
   Also has good locator maps. Its compact size is great for traveling.



3. The thing I love most about the TOP 10 books is their size. Very easy to fit into a pocket or daypack. The info is concise and accurate. The TOP 10 ratings make it easy to plan your days; you know what you really should see and do if you're new to a place. The price is reasonable, too.
   
   I've been to Albuquerque, Santa Fe and Taos before and I can confirm that this little book has hit all the right spots!



4. This small, easy to use, guide packs easily. The index helps one find things quickly -- and the images are excellent. It was perfect for a one-week trip.

5 comments about New Mexico Atlas & Gazetteer.

1. Not only is it an easy to follow road map but it includes points of interest with descriptions... A 'must have' for a tourist in a new territory to be discovered!



2. I have been driving around New Mexico for the month of October. I have a Lowrance GPS that has been terrific. I have also been using Delorme's New Mexico Atlas to allow me to see bigger picture issues and to strategize where I want to go. They have been a great combination for me.
   
   The only negative -- and it is a very small negative -- is that it did not have some streets in newly developing areas in Las Cruces. For that matter, neither did my GPS, and I just installed the latest update to its database in September.



3. Has great detail of all of New Mexico. My wife and I will be taking a vacation there soon and this will help us a lot.



4. An indispensable addition to your travel planning for New Mexico! Buy one and you'll find you'll want more DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteers for traveling in other states!



5. I have a Tennessee map and it shows the contours with 100 foot intervals. Although this map does give some elevation points, it does not show the contours.