[.ca] Mexico (ISBN 8408048589)

From Amazon.co.uk:
"Mexico is an experience that offers a multitude of cultures, cuisine, environments, handicrafts, art and history." This vast country covers an area of almost 2 million square km encompassing mountains, plains, deserts and beaches--7 million people of a population of an estimated 93.7 million speak one of 50 indigenous tongues. Much credit then, is due to Lonely Planet who have managed to capture Mexico's diverse offerings in one book. Starting with Mexico City and ending in the Yucatan peninsula, this reliable guide will prove invaluable to the first time traveller as well as adding a great wealth of information to the travel aficionados. In keeping with house style, the book also contains detailed information about the culture and history of the country. Mexico has such an amazing array of things to see and do that trying to plan a trip can be an overwhelming experience--Lonely Planet's highlights sections are particularly useful here--the trustworthy authors give their pick of coasts, archaeological sites, colonial cities, small towns, nature and museums. Details of sights' opening times and entrance fees are as up-to-date as they can possibly be and readers can check for changes and update accordingly via the Lonely Planet Web site. Guides to accommodation and restaurants cater for the bulging and slightly more depleted wallets alike with prices going from virtually nothing "up to the sky". On the subject of food, there's a well thought out food section to ensure you don't get your empanadas mixed up with your enchiladas. The maps are excellent and full colour photographs are well used. The Lonely Planet series is of a consistently high standard and Lonely Planet Mexico is no exception--a well-researched, well-written guide that will become one of your most valued possessions.

MAPS & SITES GOOD - RATES & SCHEDULES BEWARE:
I am an American Living in Mexico and as such find my Lonely Planet Mexico guide of much help. Basically it is (1) instrumental in getting my bearings in most cities where they include maps; (2) helpful in locating some hotels and tourist destinations (museums, other sites, etc.). But (3)understandably at some level, the hotel rates and bus schedules are grossly underestimated. Most lodgings are at least $10 more or even double the least-rate published for a particular listing, and you need to add an hour or more onto their bus times between cities. My guess is that the LP reps are asking the desk clerks for schedule information. The clerks always lie as the bus companies are very competitive and they want to you to buy a ticket from them. So for example, LP says that it takes 2 hours by bus to go from Zacatecas to San Luis Potosi (which is true by car), when actually it is ALWAYS 3 - 3.5 hours by bus. Also, I am not certain how LP aquires hotel rates. Unless you walk in "Undercover" and actually rent a room, you will not get the actual rate. For example, LP has Pasada Acueducto in Queretaro listed as $15/17.50 in the budget category, when in fact the cheapest room is over $30. The Hotel Operators lie to get LP to list at a cheaper rate to drive tired tourist to their destinations first. So Beware, use the maps and destination listing, but ignore any rate or schedule info. Unfortunately, LP does not have a subscription companion site, where listing info could be updated and customer comments shared. Their website is basically a storefront for their products and not of much help. I'd gladly pay more for a companion subscription site.

Lonely Planet is too lazy or \openny-pinching\c...:
Lonely Planet seems to be too lazy or \openny-pinching\c to keep their guides truly updated. Oh, they may have a 2002 edition, fine, but is it truly updated? Has someone actually GONE to the hotels and checked prices? Has someone actually had a meal in the recommended restaurant in this decade and reported back? Unfortunately the answer is no. The prices in the book are WAY off! I realize there can be some fluctuations, but I mean, we're talking 40-50% more than the books say, which leads me to believe no one from Lonely Planet has actually GONE there to ask prices in the past 2-3 years! Also, some of their recommendations, for example in Guadalajara, for hotels are terrible. Lousy overpriced hotels. Meanwhile, I found one on my own (the Don Quixote) that was very nice, and reasonable. I think this book is okay if you want a general idea of the places and culture and etc. of Mexico, but for specific recommendations of restaurants and hotels, it is mostly useless!

heavy & lame.....:
years ago, lonely planet was much more interesting in that they would give you some information off the 'well travelled path'. now, they cover the well travelled path & lack passion & challenge. the book also weights over a lbs. the index system in this book is awful! for example; could not find any information of a coastal town called; Salina Cruz in Oaxaca. also, a place called Becal; where for more than a 100 years Maya Indians weave 'Panama style hats' in near by caves. I have come to the conclusion that the best way to experience Mexico is to just buy a good map & if somethings strikes your curiosty,........ just go & explore! Freedom....