Book Description
From exploring the myriad of historical sites packed into the world-famous Centro neighborhood and dining on Mexican-Asian fusion cuisine to viewing the renowned paintings of Frida Kahlo, Diego Rivera, David Siquieros, and Jose Clemente Orozco, Moon Handbooks Mexico City is the guide to the best the city has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Practical information includes suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. Complete with details for day-trips to wander the colonial village of Tlalpan, climb the pyramids of Teotihuacan, or hike to see Monarch butterflies in forest reserves, Moon Handbooks Mexico City gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.
Customer Reviews:
The traveling Bible.......2007-09-25
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.
Excellent Resource.......2007-03-30
This book is an excellent resource when you are traveling to Mexico City. Very comprehensive and well written. We spent a week in Mexico City and we didn't scratch the surface of the City or what this book has to offer. I recommend it.
Not enough info if you plan to use the metro.......2007-03-15
True, this book does have a lot of information about Mexico City. On that end, I was relatively pleased, however, this book does nothing other than give you a street address or intersection to help you find a destination. This book will not help you if you plan to walk and use the metro as the maps do not contain enough detail for you to plan your route from metro station to your desired destination. Thankfully I had Let's Go Mexico. While Let's Go did not have near the detail of Moon's Mexico City (it is, after all, a book on the entire country), it would list the nearest metro station along with the address of the destination. On a different note, I was disappointed that this book did not warn me about choosing Sunday as a day to shop at the artisan markets. Those markets that this book pointed out were open on Sunday had a reduced selection and many closed stalls.
A solid guide to Mexico City.......2007-02-26
The Moon Handbook to Mexico City was sufficiently comprehensive for a five-day trip, including a side trip to Teotihuacan. It's nothing fancy: the writing is strictly utilitarian but what it lacks in flair it makes up for in scope. Navigating an urban center as large as Mexico City you need a book like this--it tells you what you need to know about nearly every area of interest to a tourist. When visiting a city of 20 million I'll gladly sacrifice flair for details, especially where safety and security are concerned. In this respect Moon delivered.
And while other reviewers may complain that the maps the book contains are inadequate, don't forget that Mexico City is, by any number of different metrics, one of the world's largest cities. Almost ANY map will be inadequate. And while the Moon Guide's maps could certainly have been more detailed, they are, like the written portion, solid and comprehensive. Bottom line: the Moon Handbook will get you through Mexico City, but the fun times and memories will be up to you.
Very Complete, but poorly organized.......2006-10-22
This book has the most complete information on Mexico City and the surrounding area that I've seen! The information on hotels, attractions, and transportation well-written and informative. Even better, the book covers almost every conceivable place near Mexico City that you could go for a day/weekend trip.
If you intend to go to Mexico and visit places in and around Mexico City, this is the only book you will need. Lugging around a 1,100-page Lonely Planet guidebook is not necessary.
The biggest flaw of this book is the organization -- the neighborhoods are covered in a piecemeal way, and it's nearly impossible to figure out where things are in relation to each other. To deal with the immense size of Mexico City, the author decided to break the city up into non-overlapping neighborhoods and treat them almost like separate cities. The result leaves you knowing what you want to see but not knowing exactly how to get there. (The other cities covered in the book do not have this problem.)
Other Mexico City guidebooks will probably have this problem, because the city is just too huge.
On an extended visit to Mexico City, this book should be supplemented with a good street map or a knowledgeable hotel employee.
Book Description
Check out Oaxaca City, Monte Albán, Puerto Escondido, Puerto ángel, and Bahías de Huatulco. Or venture off the beaten path to Huajuapan de León and San Pedro Ixcatlán. Read intriguing sidebars about Porfirio Diaz, sealife, Machismo, and, of course, food.
With firsthand experience and honest insight, award-winning author Bruce Whipperman provides you with all the tools you need to create your own unique experience. Bruce's fun and creative travel suggestions can help you plan your perfect trip including, 10-Day Best Of, Outdoor Adventure, Cultural, Archeological, and Historical Tour, Best Beaches, Art and Handicraft Tour
Moon Oaxaca provides you with the essential details needed to discover all the can't miss sights, attractions, and restaurants in this colorful region, while including the best lesser-known and local hotspots. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience—and a few new stories to tell.
Customer Reviews:
Very good but with some problems.......2007-08-17
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.
Oaxaca vacation.......2007-06-01
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.
Book Description
From snorkeling off of Isla Cozumel, the second longest reef in the world, and partying in the trendiest clubs and bars in town to exploring the Mayan ruins of Chichèn Itzà, San Gervasio, Tulum, and Cobà, Moon Handbooks Cancún is the guide to the best the city has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Practical information includes suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. Complete with details on shopping for traditional textiles and handicrafts, staying in beachside bungalows or luxury hotels, and golfing on a Jack Nicklaus-designed course, Moon Handbooks Cancún gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.
Customer Reviews:
Great Layout.......2007-08-23
I like this guide because of how easy it is to read. Most travel books are arranged by activity (hotels, sights, restaurants, etc.), but this is by area, which makes it very easy to find what you are looking for. Like any travel book, there are things which are out-of-date, but that should be expected; one should never whole-heartedly trust any one information source, especially when it pertains to travel. Used in tandem with another guide book and/or the internet, this is an excellent tool.
workable good tour book.......2007-01-10
This was a very informative book. Though it did not give the info I needed for hotels otherwise a helpful book.
Don't leave home without it!.......2007-01-04
I have travelled quite a bit through the years and have always relied on Frommer's and Fodor's, but Moon blows them away! Fantastic insights, great suggestions. I just planned my honeymoon using this book and located a wonderful hotel that the travel agents don't know about! I will use Moon guides from now on!
Low level descriptions, lack of useful information, out of date.......2007-01-02
Can't believe how lousy this book is. We just went to Cancun, and much of the information here is out of date. The "must-see" place claimed by the book such as las Pallapas, is just an empty, run-down, lifeless square in the afternoon. Surroundings of the square looks unpleasing as well. Can't find any really useful tip for Cancun.
Terrific.......2006-05-09
This is by far the best guidebook to Cancun and surrounding area out there. The depth is incredible; the authors mention somewhere that they stayed in Cancun for two months, and it shows. It's not just Cancun either - the coverage of Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, the Mayan ruins, and all up and down the coast is excellent. The problem with some guides (Lonely Planet, Frommers, etc) is they "take sides" - they're either too cynical about "gringos on vacation" or totally ignore anything that's not sold in a package. The Moon book really showed both sides: from beaches and nightclubs and five-star restaurants, to museums and Mayan ruins and street food. (Real culture in Cancun - who knew??) There's also good suggestions for people traveling with kids, another complaint of mine about some guides. We got all the R&R we wanted, plus a few things I didn't expect. Moon isn't a well-known name, but this book is worth getting.
Book Description
From the best new hotspots in Todos Santos to the lush wine country of Valle de Guadalupe, Moon Handbooks Baja covers all the best destinations, both popular and hidden, on the Baja peninsula. Up-to-date, practical information includes useful maps, photos and illustrations, contacts, and insights into Baja's unique cuisine and culture, as well as a range of accommodation options to suit any budget. Complete with suggested driving loops including the historic mission route, tips on witnessing the annual gray whale migration, and coverage of the region's best surfing spots, this guidebook gives you the tools you need to create a unique and unforgettable trip.
Customer Reviews:
Pretty helpful.......2007-07-10
I bought this book prior to our one-week vacation outside of Ensenada. The information was very good and up-to-date (which is hard to accomplish sometimes in ever changing Mexico). I used it mostly for suggestions on site-seeing, restaurants, accommodations, and wineries.
The map for Ensenada and the surrounding area was pretty good (better than anything else I could find), but the map for Tijuana wasn't that helpful. We were re-routed to the Otay Mesa border crossing but were not able to locate it because it was not listed on the map. We ended up having to figure out another route to the San Ysidro border crossing.
I live in San Diego, so I will likely continue to use this book as reference for when I venture to the other side of the border.
Baja Guide.......2007-02-16
My interest was in Nature of the Baja Penninsula and the Pacific Coast. The Baja Handbook gives an excellent summary of what is there but also, especially in the case of the Whales, something of their life cycle. It was a very usefull Guide for my purposes
Better than Lonely Planet Book.......2006-12-26
I purchased the lonely planet book first, then misplaced it. Then I found this book and i have to say it is much better. The history, natural history and other tidbits included made me that much more excited about traveling in Baja. Not to mention it is more thoroughly written, better descriptions of destinations and how to get there. I feel this book will better prepare me for the trip. As others have already mentioned it's not just a great book on Baja, its a superbly written travel book in general.
Unpretentious and Comprehensive.......2005-12-24
This is an unpretentious travel book but fairly thick almost 600 pages long. I say unpretentious because unlike many other travel books it features mainly black and white photographs that give it a certain aura like an old black and white movie that seems to suit the Baja. The book is very detailed like a Michelin guide with page after page of details and information on all aspects of the Baja peninsula including roads, maps, beaches, entertainment, restaurants, hotels, etc. It is an excellent guide and makes a nice souvenir.
Cummings Covers the Waterfront...And the Backroads.......2005-10-17
You couldn't ask for a better travel book on Baja. I found myself reading it repeatedly on my trip, not just for hotel and restaurant info, but like a novel--for the sheer pleasure of it. The sidebars and thumbnail histories are so well-researched and expertly delivered that I rank it not just among the best travel books on Mexico, but among the best books of any kind. The concise discussion of the ejido system and of the changing rules for foreign real estate purchases are just two small examples. Cummings touches on every aspect of Mexican society and its interaction with the people to the north, in addition to giving the essentials on gas stations and bus schedules and airports and resorts-all in the delightfully understated style that has become his hallmark.
Especially useful for me were his mention of side roads that lead away from the transpeninsular highway into the mountains of the interior. I took a number of them and often found pristine desert, unchanged for centuries. The route from Loreto to the Mission of San Javier was particularly good. The landscape was similar to Arizona, except that many canyons had oases of palm trees with only the cries of roosters and goats breaking the silence so that you could feel you were in a bygone time in ancient Mexico or Mesopotamia. Cummings calls the road suitable only for 4wd high clearance vehicles. It must have been improved since, because I drove it with an economy rental car with wheels the size of oreos and a hefty 3.5 inches of clearance. If one proceeds slowly and carefully there is no problem, though I would not have gone on if there were any sign of rain.
The best beach by far that I found was that of Todos Santos. It is very clean and unsullied by automobiles, probably thanks to a sign near the parking area that not only warns against taking vehicles onto the beach, but also notes the amount of prison time assigned to violators. And the waves are fabulous: 15' rolling tubes that explode into 40' towers of spray, a natural drama one can watch for hours with only pelicans and the occasional crab for company. It's typical of Cummings' sense of the drama of travel that he tells the best way to get to this great beach: "follow Calle Topete across the palm-filled arroyo...the first sand road on the other side...turn left just before the low rock wall...", but let's you find out on your own what a delight the access road itself is: an inconspicuous lane that runs about a half mile between high stone walls on one side and a line of mango trees on the other, ending in a tunnel through a thicket of bamboo that emerges onto the parking area (shaded!). Bicycles and walkers are on an equal footing with autos, and the tiny scale of the sandy track almost compels you to roll down your window and say hola. Ojala that it stays that way.
Playa San Pedrito, a dozen miles to the south, is also charming and unspoiled, but far from any place to buy food and drink. Punta Conejo, sixty miles to the north, is the most desolate section of Pacific coast I've ever walked. In three days I saw not one person, nor one bit of shade of any kind: no palapas, no trees, no cliffs...even the towering cacti keep at least a quarter mile between themselves and the surf at all times. If Mexico were a nanny state, one would be required to purchase a parasol before venturing onto the beach.
The beaches on the other side of the peninsula are also very nice, but lack large waves, the Sea of Cortez being much like the Red Sea, a huge body of saltwater separated from the ocean by miles of desert. I was there in September, and I often had to get out of the water to cool off, rather than the reverse, which holds true on the Pacific year round. The eastern coast of Baja is probably ideal in January and February. Here, too, Cummings is comprehensive. Nothing escapes his notice, with the exception of the exceptional qualities of the Hotel Moro just outside Santa Rosalia. Senor Espinosa's rambling hacienda style hotel is a work of art. Cummings makes unjustly short shrift of it in calling it "tourist-oriented". I would call it beauty-oriented, with its elegant terrace overlooking the water, and its aviary, and its cool pool set in a profusion of tropical flowers. It's a far greater value than the "venerable Hotel Frances", where you pay twice the money for a room in the midst of a lovingly restored industrial plant far from the water.
Book Description
In Stephen Metzger's updated and revised Moon Handbooks New Mexico, travelers are given all the details they need to experience the culture and beauty of America's fifth largest state. From an insider's tour of Santa Fe artisan shops to skiing the Sangre de Christos to whitewater rafting the Rio Grande, Metzger provides information on all that New Mexico has to offer. Travelers can experience a range of recreational opportunities -- hiking, biking, camping, golf, boating, skiing, and more -- in the state's many parks and wilderness areas. Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Taos, and Las Cruces are full of cultural enjoyment, excellent food, a wide range of accommodations and shopping opportunities, and works of art -- particularly painting, pottery, textiles and jewelry. The three major players in the development of New Mexico -- Native Americans, the Spanish, and Mexicans -- continue to strongly influence the state, offering a rich tableau of historical sites and a look into unique cultures and traditions that are a thousand years old. Insightful, distinctive, and informative, Moon Handbooks New Mexico leads the way through this land of enchantment.
Customer Reviews:
Better Than Most Guidebooks About New Mexico, Although..........2006-12-10
Moon Handbooks' New Mexico Guidebook (6th Edition) was the second Moon Handbook that I purchased. The first one I purchased was Nevada by Deke Castleman (also 6th Edition) - which is very helpful and fun to read, by the way. Unfortunately, it was obvious while reading the New Mexico guidebook that the author, Stephen Metzger, does not live in New Mexico, and often seems unfamiliar with the state throughout the book. I really would have liked to have more information about the city of Rio Rancho (only one page for a city of about 66,000 people!). I have traveled to New Mexico twice since purchasing this book and have discovered a lot of beautiful places, good restaurants, and unusual retail establishments that were not mentioned. Although it does have some good information (better than most about New Mexico), this book barely scratches the surface.
Moon on New Mexico.......2006-11-13
Terrific information, a must buy for anyo camper/hiker visiting New Mexico.
Pretty good, there might be better ones out there.........2006-02-25
This book has good information; but it's missing a good overall state map and mileages between cities/towns.
Great Single State Guide for History Buffs.......2003-12-17
I recently, for 10 days, drove around New Mexico (5th largest State among the 50), seeking this and experiencing that, and I took with me five guides (Moon's, Fodor's, Off the Beaten Path, Roadside History and N.M. Sanctuaries, Retreats, and Sacred Places). Though Fodor's was the best guide for selecting accommodations and eateries, Moon's guide excelled in historical and tidbit descriptions.
What set this guide apart is the history, superior maps (especially compared to Fodor's) and Stephen Metzger's straightforward, clear, writing style. Metzger's introduction to New Mexico section is outstanding (The Land, Flora and Fauna, History, Economy and the People). This is an important contribution to understanding the State completely skipped by Fodor's. Also, Metzger's history of regions, cities, towns and pueblos is exemplary.
Where the guide falters is the weak descriptions of accommodations and restaurants, IE "The hotel is distinctly decorated" or "a discreet little inn with 12 rooms on an alleyway". After reading Fodor's vivid descriptions this was a serious step back. Also few, if any, website addresses for lodgings are found, and in a 2003 publication that is a serious omission. (Fodor's has website addresses).
If you are primarily interested in finding the best dining experiences and great accommodations Fodor's is my pick. But, for a State guide that is strong on overview and excellent in the history are you can't beat Metzger (however, also check out Roadside History of New Mexico). Strongly Recommended
Slight mistake in one of the reviews.......2002-08-20
As the author of this book, I feel compelled to respond to the reviewer from San Diego (May 29, 2002), who claimed that my Carlsbad research was poor, that I recommended White's City, which the locals call a "laughing stock," and that I failed to mention the Stevens Motel. One needn't look too closely at the book to see that I call White's City a "touristy and gimmicky souvenir stop" and do in fact recommend the Stevens Motel (though under accommodations, not under food). Both of these references are on page 194 of the current edition. Thank you.
Amazon.com
It is the age of specialization, which is a good thing if you're traveling to Pacific Mexico. Let's say you're heading off to Mazatlán or Guadalajara, Oaxaca or Acapulco, you no longer need to lug along every detail on every town, city, and hotel in Mexico. Just the pertinent particulars will do, and that's what Bruce Whipperman delivers in his Lowell Thomas Award-winning Pacific Mexico Handbook.
Stretching over 1,000 miles along the Pacific coast from Mazatlán in Sinaloa down to Bahias de Huatulco in Oaxaca, the choices of tropical, palm-lined lagoons and soft sandy beaches seem without end yet easily accessible, thanks to Mexico's Highway 200 on the Pacific coast and a plethora of airplane access. Yet not each beach resort town is the same in character and opportunities. One of the great services rendered by Whipperman's handbook, before you ever set foot on Mexican soil, is the concise yet evocative description of the distinguishing personalities of the many towns and cities along the water. Especially useful if you're venturing south for the first time, Whipperman's introductions help you plan your itinerary to suit your mood and style. Of course he backs his narrative up with all the facts one might need, the hotels and restaurants, means of transportation and nightlife, shopping, sports, sights, and beaches. But he fleshes these guidebook details out with his sensitive and scholarly attention to the people, history and culture, the land and sea, the vegetation and the animals to be seen and experienced. All the options are spelled out, from the hedonistic immersion in resort relaxation to a glossary of helpful Spanish if you choose to explore further afield. --Stephanie Gold
Book Description
From exploring Oaxaca's magnificent ruins and sportfishing near Mazatlán to lounging in a beach hideaway on the Nayarit Coast, Moon Handbooks Pacific Mexico is the guide to the best the region has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Practical information includes suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. Complete with details for surfing at Playa Zicatela and attending fiestas in Puerto Vallarta, Moon Handbooks Pacific Mexico gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.
Customer Reviews:
No more Moon for me.......2003-01-03
I just returned (Dec 2002) from a trip to Mexico using this publication. This was my third trip with a Moon Handbook. I was not to happy with the one to Baja, I found the one for Costa Rica filled with inaccurate information but this one was the worst.
I found the maps to be mostly useless, directions to places not very helpful, several recommendations absolutely pointless. Even though this book was published OCT 2001, MANY times I was left with the impression that the author NEVER was on-site or has not revisited since the first edition. This guidebook seemed unfocused, information arranged not practical, and descriptions are exaggerated and/or misleading. Case in point - the town of Playa Azul. The town is given almost 4 pages and a rather poetic description is used to make it sound like a pretty cool place. As it turns out the town itself is very run down, many houses are bad repair, most hotels are dirty hole-in-the-walls and the seafood palapa restaurants are in a shape that most travelers that are just a little worried about cleanliness s/would not eat there. Playa Azul is for Mexican budget travelers and offers nothing that could not be had any other place around there.
Barra Vieja would be another example of where the book is off the mark. After reading Mr. Whipperman's description, I was not prepared to drive along a 4 line highway most of the way, past a very nice golf facility and all the construction that was going on there.
.... and this are just two of my grippes about this book.
Despite the book, I had a great time. I saw a very beautiful side of Mexico. I would recommend a trip to Pacific Mexico to anyone. I am going back there in March. I will look for a travel guide I feel more aligned with and whose recommendation I can trust.
Essential for a Mexican road trip.......2002-09-13
I used this book extensively this past summer for an epic driving trip into Mexico that took me almost to Manzanillo. I found the book extremely useful for discovering those off the beaten path sidetrips. I also used Fodor's but found this book a notch above in terms of helpful recomendations.Since the bulk of the 3+ weeks was spent in Puerto Vallarta(actually Mismaloya) the book proved to be a good guide for excursions into the surrounding states of Nayarit and Colima. For the most part the details given were accurate but with any travel book there are problems with current information as things are usually in flux in the tourist trade. I suppose that is why they can come out with new editions every year. Some of the information when missing can be a letdown, for example one day we went out for an adventure in the hopes of seeing the turtle rescue attempts in a not so nearby bay only to find out it was not exactly natures right time. There were other let downs such as the time we wet out to Mexicalitlan ," House of the Mexicans", where the ancient Aztecs/Mexica supposedly set out from Aztlan to establish Tenochitlan where the eagle would be found on top of a nopal devouring a snake. The description calls it a "scenic little island town." If you consider peering into the open doors of the living rooms of the locals I guess it was scenic! For my part I found it to be a waste of a drive. The museum was closed also which brings to a point one should consider whenever driving to a destination in Mexico. Do not arrive during the tradional siesta time or one will have to wait until 4 or 5 in the afternoon to enjoy the local musem etc! By contrast unexpected pleasant surprises can result by the books ommision of information as in the opportunity to see the hatching of baby crocodiles at the end of the jungle cruise on La Tovara near San Blas. All in all the guide is very, very useful to plan out a trip and see things and experience different parts of Mexican culture. The short histories, hotel recomendations, restaurant guides etc are pretty accurate and invaluable in planning a trip within a trip. There is diversity in recomendations for the earthy camper or the posh five star luxury hotel traveler. I would recommend this book for any traveler along the lovely Pacific Mexican trail.
Useless!.......2002-08-08
Want my book? It is useless. This book is full of information, none of it practical. You can't find ANYTHING you are looking for in it. NO hostels are listed. They don't even highlight any of the amazing festivals that are held here in Mexico. Believe me, I am living here in Mexcio, and I am going to go buy the Lonely Planet. I wanted something more specific to my region, but this is NOT it. This book is written like the author took one pathway through the region, and wrote along the way. So unless you are following the exact same route, the information is SO useless.
Fantastic for the Independent Traveller.......2001-01-23
My friend and I used this book, and a wrinkled photocopy of a map, as our only guides on a bicycle trip from Mazatlan to Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. This is the rare travel book with an authorial voice that enhances the information rather than distracts. Mr. Whipperman obviously has a deep love of the region (especially Oaxaca and Indigenous regions of Guerrero)and a love for the kind of travelling that makes travel worthwhile. Laudable detail on the places you end up, rather than seek out, and the tasty bits of history he includes make you glad you did.
As complete as there is!.......2000-02-18
We've been going to PV and points south for years. I've been amused looking in Mexico tourist guides for their laughable coverage (if there is any) of Playa Careyes, Tomatlan, El Tuito. Usually, there's nothing. This book covers it all! Granted, there are many restaurants and shops in PV that aren't included, but PV is easy to figure out. It's once you get on the highway that you need the book.
Enjoy.
Book Description
Moon Acapulco, Ixtapa, and Zihuatanejo provides you with the essential details needed to discover all the can't miss sights, attractions, and restaurants in this gorgeous region, while including the best lesser-known and local hotspots.
With firsthand experience and honest insight, award-winning author Bruce Whipperman provides you with all the tools you need to create your own unique experience. Bruce's fun and creative travel suggestions can help you plan your perfect trip including, 10-Day Best Of, 10-Days in Costa Grande, Acapulco, and Ixtapa, Best Beaches, Best Outdoor Adventure, Cultural, Historical, and Archeological Treasures, and One Day In, the Guide for Travelers in Cruise Ships.
Venture out into Guerrero's cool highland valleys and explore historic towns, or stop along Guerrero's Big Coast. Read intriguing sidebars about history, sealife, Mexican food, and even pirates. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience—and a few new stories to tell.
Customer Reviews:
Seriously lacking.......2007-05-30
This might be one of the worst travel books I've tried. There is very little detail provided about the supposed sites of interest and there is rarely any information of how to get somewhere, where to purchase tickets, etc... I tried to get the hotel staff to help me out but they just wanted to sell me expensive packages for day trips. I also found distances to be off. Overall just not helpful at all.
Book Description
From exploring mist-shrouded Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve marveling at Arenal Volcano's spectacular eruptions to visiting artisan cooperatives and Indian reserves, Moon Handbooks Costa Rica is the guide to the best this country has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with real judgments so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat—without hassles or regrets. Practical information includes maps, photographs, illustrations, and suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. Complete with details for enjoying an array of outdoor adventures, such as bicycling, bungee jumping, surfing, sport fishing, wildlife viewing, and off-road driving, Moon Handbooks Costa Rica gives you the tools you need to create a personal and memorable experience.
Customer Reviews:
Wonderful.......2007-07-14
My wife and I love Costa Rica and have a shelf full of books and maps about this great country. We own property there. We visit every chance we get. My wife lived in CR for 7 years (in the 70's) and is fluent in Spanish. That said, we both LOVE this book for both its completeness and its insight.
If you want a super book to guide you to the great spots of CR, then this is it.
The maps aren't good enough for general navigation but this isn't a map book. Just get a copy of the International Travel Maps (ITMP Publishing) and get this book to make your vacation plans.
travel .......2007-01-10
I have purchased at least a half dozen travel books published by
Moon Publishing and always they are 5 star. I have found the information
in them to be accurate and directions easy to follow. An added bonus is
that some are written with a note of humor which makes the book more pleasurable to read. I recommend them to anyone who is travelling with the suggestion that they read the book before beginning a trip and then
take the book along during the trip. Also, the size of the books are
easy to hold in a plane, train or car and they pack easily into suitcases
or totes.
Moon Costa Rica handbook.......2006-02-18
(4/06) This book divides Costa Rica up into areas, and is very easy to follow and read. I have bought several other Moon handbooks, and have always been quite happy with their accuracy when I've gone on my trip. We won't be going to Costa Rica until June, but I am sure I'll be ready.
(12/06) I traveled to Costa Rica in June, with a group of 32 people that included 15 eighth graders. This book was very helpful, and has since been used by four coworkers who decided to travel there after seeing my pictures. One coworker is buying retirement property there!
Take this book with you........2006-02-08
Very helpful book! It was 1 of 6 books I bought to help me decide whether I wanted to live in Costa Rica for retirement. It was very comprehensive and 1 of my favorites with up to date information.
Other people DON'T have this one........2005-08-21
EVERYONE has LP Costa Rica. In the month I was in Costa Rica I saw only one other person with this book--if you want to know where to stay, avoid the LP places and stay in the tiny places this book rec's.
The prices are a bit out of date because of the book's publication date, but this book is fantastic if you're on ANY budget.
Book Description
Since its creation in 1973, the award-winning Moon Handbooks series has become a top choice among travelers who want a completely unique experience, a new perspective -- and a few new stories to tell. Want to know about your destination's history, culture, and social issues? Looking for the lowdown on recreational opportunities, dining and accommodations options, and the most interesting regional sights and entertainment? No problem. Big or small, mainstream or obscure, every worthwhile detail is included in these books. Moon Handbooks: Cabo provides color photos, illustrations, maps, and details on outdoor activities, history, and culture, as well as everything you need to know to eat, sleep, and get around comfortably. "Cummings is an excellent guide ... his expertise on every detail will ensure the traveler a safe, fascinating, and educational trip. " -- Eclectic Book Reviews
Customer Reviews:
an attractive, helpful guidebook.......2003-01-16
This concise guide covers the bottom quarter of the Baja California peninsula from La Paz to Cabo San Lucas. It's chock full of useful data and advice cultivated over four editions. The sports and recreation sections are admirable, and there's good information on the local food and drink. The hotel listings are useful too, although exact room prices are not quoted for some reason. Instead there are price ranges with "under US$25" the lower end category. Restaurant meal prices are also missing - "moderately priced" can mean anything - but opening hours and menu descriptions are provided. None of this will be a real problem for the vast majority of visitors, but low-budget backpackers will be left guessing at times. I found the coverage of city bus services skimpy, although inter-city buses are adequately described. I sought and didn't find tips on getting too/from the airports on the cheap (US$14 per person for a colectivo to cover the 12 km to/from La Paz Airport doesn't sound like the cheapest option to me). Maybe Cabo just isn't a shoestring destination the way Thailand is - and I know Joe Cummings is very familiar with Thailand. Joe has plenty of helpful hints for motorists, but I couldn't find anything about parking. Is free, secure parking so universally available around Cabo that's it's not even worth a mention? Travelers who have used the Moon Handbooks series in past will be impressed by the resigned format exemplified in this volume. Cummings himself took most of the black and white photos, and I like the way sites are clearly labeled on the maps and not listed in cumbersome keys the way they are in Lonely Planet. However, 18 maps in a 288-page guidebook seems too few to me. These minor caveats aside, Moon Handbooks Cabo is value for money and it will serve the independent, adventuresome traveler well.
Moon Cabo Book - 3 rd Edition.......2003-01-03
My family just returned from 2 weeks in Cabo. During this time we used the Moon guide (3rd ed.) extensively. We visited San Jose, Cabo SL, Todos Santos, and east cape as well as various remote points in between and found the book accurate every step of the way. This book is very well researched and complete - although pricing was a couple of years out of date. I assume the 4 th edition corrects that. This book is a "must have" for travelers to Cabo who want to do more than just stay in a pre-packaged all inclusive resort.
Great travel book.......2002-02-26
I thought this book was highly accurate in its description of restaurants and hotels in the main places people visit in Baja California del Sur. It even has info on places you mainly just drive through from one larger place to another with information on the tiny town's history, places to eat there, etc. You can rely on the information in this book. I'd not hesitate to buy another travel book by this author.
Good Region Overview.......2002-01-01
We found this book to be a pretty good overview of the Los Cabos region. You can pretty much get to anywhere you want to go using this book. Most of the hotels and restaurants are detailed, but not enough detail is given. If you are looking for recommendations, they are hard to find in this book. For the most part it just describes what the establishment offers. The author does cover all of the areas. We found details on the East Cape region lacking in other books. Although not extensively covered in this book, it did have the best information we could find. To be honest, this area is fairly simple, and this guide does a good job at telling you what you can expect where. I would recommend this book for travelers to the region, but it could use more reviews of the many dining and lodging options, could use some updating, and would benefit from a more comprehensive mapping of the various regions. Please check out the detailed trip report at diveatlas.com for more details.
Lots of inacuracies.......2001-09-02
Although this book contains lots of good information, it has too many inaccuracies. It looks as though the author has not updated his database of accommodations. I found too many wrong phone numbers, wrong mailing addresses and wromg email addresses. I know these things change, but if they have all really changed this much, there should be a disclaimer or they should not be included at all.
There are one and a half pages of what the author calls "Useful Web sites", but they are not very useful and he does not include any web sites for the many listed accommodations and resorts that have their own web sites.
Book Description
Whether you're looking for tips on shopping for genuine Mexican crafts, such as handmade masks, carvings, palm weavings, serapes, metalwork, embroidery, and pottery, or viewing coatimundis, peccaries, ocelots, and other wildlife, Moon Handbooks Oaxaca is your tool for experiencing the best of this intriguing destination. From snorkeling in the Bays of Huatalco to visiting pre-Columbian ruins, the best of Oaxaca, both popular and obscure, is in this guidebook. This comprehensive guide provides maps, photographs, illustrations, and practical choices for a range of accommodations, including colonial-style inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and homestays, as well as details on local cuisine like ceviche, chapulines (grasshoppers), and pan dulce. Everything needed for a uniquely personal trip is in Moon Handbooks Oaxaca.
Customer Reviews:
Good guidance.......2006-03-31
This is an excellent,dependable resource for this area. The guide is easy to read, practical, informative and inclusive. I was pleased with the recommendations that I pursued.
Find everything about Oaxaca.......2006-03-13
B. Whipperman really knows Oaxaca. The book is with me at all times when in Oaxaca, and helps me to investigate more places to explore in the towns around the city of Oaxaca. This book was written by a person who loves that area.
Recommended.......2005-12-25
(Planeta.com Journal) The book is perfect for those planning to spend at least a week in Oaxaca. Coverage is first rate and includes many tips for visiting archaeological sites, out-of-the way resorts and mountain communities.
Best guide book to Oaxaca--or anywhere!.......2005-03-22
I travel more than most people and buy several guidebooks each year. This has been the most helpful book that I have ever bought. Of course, you could have a great trip to Oaxaca with no guidebook at all, just staying in Oaxaca city and hanging out around the zocolo. However, we wanted to see Oaxaca state beyond the city and made a side trips to both Puerto Escondido and the Sierra Madre mountains. This book was helpful in planninng our excursions. Since I know little about Mexican history, I also found the book helpful in giving me background on what I was actually seeing. The next time I travel I will definitely check out a Moon handbook.
Great guide book with a few limitations.......2005-01-02
This is the ONLY full-sized guide book devoted solely to Oaxaca so, if you're going there for any length of time over a couple days, you need it; so buy it, already. Great info on history, archeological sites, remote regions, all that.
For notes on sanitation, eating safely, crime problems with backcountry travel, and a few other refined topics, look for additional information elsewhere. This book, which has excellent details on many things, is a bit incomplete in some areas.
I'm writing this from an internet cafe in Oaxaca de Benito Juarez, the capital city, to report a deficit in the book: some of the restaurant recommendations are off the mark and misinformed. The author recommends some of the worst eateries in the central city (the Centro Historico) and doesn't even mention many of the best ones, even when they've been here for years garnering good reputations. I used the last edition of this book for a long visit here last year, and bought the new (November 2004) edition for this trip and, if anything, some of the bad restaurant recommendations of the last edition have become worse ones in this new edition. When you get here, just ask a few other visitors who got here before you and get your own list of recommendations; you'll do much better that way.
A Mexico-wide warning, also not mentioned in this book: several Norte Americanos I know who are smokers tell me they like to come to Mexico because they can smoke virtually anywhere, without restrictions. If you are among the majority who do not smoke, that could be a problem for you. There are a few really excellent restaurants and cafes here in the city where smoking is forbidden, but none of them are mentioned in the Moon guide to Oaxaca.
An update, a month later, still in Oaxaca: this book gives great details on how to get about in any town in Oaxaca, but doesn't tell you whether it's worth your time to go there. When you get to any region of the state, how do you choose which town to stop in? If you have only a week and want to hit just one or two high spots outside the capital city, how do you choose? No quidance on this from Bruce Whipperman, the author. He just tells you what you'll be seeing once you get there.
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Guidebooks
| Reference & Tips
| Travel
| Subjects
| Books
Mexico City: An Opinionated Guide for the Curious Traveler
Streetwise Mexico City
Wallpaper City Guide: Mexico City (Wallpaper City Guide)
Lonely Planet Mexico
Mexico City: Complete Tourist Guide
