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If are are in the bookstore staring at the guidebooks trying to decide which to choose...Lonely Planet, Moon, Rough Guide, Footprint, Viva, Frommers or whatever I forgot, try this:
Open the cover and look for the latest edition to each book and choose the one that was printed latest. Consider yourself lucky if you can find one that is less than 1 year out of date.
This is something that I have discussed with authors of the LP, RG and Footprint guides and they all tell me that the biggest drawback to a book guide is the 8 months it takes from research to publication. By the time the book hits the shelves, much of the info has already changed.
So my suggestion is not to pick one over the other because a bunch of over-opinionated backpackers argue over the finer details of who got what right and who put more info about which destination, etc. Go with the latest of what is available.
Usually that means leaving the book at home.
I see Moon has a release coming in Feb 13 so I might splurge and order it then. Thank you all!
Me-
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Travel Guide
I'll be going to Nicaragua in April... who has the best guide book, LP or Moon? Or someone else?1
Oh, this question again. Why do people like to poke an anthill with a stick?If are are in the bookstore staring at the guidebooks trying to decide which to choose...Lonely Planet, Moon, Rough Guide, Footprint, Viva, Frommers or whatever I forgot, try this:
Open the cover and look for the latest edition to each book and choose the one that was printed latest. Consider yourself lucky if you can find one that is less than 1 year out of date.
This is something that I have discussed with authors of the LP, RG and Footprint guides and they all tell me that the biggest drawback to a book guide is the 8 months it takes from research to publication. By the time the book hits the shelves, much of the info has already changed.
So my suggestion is not to pick one over the other because a bunch of over-opinionated backpackers argue over the finer details of who got what right and who put more info about which destination, etc. Go with the latest of what is available.
Usually that means leaving the book at home.
3
I agree with Beyte, but in less dramatic terms pick a guidebook. Actually consult 2 or 3 but really none will give you real current status, old print, its good as a guidance of what to generally expect and possible lodging but not all lodging makes the book and can be quite good. Just go with it in Nicaragua with lodging, never had a problem finding any thing. Its not a travel hot spot yet, fortunately. Roll with it!7
Didn't think to do an amazon search on old guides for the bargain. Great idea. I do like to leave myself a little flexible. I understand these aren't up to date always, and the last thing I want to do is mimic a guidebook, but I did find the LP guide & maps for Guatemala very useful in finding some of the Cathedrals, etc. Being a solo young female traveler (and not speaking fluent Spanish), I liked having plan B. I will check out the local lib this weekend. :-)I see Moon has a release coming in Feb 13 so I might splurge and order it then. Thank you all!
10
Carry any device that renders the paper guide obsolete (actually sorry to say) for example: my ASUS eee PC I take everywhere when I travel. Nearly everywhere wi-fi is available (yes even in Nicaragua). A myriad of totally up to date information to make note of while on the go and if you really want a guide book buy a download.11
i hate travelling around with "devices" that need to be taken care of - babysat, guarded, charged, connected, etc. - and love a book in which i can make notes, tear out handy maps to stick in my pockets, etc. i bought a footprint guide indeed because it was the most recent. and of course am spending plenty of time online making notes - in the margins of my book.12
To each his own and for the record I was like that but finally gave in to the force.Me-
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