Guide book for South America?

Question

Hi,

I am backpacking through South America in December and January. I'm looking for a guidebook that covers Brazil, Argentina, Venezuela and Uruguay. I wont have enough space to take 4 books, so I'll need a good all in one. In my opinion, the lonely planet range is always out of date. However, the budget hostels information and reviews is very valuable. I want something that mentions the festivals and night clubs just as much as it mentions the sightseeing attractions.

I recently read a review on the footprint South America book. The reviewer stated that it was a fantastic book because it didnt assume that she was a 20 year old on her gap year. Basically, I want a book that DOES assume that I am a 20 year old on my gap year.

Are there any books you'd recommend?

Thanks

Answer 1

Why even take a book ?

They are often 600 pages or more and if you are like me you will only need the information from 150 of the pages at best.

I have traveled extensively in Mexico,Central and South America for many years.During that time I have used several guides and they each have pluses and minuses.I like Footprint,Moon,Lonley Planet, and Let's Go the best.

I usually just go to a library for a day or two prior to my trip and do as much research as possible from as many sources as possible on the places I intend to go I take copious notes and use the copier to print maps from 'all' the travel guides as well as other books related to my destinations.Then I transfer all that information to one of those one subject lined sprial notebooks (70-100 pages) and take that with me instead of a book.It is"much" lighter and will open flat on a table and you usually end up with plenty of left over pages to take notes along the way.They are sometime on sale for as little as 10 cents.I don't need all the information in a guide book and by using more than one book as my source I have a lot more information about just the specific places I am interested in.

This may not be a solution for everyone but it has worked out well for me for several years now and I will never buy or carry  another guidebook with me ever again.

Have a great trip!

Answer 2

I tend to favor the Lonely planet shoestring guides or the Rough Guides.  But I wouldn't rely on them religiously; many of the best hotels and restaurants I've found by myself or by asking locals or other tourists; this is especially true of the cheaper places, which often don't stay cheap for long once they're in a guidebook.  And I always check bus schedules myself, because they can change. Even fairly new guidebooks, I've found, sometimes have outdated, inaccurate, or incomplete information. Still, a guidebook is very useful for knowing what the main attractions are and for stuff like maps (lonely planet has the best) and information about transportation and stuff are.   A lot of that basic info is really indispensable.

There's also the South American handbook...it's not as user-friendly or as fun to read but its small, compact, and has a lot of information.  I'd go to the library or a bookstore with a good travel selection and see what suits you best.

Answer 3

I'd go with:

South America on a shoestring Travel Guide

The tenth edition was published in March of 2007.  At  1152 pages, it should come with a handle and wheels.

You can go to a bookstore and flip through their South America books to see if there's a better one.