Book Description

Book Description

The purpose of this pocket sized guide is to introduce the discriminating traveler to those special dining experiences that will help make a journey to Los Cabos memorable. Compiled by two long time residents of the Cabo area this guide will lead you to the best restaurants and take the confusion out of dining no matter what your budget is. The book is filled with helpful information including type of food served, price, ambience, telephone numbers, days and hours of operation, which credit cards are accepted and a list of helpful hints about ordering and eating in Mexico.

The new second edition contains an extensive shopping guide, a dining vocabulary, general information on Mexican foods and handy tips about travelling in Mexico. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A must resource for a Cabo Trip
After returning from a first time trip to Cabo I was patting myself on the back for investing in this great resource. I really needed a guide to walk me through the predicted array of wonderful to horrible restaurants of the region. Fortunately I had stumbled upon the "Los Cabos Guide to Good Eating" ensuring a well fed vacation. I've travelled around frequently and tend to have a diverse and picky palate, and I have to say that every place I tried based on the book was as good or better in terms of food quality than the review contained in the book.
Please note that the prices in Cabo have gone up considerably lately, but this new addition seems to fix the descrepancies. (note that I used the previous edition while in Cabo.) FYI, it's hard to find a meal at one of the upper end restaurants that doesn't cost even more than it would at home! Fortunately the authors provide many less expensive eateries for those nights that you want something simple...but some of those more expensive places are well worth the splurge...(like the French Riviera...)
If you're going to Cabo and you don't like eating bad expensive food, buy this book today!

Yum!
This guide provides great info on the best places to eat in Los Cabos. You'll know where to go, what to expect, and find some amazing restaurants you won't find otherwise. We've been to Cabo several times before, but this guide really helped make our last trip special. The second edition has tons of new restaurants and information. Definitely worth purchasing. ... Read more

Book Description

Revel in Buenos Aires as the porteños do. Inclined to step out for a sultry tango? Head for San Telmo. Need a caffeine fix? Take a seat at a timeworn café. Support a local fútbol team? Scream at La Bombonera stadium. This guide leads you to all the delights of the 'Paris of the South.'

• where to sleep, eat and shop — for all budgets
• comprehensive language section
• a special guide to Argentine beef — its terms, tastes and meaning
• easy excursions to Delta del Paraná, Montevideo, Uruguay and more
• 30 pages of maps

Reviews (2)

I've used these books extensively...
and despite some editorial flaws, Lonely planet seems to have seriously freshed up this edition quite a bit. Descriptions are fairly accurate and good (though liberally opinionated at times) and the company seems to have eliminated the pedantic writing of its older guides. [...]It's too bad all the prices in this guide are all wrong of the peso crash, but this makes things so much cheaper for travellers. At least it's a great time to visit Buenos Aires!

Warning: unreliable
Anyone considering buying this book should be aware that the publisher and authors have gotten in trouble with the Argentine and Brazilian governments for suggesting that foreigners could cross the border from Argentina to Brazil at Iguazú falls by using false identification (see p. 157). Anyone attempting to do this might well end up in a Brazilian or Argentine jail in an area where smuggling of drugs, guns and people is epidemic. Visitors should always get the appropriate Brazilian visa.
The rest of the book, while not so bad as this, is awkwardly written, though this could partly be an editing problem--in one instance, there is a curious statement that appears to state that the Buenos Aires subway has been demolished (p. 84). ... Read more

Book Description

Cosmopolitan and chic, with broad avenues, colossal monuments and mansard-capped mansions, Buenos Aires is often called "the Paris of the South". Author Wayne Bernhardson's Moon Handbooks Buenos Aires provides travelers with all the essentials for exploring this world-class destination. He guides the traveler through the city's barrios, including Microcentro, home to the major shopping and theatre districts, Monserrat, the heart of the city's civic axis, and San Telmo, where cobbled streets lead to tango bars. Packed with recommendations for accommodations, restaurants, culture and the arts, as well as broader excursions to Montevideo, Colonia, and the Atlantic beach resort of Punta del Este, Moon Handbooks Buenos Aires is a complete resource to exploring this fascinating world capitol. Color photos, illustrations and maps are included. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The best of a small bunch
South American guidebooks aren't as plentiful as those from other parts of the world, so I often have to buy several to get complete information. This Buenos Aires edition from Moon Handbooks was surprising because it not only included some great information on the city, but had better information on surrounding areas like Montevideo than my other Uruguay book. Also included up-to-date hotel information that was simply missing from the others. ... Read more

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. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Blows away other CR travel books for off the beaten path
If you are planning to travel extensively in Costa Rica or concentrate on a particular region, this is your guide book.

I recently got back from an off road trip of Guanacaste and Mr. Baker left no stone unturned. Couple this book with his National Geographic Costa Rica book, which highlights well the major Costa Rica attractions (and more higher end lodging and dining), and you will not be disappointed.

If you are used to upper end accomodations, be aware that you will not generally find that for less than $75 per night, as listed in Mr. Baker's book.

Concerning the organization, Costa Rica's sights are vast. So if you are hitting the highlights: get the National Geographic guide book. You can't help a little disoraganization, as there is no straight line path through the country.

If you do travel off the path, be prepared to call Mr. Baker, "swash buckler", as we did...

One of the best guide books I've used
Having traveled extensively on five continents, I know a good guide book when I see one. On two five week adventures traveling through Costa Rica by bicycle, backpacking, bus, car and boat my wife and I found Baker's book invaluable for locating food and lodging to suit our moods from adventurous and a little crazy to predictable and comfortable. This book is very practical, containing all the information you need to see the 'attractions' of Costa Rica but also includes descriptions of out of the way places and back-doors into some of the National Parks if you want some solitude or a unique experience. I'm anxiously awaiting the new edition slated for December of 1998 release.

A Great Travel Guide
We have just returned from a four-week trip to Costa Rica. We bought three guides to plan the trip: the Moon Handbook, Lonely Planet, and Footprint. Of these the Moon Guide was by far the best. Author Christopher Baker has a great way of identifying interesting places to stay, eat, and visit and helping the reader visualize what they are like. As a result we discovered mnay exceptional places to stay and found that his desciptions were right on target. If you are planning more than a one-week quicky to Costa Rica this is the guide to plan your trip.

Returning travel guide
If there was ever a travel guide that was boring, this has to be it. Most guides have some type of color in them as well as better maps. I could see the pages easily tearing or getting worn on a trip. Tons of reading, but unable to quickly find necessary information. We really need a DK Eyewitness Guide for Costa Rica, maybe the DK guides are not as comprehensive, but it sure is easy to find information quickly.

naturewonder
Very nice book. Not so many pictures but great and reliable information. Especially the remarks about the accomodations were really good. A bit heavy in your backpack but a MUST for every traveller to costa rica ... Read more

Book Description

There is more than enough to keep you busy on Mexico’s Yucatán peninsula — the resorts at Cancún and Cozumel, Mayan ruins, and a hopping nightlife. If you want a fun-filled vacation with endless entertainment, this friendly guide gives you all you need to plan the ultimate beach vacation to Cancún and the Yucatán:

• Water sports and other outdoor activities for the adventurous
• A listing of all the Yucatán’s beaches
• Tips for not looking (or acting) like a gringo
• Top myths and misconceptions about Mexico
• Side trips to Isla Mujeres and other great destinations

Like every For Dummies travel guide, Cancún and the Yucatán For Dummies includes:

• Down-to-earth trip-planning advice
• What you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skip
• The best restaurants and hotels for every budget
• Lots of detailed maps

Reviews (4)

Worked for this dummy!
I've never been to Cancun before and had no idea where to start planning my trip. I bought this book because it promised to be an easy-to-use reference for the first time visitor. And that's exactly what I found. This guide covered more than I expected, with detailed information on Cozumel, Playa del Carman, and more. The authors obviously knew what they were talking about, as the savvy advice given in the book made my decisions easy to make!

I Also recommended: 'A Tourist in the Yucatan' fun thriller!

A Real How-To Manual For Mexico
I hadn't been to Cancun in twenty years and my traveling companion had never been, so we were looking for more than a book that outlined the location and services of area hotels. We wanted tips, how-to's, cautions, insider secrets and local recommendations. This book had them all. While it's true that the book highlights only the authors' picks for restuarants and hotels and can't be called a comprehensive hotel guide, it was invaluable in the information it lent regarding phones, transportation, money, fees and schedules, customs, activities and more. And when we finally got to Cancun and Cozumel, my companion and I were not only informed and prepared but delighted to find that virtually all of the information (both subjective and objective) was correct. The local restuarant we'd highlighted in the book turned out to be a word-of-mouth tradition in Cozumel. We chose our hotel based on the book's description of offshore snorkeling and found out it was widely known on the island for unrivaled aquatic beauty. True, I could've found much of this information by combing the Internet, but I didn't have to thanks to this book, which also includes any contact info you could ever need. We referred to it constantly while in Mexico and can't reccommend what we came to call "The Book" highly enough.

Truly for Dummies
I found this book to be unuseful. It talks too much about things that most people would know anyways. The book doesn't talk about many hotels. It's more or less a overview and doesn't pay attention to detail.

This guide covered more than I expected.
I've never been to Cancun before and had no idea where to start planning my trip. I bought this book because it promised to be an easy-to-use reference for the first time visitor. And that's exactly what I found. This guide covered more than I expected, with detailed information on Cozumel, Playa del Carman, and more. The authors obviously knew what they were talking about, as the savvy advice given in the book made my decisions easy to make! ... Read more

Book Description

Fodor's new Pocket series gives you trusted coverage of major cities and resort areas around the globe - all in a trim, petit package. These are the ultimate all-in-one guides to fun-filled days and nights, packed with places to eat, sleep, play, and relax.

Fodor's Pocket Los Cabos gives you: All the basics you need to help you decide what to see and do in the time you have; smart contacts and detailed practical information, including the scoop on public transportation, local holidays, what to pack and more; the very best dining and lodging in every price range; great recommendations for shopping nightlife, outdoor, activities, and essential side trips; and detailed maps with sights, restaurants, night spots, and hotels clearly marked.

"An excellent choice for people who want everything under one cover." - Washington Post ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Perfect companion for Cabo
This book was a wonderful companion in Cabo San Lucas.The recommendations were right on target, the writing is enjoyable and entertaining, while providing useful information at the same time.I highly recommend this book as it made my vacation more enjoyable!

A good collection of information, but needs more detail
This is probably the best book on specifically Los Caobs that you'll find...but it is lacking some usefull details. Maybe if it wasn't a pocket version... ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Up-to-date, accurate, detailed reviews of Puerto Vallarta
Great for the 1st time visitor to beautiful P.V. Accurate, detailed descriptions of hotels, sites, excellent restaurant suggestions and very accurate with prices. Seems to give unbiased opinions of places to see, how to get there, what to expect (which is important). Seemed to know P.V. and surrounding area(s) very well. Went to a couple of great restaurants (no crowd, great food, friendly service) and enjoyed excellent, unforgetable meals at both places due to book recommendation. Would certainly not hesitate to use another book in this series when travelling to other parts of Mexico !!!

Great book for Puerto Vallarta specific travel
After looking through innumerable Mexico guidebooks, we found this to be the most helpful. Highly recommended for those going off the well-beaten path of loco gringos.

good travel book
This book is very helpful for the first time travler to PV. The suggestions in the book assist the traveler in making sure he/she get the most out of the vacation. I would recomend. ... Read more

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: Mexico City includes color photos, illustrations, maps, and expanded coverage of lesser-known neighborhoods, many of which have fascinating history and ornate old buildings, and features unique local restaurants and an updated nightlife section that includes more bars and cantinas. Expect to gain cultural insights and hear intriguing local lore, explore the city's Aztec ruins, the French-built Paseo de la Reforma, Latin dance clubs, and more. "Trust Moon Handbooks: Mexico City to guide you right." -- American Way ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Highly recommended
- Two exceptional writers have combined talents in showcasing the most popular as well as some of the more lesser-known, eclectic destinations the Distrito Federal has to offer. Mexican photographers Pablo Monasterio Ortiz, From Planeta Journal - Raul Ortega and Maritza Lopez contributed exceptional black and white photos that along with Bob Race's illustrations complement the text. Sideboxes examine environmental issues and even city websites. Travelers will find the book is not limited to the megalopolis, but it also profiles nearby destinations, including Valle de Bravo, Puebla and Taxco. ... Read more

Book Description

INTRODUCTION

Landlocked and isolated at the heart of South America, Bolivia encompasses everything that outsiders find most exotic and mysterious about that continent. Stretching from the majestic icebound peaks and bleak high-altitude deserts of the Andes to the exuberant rainforests and vast savannas of the Amazon basin, it embraces an astonishing range of landscapes and climates. The strangeness and variety of this natural environment are matched by the ethnic and cultural diversity of the country’s population: the majority of Bolivians are of indigenous descent, and the strength of Amerindian culture here is perhaps greater than anywhere else in Latin America.

Indeed, to think of Bolivia as part of "Latin" America at all is something of a misconception. Though three centuries of Spanish colonial rule have left their mark on the nation’s language, religion and architecture, this European influence is essentially no more than a thin veneer overlying indigenous cultural traditions that stretch back long before the conquest. Though superficially embracing the Catholic religion brought from Spain, many Bolivians are equally at home making offerings to the mountain gods of their ancestors or performing other strange rites, such as blessing motor vehicles with libations of alcohol. And although Spanish is the language of business and government, the streets of the capital buzz with the very different cadences of Aymara, one of more than thirty indigenous languages spoken across the country.

Geographically, Bolivia is dominated by the mighty Andes, the great mountain range that marches through the west of the country in two parallel chains, each studded with snowcapped peaks which soar to heights of over 6000 metres; between these two chains stretches the Altiplano, a bleak and virtually treeless plateau that has historically been home to most of Bolivia’s population, and whose barren and windswept expanses are perhaps the best-known image of the country. Northeast of the Altiplano, the Andes plunge abruptly down into the tropical rainforests and savannas of the Amazon lowlands, a seemingly endless wilderness crossed by a series of major rivers that flow north to the Brazilian border and beyond. East of the Altiplano, the Andes march down more gradually through a drier region of fertile highland valleys that give way eventually to the Eastern Lowlands, a vast and sparsely populated plain covered by a variety of ecosystems ranging from dense Amazonian rainforest in the north to the dry thornbrush and scrub of the Chaco to the south.

This immensely varied topography supports an extraordinary diversity of plant and animal life – the Parque Nacional Amboró, for example, is home to over 830 species of bird, more than the US and Canada combined – and new plant species continue to be identified every year. The country’s underdevelopment and lack of infrastructure have been a blessing in disguise for the environment, allowing vast wilderness areas to survive in a near-pristine condition and serve as home to a variety of wildlife, ranging from the stately condors that glide above the high Andes to the pink freshwater dolphins that frolic in the rivers of Amazonia.

Though it covers an area the size of France and Spain combined, Bolivia is home to fewer than nine million people, most of whom live in a handful of cities founded by the Spanish. Some of these, such as Potosí and Sucre, were once amongst the most important settlements in the Americas, but are now half-forgotten backwaters, basking in the memory of past glories and graced by some of the finest colonial architecture on the continent. Others, like La Paz and Santa Cruz, have grown enormously in recent decades as a result of mass migration from the countryside, and are now bustling commercial cities where traditional indigenous cultures collide with modern urban environments. Given all these attractions, it’s perhaps surprising that Bolivia remains one of South America’s least-visited countries. This is largely due to its very remoteness and inaccessibility: even from the capitals of neighbouring countries, Bolivia is a distant and peripheral land, cut off by towering mountain chains or endless expanses of forest and swamp. Ignorance, too, plays a part. Following a diplomatic slight in the nineteenth century, Britain’s Queen Victoria is said to have ordered the Royal Navy to bombard Bolivia’s capital; on learning the country was landlocked and the capital lay high in the mountains, she supposedly crossed its name from her map and declared, "Bolivia does not exist". Bolivians often cite this apocryphal anecdote to illustrate the outside world’s lack of knowledge about their country, and not without reason – over a century later,Victoria’s mistake was repeated by a US senator, who demanded an aircraft carrier be sent to Bolivia’s coast to enforcecompliance with the War on Drugs, only to be told that Bolivia didn’t have a coastline. Amongst outsiders who have heard something of Bolivia, meanwhile, the country has a reputation for cocaine trafficking, military coups and chronic political instability. But though these clichéd images have some basis in reality, they obscure the fact that Bolivia is one of the safest countries in the region for travellers, and largely free of the violent crime that blights some of its neighbours. In addition, for those who make it here, the fact that Bolivia is not yet on the major tourist routes is an added advantage, since you’re unlikely to find yourself sharing the experience with more than a handful of other foreign visitors, whilst local attitudes have yet to be jaded by the impact of mass tourism. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

For the money this is the best Bolivian guide available
I have reviewed travel guides for seven years and this is one of the best I have used. Recently (5/04) I traveled for three weeks through Bolivia and found this guide to be very reliable, user friendly and exact.

The guide has excellent maps, brilliant descriptions of what to see and do, a very good 'Brief History' section, a good 'recommended books' section and the layout is excellent.

Everywhere possible James Read has included the internet addresses and web pages for additional information.

Most important James Read's recommendations for accommodations were always "spot on".

If there is a downside to the guide it is the restaurant recommendations. You need to take his recommendations 'with a grain of salt'. His praise of establishments (4 out of 11) did not live up to the hearty accolades he gives out, though most did. That and the accommodation price code (why not just state the US dollar amount?) are the only distracting aspects of the guide.

So, if you are going to explore this isolated, landlocked, astonishing country, you will not find a better guide out today. This guide along with Herbert Klein's "Concise History of Bolivia" (see my review) would be a great package. Highly recommended 4.5 stars ... Read more

Book Description

The only major guidebook that takes readers to the best of these two favorite South American countries.

• Shows visitors how to get the most out of Buenos Aires and Santiago, which were both named among the top 50 international cities by Travel & Leisure
• Guides travelers to the most spectacular Argentinean destinations-from the majesty of Iguazu Falls to the alpine splendor of the Lake District-and includes a chapter on Montevideo and the resorts of Uruguay
• Brings to life the charms of Chile, from the eerie moonscapes of the Atacama desert to the spectacular glaciers of southern Patagonia
• Points visitors to the many travel bargains available in Argentina
  

Reviews (5)

Excels as a restaurant guide.
I took this guide, along with Footprint and Rough Guide, on a two month tour of Argentina, Uruguay & Chile. Though this guide's title doesn't say it, the guide also covers two important locations in Uruguay (Montevideo and Puente del Este), a very nice plus.

IF you like the best in life, and can afford it, and if you are not going off the beaten path but plan to stay in the major cities, then Frommer's can be a definite plus. However, if you are driving, backpacking, exploring smaller cities and towns, then get another guide (consider Footprint or Rough Guide).

Travel Guides target various audiences. Frommer's is for those with jingle in their pocket. There are guides for those that backpack and have a tight budget (Rough Guide, Let's Go), then there are guides that are for people that have a budget in mind, but can splurge when needed (Footprint, Lonely Planet, or Moon's), and then there are guides for those with money, 'darling'. These are willing to pay for the best and when traveling money is a secondary or tertiary concern, if a concern at all. Frommer's and Fodor's target the upper income class. To put this in perspective "inexpensive lodging" in this Frommer's guide averages around $40-$50 per night (double), while in the Rough Guide "inexpensive lodging" is $2-$10 per night (double). The restaurants that Frommer's lists as 'inexpensive' cost me on average $20 per meal (tip, tax and house wine included), 'inexpensive' to Rough Guide cost me about $2-$4.

Frommer's excels in pointing you to the best restaurants. The descriptions of each restaurant are superb ("This historic cafe has served as the artistic and intellectual capital of Buenos Aires since 1858", "with its high gilded ceiling and grand pillars, bas-relief art work and original Spanish paintings, this restaurant boast the most magnificent dining room in the city", and it sells "thick rump steaks, tenderloins, BBQ ribs or tender filet minion with delicious mushroom sauce"). That said, keep in mind that life changes and chiefs come and go.

Occasionally, one out of five times, the recommended restaurant bombed-out. I was in one recommended restaurant and ordered the dish that guide recommended, "Spanish Paella". I ended up with 5 cups of over cooked, mushy yellow rice, 3 small shrimp, 7 black mussel shells (half without the mussel) and squid pieces, lots of squid pieces. Also, prices quoted were about 20-30% higher that the book stated. But, overall, this guide is a guide to excellent restaurants in Argentina and Chile.

The guide's maps are too few to be a contender with other guides (it is hard to believe that this travel guide has only city maps for Santiago and Buenos Aires, but totally omits maps for Chile's and Argentina's major cities like Mendoza & Cordoba!). That, and in comparison to other guides, the few maps that there are not as easy to use or navigate with.

Your selection of places to stay are paltry compared to other guides (Cordoba, second largest city in Argentina has three listings), however what listings they do provide describe the properties very well and have website addresses. I especially liked the "Seeing the sights".

This guide is superb for knowing where to find the best restaurants and usally the best lodging in Chile, Uruguay and Argentina. So if you want the best, will only be in major cities, and money is not an issue, this is a very good guide. Recommended 4 stars as a resturant guide - 2 stars as a travel guide.

A guidebook full of insight
This is a very nice book. I live in the South of Chile and I got it on a recent visit to the Central part of the country. I find the suggestions on places to visit and especially to eat very good and I must say that all the restaurants recommended in and around Santiago in which I ate,were excellent. Also one day we were to make a reservation for a table for lunch and we tried the phone number that showed on the 2002 edition of a local guidebook. It was disconnected. Than we tried the number indicated on the Frommer's and it worked!!!
Around the region I live in, I find that the book gives the best suggestions on places to visit, dine and stay. It shows that the author has researched thoroughly and lived in Chile for a while. Her comments are elegant and full of insight.
I'm looking forward to try it on my visit to Buenos Aires next month!!!

fact checkers needed
I have only just begun planning my trip to Argentina, and I have been very frustrated with the incorrect information presented in this book. Many of the phone unmbers are missing a numeral and, after quite a bit of research, I found a key website didn't work because the book left out one of its suffixes. I'm going out to buy a different book.

A useful book, even despite some outdated information
I used this book on my recent trip to Chile and Uruguay, so I can't vouch for information it offers on Argentina. Most of the information it offers on Chile is pretty useful. There were some inconsistencies, however (although not a big deal). For instance, the entrance fee for the US citizens is now $61, not $45, as stated in the book, and is payable ONLY in cash and only in US dollars. If you are a citizen of Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, double-check before you go, as entrance fees for your countries may also have changed. Also, some items claimed by the book to be in the menus of the restaurants were actually not on the menu.

Nevertheless, I was VERY satisfied with the book's recommendations on restaurants, hotels, siteseeing, as well as organized tours in Chile. Following their recommendations, I have NOT been disappointed once, which I found quite impressive. They certainly did a very nice job with that.

The book also provides a few pages worth of information on Uruguay. It is very basic and sometimes superficial, but nevertheless useful, in particular the recommendation on hotels and siteseeing in Montevideo, as well as transportation between Montevideo and Punta del Este. However, it is certainly incomplete, and I would use some other reference books in addition to it if you plan to spend more than 1-2 days in Uruguay. I would certainly use other references for shopping recommendations in Montevideo or for what to/where to dine in Punta del Este. Also, beware that many ATM machines in Uruguay are giving instructions only in Spanish, and US dollars (symbol U$S) can be easily confused with Uruguayan pesos (symbol U$).

Despite the problems mentioned above, I STILL would highly recommend this book.

Good But Incomplete
I find Frommers, simple concise and not directed towards the backpacker like some other series. This book is good, but very incomplete, excludes areas like Mendoza and Cordoba in Argentina. However, I like what is has to say about the areas in Chile I have traveled to. ... Read more

Reviews (26)

Worth Reading
I found "Potholes to Paradise" extremely informative as a
comprehensive tourist guide or even a reference for a potential
resident. I appreciated the simplicity the book had to offer, providing easily grasped details on the benefits of Costa Rica. One does not get bombarded with confusing details as most comparitive books of this nature present. It especially appeals to anyone desiring to live somewhere that offers a more cost effective medical system! I can relate to the radical change relocating can impose. I wish there had been such a reference when we moved to Florida from Canada. Reading this book makes me wonder whether I shouldn't move yet another time! After visiting the Borners' Bed and Breakfast (Posada Mimosa), it is probably as close to paradise as you'll find.

Required Reading
"Potholes to Paradise" is a fantastic book. It is a must read for anyone thinking of going to live or do business in Costa Rica. The information is excellent. It will take you step by step through almost any situation you might encounter.This book will help to smooth over the bumps that may occur on any new adventure. I thoroughly enjoyed Tessa's writing style and forthrightness. Continued best wishes in paradise.

I found it helpful
I did like that it was "part diary, part travelogue, part advice column" instead of so straightforward a text. Desultory, yes, but inviting--sort of like REAL travel and life abroad!

Another book I found helpful before my "relocation-research trip" was a photo-essay book called, "Costa Rica: The Last Country The Gods Made." It too gave me a feeling for the country in a randomized sort of way. But that's not to say it wasn't wonderful information and insight into Tico culture--like Borner's book!

Save Your Money
The authors can't be serious! I really didn't get any benefit from this book. I just moved to Costa Rica and didn't learn much from it. It just doesn't contain enough info. for the potential resident. I read other books on the subject and prefer "The New Golden Door" and "Choose Costa Rica." The authors of these guides really seem to know the scoop.

Tessa Hits It Nicely
My wife and I read Tessa's book before going to Costa Rica with the idea that we might settle there as she and her husband did. Not only did we get great info from Tessa's book, we made a personal connection through it that led us to having a fabulous time and learning way more than we had anticipated. This book is a must read for anyone contemplating moving to Costa Rica. Cheap way to benefit from Tessa's experiences. ... Read more

Book Description

INRODUCTION

Occupying the eastern half of the island of Hispaniola, the Dominican Republic (or the DR, as it’s often known) is the most popular tourist destination in the Caribbean, somewhat of a surprise given its relative poverty and former instability, not to mention the allure of nearby islands that perhaps are more wholly given over to holiday-makers. What traditionally attracts most visitors are the parts of the country that resemble the image of a Caribbean playland, the crystal-clear waters and sandy beaches lined with palm trees, of which the DR has plenty. This vision of leisurely days spent by the sea and romantic nights filled with merengue and dark rum is supported by the largest all-inclusive resort industry in the world; if you’re looking to pay a set rate for airfare, hotel, food and drinks – and have a carefree Caribbean vacation behind the protection of a fenced-off compound – you can’t do much better than here.

Unfortunately, such a "perfect" vacation would mean missing out on much of what makes the country so special. Set on the most geographically diverse Caribbean island, the Dominican Republic boasts virgin alpine wilderness, tropical rainforests and mangrove swamps, cultivated savannas, vast desert expanses and everything in between within its relatively small confines – slightly smaller than the US states of New Hampshire and Vermont combined. The opportunities for ecotourism and adventure travelling are staggering: if you were so inclined, in a single week you could scale a 150-metre waterfall on a rope, mountain bike across remote dirt tracks, ride the best windsurfing waves in the hemisphere, trek to the top of a 3000-metre mountain, and head out in a fishing boat to see dozens of humpback whales crashing about in a scenic bay.

The Dominican Republic also lays claim to some of the more intriguing culture and history in the area, dating back to its early cave-dwelling groups, the Tainos, who recorded much of their activities in the form of rock art – it’s quite likely you’ll find yourself clambering down a dark cave to view some of these preserved paintings during your stay. In addition, as Dominicans are often quick to point out, their land was the setting for Christopher Columbus’s first colony, La Isabela, and Spain’s first New World city, Santo Domingo, at the end of the fifteenth century. Though the island quickly lost this foothold, the events that took place during its brief heyday did much to define the Americas as we know them, and examples of period architecture – both preserved and in ruins – remain scattered across the country, most notably in the colonial heart of Santo Domingo, today the nation’s capital and centre of industry.

During the intervening centuries the Dominican people have endured much hardship – interminable civil strife in the nineteenth century, an oppressive dictatorship in the twentieth, intermittent occupation by Haiti, Spain and the United States, and a boom-and-bust economy centred first on tobacco, later on sugar, that never allowed the country to stand on firm economic footing. Even today, the DR remains a nation in transition. Despite owning the highest growth rate of any country in the hemisphere during the past decade, in part due to the all-inclusive tourist industry, eighty percent of its people live in poverty. Santo Domingo has grown into a heaving metropolis, five times larger than the next biggest city, and much of the rest of the country is made up of rural tobacco towns or tiny fishing villages often held at the mercy of tropical rainstorms, hurricanes and frequent power outages. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

If you want to travel cheap, use this guide
My husband and I used this book and the Lonely Planet guide on our 3 week trip to the DR. We traveled extremely cheap, taking the public transportation (mostly riding in the back of pickup trucks) all over the island. We found that the Rough Guide had more inexpensive hotels listed than the Lonely Planet. I think that Lonely Planet is so popular that once a hotel is published in an LP guide, demand goes up and prices do too. We also looked for the "Christopher Columbus" Taino cave drawings listed in the book, but even the locals couldn't find them! (We did get to visit 3 or 4 cool caves on our quest though, and while we were disappointed about not seeing the drawings we did enjoy using a palm frond torch to explore a bat-filled cave.)

While this book is not one for pictures, check out the LP at the library to decide what sites to visit and take this one with you for information on what hotels to stay at.

A Great Travel Guide
I've been thinking of going to the Dominican Republic for over a year. I read several travel books on the DR, but it wasn't until I read Sean Harvey's (The Rough Guide) that I really got excitated about the trip. He Included the kind of information that was exactly what I need to plan my trip. Using his book I've decided on the Resort and what sites, I would like to see. I'm traveling on my own and his comments on Night Clubs and Restaurants was the sort of info I needed, to check out places I would feel comfortable going too.

very useful guide
I used this guide to travel in Santo Domingo, Costanza and Samana and found it to be very useful in trip planning. First of all, it helped me to identify Samana and Constanza as great places to visit without the heavy tourism. It was also packed with information on practically every town we passed on the way and offered good hotel and restaurant recommendations. My only criticism is that it seemed the author probably traveled by car and the information on public transportation wasn't quite as thorough as in Lonely Planet guides. However, the sheer volume of other information and the easy to use layout made up for that. Overall, a very solid guide for both pre-trip planning and travel within the DR.

If there's a better guide I haven't found it!
I have treveled in the DR and Haiti many times over the last 20 years doing volunteer work and this is by far the best guidebook I have run across! I read the customer reviews and noticed one that said "Good book, but lack of DR Reality". This book deals with off the beaten path and does it very well indeed! If one visits Santo Domingo or Puerto Plata and Sosua in the north, you will not encounter the country's great poverty. These are the cities of the elite and wealthy. How much poverty would one expect to find in Beverly Hills? The presidential palace and most diplomats live in Santo Domingo. There are squatter slums on the outskirts of even this great city. Where this guidebook excells is in taking you away from the big cities to the smaller towns and villages. If you want to know how to ride in the back of a pickup to adventure.. to visit Batays where sugarcane is harvested.. to see the dangerous frontier along the Hatian border, to see how common Dominicans live, to find the cheapest places to stay and to eat... This is the only book of its kind out there! I recommend the Lonely Planet guidebook along with this one for virtually all the info one would ever need on one's trip. In all fairness This is a book for the would be adventurer... the person unafrade to venture off the tourist paths. The other reader commented "We visited the DR and we don't know how they wrote 80% live in poverty..." Be prepared to confront extreme poverty outside the capital city and affluent areas. Hospitals are ill equipped and non staffed.. carry health supplies with you and get to Santa Domingo or Puerto Plata if possible if you need hospitalization. Many rural schools have closed because the teachers could not survive on their meager stipend. The travel becomes dangerous near the Haitian border as Dominican police are scarce and not able to do much there. Almost everywhere there are frequent blackouts.. most homes have a generator because this is a common problem.. dont count on electric shavers, hair dryers or other appliances and pack some candles in your bag when you venture on this route. BE PREPARED to see things other tourists never see! Dominicans are kind and generous and will go to extreme lengths to help you. DO LEARN some Spanish as in rural areas you will need to communicate and most English speakers are in Metro areas. Puerto Plata and Sosua in the north have large colonies of Jewish and German people so if you speak German you can find someone there. I hope my comments here are helpful to someone.. and don't be afrade to venture off the tourist path!

Leave the tour guides behind
If you're going to the DR and are going anywhere other than the resorts, you won't regret your time spent reading this book. If you are going to the resorts, you won't be experiencing the DR anyway so don't worry about it.
Here's what you get:
1- lots of detail
2- no ads or cheap plugs
3- first hand account
Enjoy !! ... Read more

Book Description

Once a haven for pirates, 67 sleepy islands and cays off the Honduras mainland are now a budding ecotourism destination. The clear, warm waters are home to every fish species found in the Caribbean, as well as most hard corals, gorgonians and sponges. Renowned for wall diving, the region also boasts several wrecks, shallow reefs and fascinating blue water sites. Visitors can swim with dolphins, while lucky divers may spot a passing whale shark. This book describes 74 of the best dive sites, with full-colour photos throughout.

You’ll get specific information on:

• Dive site topography and access
• Common and hazardous marine life
• Diving services for the major islands
• Travel logistics and topside attractions
• 13 easy-to-read maps

Reviews (4)

Very Complete and Precise
This book was very helpful in making our decision to retire to Honduras. It provided us with valuable and insightful information on what to expect and how to go about settling into our new found country.

Save your money!
At the beginning of this book the author states that Honduras is the only logical choice for living in Central America. He bases his view only on the low cost of living and not the quality of life. Costa Rica is more expensive than Honduras but has better infrastructure and the quality of life. The weather is also superior in Costa Rica.

Excellent Resource
This book is well written and easy to follow. He covers the culture, history, towns/cities, regions, health/medical, laws of residency, etc. In all of my research of living in Honduras this book is the most comprehensive. I especially liked his "Prime Living Choices" where he covers the capitals, the islands, mid size towns, and even small towns. When I go and visit I am including the smaller places. Places I would of never considered before this book.

Very informative! A must read!
Gives down to earth information without the hype ... Read more

Book Description

INTRODUCTION

Mexico enjoys a cultural blend that is wholly unique: among the fastest growing industrial powers in the world, its vast cities boast modern architecture to rival any in the world, yet it can still feel, in places, like a half-forgotten Spanish colony, while the all-pervading influence of native American culture, five hundred years on from the Conquest, is extraordinary.

Each aspect can be found in isolation, but far more often, throughout the Republic, the three co-exist – indigenous markets, little changed in form since the arrival of the Spanish, thrive alongside elaborate colonial churches in the shadow of the skyscrapers of the Mexican miracle. Occasionally, the marriage is an uneasy one, but for the most part it works unbelievably well. The people of Mexico reflect it, too; there are communities of full-blooded indígenas, and there are a few – a very few – Mexicans of pure Spanish descent. The great majority of the population, though, is mestizo, combining both traditions and, to a greater or lesser extent, a veneer of urban sophistication.

Despite encroaching Americanism, a tide accelerated by the NAFTA free trade agreement, and close links with the rest of the Spanish-speaking world (an avid audience for Mexican soap operas), the country remains resolutely individual. Its music, its look, its sound, its smell rarely leave you in any doubt about where you are, and the thought "only in Mexico" – sometimes in awe, sometimes in exasperation, most often in simple bemusement – is rarely far from a traveller’s mind. The strength of Mexican identity perhaps hits most clearly if you travel overland across the border with the United States: this is the only place on earth where a single step will take you from the "First" world to the "Third". It’s a small step that really is a giant leap.

You have be prepared to adapt to travel in any country that is still "developing" and where change has been so dramatically rapid. Although the mañana mentality is largely an outsiders’ myth, Mexico is still a country where timetables are not always to be entirely trusted, where anything that can break down will break down (when it’s most needed), and where any attempt to do things in a hurry is liable to be frustrated. You simply have to accept the local temperament – that work may be necessary to live, but it’s not life’s central focus, that minor annoyances really are minor, and that there’s always something else to do in the meantime. At times it can seem that there’s incessant, inescapable noise and dirt. More deeply disturbing are the extremes of ostentatious wealth and absolute poverty, most poignant in the big cities where unemployment and austerity measures imposed by the massive foreign debt have bitten hardest. But for the most part, this is an easy, a fabulously varied, and an enormously enjoyable and friendly place in which to travel.

Physically, Mexico resembles a vast horn, curving away south and east from the US border with its final tip bent right back round to the north. It is an extremely mountainous country: two great ranges, the Sierra Madre Occidental in the west and the Sierra Madre Oriental in the east, run down parallel to the coasts, enclosing a high, semi-desert plateau. About halfway down they are crossed by the volcanic highland area in which stand Mexico City (or México; see the box on p.ix) and the major centres of population. Beyond, the mountains run together as a single range through the southern states of Oaxaca and Chiapas. Only the eastern tip – the Yucatán peninsula – is consistently low-lying and flat.

WHERE TO GO

The north of Mexico, relatively speaking, is dull, arid and sparsely populated outside of a few industrial cities – like Monterrey – which are heavily American-influenced. The Baja California wilderness has its devotees, the border cities can be exciting in a rather sleazy way, and there are beach resorts on the Pacific, but most of the excitement lies in central and southeastern Mexico. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

The Best - Roughly Speaking
Rough guides are ideal for a certain kind of holiday. If you are planning to go to an all inclusive resort in Cancun and only venture out for arranged excursions then this book will never leave the shelf. Rough guides are for those who want to explore the real thing. That is why I won't visit any country without a copy.

This does not disappoint. The factual information is accurate and helpful. The restaurant recommendations were welcome - especially the wonderfully named 'Gory Tacos' in Downtown Cancun!

The information on archeological sites such as Coba and Chitchen Itza was extremely helpful, the travel tips essential.

The only slight reservation is that a bit of snobbery sometimes slips in. For example the resort of Akumel is dismissed as expensive and shallow. In fact it is beautiful and well worth the visit being quiet but accessible.

For all that this is still the best guide book for the thinking traveller!

It's called the "Rough Guide" because it's rough.
This book was a disappointment. It's information was incomplete and uninformative (and I'm talking about the recent FIFTH Edition -- published in 2002). Even in the touristy beachy destinations, I did not find the information helpful. Many of the budget hotels listed were closed, and there were no similar alternatives provided. Very little historical background for the sites I saw. Not much value added. I spent time on the Pacific Coast (not Baja) and in the Central Highlands. For Nahrit, Jalisco, the Bajio, and Michoacan states, it's practically worthless. Some of the worst maps in the business (Lonely Planet has excellent maps, so even if its information is lacking, at least you have reliable orientation). I would be VERY CAREFUL about buying another Rough Guide.

Very useful and accurate information
I 've just finished a month of travelling through mexico (Oct 1999). This guide gives a lot of interesting and essential information about live in Mexico, food, Mexicans' attitude, transport, health... It's a real pleasure to read it as it is written in a very understanding and fascinatingly way. I was really surprised of the accurate price information of hotels and restaurants in the Guide. Moreover, the useful tips about what transport facility to take, saved me a lot of money, which is of course important when travelling on a budget. Also citymaps and the plans of the ruins are very detailed and an indispensable tool when entering new places. Furthermore, I visited some less known, but wonderful places, mentioned in the Guide, where almost no other tourists came. Summarized, I'd suggest this book to everybody who plans to make a trip to Mexico! ... Read more

Book Description

Whether you travel for business, pleasure, or a combination of the two, the ever-popular CULTURE SHOCK! series belongs in your backpack or briefcase. Get the nuts-and-bolts information you need to survive and thrive wherever you go. CULTURE SHOCK! country guides are easy-to-read, accurate, and entertaining crash courses in local customs and etiquette. CULTURE SHOCK! practical guides offer the inside information you need whether you're a student, a parent, a globetrotter, or a working traveler. CULTURE SHOCK! AT YOUR DOOR guides equip you for daily life in some of the world's most cosmopolitan cities. And CULTURE SHOCK! SUCCESS SECRETS guides offer relevant, practical information with the real-life insights and cultural know-how that can make the difference between business success and failure.

Each CULTURE SHOCK! title is written by someone who's lived and worked in the country, and each book is packed with practical, accurate, and enjoyable information to help you find your way and feel at home. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

This is an amazing book!!!!!!
I had told my new boyfriend a lot about my country, and the way Brazilian culture is. It was amazing when he came home with this book, and read some parts to me. The writer gives an incredible description of the Brazilian soul, our culture and passions, and things I never realized are part of our life. The author of "Culture Shock" probably knows more about us Brazilians than we do, probably because you see better when you see from outside.
I was so impressed by the way Volker Poelzl describes what I am, the details given in the book made me feel like I was looking at the mirror.Whenever I start learning about a new culture, I won't hesitate to buy one of his books. By seeing the wonderful job that "Brazil (Culture Shock!)" is, I have no doubts about how brilliant this guy is.

Hard to find but worth it!
I had to wait for either this book to be released or reprinted (I cant remeber what the delay was)and now I see its even hard to find on Amazon! But that being said....its worth it! I bought it before moving to Brazil...even though I did not experience any "culture shock" I did learn alot from this book!Great language phrases and help plus I loved the portuguese proverbs of type it occasionally included. Once I was speaking about the "Brazilian Miracle" and some other stuff to an American friend and my Brazilian buddy said "man, you know more about Brazils history than me"....it was just info. I picked up from this book. Great info. about contacts, visas, food and much more. If you are going to stay any time in Brazil (other than a weeks vacation...say 30 days or more) then its a must have! ... Read more

Reviews (22)

A Book to Reinvent Our Goals
Alan Weisman, a journalist hired by NPR to investigate solutions for environmental crises, spent years collecting information in a tiny, remote village at the eastern edge of the war-torn country of Colombia. That village was Gaviotas; this book is his result.

I read this book on a recommendation from Daniel Quinn, author of "The Story of B" and "Beyond Civilization." Quinn's entire philosophy rests on two ideas: living in a sustainable manner, and allowing the reader to come up with their own solutions for doing so. Gaviotas is a community where people did just that - through ingenuity, creativity, and hard work, the residents of this planned village created a place where water is pulled from the ground using pumps attached to children's see-saws, heat is provided by the sun, and electricity by the wind.

It's a progressive's dream come true, and an experiment that has succeeded in all possible ways. This book lays out the history of Gaviotas and its unique founder, Paolo Lugari, and places it within the context of the ongoing struggles in Colombia. In the wake of the World Trade Center attack, I decided to re-read Gaviotas to remind myself that not only is there hope for humanity as a whole, but hope that individuals will begin to take responsibility to begin freeing ourselves from the confining forces of our self-imposed prisons called "civilization," but still manage to retain the good things, too.

Every person on earth should read and re-read this book. If you haven't, buy it now or start hoofing it to the library.

Wonderful, Inspiring, Hopeful!
It was one of the best books I've ever read.
Go get it right now!

Gaviotas is an inspiring story of hope and success
Gaviotas the place is amazing! I can't believe how many good ideas were put into practice in one community! Incredible. All working/aspiring engineers, city planners, architects, etc. should having a working knowledge of the theories and practices Alan Weisman describes in this book.

Humans CAN be part of a non-destructive, even a positive, productive relationship with their surroundings. We CAN prosper without decimating everything with which we interact. Gaviotas is a good start--a good example for the rest of the world.

READ THE BOOK! BUY THE BOOK!

Hope Floats
I read this book after one of my Colombian friend recommended it. I could not put it down once I started reading it. It is not an easy reading and it requires you to think about how everybody in the western world takes life and facilities for granted which people in countries like Colombia strive hard to achieve.

This book is a fantastic tale of individuals who don't take no for an answer, who had a dream and they worked to achieve it and in the process created an outstanding example of the fact that 'life and nature can co-exist' because that is how they were before we made discoveries and inventions to conquer nature.

The book ends with a final message...If you have a dream then pursue it...you will meet people along the way who share your thinking...Hope floats.

A vision of humanities existence
Gaviotas

I can honestly say that this book completely changed the way I look human existence and relation to nature. Not only are the people of Gaviotas innovators, but visionaries aided by the studies past and present technologies. While reading this tale I was not only amazed by the resourcefulness of a few people, rather what the implications are to the human family as a whole. It seems that the people of Gaviotas have given themselves an education that no classroom can offer. In fact quite the contrary, they are scholars of the laws of nature.
One thing that I learned from this book is that it is easy to get stuck thinking within the parameters of modern society. It seems that every technology around us is based purely on the short term and hard resources. However it is the natural dynamics of Earth which run the resource base for the natural world, the wind, hot, cold and ultimately the sun. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Brilliant portrayal of TR as man, not legend.
TR's 1913-1914 expedition down the River of Doubt (subsequently renamed Rio Teodoro in his honor, and later Rio Roosevelt) is an astonishing piece of history - one often refered to in passing by other TR biographers, but not often fully explored, as it here. Author Ornig tells an exciting tale well, from the multitudious details of planning and executing a massive exploring expedition in the early 20th century, to vivid portraits of the characters involved. This book would be a wonderful companion for any adventure traveller (or even armchair adventurers).

Best of all, Ornig is no run-of-the-mill TR hagiographer (and there are plenty of them out there), nor is he interested in taking unfair potshots at the great man (plenty of those folks out there, too). Ornig simply relates events as they occured, and doesn't care a whit whether they cast TR in a favorable or unfavorable light: TR was a poor shot (due to his poor eyesight) and became grumpy and embarassed when he missed easy targets. TR was delighted with the impact on his waistline when the expedition was forced to subsist on reduced rations -- and argued against the restoration of full rations even though others were suffering. Do these facts detract from the TR legend, or add to it? I have never been a fan of Marble Men, and found that I loved TR even more after glimpsing some of his human flaws in MY LAST CHANCE TO BE A BOY. No student of TR should be without this volume.

Details one of the great adventures of the 20th century.
Ornig provides the first detailed account of one of the most exciting adventure stories of the 20th century -- Theodore Roosevelt's exploration of the River of Doubt in Brazil's Amazon. The story is more incredible when you think that Roosevelt was a 55-year old former President at the time of the expedition. As we approach the 100th anniversary of Roosevelt's presidency, and as we consider our relationship with the earth, it is worth taking another look at this great outdoorsman. Ornig weaves together the political and diplomatic origins of the expedition and how Roosevelt, his son Kermit, and the rest of the expedition got much more than they bargained for. There's murder, there's drowning (and a question of whether Kermit Roosevelt was accountable), there's frustration, and there's a former President on the brink of death. After you read it, you'll want to read Roosevelt's account, "Through the Brazilian Wilderness." You'll enjoy that one too ... Read more

Book Description

These enduring legends offer insights into the history and culture of Latin American countries.For ease of comprehension, they are told in both Spanish and English, on facing pages.

Reviews (4)

Delightful stories, excellent language-learning tool
I've been trying to learn Spanish on my own with limited success over the past 2 years, but I think I'll make alot of progress using bilingual books. Repeated exposure to proper Spanish grammar, verb tenses, and vocabulary is far more beneficial to me than rote memorization from a textbook, and sometimes the stories are so interesting that you forget that you're reading a different language. The folklore of Latin America is brought to life by the stories, which cover many scenarios and countries. My biggest criticsm is that the dictionary in the back should include more words, and the translation could be more literal, if possible. Sometimes, although rarely, words are used that aren't translated and aren't in the dictionary. Nevertheless, I felt my Spanish comprehension and vocabulary improving with each story I read, and I'm looking forward to moving on to Historias de Mexico.

Very Helpful for Intermediate Spanish
This is a great book for anyone at the intermediate Spanish level. I particularly enjoyed the fact that the stories were short - each of the 16 stories is about four pages long (four pages each of Spanish and English). My only complaint is that 4 of the 16 legends are from Mexico, which seems a little Mexico-centric, given that there is a companion volume of legends from Mexico available. But that is a minor flaw of a very enjoyable book.

Useful and entertaining.
I found the title a very valuable resource in assisting me to learn Spanish. As an adult, it is good to read something that is not purely aimed at the younger person. The stories were interesting to me as an adult. I found the level of the Spanish at a standard which was not too complex yet still gave many challenges - a good combination. For someone wishing to improve their understanding and comprehension of written Spanish I believe this is a very useful addition to their library.

Intermediate Level - English or Spanish as Second Language
This is a wonderful book for those wishing to learn more Spanish or English. As well as being a resource for learning a language, it contains many anecdotes and legends of Latin-American history. The ability to check your comprehension and translation by only looking to the opposite page is excellent. Instead of having a Spanish-English dictionary in the other hand, the text is presented only a quick glance away. This is instrumental in helping the reader stay focussed on the story and the grammar of Spanish (or English). I will be recommending this to fellow classmates as well as buying other "Side-by-Side" books ... Read more