South American (Footprint Handbooks) (Footprint Handbooks)

I have just returned from South America with my partner who has The Lonely Planet and we found that for backpackers, The Footprint Guide is not very good in comparison, especially for those who are travelling on a budget. The impression I got from for example, the hostel reviews were that they had looked it up on the internet and that they are all "recommended". Too much detail in expensive hotels and restaurants, not enough hard facts on what to do and must sees of city/town/places. Used The Lonely Planet 2008 most of the time, apart from when looking up prices as The Footprint Guide 2009 is more up to date on that. Was quite disappointing as a guide book in my opinion.

For serious travellers not Lonely Planet tourists (1/1 people found this helpful)

The best overall guide on South America from the best overall travel guide publisher. These people have apparently been doing guide books on South America for over 80 years and it shows.

The depth of information is great - with loads of small print on travel and thousands of hotels and restaurants. There's also loads of cultural information which is just plain missing from the other guides. Unlike one of the other reviewers who saw the info on churches as a weakness, I saw it as a strength. I like architecture - especially Latin American baroque - as much as beaches and treks - both of which this book covers in spades. Don't waste time with Lonely Planet unless you want to end up in the some sweaty overpriced hostel packed with other trourists. This one will show you a better, cheaper one down the road with a far more interesting travellers and a often local crowd.

It's also the only guide updated annually.

If you're on a general trip it's worth getting this guide for an overview and then another Footprint guide for the country you'll spend most time in. Brazil and Peru are great country guides with loads of detail.

All you need to know about Soth America (2/2 people found this helpful)

If you are planning a trip to South America please buy this book. Detailed writing very obviously written in a factual manner. Tells you where to go, when to go and what to do when you get there.

I was looking for a book which would not only tell me about places and events, but also guide me to which ones I should go to; this was the perfect book for me. It is also compact and easy to take with you

Once I found Michael Palin endorses what more do you want!

The best guide book to this continent by far. (8/8 people found this helpful)

I travelled extensively throughout South America for almost a year with the 2008 version. While not essential, it does come in handy from time to time.

Strengths:

- Far, far better than the ubiquitous Lonely Planet (all South American editions), which is a complete waste of space for all but the most nauseatingly banal style of travelling.
- Introduces some places a little off the beaten track.
- Gives approximate journey times and transport-company names between many locations.
- Rugged construction.

Weaknesses:

- Tries to do too much (see suggestion below).
- Could be more concise. For example, too much space is wasted waffling on about 'pleasant' (reality: dull) cathedrals.
- A little paranoid and outdated sometimes, especially with regard to some places in Colombia.
- The Galapagos section is weak and biased towards frilly cruises (it's very easy to do almost everything by oneself, and it can be cheaper).

A suggestion:

Why not have two editions - one for real backpackers and one for holiday-makers and armchair travellers? A real backpacker does not need to lug around pages and pages of information about luxury hotels and pretentious restaurants. In fact, the backpacker edition could exclude restaurant recommendations altogether - they're virtually pointless.

Summary:

Despite its shortcomings, it's currently the only worthwhile guidebook to South America published on paper. But it needs work.

South American (Footprint Handbooks) (Footprint Handbooks)

Ben Box

Reader Reviews:

Not as good as The Lonely Planet (3/3 people found this helpful)

For serious travellers not Lonely Planet tourists (1/1 people found this helpful)

All you need to know about Soth America (2/2 people found this helpful)

The best guide book to this continent by far. (8/8 people found this helpful)

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