Lonely Planet South America on a Shoestring

Reviews - Amazon.com
Reviewer: Maurizio Giuliano from Sarajevo, Bosnia-Herzegovina

It is hard to concentrate so much information in a single book, covering all of South America from Colombia to Chile. Lonely Planet have tried and have done a good job, but the target was too ambitious... If you are literally running through South America with little time, and perhaps you don't want to carry the weight of too many guides, then do get this book. It is of some use, and offers interesting reading. Yet, if you plan to get to know each country more thoroughfully, you are much better off with Lonely Planet's (or other publishers') single guides on each individual country, and there are lots to choose from.

jrubinstein87 from San Francisco, CA USA

Just got back from 3 months with this book in SA...

Plusses: Great Maps...LP maps are the best guidebook maps. Lots of Choices for Hostels/Restaurants...they aren't too detailed but do typically offer a lot of places, while Let's Go will offer 4 or 5 per city. Everyone has got it, you'll find a lot of people to hang out with when going to their recos.

Minuses: Everyone has got it, perhaps you don't want to run into a lot of gringos. Doesn't cover lots of small towns which are great to visit...yes of course this is a book that tries to cover a CONTINENT so it's not going to have everything, but I found Footprints SA book to be significantly more comprehensive. A bit out of date...new one is forthcoming, I believe.

Overall I would recommend Footprint's SA Handbook instead, although the maps do leave a bit to be desired.