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Title: Lonely Planet Venezuela
ISBN: 174104197X
Author:
Krzysztof Dydynski
Publicate Date: 2004-08
Publish: 2004-08
List Price: $23.99
Average Customer Rating: 2.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $9.50
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $1.94
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| Customer Review: |
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1: NOT VERY GOOD !
overall a poor attempt devotes way too much space to Caracas, as most travellers I've met here get out of there as quickly as possible. Just not enough information about important areas especially the north east of the country. Not recommended.
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2: Disappointing, for a Lonely Planet
I have been using Lonely Planet guides for years. However, I was surprisingly disappointed with this guide for Venezuela. To me, both writers seem so enamored with the country that they could have been writing for the national tourism office. Much of the info is out of date, and important details -- for example, about less-traveled bus routes, or warnings about dangerous neighborhoods -- were missing entirely. For this country, I would recommend that you consider another guidebook, preferably one which has been written more recently. (Note to Lonely Planet: consider updating your guide books more often for countries that are in as much transition as VZ).
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3: Practical & helpful, but flawed
I've used Lonely Planet (LP) guides in several nations now, and each time the LP guide has proven highly readable and practical, but never flawless. This Venezuela guide seems to have a few more flaws and omissions than expected. True, the book has that wealth of practical information on budget hotels, restuarants, night life, busses, the metro, travel tips, etc., plus some decent maps, and it captures the nation's lively character. But a couple city maps omit vital parts of town, prices are occasionally off mark, and the book omits words on dangers to pedestrians from speeding drivers or the congestion in Caracas. The author's exalted view of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Caracas left me puzzled, and travelers should understand that at this writing free speech seems questionable under the rule of left-leaning President Hugo Chavez.
One wonders if LP authors occasionally fail to complete their homework and merely reprint old information. This LP guide is useful but needs a few corrections, and travelers that speak a little Spanish might be advised to call ahead.
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4: Take Venezuela w/ a grain of salt
We took two guides with us to Venezuela during our July 2006 trip. One was Fodor's, one was Lonely Planet. Both were valueable for their insights into culture and customs, but only Lonely Planet offered practical information such as names and phone numbers for hotels and attractions. That said, much of the information was outdated or deceptive. For instance, food and taxi service in Venezuela is very expensive! (not the $5 a meal lonely planet represents). Caracas is not set up for tourists and many of the areas are unsafe to travel without a local guide. Also, finding an offical place to change money can be challenging, I recommend using taxi drivers who are readily available. Good luck! You may need it.
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5: What a joke!
We normally swear by Lonely Planet guides (to southern Africa, Central America, SE Asia), but this one to Venezuela is far and away the most inadequate: Sometimes I wondered if the author had even set foot in the country, or if he just called up his buddies who in turn passed along 2nd-hand information. For starters, many of his write-ups are meant for people traveling in private cars; this is by no means a "back-packer's" guide. Sometimes, for example, we'd be interested in a particular place the author described, only to be disappointed that the place was accessible only by private vehicle or you could walk to it but had to cross 6-lane highways (quite common in Caracas). Furthermore, this guidebook provides nothing that other guidebooks on the country provide: in sum, Lonely Planet Venezuela rides on the otherwise strong LP reputation; it's of no merit and could actually be the source of a lot of headaches. I hope for the upcoming edition the author actually visits Venezuela! LP should know better...
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