Lonely Planet guide to Colombia?

caslug says on Jul 13, 2004, 14:20:

LP Guide Hey Andrew, I got that version too right before my colombia trip last month. Since I only visited 2 cities(CALI/CTG) the book is quite accurate. Of course it didn't have ALL the hotel/restaurants list, but the ones they did have were on the money.

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Sam Salmon says on Jul 13, 2004, 14:54:

I have said before and I'll say it again that book is a POS of the lowest and most odoriferous order-a complete waste of money.
It reads like it was written over the phone-which indeed many LP books are these days because of budget restraints.
The author is IMO an idiot and an azzhole and obviously hates Colombia and it's people.

' a la orden!'

' a la orden!'

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Thededalus says on Jul 14, 2004, 08:49:

I disagree Andrew,

I lived in Bogota in 98/99 as an exchange student and had the 2nd edition at the time. I thought it was a great book. In fact, I have sinced lost it (something that saddens me to this day). I've seen a couple other guides that I personally thought were pretty bad (sorry I don't remember the publishers). I found the writing in the LP to be personable, down-to-earth, and relevant to the backpacking crowd.

I am going back again for another two weeks this August and so I have borrowed the 3rd edition from the library. Basically, it's a stripped down version of the former guides with some updates in regards to prices, some new locations, etc. I think they cut out some of the more remote locations given the security situation and that maybe they don't have journalists lining up to update the information in those areas. Anyways, I don't think you'll find a better guide book. That aside, this forum is a great resource for what the LP and other books don't cover.

Sam,

If you didn't like the LP, which guides do you recommend?

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 14, 2004, 08:54:

LP guide I'm not as violently allergic to it as Sam, but I agree with him that it's a poorly-researched guidebook. It's pretty shallow and states the obvious "attractions" without a lot of the more detailed and original insights that often make LP books worthwhile. Also, the dude who wrote it seems to have a big fascination with old churches at the expense of covering lots of other more interesting and more contemporary aspects of the country.

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vanwely says on Jul 14, 2004, 11:06:

Helped me It is the only recent guidebook available. When we got tossed out our hotel in San Andres Island (overbooked for the weekend), my novia was upset. I found a hotel in the guidebook and called and it turned out to be much better than what I had read on the San Andres Board. All in all, not their best edition, but worth the money just for the phone numbers and general info.


Colombia - Tierra Querida

Colombia - Tierra Querida

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lozza says on Jul 14, 2004, 15:37:

'Footprints' Try the 'Footprints Guide' for Colombia, they've got a bit more detail and information, maps etc. than most of the other guides, especially on the less well know regions, villages and towns.

Good luck

Loz

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 14, 2004, 15:41:

Do you speak Spanish? I have a pretty decent Spanish language guide to the country that was produced, I believe, by a government agency. Less handwringing and more of a sense of the geography and climate of various regions. Nice pics. I don't recall if it offers hotel info and that kind of thing.

Will report back when I lay hands on it.

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Mr. Hollywood says on Jul 14, 2004, 18:14:

Sounds like the same thing I got mine used and it has no pull out map but it's about that size and published in 1998 by the Fondo de Promoción Turística de Colombia. Name is simply, Colombia: Guia Turistica.

If the bureau was liquidated it's a shame. The book is really pretty. I'll keep my eyes peeled for used copies like you saw and let you know if I find them.

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Gator says on Jul 14, 2004, 19:10:

Try the Auto Guia Have never seen this in English. The 2004 addition is available.Their web site is: http://www.directorios-legis.com/ When you get there look on the left side and click Guias Especialaizadas, then Auto Guia Turistica de Colombia. If your Spanish is up to it this is very good and has what you want. I believe it is available in all the major cities. It's put out by Puble Legis and their main office is in Bogotá on Av Eldorado

Another one that impressed me was one a friend who visited in Carragena brought with him. "Footprint Colombia Handbook: The Travel Guide" by Peter Pollard. Ralph said he got it through Amazon.Com

Here is the web site of the Ministerio de Comercio, Industria y Turismo and, if your spanish is up to it, some information that might be of interest. If you get to one of the major cities or Bogotá find their office. Loaded with free information some in English.http://www.mincomercio.gov.co/VBeContent/home.asp

A la orden

Gator

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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Gator says on Jul 14, 2004, 19:12:

Make that "Publi Legis" as the publisher Sorry

"Credidi pretio parvo emere et magno vendere tibi in animo fuisse!" .

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