Frommer's Mexico 2005 (Frommer's Complete)

Rating:
Summary: Don't confuse Frommer's with Fodor's
Review: ...so far, from just reading it, I can tell you that the maps (especially the vaunted Rand McNally separate) leave a lot to be desired: They don't include all the main roads (I know, I compared with other maps) and they differ in tourist info (Uxmal appears in the maps inside the book, but not in the Rand McNally tear out). Plus, the assassin that killed Trotsky, Ramón Mercader, wasn't Mexican, as Fodor's says, but a Spanish Communist! I mean, come on! I know that, how can the Fodor's people not know that? Also, Mercader used a pickaxe, not an icepick like Trotsky would haev you believe, to murder Trotsky. What the hey, let's hope that the travel info Fodor's provides is more accurate than the historic info.

Rating:
Summary: A GREAT GUIDE-WELL WORTH IT
Review: Don't leave to Mexico without getting this guide. It's packed full of useful tips and by the end of our 3 week trip around Mexico it became well used, both by us and by other travellers frequently wanting to look something up (we ended up letting someone we met use the guidebook after we left as they were always asking to use it). It takes you into the little known details of Mexico, educates you on the cultures, guides you through different alleys to get to a destination and the map that comes with it was great to get an overall feel of where we were and where we were planning to go to. Prices were accurate and I liked the fact that this guide book caters to both the traveller that really wants to find out what Mexico is about and travel the back road as well as catering to the tourist in us all that ocassionally wants to step out of the back roads and just be... well... just be a tourist for a day. And as usual, restaurant reviews are top notch (catering for both those on a budget and those that have a bit of money to splurge). I recommend using this book for Mexico and if you plan on extending your travel after that to some of the other countries in the region for a shorter period of time to also have the Footprint guide to Mexico & Central America as it has good info on Belize, Guatemala, etc.

Rating:
Summary: The most useful guide book in Mexico
Review: It's a very happy thing with a Frommer's in hand when I'm in Mexico last month. Because this book is very detailed and correct,you could just follow it and don't need to worry about.Especially the restaurants and hotels(3 stars) it suggest,all are very nice and wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: Ahem....There *IS* a Northern Part to This Country
Review: Purports to be a comprehensive guide, but conveniently overlooks everything in the northern tier, including the entire states of Tamaulipas, Coahuila, Nuevo Leon, Sonora, and Durango. Can you imagine a U.S. travel guide that just "forgets to mention" whole regions like the southwest, or New England, or the east coast? You'd probably think such a guide was [bad]-- and that's pretty much how I view the Frommer's guide. Leaving out Monterrey (the third largest city in the country) is inexcusible given the huge range of attractions, hotels, and events that go on in that part of the country. To further overlook the whole border region, the northern Gulf coast, and the desert cities like Hermosillo is just plain ridiculous. If all you want is an overview of the beach resorts and Mexico City, and similar places that have already been covered by everyone else, then this guide will do in a pinch. If you want true comprehensive travel info and true insight to the country as a whole, look elsewhere.

Rating:
Summary: Waste of Money
Review: This will be our last Frommer's. Left out info on some of the best markets in Mexico; Leon, Aguascalientes, others; and nothing on Monterrey. We found many inaccuracies as regards directions and locations given by authors. Some maps were in accurate and info was outdated on many of the cities we visited north of Mexico City. Had the same problems a few years back with Frommer's European guides. Don't waste your money like we did. Our last Frommer's!