Lonely Planet Brazil (4th Ed)

Rating:
Summary: Superficial and doesn't cover 99% of the country!
Review: I used the previous eddition of the LP guide while on an extended (5-month) trip in Brazil and halfway through the trip I gave it away because it was just cluttering up my backpack. It only covered the biggest cities, and even then, I thought Andrew Draffen to some very snobbish opinions about many places (Santos being one of them). One of the most interesting "off-the-beaten path" travels I made (w/out Lonely Planet) was from Lencois Maranhenses (Barreirinhas) overland to Tutoia, and then by boat past the Ilha do Caju to Piaui, and then to Camocim and on to Jericoacoara. Had I trusted the LP guide, this region of the coast would have remained a mystery. I eventually bought a copy of Guia 4 Rodas Brazil guide in Portuguese because the maps were amazingly accurate, and it had hotel and dining options for even the most obscure towns. I also visited Parintins (an island-city in the Amazon) in June for the largest Bumba-meu-boi festival in the world, and LP doesn't even mention the place! There are some newer, better books on the market that appear better... when travelling in Brazil trust the locals and avoid Lonely Planet!

Rating:
Summary: Superficial and doesn't cover 99% of the country!
Review: I used the previous eddition of the LP guide while on an extended (5-month) trip in Brazil and halfway through the trip I gave it away because it was just cluttering up my backpack. It only covered the biggest cities, and even then, I thought Andrew Draffen to some very snobbish opinions about many places (Santos being one of them). One of the most interesting "off-the-beaten path" travels I made (w/out Lonely Planet) was from Lencois Maranhenses (Barreirinhas) overland to Tutoia, and then by boat past the Ilha do Caju to Piaui, and then to Camocim and on to Jericoacoara. Had I trusted the LP guide, this region of the coast would have remained a mystery. I eventually bought a copy of Guia 4 Rodas Brazil guide in Portuguese because the maps were amazingly accurate, and it had hotel and dining options for even the most obscure towns. I also visited Parintins (an island-city in the Amazon) in June for the largest Bumba-meu-boi festival in the world, and LP doesn't even mention the place! There are some newer, better books on the market that appear better... when travelling in Brazil trust the locals and avoid Lonely Planet!

Rating:
Summary: some mistakes, and missing historical info, but practical
Review: Santos is a great city to visit. Easily reachable by bus from Sao Paulo down 1000 meters through the hairpin turns of the Mata Atlantica to the coastline. The biggest port in Lat. Am. with a fascinating history. Brasil was founded in nearby Sao Vincente. The towns are poor, as much of Brasil is, but they are making great improvements. The Coffee Exhange building is great ! Nice botantical gardens, the aquarium has fish that have legs ! Unfortunately your recommended hotel - The Hotel Gonzaga is burnt out, a bus stop, and housing for homeless. Try the Hotel Atlantico instead. There is no great guide for all Brasil yet, but this one has the most practical info.