Moon Handbooks Pacific Mexico: Including Mazatlan, Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Acapulco, and Oaxaca

Stretching over 1,000 miles along the Pacific coast from Mazatlán in Sinaloa down to Bahias de Huatulco in Oaxaca, the choices of tropical, palm-lined lagoons and soft sandy beaches seem without end yet easily accessible, thanks to Mexico's Highway 200 on the Pacific coast and a plethora of airplane access. Yet not each beach resort town is the same in character and opportunities. One of the great services rendered by Whipperman's handbook, before you ever set foot on Mexican soil, is the concise yet evocative description of the distinguishing personalities of the many towns and cities along the water. Especially useful if you're venturing south for the first time, Whipperman's introductions help you plan your itinerary to suit your mood and style. Of course he backs his narrative up with all the facts one might need, the hotels and restaurants, means of transportation and nightlife, shopping, sports, sights, and beaches. But he fleshes these guidebook details out with his sensitive and scholarly attention to the people, history and culture, the land and sea, the vegetation and the animals to be seen and experienced. All the options are spelled out, from the hedonistic immersion in resort relaxation to a glossary of helpful Spanish if you choose to explore further afield. --Stephanie Gold

Product Description
From exploring Oaxaca's magnificent ruins and sportfishing near Mazatlán to lounging in a beach hideaway on the Nayarit Coast, Moon Handbooks Pacific Mexico is the guide to the best the region has to offer, both on and off the beaten path. Practical information includes suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights, plus essentials on dining, transportation, and accommodations for a range of budgets. Complete with details for surfing at Playa Zicatela and attending fiestas in Puerto Vallarta, Moon Handbooks Pacific Mexico gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience.

Enjoy.


info not up to date, not helpful for bus travel   May 5, 1999
10 out of 17 found this review helpful

I took this book on a recent trip to Oaxaca and was very disappointed. The author assumes that readers who wish to venture out of the city will rent a car or hire a driver, and accordingly, provides very little information about bus travel. The limited information provided (ie, you can take a bus to Monte Alban from the Asbastos terminal) was out of date and no longer valid.

The book contained useful maps. However, equally useful maps are available at no cost from the toursit information office, which, by the way, is longer at the location indicated in the book.