Read Explorer Guide El Salvador A Great Destination Explorer Great Destinations Paige R Penland 9781581571141 Books

Product details Series Explorer's Great Destinations Paperback 288 pages Publisher Countryman Press (October 4, 2010) Language English ISBN-10 1581571143

Explorer Guide El Salvador A Great Destination Explorer Great Destinations Paige R Penland 9781581571141 Books Reviews

• There aren't too many guide books on El Salvador...we purchased the Lonely Planet guide that combines El Salvador and Nicaragua. It just doesn't have the information we were looking for. If you want to get off the beaten path, and stay in places other than generic hostels and hotels that the Lonely Planet book describes, then the Explorer's Guide to El Salvador is the best purchase you will make before your trip. We used it the entire time we were in El Salvador, and it had so much valuable information in it. Better descriptions of landmarks, monuments, parks, restaurants, etc. Just better, period. There's no hype in the descriptions (in fact, at times there is a humorous snarkiness to the descriptions).
  
  Buy the book, and be sure to bring it with you. You'll be sure to have a wonderful time in the country. One thing I would suggest is to double check the operating times of museums, restaurants, etc. Some may change.
  
  Another note - don't buy into the hype about the danger in visiting this beautiful country. The book states the same, and points out the obvious...just be a wary and aware traveler. Salvadorans are exceptionally kind and helpful.
• There is very few guidebooks about El Salvador. This is probably the best of them. However I found this guidebook disorganized and difficult to plan traveling around El Salvador. The guidebook describes El Salvador from from San Salvador and out towards the borders of El Salvador, nothing wrong with that but I was coming from Honduras and had difficulties to plan traveling from the border and into San Salvador. I needed far more information about border towns and buses going from the border. I did not have enough information to dare to stop in the countryside. I had no idea which way the bus was going into San Salvador so I could jump off at a nice spot. I did see from the bus window fantastic landscape and a very nice hotel but I was unprepared to jump off from the bus. One need a lot of help to plan traveling in El Salvador since there is only chicken buses available. Maybe far easier with a rental car but then you need to go into San Salvador.
• My husband is from El Salvador so I have a live in guide at home. However I wanted to prepare for my first visit and learn about the different regions and some basic customs that might be normal to my hubby but new to me. I liked the little side notes by the author regarding festivals, especially food festivals. This guide will give you a good idea of what you can expect in El Salvador if you stay on the tourist path. It doesn't cover off road or exploration that much, guess you'll need a different guide for that.
• I'm planning a trip to El Salvador with a native Salvadorean. I think this books is super informative and well written. He has been reading through the book and was impressed by the depth to detail and explanation, and inclusion of interesting locales. Its a good size and not too heavy to actually bring with you on your travels.
• A great book BUT....
  This book is filled with great information. It is extremely thorough and easy to read. It's too bad all the photos are not in color. My nly critique is that the book is poorly organized. Author really dropped the ball in that respect. I had to buy colored Post It Notes to easily find information
• We own a place in el Salvador so we are always looking for something to broaden our base of knowledge. My husband loves this book! He says he has learned all kinds of interesting places and facts that he can't wait to explore on his own. Totally worth the purchase.
• The guide was good for finding food and lodging and highlighting sights of interest. As with all guides, things change. It is important to look for the most current guides.
• Time to read everything before you buy tickets in case it is too steep from the standpoint of personal safety.