Moon Handbooks Books

Moon Cancun and Cozumel: Including the Riviera Maya (Moon Handbooks)

Gary Chandler, Liza Prado

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Subjects -> History -> Ancient -> Mayan
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Subjects -> Travel -> Guidebook Series -> Moon Handbooks

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Very Informative 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

I found this book to be very helpful and up to date. The details provided were first rate. It even listed the ferry schedule to Isla Mujeres - something that other guides only glossed over. The maps were useful too. There were a lot of information on cenotes, and where they are located.

I liked it so much that I have just bought the Moon travel guide to the Four Corners.

Editorial Review:

Long-time travelers to Mexico Gary Chandler and Liza Prado know the best way to experience Cancún and Cozumel, from a romantic getaway in Tulum to diving and snorkeling Isla Cozumel and Isla Holbox. Chandler and Prado include unique trip ideas like The Best of the Riviera Maya and An Eco-Adventure Tour. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Cancún and Cozumel has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on the best beaches, and a Four Color page section, Moon Cancún and Cozumel gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

Moon Glacier National Park (Moon Handbooks)

Becky Lomax

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Written by a local hiking guide whose love affair with the park spans decades, Moon Glacier National Park uncovers the best ways to experience the rugged Crown of the Continent. You’ll find where to smother your taste buds with huckleberry pie, where to spot a glacier, where to spy grizzly bears, where to swim with icebergs, and where to run your fingers over some of North America’s oldest rock formations. Moon Glacier National Park and Becky Lomax help you have a truly personal experience. Suggested travel strategies and lists of must-see sights provide you with real insights so you can decide where you should go, stay, and eat—without hassles or regrets. Becky's travel strategies include one day in Glacier, the Glacier smorgasboard (an eight-day overview), wildlife watching, getting away from it all: two chalets, wildflower wonders, and the top ten day hikes. Becky details where to trek, climb, mountain bike, swim, kayak, and relax between glaciers or towering mountains. Complete with maps, photographs, illustrations, and special emphasis on leading destinations such as Going-to-the-Sun Road, Logan Pass, Grinnell Glacier, Many Glacier Hotel, Granite Park Chalet, Lake McDonald, and Waterton National Park.

Moon Guatemala (Moon Handbooks)

Al Argueta

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> Guatemala

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

A Disappointment. 1 out of 5 stars.
6 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Having just returned from a week in Guatemala, I bought this book because it packed a lot of information into its pages and seemed to cover all the bases, and then some. However, I found the information in the Moon guide to Guatemala surprisingly thin or just plain inaccurate with respect to what one really needs to know about a place. For example, Moon's advice on Antigua is unhelpful or outdated: the tourist office is located elsewhere; the restaurants deserve better descriptions; and the best shops are given short-shrift. Additionally, it doesn't deliver the good regarding practical information on excursions. For example, with respect to climbing the Pacaya volcano, it would have been nice to know all the ins-and-outs on entrance fees, recommended stuff to take to the top (don't forget those marshmallows!), and just how long the whole trips takes start to finish. I sometimes got the impression that the author was relying on second-hand accounts for his information on these places.

Editorial Review:

Part-time Guatemala resident Alvaro Argueta provides travelers with an insider's view of Guatemala's rich ecological gems, including idyllic surfspots and popular volcanoes. Argueta is the perfect tour guide — providing trip ideas like Highland Adventure and Exploring the Maya Past and Present. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Guatemala has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many area, regional, and city-centered maps. Including experienced advice on visiting Lake Atitlan, La Antigua, and the variety of museums in Guatemala City, Moon Guatemala gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

Moon Costa Rica (Moon Handbooks)

Christopher P. Baker

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> Costa Rica

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Not for LP loyalists or budget travelers 3 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

As a loyal Lonely Planet reader, I thought Moon would be as good or better, considering the reviews for the two. This book is written for the author's ideals only - anyone who is really into sportfishing and seeing exclusively expats while traveling. It does a poor job of listing the more budget-minded lodging and restaurants, and has little to no mention of info that would suit someone with cultural interest. All restaurants and lodging are "to avoid the Ticos, book here" or "try expat Chuck and Susan's pace, here". It would help someone book an entire trip to see other travelers traveling, and to go fishing. Disappointed, I went to the bookstore and paged through LP's older, more concise guide book, and was thrilled to see better descriptions, more color pictures, and more cultural insight. Moon's book also packs an extra 100 pages of Costa Rican history - something that is nice, but not necessary to take with me in a backpack trekking around the country.
Lastly, the author has an absurd overuse with superlatives! "This beach is the best in the country" and "the wildlife in this park is unmatched" - these are good descriptions, but when applied to every park and every beach, given that there are dozens, it makes it difficult for the traveler to make an informed decision to organize their best trip to Costa Rica.
Overall I was disappointed and will be buying a different guide book to take with me.

Editorial Review:

Award-winning travel writer Christopher P. Baker knows the best way to experience Costa Rica, from surfing the beaches of Golfo Dulce to hiking in Corcovado National Park and dining in upscale Escazú in San Jose. Baker includes unique trip ideas like The 21-Day Best of Costa Rica, The Offbeat Experience, and Seven Days for Active Vacationers. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Costa Rica has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on the best beaches for surfing and a variety of opportunities to get outdoors, Moon Costa Rica gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

Moon Honduras (Moon Handbooks)

Chris Humphrey

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Central America -> Honduras

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Moon Honduras provides you with the essential details needed to discover all the can't miss sights, attractions, and restaurants in this fascinating country, while including the best lesser-known and local hotspots.
With firsthand experience and honest insight, author Chris Humphrey provides you with all the tools you need to create your own unique experience. Chris's fun and creative travel suggestions can help you plan your perfect trip including, 14-Day Best of Honduras, Best Beaches, Adventure Hiking, Best Dive Sites, including dive essentials like safety and marine life, and The History Tour.
Kayak on the Rio Cangrejal, hike in Celaque's cloud forest, explore Mayan ruins, and dive around the spectacular Bay Islands. Or read intriguing sidebars about soccar wars, Hondurenismos, Sam the Banana Man, and diving Roatan's Reef. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon Handbooks ensure that travelers have an uncommon and entirely satisfying experience—and a few new stories to tell.

Moon Yucatan Peninsula: Including Chiapas (Moon Handbooks)

Liza Prado, Gary Chandler

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Mexico -> Yucatan Peninsula

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

Just back from two weeks touring the Yucatan and this book made my trip. As always the Blue Moon people give the good info for the indie traveler. The great out of the way places to stay and eat and sleep and visit. All wrapped up in one neat book. If you are headed to the Yucatan TAKE THIS BOOK! you won't be sorry! Oh yeah, also pick up the cult classic "A Tourist In The Yucatan!" great thriller set in the Yucatan.

Editorial Review:

Long-time travelers to Mexico Liza Prado and Gary Chandler know the best way to experience the Yucatán Peninsula, from exploring Mayan archaeology and culture to diving and snorkeling the world's longest underwater river system. Prado and Chandler include unique trip ideas like The Best of the Yucatán Peninsula and An Eco-Adventure Tour. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Yucatán Peninsula has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on the best beaches and venturing into the more remote regions of Chiapas and Tabasco, Moon Yucatán Peninsula gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

Moon Puerto Rico (Moon Handbooks)

Suzanne Van Atten

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

Puerto Rico may be best known for its spectacular beaches, classic golf courses, and rich Spanish culture, but that's just the tip of the palm tree. Moon Puerto Rico provides you with the essential details needed to discover all the can't miss sights, attractions, and restaurants on the island, while including the best lesser-known and local hotspots.
With firsthand experience and honest insight, expert author Suzanne Van Atten provides you with all the tools you need to create your own unique experience. Suzanne's fun and creative travel suggestions can help you plan your perfect trip including, 21-Day Tour of Puerto Rico, Thrillseekers Tour, Beach Bum Tour, Romantic Getaway, and Family Fun.
Explore El Yunque rain forest or the underground caves at Cavernas del Rio Camuy; swim in a glowing bioluminescent bay at night; and dance to the beats of a salsa band in San Juan. From Vieques and Culebra to Cordillera Central and Rincon, Moon Puerto Rico gives you the tools for an entirely uncommon, more personal, and ultimately more satisfying travel experience.

Moon California Hiking (Moon Handbooks)

Tom Stienstra, Ann Marie Brown

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Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Hiking & Camping -> Walking

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Truth in Advertising: A New Edition of California's Hiking Bible. 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 14 people found this review helpful.

Every two years or so, hikers in California are blessed with a new edition of Ann Marie Brown and Tom Stienstra's California Hiking, by far the most complete hiking guide to the state. Keeping track of all the trails and updating when necessary is no simple task. Indeed, one of the authors proudly advertises hiking, camping, and otherwise exploring the out of doors almost half the year in an effort to keep this book up to date and to "avoid .. getting a real job." The 2008 edition is the largest in several years and includes over 40 new hikes.

What has stayed the same. California Hiking still divides the state into sixteen geographical regions and lists hikes in each area. Maps of each region are provided with directions to the trail heads, and regions are organized from North (Redwood Empire) to South (San Diego County and Southern Deserts). An introduction explains how to use the guide and lists favorite hikes of the authors in multiple categories, from best wildflowers and waterfalls, to best "difficult" hikes (the authors use a slightly different aphorism) ie., hikes you might not want to take your spouse on. Each hike includes a brief description, along with directions to the trailhead. Individual trail maps cannot be included in a guide as comprehensive as this one, but the authors provide information on where to obtain available maps, along with important details like entrance fees, permits, and local government agencies.

What is new. More trails! From one end of the state to the other, the authors have added new hikes: some twenty in the San Franciso area alone. I am personally looking forward to walking the recently opened Mill Creek trail, found just south of Monterey and Carmel. Old growth redwoods are one of my passions, and any new trails of this sort are welcome. Among the new hikes in Southern California, Gray's Peak and Black Mountain Lookout both offer spectacular overlooks. Also new is Runyon Canyon in Hollywood Hills and several new trails in the Sacramento area. A few trails have been dropped from this edition. The Cedars Creek Interpretive trail, for example, has fallen into disrepair and is no longer listed in California Hiking. But for the most part, the changes are in favor of more, not less, and this edition is worth purchasing for the new hikes alone.

Other changes include updating mileages and difficulty ratings. Those of us who are absolutely exhausted after climbing to the top of Yosemite Falls will be relieved to find that this trail is now rated a "4" on the difficulty scale (which runs from 1 to 5). The authors have also made extensive mileage updates to reflect new trail alignments. Deep Creek Hot Springs is now listed as 4 miles from a new trail head, and the Ewoldson trail, probably the single most beautiful hike in the Monterey area, is now listed at 5.3 miles to include a spur trail to a stunning overlook.

Over the years I have met a number of hikers who use this book as their hiking bible for the state. More than a few of them (myself included) dream of walking every trail listed. That would require a Herculean effort, of course, but it says a lot that the authors of this book have done so multiple times and given the rest of us what is surely the most comprehensive state hiking guide currently available in the United States. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.

Editorial Review:

Best-selling outdoors authors Tom Stienstra and Ann Marie Brown know the best hiking trails in the Golden State, from breathtaking coastal walks north of Los Angeles to challenging backcountry treks in the Sierra Nevada. Drawing from the knowledge and experience of both authors, Moon California Hiking leads beginner and expert hikers alike to the best trails the state has to offer. The eighth edition of this classic guidebook includes 21 new hikes and unique lists of “Bests” like Best Hikes to Waterfalls and Best Hikes to See Wildlife. Complete with helpful icons which rate the difficulty and quality of each hike, detailed regional maps, and hiking tips, Moon California Hiking provides hikers with first-rate expert advice and all the necessary tools to head outdoors.

Moon Puerto Vallarta: Including the Nayarit and Jalisco Coasts (Moon Handbooks)

Bruce Whipperman

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Subjects -> Travel -> Latin America -> Mexico -> Puerto Vallarta

Editorial Review:

Mexico enthusiast and veteran travel writer Bruce Whipperman knows the best way to experience Puerto Vallarta, from dining at new restaurants in De Santos and Xitomate to snorkeling in the Bay of Matanchén. Whipperman includes unique trip ideas like Eight Hours in Puerto Vallarta (a walking tour ideal for cruise travelers) and Five-Day Best of Puerto Vallarta. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Puerto Vallarta has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many regional, area, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on Puerto Vallarta's gay scene, the best beaches, shopping for Huichol crafts, and a Four Color section, Moon Puerto Vallarta gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.

Moon Belize (Moon Handbooks)

Joshua Berman

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Essential reading for anyone contemplating a trip! 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Inspired travel-writer Joshua Berman lays Belize out like a fine banquet table in this indispensable guidebook. Contemplating Belize as your next port of call? Get this book. I liked it in my armchair, and loved it in the bush. Joshua's wonderful photos and exposition set the standard for Moon, a terrific publisher, but his practical advice is what really justifies the purchase. I'd wanted to stay on a budget, treating myself right on the occasional night, and I found Joshua's advice to be gold. I ended enjoying the trip so much I bought his Moon Handbooks Nicaragua (Moon Handbooks). Not sure if I'll two-peat to Central America for my next trip, but it's amazing how an unfamiliar place can feel like home with the right guide. Highly recommended.

Editorial Review:

Former Belize resident Joshua Berman knows the best way to experience Belize, from hiking the waterfall at Lubaantun and riding horseback to El Pilar to diving reefs at dawn. Berman includes unique trip ideas like Surf and Turf and Diving in Belize. Packed with information on dining, transportation, and accommodations, Moon Belize has lots of options for a range of travel budgets. Every Moon guidebook includes recommendations for must-see sights and many area, regional, and city-centered maps. Complete with details on visiting Monkey River, bird-watching in the wetlands, and reserving a barstool to watch the sun set at the Lazy Lizard, Moon Belize gives travelers the tools they need to create a more personal and memorable experience. With expert writers, first-rate strategic advice, and an essential dose of humor, Moon guidebooks are the cure for the common trip.