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

I used this book extensively this past summer for an epic driving trip into Mexico that took me almost to Manzanillo. I found the book extremely useful for discovering those off the beaten path sidetrips. I also used Fodor's but found this book a notch above in terms of helpful recomendations.Since the bulk of the 3+ weeks was spent in Puerto Vallarta(actually Mismaloya) the book proved to be a good guide for excursions into the surrounding states of Nayarit and Colima. For the most part the details given were accurate but with any travel book there are problems with current information as things are usually in flux in the tourist trade. I suppose that is why they can come out with new editions every year. Some of the information when missing can be a letdown, for example one day we went out for an adventure in the hopes of seeing the turtle rescue attempts in a not so nearby bay only to find out it was not exactly natures right time. There were other let downs such as the time we wet out to Mexicalitlan ," House of the Mexicans", where the ancient Aztecs/Mexica supposedly set out from Aztlan to establish Tenochitlan where the eagle would be found on top of a nopal devouring a snake. The description calls it a "scenic little island town." If you consider peering into the open doors of the living rooms of the locals I guess it was scenic! For my part I found it to be a waste of a drive. The museum was closed also which brings to a point one should consider whenever driving to a destination in Mexico. Do not arrive during the tradional siesta time or one will have to wait until 4 or 5 in the afternoon to enjoy the local musem etc! By contrast unexpected pleasant surprises can result by the books ommision of information as in the opportunity to see the hatching of baby crocodiles at the end of the jungle cruise on La Tovara near San Blas. All in all the guide is very, very useful to plan out a trip and see things and experience different parts of Mexican culture. The short histories, hotel recomendations, restaurant guides etc are pretty accurate and invaluable in planning a trip within a trip. There is diversity in recomendations for the earthy camper or the posh five star luxury hotel traveler. I would recommend this book for any traveler along the lovely Pacific Mexican trail.

My friend and I used this book, and a wrinkled photocopy of a map, as our only guides on a bicycle trip from Mazatlan to Salina Cruz, Oaxaca. This is the rare travel book with an authorial voice that enhances the information rather than distracts. Mr. Whipperman obviously has a deep love of the region (especially Oaxaca and Indigenous regions of Guerrero)and a love for the kind of travelling that makes travel worthwhile. Laudable detail on the places you end up, rather than seek out, and the tasty bits of history he includes make you glad you did.

We've been going to PV and points south for years. I've been amused looking in Mexico tourist guides for their laughable coverage (if there is any) of Playa Careyes, Tomatlan, El Tuito. Usually, there's nothing. This book covers it all! Granted, there are many restaurants and shops in PV that aren't included, but PV is easy to figure out. It's once you get on the highway that you need the book.Enjoy.

We have traveled repeatedly to Mexico since 1988. We have investigated numerous travel guides during that time. Discovering this book ended our search for a guide that was comprehensive, detailed, up to date, and not rephrased advice covered by all the other guides. Time after time the advice in this book has guided us to unforgettable excursions both on and off the beaten path.