The people's guide to Mexico

This isn't a traditional guidebook. It contains no information on specific hotels, sites to see, or things to do. It has no maps and only a few rudimentary itineraries. What it does have is a lifetime's accumulation of information, insight, and wisdom regarding the culture of Mexico. The People's Guide explains Mexicans' habits, customs, and attitudes. It also provides information and advice (specific to Mexico) about driving and other modes of travel, accommodations, health and safety strategies, shopping, and other important travel topics. While much of the information presented is targeted to the "hippies-traveling-for-months-at-a-time-out-of-the-back-of-a-van" contingent, most of it is probably invaluable to the business, or resort traveler as well. Franz's happy-go-lucky personality and heavy use of stories, anecdotes, and examples lends to both the enjoyment and understanding of the material.

I've been to some 30-odd countries and used stacks and stacks of guidebooks. None of them comes close to this one in terms of depth, insider info, and useful advice that will keep you out of a jam. This is probably the first guidebook I've ever kept on my nightstand and read for pleasure--it's that much fun. It's akin to swinging in a hammock, holding a cold Sol, and listening to a traveler talk for hours about the good bad and ugly in Mexico. Whether you're going to Mexico for a week (Cancun doesn't count) or are thinking of buying a house and moving there, this book is the best investment you can make. Tim Leffelauthor, The World's Cheapest Destinations

The People's Guide is a pure delight, a labor of love about Mexico. It's a travel book that is actually fun to read. It's also full of useful information about just about everything; how to travel, where to stay, how to stay healthy, how to deal with the law, some basics on the language, and much more. And every bit of it feels like advice from someone who has learned it all through years of experience, some of it painful, most of it joyful.What it is not is a book listing all the hotels, restaurants, stores, museums, and so forth. (There is a short section - The Best of Mexico - with specific suggestions, but it's just a starting point.) If your approach to travel is as footloose and unplanned as the authors, this may be the only book you need. If you like a little more structure, you will want to supplement it with traditional guidebooks for the areas you plan to visit.

The People's Guide to Mexico continues to be THE guidebook for learning about Mexico, its people, culture and places, from an insightful author(s) who have been traveling and living in Mexico for over 30 years. A Caveat: if you are looking for a humorless, factual guide to four and five star resorts, and only like to travel first class or stay at global chain hotels, THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU. If you enjoy irreverence, humor, colorful stories, personal experience and gaining real insight- rare in the tourist guidebook genre- about the very different, yet welcoming, culture next door, then this IS your book. (I was raised in Mexico and live in the USA, exactly opposite of Carl, Lorena et al- but I love these guys, and used to carry a battered old edition- wish I still had it!- in my VW bus when I traveled throughout Mexico and Central America in it after military service and Vietnam. I re-read it many a time, and it was my #1 book... ¡Muchas gracias! Carl y amigos...)

This book is a joy for people who: · Have been to Mexico· Have never been to Mexico· Are planning to go to Mexico· Want to say home and read about Mexico· Want to learn about a Mexico that is not defined by the major tourist areas · But most importantly, people who want to hear about Mexico from someone who has had many enjoyable trips to Mexico and loved every minute of those trips. The author imparts his love of the people, culture, food, and country through stories that are not connected so you can pick up the book and begin reading where you please. The book is filled with stories that are make-you-laugh-out-loud thigh slappers. Through the years I continue to enjoy this book, and often pick it up looking for favorite stories. Each time it brings back fond memories of the Mexico I know from my own trips and the wonderful picture Carl has weaved for me. Buy, read, and enjoy!