Travel Guide Books

If you are planning a lengthy trip to various countries in South America then you will definitely need an up-to-date comprehensive South American Travel Guide book. This book will become your most important trip companion!

Currently, the Lonely Planet and Footprint companies write the two most popular Travel Guide books for South America. I think purchasing either Travel Guide will provide you with more than enough information on individual South American countries. Editions of Travel Guides are continually updated so make sure you buy the more recent publications available.

Lonely Planet: South America on a Shoestring ;9th Edition Author - Danny Palmerlee

Highly Recommended !

I purchased this book 6 months before I travelled to South America – it provided an excellent idea of what I could potentially do and see in each South American country. More importantly it provides an overview of accommodation options in most cities and towns.

When arriving on a bus to a random South American pueblo (town) it was fantastic to be able to refer to the Lonely Planet guide book and its maps. In a few minutes I could easily get my bearings and know where the nearest local accommodation options were located.

You can purchase the Lonely Planet: South America on a Shoestring (cost approx US $33.99) from Lonely Planet.

UPDATE: if you buy Lonely Planet: South America on a Shoestring from the official Lonely Planet website you can download the first two chapters of the book. They market it as 'Smart Start' because it lets you begin reading the book before you physically receive it in the post – a pretty good idea!

Footprint: South American Handbook 2007 Author - Ben Box

Many travellers I met along the way carried the Footprint South American Handbook. This book advertises itself “with nearly 1,700 pages, this guide contains almost 40 percent more information than its nearest competitor”. I purchased the competitors product but happily admit that the Footprint Handbook is hugely popular amongst backpackers with excellent reviews.

The Footprint 2007 edition sells for approx US $35. I've seen some recent editions for sale at approx US $20 or less on this website. In their book search engine type the words "Footprint South America 2007". Also keep an eye out for 2nd hand editions which are not too out-of-date.

The only down side is that Comprehensive Travel Guides like these are large books weighing 800+ grams. Allow space for a Lonely Planet or Footprint in your backpack because, despite the extra weight, it is still well worth lugging a Guide Book from country to country.

Nicks Travel Notes: Comprehensive Guide Books like these are crammed with literally thousands of destinations and ideas. You will NOT be able to do and see everything that a 1000+ page guide book recommends. Try and pick out key destinations that appeal to you and travel at your own pace. Unfortunately, too many travellers in South America rush from Point A to Point B, ticking the boxes on the number of items to see from their guide books. These travellers ultimately don’t stop long enough in any one place to experience the local people and their cultures - this is the true beauty of South America!

FURTHER READING

Before your trip I suggest you also research your local library for books on South America and its history. Topics that interested me included the Inca Empire (Indigenous), Francisco Pizzaro (Spanish Conquistadors), Simon Bolívar (Revolution & Independence) and Che Guevara (South American Icon)

This is a popular book amongst younger travellers. But not quite my 'cup of tea'

The Gringo Trail Author: Mark Mann

"Sad, funny, shocking. The Gringo Trail is an On The Road for the Lonely Planet generation. A darkly comic road-trip and a revealing journey through South America’s turbulent history".

Your local library may not have this book. The cheapest price I found for this book was US$9.99 from this online book website. You can instantly download the entire book for this price.

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