The Rough Guide to Belize

by Peter Eltringham

Book Overview

Whether you're seeking biodiversity or beaches, The Rough Guide is the most detailed source available for this exquisite beautiful land. In this new title, replacing The Rough Guide to Guatamala and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1858283515
• ISBN13: 9781858283517
• Release Date: March 1999
• Publisher: Rough Guides
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Recommended

(Planeta.com Journal) - This 300-page book is a superb second edition that details the best of ways of exploring Belize (and nearby Tikal and the Bay Islands). What Belize First calls "a tour de force" is a must-read for travelers heading to this country. Author Eltringham's first visit was during his tour of duty by the UK's Royal Air Force. He's returned numerous times and covers community tourism issues with the same clear-spoken authority of trekking and diving. Independent travelers will relish the detailed information, practical advice and helpful maps.

We tried others - but Rough Guide came through.

We had Lonely Planet "Central America" and Fodor's "Guatemala and Belize", but it was Rough Guide we kept coming back too. In our trip to Guatemala and Belize we spent 4 days in Belize, but only out on the Cayes. Most of the time was spent on Caye Caulker (a very laid back and relaxing escape) staying at Mara's Place which was listed in the guide without much fanfare, but hit the spot. If you need low budget (~25US per room - no tax!) stay with Mara. She is right near the swimming spit and has lovely cabins (no A/C, but ceiling fans) that are simple, but clean. You'll always notice Mara driving around town in her sporty ATV.For the size of the Caye the restaurants are plentiful with most listed in the guide. The one short coming was scuba info. Belize barrier reefs are known for their great scuba and snorkeling and the island has plenty of shops - but only 1 is listed. They will refer you elsewhere if they can't accomodate you, but I am surprised that Rough Guide didn't dedicate more space to this popular sport. I assume the writer either a) didn't spend much time on the Cayes or b) didn't care much for water sports. Might have been both, but this is a huge oversight given that the Cayes are one of the most popular destinations in Belize.Despite this shortcoming - you won't be disappointed.

Just back from Belize 5-25-00

This was the best of the 3 guide books that we bought and read before we went to Belize. The information was helpful and accurate. It is now all beat up because I carried it during heavy rain during my trip to Tikal.

Rough Guides Rock!

Hi out there,I would highly reccomend this book to anyone who is interested in traveling in Belize. It really gives you the straight story on how to go about getting to Belize, and what to expect once you arrive. Very down to earth approach to writing a guidebook. I encourage people to get Rough Guides when they travel, I have had very good luck with them.

tour de force of relentless research, timely info & sharp

Hooray! Belize now has its own Rough Guide. In the past, Belize has been combined with Guatemala in one edition. The new Belize edition, by Peter Eltringham (who co-authored the old Guatemala-Belize guide and has a hand in several other of Rough Guides to Mexico and Central America) is a tour de force of relentless research, timely info and sharp writing. I want to try to explain why this is such a good guide. But first, let's get something out of the way -- the name. Many North American reader still think the Rough Guides, published in London, are for budget travelers. In fact, as I understand it, the name Rough is an Anglicism meant to suggest that it is an approximation, an expected plan, as in a "rough plan." The Rough Guides, of which there are now more than a hundred, are definitely not just for travelers who are "roughing it." In fact, they cover all levels of travel, from budget to upmarket. A name change awhile back didn't stick, and the guides now go by the name by which they're known to experience travelers the world over, Rough Guides.Anyway, back to the new guide to Belize. Peter Eltringham first came to Belize with the Royal Air Force. He's been just about everywhere in Belize and knows it inside out. Turn to any section, and his recommendations on hotels, restaurants and what to do are almost always spot on. Although he's generous -- occasionally to a fault -- with hotels he likes, Peter can be blunt: He's willing to call a hotel overpriced when it is or to point out the illegal cutting of mangroves by resort developers. This guide is especially good on lesser-known destinations such as the southern cayes or Corozal District. There's also a helpful section on Tikal and one on the Honduras Bay Islands, though this latter section was written before Hurricane Mitch and is therefore nearly useless. A section called Contexts offers insightful information on Belize history, music, literature and other subjects. In short, this is a must-carry for anyone traveling in Belize.