TRAVEL : QUIXO PERU : learning about peru
Recommended Guide Books for Travel Information on Peru
Your Guide: Catherine Criolla
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Footprint Peru 2007 (Footprint Travel Guides) — is my top recommendation for those traveling to Peru on their own. I find that it is generally the most complete, most up-to-date source of travel information on Peru. The edition linked here is the just released 2007 edition. To plan your trip, use it or it's larger relative Footprint South American Handbook, which still is updated annually.
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Insight Guide Peru, is great on background information and special topics. This guide book is recommended if you are traveling with a tour or if you would like additional background information on Peru. It has wonderful photographs. It is very short on practical information and I don’t agree with some of their recommendations on hotels, restaurants and such. This is a great book to read through though.
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Lonely Planet Peru is generally good, but the information on prices and currency and even travel advice in it tends not to be as up-to-date as that found in the footprint guides (although this may be changing — note that the edition I’ve linked to above is a brand new one with a new suite of authors so I assume the whole thing is newly revamped).
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Peru In Focus: A Guide to the People, Politics and Culture packs a great deal of pretty well balanced information into less than 100 pages, and is recommended for those trying to get their general bearings in Peru (e.g. those going there to live or do business), and for those short term travelers looking for a more in depth picture of current events in Peru (although it is almost 10 years old).
- For Cusco, beg, borrow, or buy a copy of Peter Frost's Exploring Cusco. It can be difficult to find in the U.S. but is often found on Amazon. Try the South American Explorers Club, or buy a copy in Cuzco, where it is generally available.