I gave the book 4 stars because I'm pretty sure it does it's job i.e. providing information on Chile. But I took 1 star away due to it's tone as I perceived it.


Comments after 3 weeks in Chile   February 10, 2003
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

I spent 3 weeks traveling in Chile with this book, and found it to be informative and interesting. I particularly liked the background information on the country and culture, which provided enough reading material for the long bus journeys and waits at airports. I had not planned my trip in advance, and this book enabled me to see a full 3 weeks worth of fantastic natural scenery from Patagonia to the Northen most Altiplano in Chile. My travelling companion had the Loney Planet guide to Chile, so a comparison might be useful. I prefered the Rough Guide for the background information to all the regions we visited, and for accommodation listings (although both books covered much the same in the accommodation info). We never failed to find somewhere to stay arrive on spec, and often late in the evening. Where the Lonely Planet guide scored over the Rough Guide was in the maps. The Rough Guide was not a good in the detail and clarity of it's mapping, hence is doesn't score a full 5 stars. But overall this is the book I would go for if you are trying to pick between them.


very useful   November 23, 2002
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

having spent a couple of months travelling through chile, i got to know my rough guide well, and had chance to compare to many of the other guide books out there, there are speciality books which cover other areas better and in more detail, some only available in chile. but of the mainstream guides this is definately the best. the cultural information is where the rough guides stand out, in fact a couple of our favorite places in Chile didnt even warrant a mention in one of the better known guide book series. the section on accomodation was the most lacking although occasionaly useful, as none of the guide books seem to have discovered the backpackers hostels which cover chile. but aside from this if you want a guide to chile, this is one of the best.


The best-informed and clearest Chile guide on the market   November 11, 2000
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

Thoroughly researched and lucidly written, guide books don't come much better than this one. It's by far the best I've come across for Chile and I talk from years of travel experience in Latin America - having also had the misfortune to be stuck with the mediocre offerings of other well-known travel guides on previous trips. Excellent sections on vineyards and winetasting, history, and trekking and outdoor pursuits top off a very professional publication. I heartily recommend this guide for Chile newcomers and old hands alike.