Books forum

Hi Angiulet,

I don't think you can go wrong with either option, as they are both pretty good guides. The advantage with the Lonely Planet is that is is the mother of all guidebooks, and the "Southeast Asia on a Shoestring" title is what started this entire backpacker guidebook thing. Lonely Planet typically has well-researched information and good variety of listings.

In my experience Let's Go tends to focus more on budget budget than other guide books I've used, but still contains solid information. One advantage of using this or any other option instead of Lonely Planet is that you'll have recommended listings for different places than most of the other travellers you'll meet, since most folks I know use LP.

By the way, we met one of the Let's Go researchers for Thailand on our last visit. She was a wonderful person, and from the stories she was telling, will have added some great new listings and info to the Let's Go series.

Also, with websites like Travelfish, along with individual websites for hotels, tours, etc. in the places you'll be visiting, a guidebook isn't an essential backpacker travel tool like it used to be. Even so, they are nice to have as they provide background information and maps for the places you'll be visiting.

The delays in research and editing mean that the information in guidebooks can be a year old or more before the book even goes to print. (That's one of the real advantages of online info.) Because of that, I've started looking for older editions of guidebooks to take with me, often picking them up for just a few dollars. The background info and maps that I use the book for are still valid, and I supplement the listings with current online info and (best source of all) suggestions and recommendations from fellow travellers.

I'm afraid that's another long-winded reply from me. Sorry about that. I hope the info helps. Regards.