You've finally gotten around to planning that much-needed Caribbean getaway, and you're considering buying a guidebook. Even if you're a loyal CT&L reader with a complete collection of every issue we've ever printed, having a guide with in-depth information at your fingertips is a good idea. But with numerous publishers producing Caribbean-related titles, you could spend hours in the bookstore wondering which one is right for you. Since planning a vacation shouldn't feel like work, we've put together the following tips to help guide you in the right direction.
LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION
Are you a first-time traveler to the Caribbean? Not sure where you want to go? Or are you a sampler, visiting one tropical spot after another? Consider buying a guidebook that covers the whole region. Several publishers, including Fodor's (www.fodors.com) and Rough Guides (www.roughguides.com), offer comprehensive Caribbean guides that enable you to compare destinations. After you've decided where you're going, you might want to pick up one that focuses on your chosen locale. If you're a frequent traveler to a certain area, or plan to island hop, look for a title that covers neighboring countries. Choosing one of Hunter Publishing's (www.hunterpublishing.com) guides to Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, for example, saves you from having to shell out for -- and carry -- three separate books.
IS THAT A GUIDEBOOK IN YOUR POCKET?
For those who like to pack light, several publishers produce smaller travel guides that are perfect for throwing into a handbag, a fanny pack or a even a roomy pocket. Some are scaled down mini versions of regular-sized titles, while others are comprehensive guides for smaller or less-touristed places. Berlitz (www.berlitzbooks.com) has a whole line of handy little pocket guides, complete with a surprising number of color photos.
IT'S ALL IN THE PRESENTATION
With guidebooks competing for breadth of coverage -- cramming in everything from packing tips to lodging and dining listings, advice on the best beaches, and overviews of history and geography -- it's important to get a handle on how each organizes its information and what features are included to help you navigate through the text. Look for aids like "helpful hints" boxes, suggested itineraries and "best of" lists. Ulysses Guides (www.ulyssesguides.com) uses a star rating system to make it easy for readers to spot their recommendations.
When you've gotten a feel for the layouts and narrowed your choices, be sure to read a few pages of the guides you're considering to see which author's "voice" speaks to you. Some writers are more opinionated than others; some drier; and some more irreverent. You'll enjoy using a guidebook that much more if the writing style is to your liking.
MAPPING IT OUT
If you plan to do a lot of exploring by car, particularly off the beaten path, picking up a guide with detailed area maps is a smart idea. Look for ones that include major sites and roadways.
Most books contain city and town maps that indicate the locations of hotels, restaurants and attractions, while some, like Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com), go a bit further. Many of their maps also include bus depots and pharmacies.
PICTURE THIS
These days, just about every publisher includes at least a smattering of photos. If you're picky about pictures, keep in mind that image quality varies quite a bit. For sheer scope, Insight Guides (www.insightguides.com), which boast color images throughout, win the photo contest hands-down. These are so well illustrated you might decide to leave your camera at home; they're also a good choice for armchair travelers.
Rough Guides recently added a new photo feature that includes a "Things Not To Miss" section giving readers immediate visual clues of the best that a destination has to offer. Photo captions provide page number references so you can dive right into the corresponding text without having to rifle through the index.
WHAT'S YOUR NICHE?
While you'll find that all guides cover a wide range of topics and activities, they can only go into so much detail. Cruise groupies, water-sports lovers and foodies might want to get their hands on a special-interest guidebook, such as the new Insight Guide to Caribbean Cruises. Lonely Planet publishes an entire series on diving and snorkeling that includes various Caribbean locales, as well as a pocket-size guide to the region's food and drink, complete with a culinary dictionary and recipes. These books make terrific complements to destination-specific guides.
THINGS CHANGE
Open any travel guidebook and you'll find a disclaimer that in essence says, "Don't blame us if our info is wrong." Hotel prices rise, restaurants go out of business. Some companies update their titles every year, some every two to three years, depending on the destination. If you're a stickler for accuracy, purchase a guide with the most recent publication date. Frommer's (www.frommers.com) even prints the edition year on the cover of some of its titles.
Bear in mind that a book that hit the shelves in June 2003 would have been researched sometime in 2002, and guidebook editors rarely have the time to re-check every fact just before a manuscript goes to print. But encountering a mistake isn't necessarily all bad: If you find an error (or discover something new and exciting), let the editors know: They might send you a free guidebook for your next trip.
Posted online 03/25/04.
