Cambodia (Country Guide)

The majority of the reviews listed for this guide are out-of-date - I am reviewing the updated 2008 edition. Lonely Planet has changed a lot over time and for the good.

For a month (Feb. 09) I stayed in Cambodia, extensively using Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. I traveled to Phnom Penh, the coastal areas of Sihanoukville, Kep (Kampot) and then up to Angor Wat (Siem Reap). Lonely Planet guides are known for their no-nonsense, off-the-beaten-path advice and this 2008 Cambodia guide continues that tradition.

The 'History' section of this guide is much improved but the `Cultural' section is not as informative or hard pressing as it is in Rough Guide. Nothing is written about the surge in political and police corruption, nothing about the tragic selling of ALL of Cambodia's islands to European & Russians speculators. Nor is anything said about the injustice to the Cambodia people who have been thrown off their land and watched their houses bulldozed down. Nothing is written about the rising crime that is surging through places like Phnom Penh. What you get is mainly tourist brochure pabulum. Rough Guide's take is more realistic and critical.

One of the strength of Lonely Planet is found in its "our picks" of places to stay and eat -- these always very good and reliable. Kudos. Caveat: in our changing world it is always best to check out tripadvisor.com to confirm the latest traveler's opinions. There are new places opening faster than any guide can cover. Check out the new, great bargain priced hostel in Kampot - `Mea Culpa'.

L.P. guides usually have great tidbits about a country buried in sidebars... this guide has none. Sad. Also, normally, LP has excellent, easy to use maps; this guide does not. Specifically, the map of Phnom Penh is crowded and hard to use. Sad. The health section is not Cambodia specific; rather it is a compilation of what you can find in any guide. Sad.

This is a good guide that still needs tweaking. If you are going off-the-beat-path then there is only Rough Guides and Lonely Planet. Of the two, my choice is Rough Guide. 3.5 Stars.

Cambodia (Country Guide) Feature

• ISBN13: 9781741043174
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Cambodia (Country Guide) Overview

Discover Cambodia

Sunrise or sunset? Discover the perfect light to greet the 216 faces of Angkor's Bayon temple
Pound, whisk and sizzle your way through a cooking course in Siem Reap (and don't skimp on the fermented fish paste)
Detour off the temple trail for snorkelling and sunset cocktails on Serendipity Beach
Feel the buzz in Phnom Penh: from bustling backstreets to relaxed riverside bars

In This Guide:

Unmatched off-the-beaten-track coverage: from jungles in the southwest to remote mountains in the north
Includes information on the best ecotourism and community-run projects in the country
Visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveller insights

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