Are Travel Guidebooks Useful?

Everywhere you travel in Indonesia you will undoubtedly see westerners, backpack slung over the shoulder and guidebook in hand, wondering where the hell is that place or thinking where the hell are we. There are various arguments as to the usefulness of travel guidebooks or are they are an evil necessity on your travels. With so much information available on the internet these days it is a wonder why people use them. But they do and in massive proportions.

The only problem with a guidebook is that no sooner is it published it is out-of-date as far as information regarding hotels and restaurants, costs to enter places and other related matters are concerned. Guidebooks are useful for the basics such as history, location of attractions, culture, places of worship and places you might need like hospitals and police stations, airports and buses.

There is a literal plethora of guidebooks available on the market and a walk into any bookshop will prove this. When I first started travelling around Indonesia, guidebooks were at a minimum and the best at that time would have been the Moon publications of Bill Dalton’s Indonesia Handbook and Bali handbook. Lonely Planet guidebooks were on the scene of course, but, in my opinion were no match for the former. Now, Lonely Planet travel guidebooks corner the market, so to speak.

These days, Rough Guides are certainly the most outstanding of them all with Fodor’s, Let’s Go and Footprints in hot pursuit.

But, are guidebooks that much of a necessity?. As I mentioned earlier, there is so much information on the internet it seems only feasible that you would gather your information about your intended destination well-beforehand and then carry this with you instead of lugging books around. Make common sense?.

The internet has all the answers you need from travellers that have ‘been there, done that’ and these answers are easily found in the numerous travel forums. The Boots n’ All Travel Forum is by far the most advantageous for travellers with every part of the world covered. Virtual Tourist is an excellent source and Lonely Planet’s Thorntree is also useful for information.

There are specialised websites that deal exclusively with the one country or specialise on a particular island. For instance, if you were heading to Bali for a holiday, then the best source for information is Baliblog. This site has become the number one source for up-to-date information on Bali and its culture. You are even able to book your accommodation and flights on this website!.

Guidebooks can be a pain in the arse to lug around everywhere you go. Then again, it’s a matter of personal choice. I would prefer to fill that space in my backpack with chocolate bars!.

The greatest thing about not travelling with guidebooks is the adventure, discovery and excitement of finding that unique place, meeting those people or finding that special small restaurant tucked away down some alleyway. After all, isn’t that what travelling is all about?