hi

mexico: i had an american automobile association map

i don't remember much about the other central american maps, other than that they were poor.

in south america i bought all my maps locally:
ecuador: good military map (institute geographica militar???): on sale at big book shops in quito: 5 bucks

peru: ok map, from driving association. bought mine in piura in n. peru, 6 bucks. seemed to be the best of a bad bunch.

chile: excellent: sale at big copec gas stations : nice booklet format, 4 bucks

brazil: very good: by touring association. bought mine from a street vendor in belem. nice booklet format, 8 bucks???

having seen maps that came from north america, i feel the local ones are better/ more accurate.

bolivia: crap maps

argentina: the whole south/patagonia is on the chile map....

also go to south americas explorers club offices: the should be able to let you photocopy theirs (if you're a member...)

don't forget guide books:

looney planet: ok maps, very poor info

footprint handbook: poor maps, excellent info, including on roads.

i found it an excellent idea to see how long the guide book said the bus journey would take: for example: if it is 12 hours for 120 km, eg cajamarca to kuelap in peru, you can say the road is crap and it will take you 8 hours on a bike.... (great views and fun riding mind!!)

good luck,
ChrisB

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