Does anybody know if I can download PDF travel guides for free? I mainly need Peru, Bolivia, Chili and Argentina. Ecuador would be a bonus. Too expensive from lonelyplanet. Any other options??.

Thanks.

Marco.

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For Chile:

For rout maps you can visit :

Mapa Chile,Mapa de Chile,Mapas de Chile,Mapa de Santiago|Chile

tose maps are a litle bit older, but are the best that I found.

I hope it is usefull, if not, let know and I can serch for anotherone.

V's, good luck.

Edit: I just found this:
www.atlascaminerodechile.cl
sadly it has no date.

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Thanks Gotan, I checked the maps, they will be very useful at some point. What I was desperately looking for is an actual travel guide where I can find information about places to go, whe to sleep etc. If you have some tips regarding this I`d be more grateful.

Cheers.

Marco

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frankly I don't understand why you consider lonely planet "too expensive"? It sounds like you're about to spend a few months and quite a bit of money on a tirp, and you can't spend $20 for a book?? Also, on their website, you can buy pdfs of specific chapters from their books, making it even cheaper (and easier to carry).

I don't know if you'll find a comprehensive free travel guide all tied up in a bow for you, but of course all the information you need is on the web--somewhere, such as on this site, lonely planet, etc. You should be able to get all the info that you need, although of course it will take more work. Your call if all that is worth $20 or not.

I would have to agree with Motoreiter. Why would anyone write a guidebook and the distribute it for free? When you add all the costs of a bike trip together, why are you unable to spend 20 bucks on a guidebook? Maybe buy one second hand? Amazon tend to be cheaper than other vendors.

For South America I believe Footprint books are far superior to LP. The Footprint guides are also good for assessing road conditions as they tell you how long the bus takes between towns. If the bus takes 12 hours for 200km, you know the route will be tricky. In their accom section they often mention off street bike parking too.

There's an accom section at the bottom of the main HUBB menu.

Chris

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Hi guys thank you for your suggestions and somehow not understanding.

I have been in Ecuador for sometime and I haven`t been able to find a proper travel guide, even maps of Peru it`s hard to find here, unless I haven`t been to the right places, I mean, I haven`t had too many choices. I bought one from the internet (USA) a month ago and I havent received anything so far.
On the internet I managed to find only Lonely Planet as downloadable files but I was considering that only as a backup since I would have preferred to have a proper book ready to be opened. The newest version of the only guide I found in Quito was a 2006 one. Also I am not against or inclined to buy a particular brand, if footprint is better for motorcycling let be it but where do I find it??. I have been even asking in hostels for second hand ones but no luck, hopefully I`ll find one on my way. I thought maybe someone would have some tips regarding downloadable files so I wouldn´t spend too much money on something I would need to spend time with when willing to print bits and pieces when on my trip. Also I have been in Ecuador for some time now and money starts being an issue but I am doing my best to keep on this trip, I don`t have $$$$$$ waiting for me on my account every month, I hope you will understand. Thanks

Marco

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It wasn't clear in your first post that you're already in Ecuador. Have you tried the South American Explorers Club? I've bought and sold books there. In the past they had offices in Quito, Lima and Cusco.

Or order one online?

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For Chile:
Do you speak spanish? if you do you can buy "Chiletour Copec" on a gas station called "Copec", route 5 its full of those gas stations.

that guide it's for car travelers mostly, and i think it's quite good.

I think that each book cost about 10 dolars (there are one book of north, one of centre and one of south of Chile), if you don't want buy all I can give you the 2009 versions. But you should come for those in Santiago of Chile.

Good luck! V's

P.D: sorry for mi english.

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Chris, I`ve never heard of that Club in Quito, it`s a shame I didn`t have that information before, I know is my fault for not giving enough details about my location but I mistakenly considered it was not relevant for just asking for pdf files tips or some site full of information of those countries. I ended up buying the version I had seen in a book shop in Quito, just before I set off. Actually it was a 2007 version of Lonely planet (40 bucks but it should be very helpful) although there is a 2010 version but not yet released in Ecuador. My Footprint book bough over the internet never got to my door.

Gotan, I do speak Spanish (I´m Ecuadorian), I appreciate the tips about those guides, it`s good to know they are available, when time comes I`ll look for them if L.P is not enough.

I was unable to find a map o Peru so I had to just print from the internet.

Thanks guys.

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Well, of you speak spanish, try this:

Papel Digital

you can print the pages to a PDF.

A note about travel to Chile: Last Saturday we had a big hearthquake, near Talca.

So I think that nowdays It's safe to travel until Santiago, at the south of Santiago there are problems with routes, potable water and electricity.

Good luck, V's

(I wrote in english in order to anybody can read, I'm Chilean)

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Nice guide Gotan, I still have to go through but it looks good to me, it could be complementary information. That`s the kind of help I was looking for.

Thanks for your time.

Marco.

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