Reviewed by Anne Boling for Readers' Favorite

Fodor is a well known name in guide books. If you enjoy travel and want to make plans ahead of time, you go to a Fodor travel guide. In one month I leave on a cruise to the Western Caribbean, so when my copy of this travel guide came in, I was so excited. Caribbean 2012 is a comprehensive overview of the area. The guide is over 1100 pages long, making it too large to slip into a purse. The print is very small and impossible for me to read without my cheaters. I was disappointed that they had left out my destination, Cozumel. However, I realize not all ports can be covered. This book will be well received by golfers and scuba divers. However, there could have been more information on recommendations for restaurants, hotels, shopping, diving, nightlife, and golf. If you are traveling on a tight budget, skip this book; the prices of the hotels begin around $150 per night. There is a brief history of each area mentioned.

All in all, this is the best travel guide for the Caribbean that I have seen. I consider this book an excellent overview; it reads much like an encyclopedia. However, if the reader is looking for a comprehensive look at each individual area, he/she will be disappointed.

The photographs are beautiful. They made me long for surf, sand, sun and snorkeling. I recommend this book be broken down into smaller sections so that it is easier to take with you.