Maui Hawaii Travel Guides: My Top 3

Looking for a Good Maui Guidebook?

Choosing among all the Maui Hawaii Travel Guides is not an easy task, especially when you don't know where to start.

Fortunately, you are not alone on this quest. I spent countless hours reading several Maui guidebooks, testing them on the field, loving some of them and... hating some as well!

My mission here is to make you save some precious time, helping you choose the right Maui Hawaii travel guide for your needs.

A Ton of Choices

There is a myriad of Maui guidebooks on the market. This tells you how popular Maui and Hawaii have become in the recent years.

I have gathered a rather long list of travel guides here for you. Some are very good, some are ok and some are not that good. You may find a book that gets good consumers feedback and that suits your very specific needs on that list. Go ahead and buy it!

Need some advice to pick the right one? Read my How to Choose the Best Maui Guidebook Mini-Guide - Part 1 and Part 2

That being said, In the following paragraphs, I will share with you what I consider to be my Top 3 Maui Hawaii Travel Guides. Take the time to read the following reviews. You will understand why these are my favorite guidebooks and why you should buy at least one of them.

My Top 3: One Perfect Guidebook and Two Useful Complements

The following suggestions are based on my own experiences. I used those guidebooks before and during my trips to the Hawaiian Islands. I know they are good resources and this is why I feel comfortable recommending them.

The truth is my favorite guidebooks have been away from me more than they have been around those last 2-3 years...

Why? Simply because they have been read and used by friends and family following my recommendations. But don't worry. Even if the guidebooks don't stay in my hands for long, they always come back to me quite quickly... As my friends and family found out, when you start reading them, you automatically know you want a copy for yourself.

Top 1 - Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook

No doubt in my mind, Maui Revealed, by Andrew Doughty is simply the best Maui travel guide on the market. It's that simple.

This guidebook is a special one. I don't just recommend it, I urge you to order it. It's simply a must-read.

It's been a bestseller for years and there are tons of reasons for it. The first one being the very unique approach of Andrew Doughty, the author. He knows the island like no other and talks with honesty and passion. He provides firsthand tips and advice no other guidebook provide.

Read my full review of the Maui Revealed guidebook here.

I wrote a pretty long page to make sure you understand the value of this little blue book. Go ahead. Read, enjoy and order the book. It will be your best move of the week!

Ok. I guess I made it clear that my Top 1 pick is in a league of its own. But that doesn't mean my Top 2 and Top 3 picks aren't worth it. They are, in fact, very useful complements. That is why I do bring all three books with me on vacations. Read on.

Top 2 - Maui Trailblazer

The Maui Trailblazer guidebook is the outdoors adventurers favorite. It is the perfect companion to Maui Revealed or any general Hawaii guidebook. If hiking, snorkeling or surfing is your thing, you can't go wrong with this one.

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On family vacation? Maui Trailblazer has some great suggestions to help you enjoy the island with kids. But don't take my word for it. Read my Maui Trailblazer Review and click on the book cover above to see other travelers reviews.

Top 3 - Fodor's Hawaii

The Fodor's Hawaii guidebook found its way to my Top 3 for one specific reason: It's a good all-around Hawaii guidebook and it complements my first pick (Maui Revealed) very well.

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If you are only visiting Maui, don't waste your money on any other guidebook than Maui Revealed. But if, like many travelers, you plan on visiting at least one additional Hawaiian Island, Fodor's Hawaii is an excellent choice.

Like all the general Hawaii travel guides, it covers all islands and provide a good overview of almost everything: where to stay, what to eat, what to see, what to do, etc.

Note that the Frommer's Hawaii guidebook could have been on my list as well, both guidebooks being quite alike.

Get a more in-depth look at the Fodor's Hawaii here.

Bonus: Top Maui Restaurants

I know, it is a Top 3, not a Top 4. But I had to find a way to talk about the Top Maui Restaurants guidebook.

Its full title is: Top Maui Restaurants 2010 from Thrifty to Four star: Indispensable Advice from Experts Who Live, Play and Eat on Maui. That's quite a long title, but it says it all. If you are looking for a complete, frank and honest restaurant guide, this guidebook is for you.

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Rather than talking about Maui's attractions and outdoor activities, like most other Hawaii travel guides do, Top Maui Restaurants is focusing onÉ restaurants! And it's a good thing.

The food journalists live and eat on Maui. They deliver very honest opinions and complete reviews of virtually each and every restaurant on the island.

Here's what you will find in the latest edition:

The top romantic restaurants worth the splurge.
The best inexpensive but tasty places.
Hidden gems you wouldn't find unless a local revealed the secret.
A user-friendly reference to help you fulfill any food craving.
Insider secrets and tips to help you get the most out of your Maui vacation.

If you plan on dining out on Maui during your stay, I highly suggest you grab this excellent guidebook and add it to your Maui Hawaii travel guides collection. It might save you some precious money and help you turn you trip into a dream vacation.