I just spend 3 weeks in Brazil. I too decided to veer from the Lonely Planet to check out a new guide. They're all the same, right? WRONG. Rough guide is terrible for Brazil - maps are horrid, exaggerated descriptions of supposedly cool places that actually are a dump (especially for fortaleza), and simply a lack of good info (Salvador, the islands nearby/excursions; Fortaleza - beaches and routes; Sao Paulo generally with important/updated bus info and airport info). If I didn't speak Portuguese like a goofy gringo i would have been in serious trouble. The only reason why I still have the book is because I intend to burn it when winter comes-the only true death for such an abomination.