How to divide time between three main areas, and how to
get between them affordably
Hello,
I'll be going to Argentina with a friend in September. We fly
in and out of Buenos Aires. The airfare has already been booked.
We'll be in the country for 14 days.
I'd love to hear suggestions on how to divide our time between
Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls and Patagonia. We are not big hikers,
but eager to see the falls and Patagonia, even if we just relax and
enjoy the views.
Clearly, we'll have to fly between BA and the other two destinations
unless we do the bus to Iguazu. Does anyone have info on good
travel packages?
So any info on the division of time between the three areas AND
how to get around in Argentina without breaking the bank would
be appreciated.
Thanks for your help!
Jeff
Reply to this Hi Jeff
The most economical way of traveling to those destinations is by bus, but they are both very far from Buenos Aires. A trip by bus to Iguazu takes aroung 20 hours, and 24 hours from Buenos Aires to Bariloche. The best way is always by plane, but domestic flights are expensive. Try with www. lan.com, they are part of the One world alliance so depending on which airline are you coming to Buenos Aires, you may find differencial airfares.
As for the time to allow in every location, I would suggest sepending 5 days in Buenos Aires, 2 days in Iguazu, and 7 days in Bariloche which you can use as a base to explore different areas in the region (San Martin de los Andes, Villa la Angostura, El Bolson, 7 Lakes, etc.)
Good luck!
Reply to this Hey Jeff,
What I would recommend to you is book the domestic tickets ASAP, before they get more expensive. I dont recommend for you to travel within these cities in Bus...waste of time.
Here is a tentative itinerary:
Lets say you are staying from Sep 1 to Sep 15
Buenos Aires: Arrive Sep 1st - Sep 6th (5 Nights/6 Days)
Buenos Aires - Iguazu : Arrive Sep 6th - Sep 9th (3 Nights/4 Days)
Iguazu - Bariloche: Arrive Sep 9th - Sep 14 ( 5 Nights/6 Days)
Bariloche - Buenos Aires: Transfer from Aeroparque Airport to Ezeiza International Airport.
Buenos Aires : visit: walking tour, Palermo Soho, Palermo Hollywood, Plaza Cerrano(thurs and fri really busy place!), Recoleta, La boca, Cafe Tortoni
Iguazu: Brazilean Side ( you will need a visa), Argentina side.
Bariloche: Canopy, Arrayanes and Isla Victoria, Circuito Chico or Circuito Grande, SKI or SNOWBOARD at Cerro Catedral
Hope you find this info useful!
Take care and good luck Jeff!
Reply to this Hey Jeff. I agree with the sisters. Don't waste time on buses, but be aware that if you book on Aerolineas Argentinas there is a very good chance you will run into schedule changes and/or cancellations. Try to book Lan Airlines if possible. A couple additional opinions:
1. 3 nights and 4 days in Iguazu is a long time. As amazing as the place is, it is very isolated. If you are going to enter the Brazilian side in addition to the Argentine side or if you want to get outside of Puerto Iguazu and see some of the Jesuit ruins, then you need the time. If you just want to see the falls from the Argentine side, 2 days max.
2. Though Bariloche is technically "Patagonia", it is extreme Northern Patagonia, and it might not be the Patagonia you are thinking of. To experience the real Argentine Patagonia, go to El Calafate to see Perito Moreno Glacier and Mt. Fitz Roy. And if you really wanted to, you could cross into Chile and see Torres del Paine National Park. That might require less time in BA and Iguazu so I guess it depends on you really want to see. Let me know if you have any other questions.
Reply to this For Sandra, the sisters and Brett,
Thanks so much for the advice!
Counting down the days to my vacation!
Jeff
Reply to this Hi there Jeff
Where did you get your three areas from?
You've forgotten the northwest. Salta, Cafayate, Cachi, Quebrada de Humahuaca, Tilcara. At this time of year the north is the best place for warm, dry weather. I would forget Bariloche as it will just be a winter sports place at the end of its season. Don't know what the snow would still be like. Anyway the chocolate is awful.
Easy connections up there to Salta with LAN.
www.lan.com
Just hire a car at the airport. Hotels are plentiful, fairly empty, reasonable prices.
Regards
Robert
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