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Please Help - Santiago, Mendoza & Buenos Aires

Please Help - Santiago, Mendoza & Buenos Aires

Old Apr 20th, 2014, 06:44 AM
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Please Help - Santiago, Mendoza & Buenos Aires

Hello! Let me start with an upfront thanks for your help! I need to preface this by saying we're just getting started on planning so I haven't spent a lot of time on research yet. My girlfriend and I are considering a trip to South America from Oct. 30th 2014 - Nov. 8th / 9th. She works for a hotel chain and we can stay at the company hotel with free rooms for 3 nights per location. A great benefit but the downside is the 3 night limit per hotel+ hotel options are limited. Not complaining, just trying to give you some background on the structure of our schedule. Anyway, we're traveling from the U.S. and considering the following:

Overnight flight on Wed. 10/29
Oct. 30th- 11/2 - Santiago Chile
Leave Sun. 11/2 for Mendoza
11/2 - 11/5 - Mendoza
Leave Wed. 11/5 for Buenos Aires
11/5 -11/8- Buenos Aires
Fly back home the night of Sat. the 8th

I know some of you will suggest that's too much moving around and to consider only hitting one or two locations but we don't mind being on the go and this allows us to dip our toes into some places in S. America and capitalize on the opportunity for the free rooms. Here our some questions:

* I read that there is a $160 visa to come into Chile. Will we pay a visa going into Argentina? Is there anything we need to do in the states before going from a visa perspective? We both have passports and have traveled extensively (just not S. America). Just looking for an additional costs from an entry / exit perspective that we should plan for.

* Recommendations for places to see in each location. We both like a mix of city activities (museums, looking at architecture etc.) and being outdoors and hiking etc. Would love to hook up with a bike tour around Buenos Aires, into wine country in Mendoza etc. if you have any recommendations for good tour companies? Maybe take some tango lessons in Buenos Aires? I'd love to go to a soccer game if we can catch one etc. Walks around certain neighborhoods, parks to visit etc.

* How far in advance should we buy our bus ticket from Chile to Mendoza? Are there recommendations for certain bus lines?

* How reasonable is it to do a day trip from Mendoza into Parque Provincial Aconcaqua? Rent a car and drive ourselves?

* If we target $45 per day per person for food is this reasonable? $10 breakfast / $15 lunch / $20 dinner. I don't know what to expect on prices at all three locations? I've read that BA has gotten very expensive. Any recommendations for restaurants, foods to try etc. are greatly, greatly appreciated. We prefer to get away from the touristy spots where food is often overpriced and not that great.

* Any weather concerns for our travel window? It seems like we're going early spring and temperatures can get into the upper 70s on average - low 80s. Prob. the biggest concern would be snow keeping us from getting from Santiago to Mendoza.

* Best way to exchange $. I read for Buenos Aires anyway that the exchange rate is better on the street with cash vs. pulling from an ATM? Typically, I just use my credit card and pull some cash from the ATM every 3-4 days when I travel abroad.

* Cost getting from the airports into the cities we're visiting? Metro / train / bus options to do this? Hire a cab? Approx. cost i.e. a cab from the airport into Buenos Aires is about $30 etc.

Thanks again. I apologize if some of this seems like "basic" stuff that's easy to find with Google. I know some on here get "fired" up about people posting without doing much research but I've been coming to the forums board for advice for over 5 yrs. and had some amazing experiences thanks to my Fodors family. Oh, one last thing because people always seem to ask…we're in our upper 30s and have an active lifestyle. I wouldn't say we're adrenaline junkies but we like trying new things. I have some minor back issues with arthritis but other than that, we're both in good shape physically and open to activities. Fire away with your thoughts and recommendations. Again, I can't say thanks enough!!!!
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Old Apr 20th, 2014, 07:48 AM
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I'm among the forum members you describe as "some on here get 'fired' up about people posting without doing much research", but that does NOT mean you won't get answers.

Yes, you also have to pay a "sort of visa" to come into Argentina. Please research.

In Argentina, 45 dollars per day for food for each of you should be more than enough, obviously depending on where you eat. At the Hyatt's "Duhau Restaurante" that kind of money won't get you very far. LOL!!

Early Nov. is mid-spring here and a wonderful time to come to my country.

Bringing cash and exchanging at the black market rate can save you more than 20%.

Yes, a cab from town to the BA international airport should set you back about 30 dollars.

May I suggest just a WEE little bit of research in this forum, jbaileyATX? LOL!!!

Have a great time in our country with your girl friend.
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Old Apr 20th, 2014, 09:31 AM
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"* I read that there is a $160 visa to come into Chile."

The fee has been discontinued for USA Passport Holders as of February 26th, 2014. http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1766961

"Will we pay a visa going into Argentina?"

Yes.

"How far in advance should we buy our bus ticket from Chile to Mendoza?"

One month for best seat selection.

We took Andesmar from Santiago to Mendoza and then again from Mendoza to Buenos Aires. Were very pleased with everything. If going from Santiago to Mendoza, I recommend seats on the upper level & as far forward as possible (for best views). If taking an overnight bus to Buenos Aires, you could have a seat on the lower level & up front. That way you'll be closest to the restroom.

"Are there recommendations for certain bus lines?"

We were very pleased with Andesmar. http://www.andesmar.com/?lang=en

On the Mendoza-Buenos Aires leg, If you want to sleep well (e.g. on an overnight bus), opt for the SU Suite first class http://www.andesmar.com/suite It is a lie flat seat, very comfortable and two meals are included.

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Old Apr 20th, 2014, 11:14 AM
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The 31st of October and the 1st of November are holidays in Chile. That will mean museums are closed, which limits what you can do a bit. Most people will take it as a long weekend. But here are good walking tours of Santiago, as well as bike tours, and those are always possible.

At any time of year the pass between Santiago and Mendoza can close because of bad weather at altitude. Oct/Nov is not the worst time for closures, but it is always a possibility. This can play havoc with a short itinerary, even if the pass only closes for a day. Bear it in mind.

From the airport into the city will depend on exactly where, but a taxi will be roughly US$30-35, two seats in a shared minibus US$20-25. If you are staying in the center of town, there are airport buses which take you there which you can combine with a taxi. The metro is a possibility but not much fun with luggage.

Meal costs vary so much that it is difficult to say, but the "executive" set menu lunches are a good deal. Though if you are here on a holiday weekend, they are not available. I think your estimates are probably low for dinner in Santiago.
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Old Apr 21st, 2014, 04:44 AM
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Thanks for the quick replies and info! Good tidbits in all replies. I'm working on the research AV . Here's a good question for you…we're actually staying at the Palacio Duhau. Is there a trustworthy black market exchange located close to there that you can recommend? Thanks!
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Old Apr 21st, 2014, 05:09 AM
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jbaileyATX: I figured your GF worked for Hyatt, which is why I mentioned the Palacio Duhau's restaurant.

The best (as far as I know) place for tourists who are staying in that quarter to sell their cash dollars is on Posadas street, a little before Ayacucho, on the left sidewalk, going North, just two or three blocks from the Hyatt.

I have seen tourists who were staying at the Duhau changing there. So, the concierge can probably provide the exact address, which I am reluctant to post here.

Have a great time in my country with your GF, jbaileyATX and keep working (???) on that research!
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 11:23 AM
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Some possibilities for Santiago:

Wine tour - the Concha y Toro tour I took was good, with a lunch stop on the way back.

Hike in the Andes

Visit Museum of Precolombian Art

Ride the funicular up to Cerro San Cristobal for great views of the city.

Stroll around the Plaza de Armas and surrounding area.

Visit the Mercado Central and La Vega Central.
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 01:40 PM
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Look for the cows on the door
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Old Apr 23rd, 2014, 02:07 PM
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jbaileyATX: TA top DE MarnieWDC is telling you that the exchange place has a glass door with pictures of cows on it. LOL!!!
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