now you can all make fun of my transcription skills!!!!

www.terrazaspalermo.com.ar

3rd time the charm eh

AndrewDavid

I like the neighborhood very much and I have been in several of the older homes in the area that have been remodeled...they retain character with modern ammenities. Good choice based on location, although I cannot say anything about the terrazas because I have not visited this specific house....

Andrew, I flew to El Calafate from BsAs on LAN - I booked online, I think it was $240 USD and roughly a 3 hour flight. There's no public transportation - it's either hotel pickup, taxi (42 pesos) and there are shuttle buses but they're pricey (50 pesos I think). Better to find some people to share the costs with.

It's about 20 mins into town. I stayed at America del Sur hostel (you can google them), very nice and welcomming place. As a FYI, everything is more expensive in El Calafate food, accommodations, other items...but you can find chocolatiers there that make fresh chocolate which you can smell walking around the tiny town.

The hostel booked 3 day trips for me (you can also go to a travel agency I suppose). If you plan on doing camping/trekking and don't want to lug your gear around, you can rent the gear.

My first trip was to Todo Glaciers (Upsala, etc) on the catamaran - to be honest, I didn't find it that enjoyable because of all the people on the ferry. It's a packed so make sure to book in advance and it's an absolute zoo going on deck - every time we came to a glacier or something interesting, everyone flocked to the side and didn't move. There's a line of people wanting to get their pictures taken and of course no one else can be in the picture so they wait until they can get a clear shot, limiting the number of people who actually just want to look at it. I'm not really sure if there's another option to see the glaciers...at least with less people but it was still nice, but not as good as Perito Moreno.

Second day trip was to Perito Moreno which wonderful...it's the reason why most people come to Calafate.

Third day trip was Torres del Paine, Chile which was also great - left 6am returned at 10pm - it's a 3 hour drive each way and you have to go through immigration at the border so be sure to have your passport. You also have the opportunity to change some money to the local currency.

I went in December, and it was quite cool and windy so be sure to bring a wind and rain proof jacket and fleece/sweater. I would also bring a packed lunch (there's a supermarket in town) as food is limited and expensive.

You need 3-4 days as a bare minimum.

As for Iguazu, you definitely don't need 5 days. You need one full day to see the falls and if you want to go to the Brazilian side (you need a visa which is $72 CAD) that just requires another day.

In Puerto Iguazu, I stayed at Lola's guesthouse (just turn left from the bus station, she's on the left hand side) - grandmother of 2 who speaks no English but if you want to practice your Spanish it's a good place to go. It's bare minimum (no free breakfast) but there's a kitchen, you get your own washroom...it's in a residential area (but a 2 minute walk from the bus station) ...it's more like staying in someone's house (she lives there too)...very nice lady though.

Just to warn you, it's EXTREMELY and I mean EXTREMELY hot there in December. The temperature was 47 degrees celsius...your constantly dripping sweat - the falls takes a good 5-7 hours to see so make sure you keep hydrated and lots of sunscreen.

Hope that helps.

thanks for replies everyone keep them coming

AndrewDavid

ttt

please help, thanks

A/D

Andrew, I would suggest for you to get a guidebook and also do some research by googling the info you're looking for...you're lucky to get this many responses, often many posts go unanswered or very little help is provided.

Great advice from Oceania!

oceania, your last response is interesting my previous experience was on Australia part of site and responses kept coming. i have some guidebooks and more from he library, but info is generally 2 years old at publication and besides there is nothing like the first hand experience chatrooms like this can offer

thanks
AndrewDavid

hello, Is it possible in order to save back tracking to fly from BA to Iguazu and then onto say Montevideo? What is the airport for the falls?

zThanks
AndrewDavid

Andrew, I live in NYC and my husband is from Argentina. I have been there several times.

Can you imagine going to the town of Niagara Falls and not seeing the falls? It is the same as going to Argentina and not seeing the glaciars. It is far, it is expensive, but just go. Google a picture of Perito Moreno Glaciar and you will see what I mean. When you are in Calafate, a boat tour of Lago Frias is a must.

As to Buenos Aires. It is a very nice city but 3 weeks is too long for a visit. We always stay at the Sofitel Puerto Madero. Go to Cabana de las Lilas for steak and to Parolaccia for great food in Puerto Madero, and night life. Walk from there to the area around Casa Rosada. Walk to Galerias Pacifico, walk all the way avenida Florida. You can manage without a car.

Be carefull not to wear expensive looking things and have a nice trip.

Also, rethink your options. There is nothing to see in Montevideo. Iguazu is beautifull but Niagara Falls are better. I would say, don't sacrifice Calafate for Iguazu.

Ana Laura
Thanks for your response. I have 19 full days on the ground to spend on my first trip to Argentina. Areas I would like to visit are Buenos Aires, Salta, Iguazu Falls, el Calafate and if possible a day or 2 in Uruguay. Is this too much? I assume all internal connections will be by plane. We arrive Dec 30

thanks
AndrewDavid

I live about 1.5 hours from Niagara and have gone there at least 30 times or so...I would definitely say that Iguasu are far superior...but that's a personal preference.

If you have the money to spend then yes you can do all that in 19 days. I haven't been to Salta so I can't speak to that.

It wouldn't make sense to fly to Montevideo from Iguassu since it's only 1 hour ferry ride from BsAs. I agree that there's nothing much to see in Montevideo, I would recommend that you go to Colonia instead if you want to visit Uruguay - it's sooooooo much better. You can even do it as a day trip.

And you will have to do some backtracking by going back to BsAs.

Iguasu - 2 days
El Calafate - 4 days (minimum)
Buenos Aires - 5 days
Uruguay - 1 or 2 days

I agree with oceania.
Iguazu Falls are amazing and the 2 days sounds perfect. I would definitely take a day trip over to Colonia and enjoy that day but still be back in BA for dinner..
Your trip is going to be amazing, I like the research you are doing now..any ideas on where you will be staying now?

Iguazu Falls...seven times the volume of water of Niagra. Not to take anything away from Niagra,but Iguazu is far superior in my opinion.

sorry oceania
i went back and found your comments about el Calafate duh good suiggestions. I spent part of this afternoon in the bookstore w/ a pile of guidebooks, always one of my favourite pastimes

cheers A/D

thanks everyone for your responses

I'm embarassed to say I will apparently see Iguazu before I see Niagra!

It appears the prospecting posting of someone "antartica " something and warnings about it have been removed by the greater force

I am still checking on BA apartments. I'm thinking a/c and a pool given what temps will be. Are there good public pools indoors or out in BA?

Starting w/ a weeek in BA Dec30
( including an excursion to Uruguay)

4 Days Salta and environs

4 days el Calafate/ Glacier NP

2 days Iguazu

2 unscheduled so far

not sure of order yet I guess it depends on internal flights

How about suggestions for a local travel agent to help w/ in country travels

thanks everyone

cheers
AndrewDavid

As far as a local travel agent is concerned, I suggest you try Isabel, who has always been very helpful in this forum.
http://www.buenosaires-tours.com.ar/
[email protected]

avrooster,

thanks for the referral. I will contact Isabel when I get back to Victoria next week (I am currently in Santa Fe, New Mexico)

cheers

AndrewDavid

You might look up Cintia Stella at WOW! Argentina also.
A friend of mine used her last fall for her trip here and everything was perfect.
I have heard a lot of good things about Cintia.