sjhsu24

My friend and I (two single, 30 year-old females) are planning a trip to Argentina at the end of August. We have 10 days and want to explore as much as we can of the country. We're flying in and out of BA, but other than that, have nothing planned. We would like a mix of seeing the touristy sites, culture, outdoors-iness, fun nites out and just adventure. Suggestions on things we should do and areas/places to stay in BA and regions to visit during this time of year? Currently, we are debating whether to go to Mendoza, Bariloche or Iguazu Falls, but don't know which would be best for the time of the year. And, we're open to any other regions/cities/places as well! We are also hoping to fit in 2 side trips from Buenos Aires if possible.

Thanks in advance for all of the help!

avrooster

For that time of the year, the Iguazú Falls would be a must.

If you are willing to do A LOT of research, I suggest this thread, started by yours truly: http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...ed-reading.cfm

This is also something you should at least be aware of:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...-argentina.cfm

Have a great time in our country.

thursdaysd

Definitely Iguazu. You could also visit Uruguay. However, it is, unfortunately, a bad time of year for Bariloche and Patagonia, where the scenery is superb,

sjhsu24

Thanks! What about Mendoza that time of year - would it be worth going to?

avrooster

I would rather suggest Salta, at that time of the year.

Mendoza is mostly about wine tasting, but you can also do that in Salta, with much better weather.

http://www.fodors.com/community/profile/jhubbel/ has just been to all the places we are talking about.

Take a look at her great and extensive report.

Have a great time in our country.

MarnieWDC

I agree that Iguazzu Falls would be the better choice - and day trips from Buenos Aires are not difficult to find.

So, do read up on Trip Reports etc., and design the best trip for you and your friend. I think you will enjoy this adventure.

crellston

I have been to all the places you mention and none of them compares to Salta which provides pretty much all you are looking for, except perhaps the fun notes out, but you can get those in BA.

Iguazu can be done in a couple of days if you don't mind paying the exorbitant airfare. For day trips from BA I would suggest the Tigre Delta by train and Colonia del Sacremento across the river in Uruguay. If it were me, I would be spending 4 days in BA and 6 in Salta, hiring a car to drive a circuit of the north west.

Mactours

Hi, yes, no doubt Iguazu falls is a must. You need 3 nights there, fist day you will arrive after midday I suppose, take it easy and rest round the pool not much to do in town, although its Ok for some walking in the evening when you go out for dinner. Next day you need a full day to do the argentin side and don´t miss the Gran Aventura excursion once you are there, be aware that you will get completely wet. If you are americans don´t go to the Brazilian side unless you have a VISA, nevertheless, it is not worth it Next day fly to Salta, check direct flights fron IGR to SLA so you dont come back to BA again. Once in salta, you must do the following I suggest: Get the excursion that goes to San Antonio de los Cobres, then to the salt flats and then to Purmamarca. stay the night there and the next day join the excursion to visit the Quebrada de Humahuaca and back to salta that evening. The next day get the 2 day excursion to Cachi and Cafayate, stay the night in Cafayate and come back to salta de next day.
I recommend you use Caracol services in Iguazu and UMA Travel in Salta. Also, if you happen to be at Iguazu when the full moon happens, dont miss the falls at night with the full moon.
IN BA, I suggest Tigre on a Saturday, You could go to Colonia in Uruguay but think twice before doing this, dont go to the Boca neighbourhood, give the Recoleta cemetry a visit and if you can get the hop on hop off bus but only on a weekend because due to heavy traffic in the city it will be a pain on week days. Night activity in BA, I suggest palermo and there is alot. Please let me know if you need more advice. Thanks for coming to Argentina!!

MarnieWDC

For us, as for a number of our friends, two nights in Iguazu Falls was perfect...we enjoyed visiting both sides and had an incredible experince there. I had been to both Niagra and Victoria Falls (and lesser Falls)but found Iguazu to be far more exciting and spectacular.

As Crellston notes above, the Northwest is also spectacular and a fascinating area to explore. And, you could fly (on cretain days of the week) from Iguazu to Salta without flying through Buenos Aires (BA). So if it were I, I would spend 2 nights in BA, 2 nights in Iguazu, 4 nights in Salta and two more nights in BA. If you want less travelling about, then 2 nights in Iguazu (OR, 5 nights in the Northwest) and the rest in BA with some day trips.

Please keep us posted as to what you decide and then how it goes. We all wish you a great visit.

Bpesta

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