FromDC

I'll be travelling in early January (Santiago, Atacama, Torres del Paine, El Calafate and BA), very excited about my first trip. But I heard that especially in BA, it is difficult to use credit cards. I'd like to know what others have experienced and whether I should bring lots of USdollars or rely on ATMs and/or credit cards. Thanks !

Chicagofan

I was in BA last year and never had a problem with credit cards. Use ATMs over bring cash.

yestravel

we have never had trouble using a credit card in BA or Chile where I have only travelled once. some smaller places do not accept credit cards. In BA some places will give u a discount if u pay cash.

Have a great trip-you're going to some of my favorite places.

qwovadis

Visa no fee caitalone.com works well everywhere for me.In my
money belt back up small USD $20 max new no tears not even small tears,careful many scammers here and there money change
ATM BIG BANK only. NEVER travel with Debit Card too much skimming have seen folks loseit all.No liability with CC.

www.travel.state.gov Argentina for a heads up.

www.saexplorers.org/clubhouses/buenosaires best locals.

Have fun!

qwovadis

Currently with Capitalone.com I get double points
miles on everything best deal out there no foreign
fee. Just got a Marriott.com signature Visa 70000
points with first use no foreign fee my current backup.
Amex does not work as well only in upscale places.

FromDC

Thanks everyone, this makes it much easier. I can't remember where I read about the credit card problems in BA but it made sense to me because of the problems they're having with inflation right now. I have the no intl fee credit cards, makes a big difference!

Graziella5b

in Argentina when shopping you can get a better deal paying cash instead of credit cards.
if you feel it is worth it always ask for a discount when paying cash " pagando al contado" in Spanish.
some restaurants like my favorite ( excellent food , good service ) Resto in Calle Montevideo 938
They do not take credit cards, other experience in some small restaurants, they would ask How are going to settle, cash or cc!.? And they offer a 15, 20 %off.

( in my opinion banks, credit cards, charge a lot to business in Argentina and they are happier to give it to the customer, in SA there is a touch of abuse working different ways...)

crellston

We were in Argentina for 3 months in 2008 and experienced many difficulties with ATM withdrwals. If I remember correctly, there was some sort of industrial dispute which caused strike in the banking sector, notably the workers who filled the ATMs. This went on for several weeks and caused us major problems. You could always tell an ATM that was working by the crowds surrounding it! This was probably an exceptional sitiaon but as a result of this experience I now make sure that I have an alternative source of funds for emergencies, cash,a pre loaded debit card etc.

mlgb

I hope OP has seen the news re TdP, it will be closed for all of January due to the fire.

www.emol.com for updates.

FromDC

I got a fax from my travel agent just a while ago (while I was sightseeing in Santiago) that our trip was cancelled so we are really in a fix right now. We were supposed to fly into Punta Arenas on Jan 5 (from Calama), get to explora on the 6th, then go to El Calafate on the 10th. Any suggestions, including getting a refund from explora?

yestravel

Can't the travel agent try and reschedule you to go directly to el calafate? What about going to the Chilean lake district including Chiloe? If u click on my name u can read our TR oon our travels in Chile -- might give u some ideas.

Huentetu

You should have no problem with the refund from Explora. The refugios, mountain lodges, were giving people back their money today.

You can still go to El Calafate from Punta Arenas if you want. You just need to cut out the TdP portion of your itinerary. Availability of lodging could be a problem as others do the same so get the travel agent on it and see if they can reschedule your transport and lodging. Or get them to reroute you to El Calafate via Buenos Aires. Spend 4 days in BA and arrive in El Calafate on the dates originally intended.

mlgb

There is a bit of sightseeing you can do around Punta Arenas, ie the penguins on Magdalena Island or Seno Otway. Maybe if there is availability you can go to Puerto Natales and do the cruise up the Ultimo Esperanza Sound with Turismo 21 de Mayo. Or as Huentetu suggests try to get to El Calafate early.

And your agent should be helping with this, I hope? Otherwise what is the point of having one.

Some other ideas here
http://www.turismopaliaike.com/puntaarenas-eng.htm

FromDC

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. We are going to the Atacama tomorrow and will make alternative arrangements on Monday. We are considering the Lake Country. The TA mentioned los cerros del chalten. We also looked online at the Stella Australis from Punta Arenas to Ushaiai, then onto El Calafate and then BA as planned. Doing the cruise would mean cancelling El Calafate tour (to Perito Moreno) but we;d be seeing glaciers, with the cruise. I'd like to minimize the flight changes but that might not be possible. Any comments on these alternatives? Yestravel, I read your trip report when I was originally planning this and the Lake Country sounded wonderful. Lots of moving parts here.

Huentetu

If you can get on the Stella Australis, do that.

yestravel

We looked into doing the Stella Australis and ended up skipping it based on some comments by folks who had gone on it. While,they said the scenery is beautiful, they said that there was not a lot of activity. A large portion of your time is just sitting on the boat. They felt that there was not enough activity for them. so depending upon how much u like to do, u may want to think about the cruise.

We loved el Calafate and the trek on the glacier was really fun and a highlight of our trip. There is an ongoing TR that describes their time in the region...I el challten. They did quite a lot of hiking and it sounded fabulous.

I doubt that u can go wrong with whatever you choose. Itbreally comes down tomwhatnunwant to c and do. It's all beautiful and the Chilean people are wonderful. good luck and let us know what u decide.