avrooster

Angie aka Flintstones:

I don't wish to get into a long argument with you, but you said above that "Not long time ago, the exchange was $Ars = 1 $Bol 2,5 the rate nowadays is $Bol 1 = $Ars 0,42."

I wish to point out that One peso / 2,5 Bol is about the same as 1 Bol / 0,42 pesos.

Therefore, I don't understand what you are talking about.

ClementineLdn

Thanks for the advice again everyone!

crellston - I think you're right. Bolivia will have to wait for when I'm able to properly enjoy it. I'm hoping to come back to South America next April, so will try it then when I'm better prepared and hopefully with company - I always find those tiresome and tiring bus journeys are much easier when you have someone else to talk to!


flintstones - I would love to go to the Salinas Grandes. Do you know if there tours from Purmamarca?

flintstones

Dear Clementine; You can as at Restaurant EL Algarrobo on the street of the church. Or at the taxi stop close to the bus station. If they find four people they do it.But maybe you can make friend in the Hostal you stay and get a lift. People are usually very kind to foreigners and enjoy their company. I am confident you will be very lucky.
AVRooster, sorry, I meant
1 peso was 2.5 Bolivianos
1 peso is 0.42 Bolivianos
Warm regards,
Angie

mlgb

On the exchange rate thing, did you know that xe.com allows you to look at trends, eg here is the 10yr chart, Ut has been a while since you got 2/1. If someone is exchanging another strong currency (not ARS) I think htey will find Bolivia inexpensive relative to Argentina due to their low inflation. http://www.xe.com/currencycharts/?fr...o=BOB&view=10Y I found Buenos Aires overpriced, which I assume is related to inflation and the losss of a blue rate. Pricing Bolivian excursions can be done through Kanoo Tours website. If it exists, they know about it.
https://www.kanootours.com/ws/index....all-tours.html They also have some info for other countries
I think you need to buy Bolivian tour services from a Bolivian company, I had that issue in Puno trying to buy the crossing of Titicaca from a local Peruvian agent. They had to act as an intermediary with the Bolivian agency. We even had to change tour guides at the border crossing. the Peruvian guide isn't allowed to work inside Bolivia.

ClementineLdn

Hi everyone,

I'm back from my trip to NW Argentina and I have to say it was INCREDIBLE. The scenery, the sights, the culture and the kindness of the local people surpassed all my expectations and I would say it's one of the best places I've ever been. In the end, not having a car wasn't too big a deal. It would have probably made things easier, but I arranged some day trips (private guide was out of my budget, so I went for the group trips in minibus) and got to visit Purmamarca, Tilcara, Humahuaca, Cafayate, San Antonio de los Cobres, the Salinas Grandes and more. I will write a trip report if anyone is interested in reading it, but if everyone else is wondering if it's possible to visit this region without a car, the answer is a resounding YES!

avrooster

Of course we'd like a trip report!

crellston

Hi Clementine , glad you had a wonderful time in NW Argentina. Now get on and write that trip report !

nubbyrose

Write the report please. Will be in Argentina in December.

ClementineLdn

It's on my (very long) to-do list! I've unfortunately spent the last week visiting doctors here in Buenos Aires and am super behind with everything. I do hope to get it up soon before I forget details. Was there anything specific you wanted to know?

dwdvagamundo

Thanks Clementine--concur that Salta and Jujuy Provinces are great! Sitting here looking at photos of the Quebrada on my computer and feeling nostalgic already.

Crellston--I spent an evening and morning in SS de Jujuy and enjoyed it. Had one of my best and (relatively) least expensive meals at Manos Jujenhas--around US$ 30.00 for empanadas, huge entre, and bottle of wine, and had fun just wandering around. Plus a history lesson at the Palace de Gobierno.