Santiago or Buenos Aires
 

I realize that this is a very general question, but I am trying to decide whether to visit Santiago or Buenos Aires in January. I've traveled a lot, but never to South America. I don't have much more than a week. Coming from the San Francisco area, I like cities, and I don't need to visit wineries. I probably would be interested in spending a few days outside of either B.A. or Santiago as well, but not a lot of moving around. Any suggestions?

The two cities are very different. Greater Buenos Aires has roughly the same population as all of Chile. Santiago has easier access to spots outside the city and the coast and has some excellent fish and seafood. Buenos Aires specialises in steak and has more night life. Both will be hot in January, although Santiago cools off at night and BA has much higher humidity. If you go to BA, find lodging with air conditioning.

What spots outside of Santiago would you suggest?

Lots of winieries near Santiago but you said you weren't interested. The city of Valparaiso is a very unique and interesting city.The seafood is excellent.

Aside from the wine areas, you can get to the coast (Valparaíso in 1.5 hours) or into the Andes or to thermal springs (varying from the very basic to 4 star luxury)in the same time. There are many national parks within easy distance as well. If you are looking for more of a 'café society', big city experience, then Buenos Aires is best.

Both Santiago and BA are worth a visit. With 10 days you can easily visit both. If I were to suggest one for a first visit I would recommend BA since there is more to do. I would recommend spending at least part of your time in BA in Palermo a vibrant neighborhood.

We just returned from a trip to BA and the northwest. We flew into Salta and toured the beautiful northwest which we highly recommend. For some photos of the NW check out www.northwestnomad.com.

Definitely Buenos Aires. For a few resaons: steaks, tango, culture, shopping.
I'll suggest also to visit San Antonio de Areco and Tigre.

We preferred the food in Chile, seafood instead of steak, with incredible fresh vegetables and fruit..

No comparison whatsoever! Buenos Aires all the way! However, Santiago is still a very nice city. I suppose that you could do both cities in 10 days but I despise having to go back and forth so many times to EZE and if you do go to Chile and you are either Canadian or American you have to pay the $130 visa fee. Just a consideration. If I only had 10 days, I would stay all the time in BA expect for an overnight or two night getaway to Iguazu falls.

I would choose Buenos Aires, Santiago is a nice city and the country Chile is on a much better road , in my opinion, than Argentina which is in a generally bad situation. Having said this and reminding you that you have to be careful security wise in Buenos Aires ( I do not know the situation in Santiago regarding security)Buenos Aires is a great city with many attractions,
January is hot but at the same time has a distinct flavor of less people here and there which makes everything easier. The Tigre region only 40 minutes from downtown is lovely. Life by the river and the Delta is absolutely charming in my opinion. Being in fashion lately there are many new little nice restaurants etc.There are close estancias to be visited for day out, of horse riding and a dip in the pool, besides a good bar b q lunch, like the estancia www.estancialosdoshermanos.com/, even being hot it is nice. In all Bs As has a lot to offer but again one should pay a lot of attention when taking money from banks and the like. Taxis should be called not flagged in the steets.

I only wish to add, if possible the Tigre should be avoided on week ends because it is too crowded.

Graziella5b--What would be the best way to get to Tigre? What does it mean "to pay a lot of attention when taking money from banks and the like?"

Just to be fair, I do want to add that when I went to Santiago for a few days, I very much enjoyed my stay. It is an interesting city and easy to get around. I would like to go back again especially since my visa is still valid and there is more to the country that I would like to explore. However, since this is your first trip to South America and your choices are these two cities, I really think that Buenos Aires is the place to go. Its such a vibrant city and the culture is amazing. I just love the architecture in BA. If you do go to BA, something that is really worthwhile are the free walking tours of the city. You tip at the end of a wonderful 3 hours of being guided by a young local porteño/a who will share some fascinating perspectives and facts about the city. Best of luck. Buena suerte.

I missed Santiago so I can't help with a comparision. This is my report on BA, I hope it helps: http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/2010...argentina.html

As you are going for a week I recommend an apartment rental rather than a hotel. The only thing you will miss is the room service; an apartment is better in every other respect.

You can take a taxi or remise which is aprox 25 dollars, you can find out about a boat that joins Puerto Madero with Tigre, like 5 dollars each, the train is very inexpensive but I do not know if it is safe, you can find out about another train called Tren de la Costa which is ok but leaves from ....there are also charters ( that is vans that take several passanger at the same time)
which are about 4 dollars each, find out at www.ejecutivonorte.com.ar. When I say taxi a remise is even better.
About being careful when taking money from ATM machines it is what I said, be careful no one is around etc.......at all times in Buenos Aires is better be careful than sorry.
Follows information regarding Tren de la COsta:""' Tren de la Costa S.A. is a company that operates a 15.5 km (9.6 mi), 11-station light rail line in Greater Buenos Aires, between Maipú Avenue station in the northern suburb of Olivos and Delta station in Tigre, on the Río de la Plata. ''

I guess there must be touristic tours of Tigre that would be another option. There is a lot of information in the internet regarding Tigre.

Do you think that we should spend the night in Tigre, or is a day trip enough time? I realize that, obviously, both options have advantages.

Tigre is a very nice day trip. You take a train ride of about 30 minutes and spend the day, have lunch, maybe a boat ride then come back by train ..

Scarlet, have you take the train, is it ok>? Please let me know I have been told different things about it.
jag1 jag1, I have not done this but I am thinking of doing it, how about spending a night in Tigre, one in there I would do a boat ride, eat in one of the trendy new restaurants, walk by the river etc.
Next morning I would take the Cacciola to Carmelo, Uruguay and then by bus to Montevideo.
This way, I feel that I would get a full day at Tigre,pay less for the hotel, and pay less for the trip to Uruguay. The trip they tell me is beautiful. A little long but a scnenic trip and then coming back from Montevideo I would fly.
Hotels in TIgre? that is the big question but I believe there are some options in tripadvisor.

I also feel that is better to avoid visiting Tigre during the week ends.