Any Argentina (or Uruguay) recommendations?

wrafter

Planning on heading to Argentina this September folks, but apart from knowing I'm flying into Buenos Aires, and staying two weeks, I know nothing else about where to go or what to do.

It's my first time in South American proper, so this is a new one for me.

If anyone has any recommendations, I'd receive them gratefully.

Thanks.

PunyHuman

Hey,

I'm in Buenos Aires at the moment. I don't know what kind of a trip you're looking for, but you could easily spend two weeks just wandering around the city. But you might want to do one or two of the following

*Visit an estancia (ranch) and help out on the farm, ride horses etc.
*Take a ferry to Colonia in Uruguay and check out Montevideo
*Go to Iguazu falls
*Visit Cordoba, Rosario or Cordoba

These last two involve long bus rides (12hrs+). It would really help if you knew some Spanish too, I have none and it's a bit of a drag.

Have fun

wrafter

Hey there PunyHuman, I could have promised you I responded to this last week but not realise I mustn't have - my apologies.

Thank you for the response - what has you in BA - holidaying or business, or a local?

Do you have any specific recommendations with regard to the Estanica?

And I've been checking out the Montevideo option, though only considering flying - do you happen to know if the ferry takes a long time, or if it's expensive?

Why Cordoba or Rosario - I take it you've been there and you like it?!

Any recommendations for hotel accomm in BA?

And did you catch a footie match whilst there by any chance? Any truth in the rumour that it's a dangerous thing to do / crime etc?

I'm cool with Spanish as I have enough to get by.

I'm daunted by the size of this country, and that I've ballpark on 15 days to see a lot of it. Iguazu falls, Train to Sky, Peninusla with the whales, BA and Montevideo are all likely targets - but time is precious.

PunyHuman

Hi there

In answer to your questions:

I was in Bs As as part of a RTW trip.

Estancias: best to consult a travel agent in Argentina. I believe it's about US$100 for an overnight stay including transfers, meals, activities etc.
My own plans to go to one in Uruguay were scuppered by bad weather. They are supposed to be cheaper in Argentina.

Montevideo is only OK. In fact if you have only 15 days I wouldn't bother with it at all. Colonia del Sacramento (also in Uruguay) is a pretty little place for a day trip or overnighter from Buenos Aires. The ferry to and from there (and to/from Montevideo) takes three hours and is about US$40pp.

Cordoba and Rosario were nice enough but now that I think about it, as you don't have that much time, you might be better off spending a few days in one of the Pampas towns which are more atmospheric and closer to Bs As. Check the guide book for info on these places.

In Bs As I stayed in the Hotel Marbella on Avenida de Mayo, 60 pesos a night, nice place, handy for city sights, subway etc.

I am indifferent to football so I didn't go to a game, but I went to La Boca and it was grand, but you'd want to go during the day, stay in the cleaned up touristy bit and mind your stuff.

I was at Iguazu the other day; it's great. Flights there take 1hr45mins (as opposed to 18hrs on the bus); about US$100 each way from Bs As. I recommend seeing the falls from Brazil as well as Argentina.

Sounds like you'll be cramming a lot in. Let me know if you need any more info.

Have fun.

DoraDelite

The fast ferry to Colonia is only an hour, it cost a few bucks more (10 or 11). Montevideo isn't that nice. Further up the coast is better, Punta del Esta or Punta del Diablo, the latter I would highly recommend. Also Iguazu Falls are a must, Argentinian side is the best but try and do both.

wrafter

Thank you both - very nice of you to supply so much info.

I think I'll try make it to Colonia on the fast boat as you say Dora.

I think we're gonna stay in the Golden Tulip Savoy in BA.

Also gonna buy those Aerolineas Argentina flight packages when we get to BA which allows you get around the country.

On the schedule so far is: BA for first three days, then up to Iguazu falls for three days approx (and try and cram in the Train to the Skies somehow here or hereabouts though I know there's a huge distance between - we need to work this out), then back to BA for a wedding, then down to the Peninsula for three days for some penguin watching, then on down to Tierra Del Fuego for three days, before returning to BA for one night.

Can either of you tell me what's involved with getting to see the falls from the Brazilian side, is it a bus trip, or a long walk, and is it timeconsuming to make the trek/trip across? I quite like the idea.

Dora: did you make it into the chocolate box - I'm concerned about it being unsafe, and I'm also curious if there are even games in September there?

DoraDelite

No I didn't. There were no games on at the time. (I did make to the Maracana in Rio! If it's similar to there then I'd imagine it would be pretty safe, advice would be to get seated tickets, try http://www.tangol.com/asp/buenos_aires.asp they organise tours to matches so you would be safe going on one of those). To get from Iguazu on the Argentinian side (the town there is Puerto Iguazu), you get a bus to Foz de Iguazu (Brazilian side) it's only ten minutes on the bus, the only thing is you have to get out and get your passport stamped leaving Argentina and entering Brazil, the bus may not wait for you but you can always get the next one coming along, I think they are every 20/30 mins. Also let the driver know that you need to get off and get this done cos they won't always tell you.

PunyHuman

Yup I can second all of that.

I could add though that unless you want to do jungle trekking or boat trips etc you could easily see both sides of the Iguazu falls in two days or even less, day and a half, full day Argentine side, half day Brazilian side.