South America - Peru-Chile-Arg. hotel-transportation help

(Uruguay too!)

Just booked LAN flight segments to:

MIA
Lima PER
Tacna PER
Arica CHI
Santiago CHI
Mendoza ARG
Buenos Aires ARG
Montevideo URU
MIA

this month, ~3 nights each; some night arrivals; on budget but safety counts; appreciate advice on airport to lodging transportation; am shooting mostly urban stock photography of city life, culture, shopping, dining, historic, markets, etc. only during daylight hours, just one camera around neck; looking for lodging in $40-60 range with room Internet & centrally located & near public transportation; thanks in advance!

A couple of notes on Lima and Santiago follow.

Lima: airport is in Callao, the run-down port district. There's not a lot to see or do there. You will likely end up staying somewhere in Miraflores, there are a bunch of hostel-type places in the vicinity of Parque Kennedy. I'd head there from the airport and look around. You can get cabs from the airport for approximately US$40 (for a secure "remisse") or S/.40 (out front of the terminal, be sure to negotiate the fare before you get in). Be careful with public transit in Lima, it's extremely cheap but can be risky, and the route map, if one existed, would be a spaghetti bowl of confusion.

Santiago: I have no idea where the cheap places to stay are, perhaps in the center of the city? Airport is in Pudahuel, WNW of the city. Best and cheapest way to get into town is to catch the blue bus that leaves from in front of the international arrivals area every 15 minutes to the Pajaritos metro (subway) station. The bus fare is CLP$1.400 and the metro fare is approximately CLP$600 depending on time of day. Public transit is generally safe in Santiago and in particular the metro system is world class, albeit overcrowded during rush hour. Taxis are generally safe, metered and cheap although not as cheap as Lima.

Have fun.

A couple of notes on Lima and Santiago follow.

Lima: [...]You can get cabs from the airport for approximately US$40 (for a secure "remisse") or S/.40 (out front of the terminal, be sure to negotiate the fare before you get in).

I think you have this back to front. An authorised taxi from Taxi Green at the airport will cost S/.45, if you try your luck with a taxi pirate out the front of the airport then you are far more likely to be charged "dollars for soles" i.e. US$40-45.

Well worth joining the short queue inside the terminal to get a guaranteed service, safety and a mandated price.

For photography purposes in Lima you might want to consider Barranco which has a bit of character and hostels with private rooms well within your budget.

Santiago: Plenty of cheap places to stay in Bellavista and close to a lot of streetlife, Parque Forestal, the Bella Artes district and walkable to the centre. Stayed there last week and took my own DSLR out, all together felt safe but towards the end of the day on the back side of Plaza de las Armas began to feel a bit like Bogotá. Our digs for one night cost $40 and had thumpingly quick 9 Mbps internet.

As Siempre Viajando says the bus transfers are reliable and cheap. For Bellavista we got the Tur Bus transfer to Terminal Alameda which is adjacent to Metro Universidad to Santiago which in turn is 4 or 5 stops to Metro Baquedano.

One thing I noticed a week ago today is that some metro stations share entrances with small shopping centres which are closed on Sundays. The metro IS open but sometimes you have to walk around a bit to find the dedicated entrance.

Best and cheapest way to get into town is to catch the blue bus that leaves from in front of the international arrivals area every 15 minutes to the Pajaritos metro (subway) station. The bus fare is CLP$1.400 and the metro fare is approximately CLP$600 depending on time of day. Public transit is generally safe in Santiago and in particular the metro system is world class, albeit overcrowded during rush hour. Taxis are generally safe, metered and cheap although not as cheap as Lima.

I disagree, the Tur airport transfer bus is 300 pesos more but in better condition, attracts less local commuters and it has a luggage hold below the bus (the blue Centropuerto bus only has a small area near the driver). Also, the Metro is not recommended if you have a bit of luggage because of stairs and can even get quite crowded during non-rush hour (though summertime is less crowded especially February). For one person to Santiago Centro, you will probably find the shared TransVIP van direct to your hotel a better deal overall.

You can purchase official taxi or shared van services at the desks before you leave Customs or in the public terminal. The buses are paid on entry and in pesos only. A RT bus ticket will save you some 500 pesos. Do not contract any transport with the aggressive scavengers that harass you when you leave Customs. Be aware of bag snatching and pickpockets at bus terminals, on the Metro and in crowded public areas including restaurants. Other than that, relax and enjoy your stay.

I think you have this back to front. An authorised taxi from Taxi Green at the airport will cost S/.45, if you try your luck with a taxi pirate out the front of the airport then you are far more likely to be charged "dollars for soles" i.e. US$40-45.



My post wasn't very clear, thanks JC. When I say "Remisse" I am referring to the two stands that you will see right in front of you immediately upon exiting Customs. For approximately US$40 they will take you to Miraflores in a black Peugeot or Mercedes, or a Toyota RAV4 if you have a ton of luggage. Safe, secure and expensive (though not by international standards; it's a long ride). Taxi Green is also an authorized service with a stand just off to the side; they are reliable and considerably less luxurious, and a lot cheaper too.

I have never taken a taxi pirate out in front of the terminal, for the sake of security and because the safe alternatives are so easy. I had no idea that they would try to charge $40 or more for a ride to Miraflores, but somehow it doesn't surprise me. Bottom line: avoid the taxi pirates.