Originally Posted by
HIDDY
I think you're making the mistake of comparing Argentina, Chile with some other S American countries like Bolivia, Peru etc.
Perhaps your Swedish friends made the same mistake in thinking that all of South America is inexpensive to visit. Truth be told tourism here is still on the rise. The figures seem to suggest that most tourists come here because they want to.......rather than to take profit of it being a cheap destination.
A Peruvian vacation does compare favorably to an Argentine one these days. I haven't spent much time in Peru (when I was younger, the "troubles" kept me away) but I went last year to Lima and the Cuzco area and was sufficently impressed to make me want to return and explore some more. From a value standpoint, there is much more value travelling in Peru than in Argentina these days, and the quality standards for tourists are largely comparable.
And, dare I say it, I might recommend a Chilean vacation over an Argentine vacation these days. Chile is just a much better organized country (like the gas stations don't run out of fuel!), and the scenery is equally dramatic. Only downside is that Santiago is no Buenos Aires. And the steak isn't so great. But they do have fabulous seafood at very reasonable prices.