Argentina/Uruguay planning help
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SDF
Programs: UA, AA, Marriott
Posts: 383
Argentina/Uruguay planning help
Hey all,
We are in beginning stages of planning our SA trip in January. Our plan was to fly into MVD, spend 3 nights, take the ferry to EZE and spend 4 nights, fly to Iguazu Falls for 2 days, and then fly home. Would love some recs! Is 3 days in MVD enough? Should we do 2 days? Is 4 days in EZE enough? I want to save Patagonia for the next trip with Chile, so we would just check out norther Argentina and the falls. We were thinking mostly spending time in EZE, maybe day trip to Cardoba. Any recommendations at all? Anything else recommended in Argentina besides Buenos Aires (if we are planning on doing southern Arg and patagonia on another trip).
Edit: 2 adults, 6 year old and 2 year old that are well traveled
We are in beginning stages of planning our SA trip in January. Our plan was to fly into MVD, spend 3 nights, take the ferry to EZE and spend 4 nights, fly to Iguazu Falls for 2 days, and then fly home. Would love some recs! Is 3 days in MVD enough? Should we do 2 days? Is 4 days in EZE enough? I want to save Patagonia for the next trip with Chile, so we would just check out norther Argentina and the falls. We were thinking mostly spending time in EZE, maybe day trip to Cardoba. Any recommendations at all? Anything else recommended in Argentina besides Buenos Aires (if we are planning on doing southern Arg and patagonia on another trip).
Edit: 2 adults, 6 year old and 2 year old that are well traveled
Last edited by TravelDoorsOut; Aug 12, 2023 at 5:00 am
#3
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Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Posts: 39,561
Day trip to Cordoba - don't. Not dissing Cordoba (I've never been except for a flight diversion, sitting on a plane for 2 hours), but you'll be turning your trip into an If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium experience. If you feel the need to get out of the "Big City" for part of a day, might I suggest taking the bus to La Plata for some interesting architecture. (I won't suggest taking the train to Tigre, although others may. The only reason I'll return to Tigre is if I want to do some furniture shopping.)
The "worst" that can happen when you spend not enough time in a place is the desire to return - as opposed to spending too much time somewhere, wishing you had allocated your time differently. If you spend one more day @ MVD and one less @ BUE, you'll probably feel the latter. (Not dissing MVD either)
#4
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 891
What sort of hotels are you looking for ? Budget ?
2 days MVD . 4 days BUE , 2 days IGR would be a nice trip.
Add a day in Colonia if you wish but I would overnight to avoid hassles and that would also solve the problem where do I leave my bags? When we do a Uruguay trip we try and overnight in Colonia on the way back as the city has a nice vibe in the evening and is quite ttranquil.
MVD-BUE ferry is 2hrs 15mins / 2hrs 30 mins - COL - BUE ferry is an hour.- MVD has 2 frequencies per day , Colonia has 4-6 depending on the month , sometimes as much as 7/8 in January -February.
2 days MVD . 4 days BUE , 2 days IGR would be a nice trip.
Add a day in Colonia if you wish but I would overnight to avoid hassles and that would also solve the problem where do I leave my bags? When we do a Uruguay trip we try and overnight in Colonia on the way back as the city has a nice vibe in the evening and is quite ttranquil.
MVD-BUE ferry is 2hrs 15mins / 2hrs 30 mins - COL - BUE ferry is an hour.- MVD has 2 frequencies per day , Colonia has 4-6 depending on the month , sometimes as much as 7/8 in January -February.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
Programs: Jumbo mas
Posts: 39,561
What sort of hotels are you looking for ? Budget ?
2 days MVD . 4 days BUE , 2 days IGR would be a nice trip.
Add a day in Colonia if you wish but I would overnight to avoid hassles and that would also solve the problem where do I leave my bags? When we do a Uruguay trip we try and overnight in Colonia on the way back as the city has a nice vibe in the evening and is quite ttranquil.
MVD-BUE ferry is 2hrs 15mins / 2hrs 30 mins - COL - BUE ferry is an hour.- MVD has 2 frequencies per day , Colonia has 4-6 depending on the month , sometimes as much as 7/8 in January -February.
2 days MVD . 4 days BUE , 2 days IGR would be a nice trip.
Add a day in Colonia if you wish but I would overnight to avoid hassles and that would also solve the problem where do I leave my bags? When we do a Uruguay trip we try and overnight in Colonia on the way back as the city has a nice vibe in the evening and is quite ttranquil.
MVD-BUE ferry is 2hrs 15mins / 2hrs 30 mins - COL - BUE ferry is an hour.- MVD has 2 frequencies per day , Colonia has 4-6 depending on the month , sometimes as much as 7/8 in January -February.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SDF
Programs: UA, AA, Marriott
Posts: 383
Pretty much agree. 2 full days in MVD is "plenty" on a limited time trip. The Colonia stop is worthwhile, but a full day there is more than enough. What I do not know is what sort of luggage storage facilities there may be during your Colonia stop. I assume that Buquebus or Colonia Express has some sort of service (or that a service is available at the terminal).
Day trip to Cordoba - don't. Not dissing Cordoba (I've never been except for a flight diversion, sitting on a plane for 2 hours), but you'll be turning your trip into an If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium experience. If you feel the need to get out of the "Big City" for part of a day, might I suggest taking the bus to La Plata for some interesting architecture. (I won't suggest taking the train to Tigre, although others may. The only reason I'll return to Tigre is if I want to do some furniture shopping.)
The "worst" that can happen when you spend not enough time in a place is the desire to return - as opposed to spending too much time somewhere, wishing you had allocated your time differently. If you spend one more day @ MVD and one less @ BUE, you'll probably feel the latter. (Not dissing MVD either)
Day trip to Cordoba - don't. Not dissing Cordoba (I've never been except for a flight diversion, sitting on a plane for 2 hours), but you'll be turning your trip into an If it's Tuesday, this must be Belgium experience. If you feel the need to get out of the "Big City" for part of a day, might I suggest taking the bus to La Plata for some interesting architecture. (I won't suggest taking the train to Tigre, although others may. The only reason I'll return to Tigre is if I want to do some furniture shopping.)
The "worst" that can happen when you spend not enough time in a place is the desire to return - as opposed to spending too much time somewhere, wishing you had allocated your time differently. If you spend one more day @ MVD and one less @ BUE, you'll probably feel the latter. (Not dissing MVD either)
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SDF
Programs: UA, AA, Marriott
Posts: 383
What sort of hotels are you looking for ? Budget ?
2 days MVD . 4 days BUE , 2 days IGR would be a nice trip.
Add a day in Colonia if you wish but I would overnight to avoid hassles and that would also solve the problem where do I leave my bags? When we do a Uruguay trip we try and overnight in Colonia on the way back as the city has a nice vibe in the evening and is quite ttranquil.
MVD-BUE ferry is 2hrs 15mins / 2hrs 30 mins - COL - BUE ferry is an hour.- MVD has 2 frequencies per day , Colonia has 4-6 depending on the month , sometimes as much as 7/8 in January -February.
2 days MVD . 4 days BUE , 2 days IGR would be a nice trip.
Add a day in Colonia if you wish but I would overnight to avoid hassles and that would also solve the problem where do I leave my bags? When we do a Uruguay trip we try and overnight in Colonia on the way back as the city has a nice vibe in the evening and is quite ttranquil.
MVD-BUE ferry is 2hrs 15mins / 2hrs 30 mins - COL - BUE ferry is an hour.- MVD has 2 frequencies per day , Colonia has 4-6 depending on the month , sometimes as much as 7/8 in January -February.
Last edited by TravelDoorsOut; Aug 13, 2023 at 1:07 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Posts: 39,561
Weird to say, but no- we are not looking for budged lodging. We are with two kids, and we like hotels w/ amenities (not to sound snobby)- would love recs. I was thinking leaving MVD in the AM, spending the day in Colonia ,and taking the evening Ferry? Is that just too much? Is Colonia a must see?
No, but it does provide ample time for a good "sampler" trip. My first few trips, many years ago, were probably 3 or so nights.
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Over the Bay Bridge, CA
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Posts: 39,561
I think a taxi will be several hundreds of USD, but no actual idea. There should be regular reliable bus services, but no personal experience. (I've only taken the ferry to/from BUE to each place, but not traveled between them.)
#11
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 891
Where would you suggest for Colonia lodging? I've never spent the night (and haven't been in many years) but the idea of going over mid-day, spending the night, and coming back in the AM sounds appealing. Also, have you taken Colonia Express? I have not, but it is a relatively short walk from my place, and I expect the return is more pleasant than arriving at the Buquebus terminal, looking for a taxi.
They have two vessels right now - one with no car deck and this is a bit old, to be honest. The one with the car deck is absolutely fine! The other is OK but is looking its age.
We used ColoniaExpress quite a lot when we lived in CABA, but now we are in Escobar and my remise driver prefers Buquebus.
I hear on the grapevine, that the owners of Colonia Express have purchased a winery in Uruguay close to Colonia and shortly they will be starting tours within a few months ---this sounds interesting !
#12
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 891
Eastbay1K , what i didn't say , is if the location is good for you , go ahead and do it. Its a one hour journey after ll.
And important for some - the duty free shop on CE is not as good but I hear they are upgrading it soon.
And important for some - the duty free shop on CE is not as good but I hear they are upgrading it soon.
#13
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 891
YOU might get a driver to negotiate but I would think 250 is the best you can get.
There are plenty of buses from Tres Cruces in MVD to Colonia - its about 14/15 USD per person
Bus quality is pretty good and comfortable
#14
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Somewhere between EZE , MAD and GLA
Programs: IB , BA , AA , LATAM
Posts: 891
I dont think the port has a left luggage place. It is certainly possible that either ferry company allows early bag check. I just don't know as when I go with bags I have the car and the bags are in the trunk.
the port is very quiet and my worry is if it would be safe...?
the port is very quiet and my worry is if it would be safe...?