2 weeks in Argentina
 

**** SEE POSTS 11 & 17 FOR UPDATE. THANKS

Hello all -

I've been busy reading many of the threads here but want to get as many opinions as possible to make this a great trip. My wife and I will be spending 2 weeks in Argentina in early Sept. This will be our first time visiting. We are both well-traveled, early 30s, speak Spanish, and open to all types of adventures (both urban and rural variety). Living in San Francisco, we enjoy and know a lot about wine, even make some ourselves.

So far, we've only decided on a couple of items... at least 4 to 5 days in BsAs and we'd like to go to Iguazu.

- For BsAs, I have a ton of SPG points so any of those hotels are a possibility. But I'd rather stay somewhere central than somewhere free. Do any SPG hotels make sense. If not, we'd love recommendations for specific hotels or areas for first-timers.
- Besides Iguazu, what other regions would you recommend. We've heard/read mixed review on Mendoza. We're up for hiking, but we're open to anything. Ideas? Suggestions?
- What are we missing, or more specifically, what should we not miss. Where else should be spend time?

thanks in advance!

I've never been there, so I cannot recommend on quality, but the Sheraton Libertador is as central as you can be. It's just two blocks away from calle Florida and the Gallerias Pacífico shopping. Plenty of transport links to everywhere.

The other two Sheratons are one beside the other at Retiro, still a walking distance to the first one, so it's also a convenient location.

Pantagonia for sure.

Iguazu you need only two days, unless you visit Paraguay and Brazil (must have visa) I'd visit all three its a boat or cab ride away.

Eat, drink, and enjoy.

Are you planning to stay overnight at Iguazu Falls? The Sheraton is the best place to stay purely for its location. Get up early and explore before the crowds, heat and humidity make the afternoon uncomfortably hot. There's a 'maid of the mist' minus type of boat trip that soaks you under the falls. They provide covers for your cameras - be sure and ask. It's about 200 steps down a rocky path to get there and back. Up north, consider Salta if you want to see the arid desert area. We did a similar trip in Chile last year and loved the geography, activities and people.

A good friend visited Argentina in September last year. Hands down, his favorite area was Mendoza. You can travel the Ruta de los Vinos to see the wine area (and presumably arrange some visits). Welcome Argentina.com has further information about the wineries and the wine route.

Patagonia is awesome. El Calafante is, in my opinion, a better gateway than Usuhaia. If you like an active vacation, think about visiting the Perito Moreno glacier. Friends liked Hosteria Los Notros.

In Buenos Aires, we stayed at the Sheraton Park Towers. It's a 15 to 20 minute walk to town, which was fine with us. We were upgraded to the butler floor and had great service and a comfortable room. As you've noted, it is NOT in the central area and is probably not the best choice for you. The Sheraton (adjoining and sharing the pool facilities with the Park Tower) is considerably less expensive than the Tower. The consistently top-rated hotel is the Alvear Palace hotel and is in Recoleta. Three or four of our friends have stayed there at different times and all highly recommend it.

Things to do in Buenos Aires? We went to the tango show at the Faena. How ironic .. they piped in fake cigarette smoke to create the nightclub atmosphere! Whether you choose that particular tango show or another one, they are worth seeing. Faena is in a hipper area but out of the mainstream area of Buenos Aires. We booked the tour to see the canal area just outside of Buenos Aires. It was a nice contrast to some of the areas in Buenos Aires proper. The La Boca neighborhood is visually exciting, touristy and worth an hour or two of your time.

IMHO, Argentina is a terrific place to vacation. One can have many different kinds of experiences and enjoy great food, wine and people.

Patagonia is indeed a great place to visit down here but your timing is a bit off, early September is late winter and the weather can be rather unpredictable down south. Weather will be a bit warmer in Buenos Aires and Iguazu but you may find some days and nights rather cold.

As for the SPG hotels in BA, IMHO they only makes sense if you are here on business. You did not mention a price point for a hotel, but will give you a couple of suggestions other than the previously mentioned Alvear Palace which goes for @ $500 USD a night. Meliá Recoleta Plaza Boutique Hotel is in a good location and rather new, the Loi Suites Recoleta is another good choice and a bit less than the Melia. The Four Seasons and new Hyatt are rather nice as well but you are in the upper $ range.

Not sure what mixed reviews you had of Mendoza but I have had great visits there. Not only visiting the wineries but also touring the countryside. There are some outstanding vineyards to visit. A new Sheraton is opening there early September so might be an opportunity to use those SPG points :).

Be sure and bring your appetite there are some great restaurants, also an empty suitcase since shopping is pretty good too :)

Sam

Thanks all for the reply. I will be looking at the accommodation situation in BsAs ASAP.

- I booked us at the Park Tower as a backup using points
- I have some Hyatt points so it may make sense to burn them on this trip. Is the Palacio Duhau worth it?
- I also noticed the "5 star" Hotel Moreno in San Telmo has very attractive internet rates, starting at $110+tax, any reviews?
- At what point / when does it make sense to rent an apartment?

So far, we're thinking...

5 days in BsAs
2 days in Iguazu (r/t air on LAN is $300+ pp, is that normal?)
3 in Mendoza
3 in Patagonia

Is Patagonia in Sept a no go? How cold we talking about? What city / area should we aim for?
Is this too hectic of a schedule? spreading ourselves too thin?

Thanks again!

Is the Moreno $110 pp? Park Hyatt in Mendoza is a nice property,located well.Your from SFO and the same type of scenery you would see in California is similar to what you'll see in Argentina. If you like the southwest go to Salta, Mountains in Bariloche,Mendoza,Calafante,I thought the mountains and lakes around Bariloche were great.The Moreno glacier is very impressive My wife and I enjoyed Mendoza but you have a wine country close in Napa and Sonoma,tough choices but you can't go wrong whatever you come up with as to what is good for you.Go to youtube and check some travel videos of these different areas.

Nope USD$110 per room, max 2 people. Good hotel? advice?

Patagonia is of course a great destination.... and since you are probably able to deal with the cold weather (coming from the Northern Hemisphere), I would not discourage you from visiting the region. However, be prepared to pay high season prices, it wont be a bargain.

I have not stayed there but it is rated very highly.A few years ago I stayed at Art Suites in the Recoletta area and found it excellent just a suggestion

OP back for more advice. We've settled on a more fixed schedule and we're at peace with the fact that flights are ridiculously expensive

Aug 31 - Sept 7 (1 week) in BsAs. That will leave us one more week in Argentina (Sep 7 to 13). So we're thinking 2 days in Iguazu + 3/4 days somewhere else (Salta, Bariloche, Mendoza, Neuquen)

Of the other options, any stand out? We'd love to do some hiking so Bariloche seems ideal, but I am concerned about the weather in early Sept (and it is the most expensive flights). Salta sounds interesting for wine and hiking, but is it different than say Arizona / Anti-Atlas (Morocco)?

Another question... if we decide to fly back to BsAs (AEP) on the same day that we're leaving for the US (EZE), how much time should we allow for transfer between airports? We will only fly LAN, not Aerolineas.

Thanks!

For your AEP to EZE connection, I would say you need at least 3.5 hours... but this will depend on what class of service you fly out on at EZE and/or what line you will have to get into (elite status, etc.).

Hiking in September in Bariloche is amazing... but be ready for winter weather if the ski season is longer than usual... with the crazy weather lately, anything can happen.

Thank you thank you thank you for the advice

How's ski season looking this year? :)

http://www.wunderground.com/ski/AG_99/

John

Well it is not on your list but you might consider the area outside Cordoba. Las Sierras de Cordoba.There are fantastic mountains, lakes and of opportunities for trekking and hiking. And the weather will be a bit nicer than down south. And the flights to Cordoba are pretty cheap since it is fairly close to Buenos Aires. You can check this link for more information...
http://www.welcomeargentina.com/sierras/index_i.html

Sam