Travelers' Reports – Argentina:

Name:Vily
E-Mail:vilycabaiero@hotmail.com
Date:11/9/2004

I´m Italian and I have visited Patagonia many times with a local travel agent, Patagonia-x. They are fun but the best travel I did with them was to Cordoba, Capilla del Monte. We camped out at the summit of Cerro Uritorco for UFO sightseeing, we went to Huertas Malas and we rode horses at Cerro Colchiquin and Caves of Ongamire. These are old Indian sacred sites and cemeteries. Everything was surrounded with a halo of mystery and beautiful scenery. Everything (hotel included) cost me a little bit more than USD $150, which I consider very affordable. The bus trip was OK (9 hrs from Buenos Aires to Cordoba). For travellers that like to go on low budgets you can get in touch them at guille@patagonia-x.com. Thanks!

Name:Anonymous
E-Mail:
Date:11/25/2002

I'm a Canadian, living in Toronto. I've been to Argentina several times. My first visit was in 1990. I was still a teenager. I was originally just going to Rio. From there I traveled to Uruguay. In Uruguay, I heard a great deal about Argentina, so I decided to go. I instantly fell in love. It truly is a city that can be enjoyed by all ages. Being young, I enjoyed late night clubs (clubs in Canada should be ashamed!), soccer stadiums (no where I've been in the world could compete). And in general great late nights on the streets and outdoor cafes.

Now in my late twenties I appreciate the blend of European cultures that create the Argentine culture. Elegant restaurants, hotels and all the possible arts imaginable including painting, opera, and of course the tango. Other places to visit: Iguazu -- massive waterfalls that will leave you in awe. Bariloche -- very northern European style city. Great skiing and sight-seeing tours. Mar del Plata -- greatest South American beach, other than Rio (however much cleaner and safer!)

Name:Stef van Dongen
E-Mail:stef@worldonline.nl
Date:8/28/2002

In the years 2000 and 2002 I have been in Argentina (south and north), the place where my heart lies. North Argentina is dry and reminded me of Bolivia (though more developed). The area is characterized by colorful mountains and low vegetation. South Argentina is beautiful. Flat like Tierra del Fuego, with amazing clouds and a lot of fauna.

Highlights:

If you are in Salta. Visit Casa de la Moulino, ask a cab driver to bring you there because it is not in the books. It is a local place (for locals) where they have local wine, local empanadas and local live folk music. The guests play themselves.

Visit Cachi a little village near Salta. If you have the chance, go hiking for a couple of days in the direction of Mount Cachi! it is great.

Of course Foz Iguazu is beautiful but touristy. Buenos Aires is the place to be. If you like dancing, food or culture. I will be there next year for research (Dec 02 - Oct 03).

Also for information on the South of Argentina: Calafate, Ushuaia, Rio Grande . . . Feel free to ask.

Name:Juan Carlos
E-Mail:juanka@sion.com
Date:6/9/2002

As a local, it's nice to read that many travellers are "re-discovering" Argentina as a destination. Because of bad economical management, last January '02 my country passed from the most expensive to the cheapest country in South America. Now for 1 dollar you receive 3 times more pesos than in January (well, many prices increased about 50%) Until we reach the right point it is a good time for you to enjoy all that Argentina brings. I don't need to repeat that we have excellent landscapes in Patagonia; the highest Andes mountains; the lakes and forests and national parks; the magnificent Iguazu waterfalls; and of course Buenos Aires, the European-style, big and safe city where the Tango was born and from where it has spread to the world. Yes! BA continues being the safest big city in South America, with one of the world's most famous opera houses, 150 cinemas, 100 theaters, and a unique ecological reserve just in the middle of a city, etc.

Your staying here also helps our people, because I'm sure the money you will spend doesn't go to accounts of rich owners of expensive hotels or restaurants, but to the pocket of medium class (becoming poor) people who really need it.

In BA I can help you with updated info about events, what's new to see/do here, bike rental with guided tour, free visits, and cheap accommodation (homestay) with the daily help of a local.

Some sites to look for more info:
Accommodation: http://lodging.4all.cc
General: http://www.usatoday.com/life/travel/leisure/2000/ltl162.htm
subways net: http://www.metrovias.com.ar

Don't hesitate in asking any data you need and you can't find in other sites (not the wheather, please :-)

Name:Brad Tucker
E-Mail:bradt_64@hotmail.com
Date:5/30/2002

I recently visited Buenos Aires on a business trip. Although I had only one full day of sight-seeing, the memories will last a lifetime.

I arrived on a flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil. The flight was mostly occupied by business men destined for mid-week meetings and other commercial pursuits. I was the fortunate one to sit next to a beautiful Brazilian woman who was also a marketing represenative who conducts business in Buenos Aires on a regular basis.

Upon arrival at the airport, you are greeted by a welcome party of hotel representatives and taxi drivers to ensure that your stay is a comfortable one. I would recommend having reservations in advance though.

The ride to the city from the airport is about a 20 minute jaunt. If you speak Spanish, or are accompanied by a Spanish speaking person, the taxi-drivers are a great source of information about restaurants, hotels, and tourist sites. They are proud of their country and are eager to share all of the information they have from chief exports to entertainment.

I was also impressed by the ornate architecture of the city. For instance, Saturday we visited a local Catholic church, the name of which fails me at the moment. The church was built just prior to the turn of the century. Things to take notice of are the beautiful murals painted on the ceiling above the pulpit, the gold structure behind the pulpit, and the statues and displays of biblical people lined on both sides of the church, just beyond the five arches on each side of the pews. The most magnificent of these is a display of Jesus on the Cross, which is very life-like.

Another must see part of Buenos Aires which I did not find mention of in the report on this site is the "Caminito", which is the old part of town. It is my understanding that this area is known as the birthplace of the tango. The streets are lined with local artisans selling paintings and various pieces of art-work. There are also a number of small restaurants a little off of the beaten path that serve excellent food, and have live tango performances. This is a great area for shopping for a memorable souvenir to commemorate your journey.

It's gettin late, so I'll wrap things up for now. I will hopefully visit your site later with some more insights to this beautiful city.

I just wanted to add a couple of things for my report:

I was there May of 2002. I too fell in love with the people. I met a beautiful woman there, and we are corresponding by email. We hope to get together soon, possibly in the Carribean.

The people there are very educated. I think I read that about 2 million of the inhabitants in Buenos Aires attended the university. They are very well read on North and Latin American literature.

The people are also very friendly and charming. It is not uncommon for a woman to kiss you on the cheek as a greeting, or as a salutation. Prior to departing the workplace on a Friday, we ceremonial drank the mate. I had to buy a couple of different styles of mate cups, which will remind me of the friendship that was show to me during my stay there.

Name:Daniela
E-Mail:tempeh72@hotmail.com
Date:3/30/2002

Hi my name is Daniela and I am from Italy. I have just spent three fabulous weeks in Argentina. I came here because one of my best friends was getting married to an Arentinean man and I didn't really know what to expect. Well, I have to say I have fallen in love with this country. A perfect combination of nature, culture, art, good food and wonderful people.

Of course devaluation helped because I was able to do much more with 3 pesos to 1 U.S. dollar. I spend some time in Buenos Aires where I really liked the atmosphere, that reminds me a lot of my home town, Naples, a very chaotic city with a soul. My favourite spot is Plaza San Martin, an oasis of peace in the middle of all the traffic and noise, with its wonderful jacaranda trees. If you are vegetarian and worry about what are you going to eat you will find lots of Italian restaurants which serve good pasta, mostly home made and very filling. One I liked was Broccolino and also La Parolaccia, on Puerto Madero. A cheap place for lunch is the Galeria Pacifico on Florida, where you can have decent food for 7 pesos. if you like tango don't miss the show tanguera - it's great.

I spent 3 days in Calafate and i went to see the Perito Moreno. It was one of the most amazing experiences of my life, seeing the different shades of blue of the ice and listening to the noise made by the ice breaking off and falling into the water. The boat trip through the glaciers and icebergs is great and now affordable at 160 pesos - not a rip-off as it was before devaluation. You'll also find good food and value for money at La Cocina, a cozy restaurant on the main street. I stayed at Hotel La Loma which is nothing fancy but clean and decent.

Another trip I made was to the Iguazu waterfalls. Definitely take good sun block because even my Italian skin got burned, for the first time ever! The falls are breathtaking. I recommend the grande aventura trip, which takes you trough the jungle and includes a boat trip under the falls - take your swimming gear because you'll get soaked. If you are there when it's full moon you can do the moonlight walk to see the Garganta del Diablo, the largest waterfall - the most romantic thing ever. Near Puerto Iguazu there is a guarani reservation, which is totally untouristy and therefore worth visiting. There you realised how spoilt we westerns are with our cameras and comfortable shoes, when these people live with nothing.

If you have time to spare, another nice place is Carilo, on the coast near Pinamar. the Posada del Bosque works out cheap if four to six people share a cabin. A fun thing you can do in Pinamar is ATV riding (dune buggies).

A good and cheap travel agent here is Say Hueque in Buenos Aires, sayhueque@mayermayer.com.ar is the e-mail address and phone number 011 51992517. I did most of this trip with them. By the way if you are not in a hurry and want to save money you can travel with a coche cama, a very comfortable bus where the seats turn into beds.

Of course these are only the things "I did" - the feelings this country and the people I met here - both Argentinian and non - are impossible to communicate in a few words. But I definitely will be back soon to see the Peninsula Valdes and the lake district near Bariloche. Want to come?

Name:Anonymous
E-Mail:analia_iperione@yahoo.com.ar
Date:7/19/2001

I'm Argentinean, living for some time in The Netherlands. I'm planning a trip to my country because I'm feeling like another tourist again. If you are planning to go there, one of the best places to go, because I love it and I'm willing to go there again, is Patagonia. For me there's no place like el Glaciar Perito Moreno and the trekking on it. Even though it's very expensive, it's really amazing walking on the ice.

When you pay for a ticket "to the south" as we call it, it's a very good idea to invest a bit more and go to Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world, and to visit as much as possible. I reckon it's very expensive, but the sights you will see are unforgettable and worth all the money you spend to go there. That's all. I hope all the people that decide to go will enjoy Patagonia as much I enjoy it every time I go.

Bye!

Name:ALEX PEREZ
E-Mail:APEREZ@PERSONALOPTICS.COM
Date:5/1/2001

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO GO TO ARGENTINA, DON'T MISS MENDOZA, GO TO SAN RAFAEL, IT HAS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CANYON AND RIVERS. YOU CAN EVEN TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR WEB PAGE, JUST TYPE SAN RAFAEL, IT HAS PICTURES AND INFORMATION ABOUT HOTELS, RESTAURANTS AND GUIDED TOURS. YOU WON'T REGRET IT!!!!

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION OR COMMENT, WRITE TO MY E-MAIL AND I'LL HELP YOU TO FIND WHAT YOU LOOKING FOR, I LIVED IN 5 DIFFERENT PLACES IN ARGENTINA.

Name:Alexis Delvall
E-Mail:Al3xys@aol.com
Date:3/16/2001

I have been to Argentina, for me the most beautiful of all Latin American countries, for possessing whatever you look for, from the deserts in the north to the ice in the south, Argentina has all you need to have a nice time. Buenos Aires is the most cosmopolitan and complete city of all in South America and is as beautiful as any other in the world. I am really fascinated by Argentina and it people. They are cute as hell and really friendly. If you haven't been there yet, don't wait any longer. You won't regret it . . . it is GREAT!!!!

Name:ERNEST SPINNER NJ
E-Mail: 
Date:11/28/2000

I WAS IN ARGENTINA 4 TIMES AND HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH THE COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE. SPECIAL MENTION TO LLAO LLAO HOTEL IN BARILOCHE AND THE ALVEAR PALACE IN BUENOS AIRES. THEY ARE IN A CLASS OF THEIR OWN. SHOPPING IN GALERIAS PACIFICO IS ALSO A GREAT EXPERIENCE.

Name:Patty Oliver
E-Mail:doliver@erinet.com
Date:7/31/2000

July, 2000: We just returned from a three week visit to Argentina. We had such a wonderful time that I wanted to share it with anyone interested in visiting. First of all, I want to tell you that we had been warned repeatedly about crime, pickpocketing etc. Not once did we feel threatened or uncomfortable. Of course, we took the usual precautions anyone would take in a large city. We didn't walk alone at night. We didn't wear lots of jewelry. However, I carried my video camera and my husband, a prof. photographer carried his camera (obvious tourists) but we were never bothered. Indeed, we found everyone to be very friendly.

We began our visit in Buenos Aires. We stayed at the Hotel Carsson which we would highly recommend. It is only 1 block from Florida Street and walking distance for many sites. It is a charming, older, immaculate hotel with excellent service. We had a two bedroom suite to accommodate the 3 of us and it was $113 a night including breakfast.

Next we flew to las Cataratas de Iguazu. I haven't visited the entire planet (yet) but I think this must be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Definitely not to be missed. We stayed on the Brazilian side at Das Cataratas Tropical. This is located within the national forest and was lovely. It was a bit expensive to get there by plane (LAPA) and the hotel was expensive but the falls are worth it. We had beautiful, sunny days. It was 80F in July, their winter, but perfect weather to visit the falls. In the summer there it can be over 100 degrees F. We saw cuotis, monkeys, toucans, and millions of butterflies. Be sure to take the boat on the river to the base of the falls.

Next we went to Cordoba. We have friends there and had the advantage of living in their homes. We had a lovely time. It is a lovely city with lots to see and do. It is a big city, but not as huge as BsAs. We were lucky to be there on July 6 which is Cordoba Day. We went to Plaza de San Martin that evening and heard the orchestra of Buenos Aires. What a memory to be standing in the square, next to the stately cathedral lit up, the Argentine flag waving in the breeze and the beautiful music playing.

We used a local tour company (with help from our friends) and took a 13 hour bus ride to the north to Salta. The bus ride was miserable. We were told we would have "coche cama" which would be reclining bed-seats. It was just a typical bus. The seats reclined like coach seats on an airplane. Also, we were in the very back with no heat. We had to scratch ice off the windows to see out. This was an overnight trip and needless to say, we didn't sleep. Thank goodness our friends had packed mate and a thermos of hot water. That kept us reasonable warm!

We spent the day in Salta. A beautiful city with lots of charm. The following day we went again by bus to Humahuaca, an Indian village close to the border of Bolivia. Long trip but worth it. Next day we took the Tren a las Nubes. This train goes to an altitude of around 14,000 ft. The landscapes were incredible. The altitude can make you sick. There were some people that became ill on the ride. We only experienced a mild headache which left as we descended.

Back in Cordoba, we went to the sierras and visited Cumbrecita. This is a little village that looks like Switzerland. There was about 3 inches of snow and the children of our friends were thrilled because they never get to see snow.

Our final destination was San Antonio. This summer resort town is about one-half hour drive from Cordoba. There are cottages for rent next to a crystal clear river. Lovely. We were there in the winter, so there wasn't much going on and no people.

Final thoughts, though the temperatures are generally mild, we experienced a "cold snap" while we were there. Most places are not prepared for cold. Our friends' houses did not have central heat. It was very cold. If you plan on going in July, take lots of warm clothes. Also, my friends tell me in the winter (Dec/Jan) it is very hot, close to 100F. Again, our friends do not have A/C and generally spend the summer away from the city in the mountains where it is cooler.

We had an incredible time. There is so much more I could share. Can't wait to go back. If we can be of any help to anyone please feel free to contact us.

Dan, Patty & Michal Oliver

Name:Alexandra Bolton
E-Mail:argentine_alex@hotmail.com
Date:3/9/2000

I have family in Argentina and can highly recommend Patagonia as a must do for all enthusiastic travelers. Not forgetting of course Iguazu Falls. Iguazu is stunning! You need at least one day to see the Brazilian side of the falls and the boat ride after walking through a little bit of jungle is a must do.  If anything it will cool you off!!!!  Visit the bird park as well, the toucans, macaws and others will remain with you forever.

In the province of Chubut, visit Peninsula Valdez, which I am best acquainted with. The whale watching will leave you lost for words and is an unforgettable experience. The best time to go will be between June and November for the calving season. The penguins in Punta Tombo are cute and two have been used In Eddie Murphy's film Dr. Dolittle; you will understand why. For nature lovers at least a day is needed to explore the wonders of the Peninsula Valdez.

If you enjoy the thought of taking a boat ride across a stunning lake, seeing thick forests (bosques) and walking through them with the chance of seeing a mountain lion, then visit the lake of Futalauquen. You may, if you are lucky, also see a few Andean Condors! And not forgetting the glacier between the two mountains.  Perito Moreno was stunning and a boat ride is essential, although do not underestimate how cold it may get. Stand outside as well to feel the real wonder of this earth -- you'll freeze but in my books it was definitely worth it!!

And last but not least, do visit Ushuaia and Rio Grande, only if to see the heart of the island. Ushuaia though must be visited in October onwards due to the very high levels of snow and very poor weather. Be careful though, the approach into Ushuaia airport is nothing short of terrifying, even for us experienced flyers!!!! Imagine icebergs floating by while your pilot is trying to land a plane!!! Although all of this sounds bizarre, Argentina and its extremities and beautiful images will, without doubt, remain with you for the rest of your life, an experience that will never be forgotten and one that only has been experienced by the few whose curiosity led them there in the first place.

Name:Kara
E-Mail:kechabot@go.com
Date:2/28/2000

I spent a year in Argentina, with my home-base in Mendoza. For those interested in the outdoors, skiing, or just a quieter but yet-still-city type life, Mendoza is fantastic. You are minutes from the foothills of the Andes and beautiful sights are more than plentiful. Any travel agency will offer a $29 all day tour of the sights surrounding Mendoza, many natural/historical, and this is well worth the money. Mendoza offers good public transportation (buses and trolleys), cultural events including music, theatre, classes, workshops, etc. are inexpensive and/or free. Mendoza is a huge maker of wine, so if you are into that, you must go. Wine is good and can be extremely cheap ($2.50 will buy you a decent bottle), and there are many vineyards and wineries to visit.

Mendoza, overall, is known throughout Argentina as a very clean and beautiful city. Almost all the streets are lined with trees, and there are lovely plazas every few blocks to sit and rest in or people watch.

If you are coming from or going to Santiago, Chile, I STRONGLY recommend taking the 6.5-7 hour bus trip during the day to take advantage of the ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE scenery you will pass along the way. A one-way ticket costs between $12 and $20, depending on whether it's high or low season. In July and perhaps August, however, the road between Mendoza and Chile may be closed due to snow.

Buenos Aires: a great little hotel on Chacabuco is Hotel Victoria in barrio San Telmo. It's run by a couple of senior citizen men who are very sweet characters. There's a grocery and laundry place half a block away. I paid $25 a night for a double. There's heat and access to a kitchen to cook your own meals. There may also be a couple of plates and silverware on the small table in your room when you get there. There's a cute central courtyard thing that would be lovely to enjoy on a warm night.

I also did extensive traveling throughout Argentina and have to say the Iguazú Falls were one of the most amazing natural wonders I have experienced. If I had to tell you somewhere to go to see something really memorable and great, I would choose Iguazú. There are dozens of huge falls that you can approach and cross over, etc. via catwalks and bridges. The entry is $5 to the national park and is good for 2 days. If you camp, you can also camp in Camping Nandu for no additional charge. I visited Iguazú in July (winter in Argentina), and it was in the 80's every day and beautiful. Being on the border with Paraguay and Brazil, Puerto Iguazú offers constant transport to both these countries. I had an incredible time up there.

Patagonia can be a challenge to travel around in since good roads are scarce. I advise that if you are traveling with time constraints (less than month), that you choose the most important sights you'd like to see and do those. Otherwise, with the inevitable travel set-backs everyone I have met traveling around Patagonia has had, you will be rushed and perhaps unsatisfied.

The Perito Moreno Glacier gets a lot of hype for being an immense glacier that still advances and retreats. It is in El Calafate, AR...in Patagonia. It was impressive, but El Calafate is 4-5 hours away from anything, very expensive, and the $30 fee for 1.5 hours of transportation from downtown Calafate and back was very pricey, considering that once at the glacier, there was almost no information about the glacier (how it moves, what makes a glacier look the way it does, etc). So, although it was cool to look at and say I saw it, I left feeling I wanted to know more about it or something. I probably would not have paid for the transportation to and from El Calafate, lodging, and transportation to and from the glacier had I known it would be not so great. HOWEVER, people who are true outdoors types (I camped for a month while traveling around, but I'm not one to sleep in freezing weather, etc.), say that El Calafate is beautiful (although constantly windy and cold!)

There's so much to tell. Hope this was of some help!

Name:Melissa
E-Mail:meli219@webtv.net
Date:2/9/2000

I went to Argentina for seven months. I went from August 1998 until March of 1999. It was a wonderful experience. Everyone there is so kind and willing to make friends easily. I was only sixteen at the time and I was in the country by myself, but I made friends quickly and I still continue to talk to them. I lived in Quilmes, a medium size town about an hour from Buenos Aires. Then I lived in La Plata, the capital of the province of Buenos Aires. I also visited Mar del Plata, a very popular beach which many people go to for vacation and also San Bernardo, another popular beach. Argentina is a very beautiful country and I would recommend it for anyone that wants to travel.

Name:Virginia
E-Mail: 
Date:2/3/2000

I AM FROM ARGENTINA, AND I CAN TELL BETTER THAN ANYONE HOW ARGENTINA IS, AND WHAT IT IS FOR ME. I NEVER SAW A COUNTRY LIKE ARGENTINA.  IT HAS EVERYTHING THAT YOU NEED TO SEE.  YOU CAN LEARN A LOT OF THINGS BEING THERE.  THE FOOD IS GREAT, THE PEOPLE ARE VERY SPECIAL, EVERYBODY IS FRIENDLY.  I'M SURE THAT IF YOU GO, YOU WILL BE VERY HAPPY!!!!  YOU WON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY TO NOT SEE ANYTHING, 'CAUSE, BELIEVE ME . . . YOU WILL!!!

VIRGINIA.14 YEARS OLD (MEMPHIS, TN, USA)

Name:Ian BUNTON - Melbourne - AUSTRALIA
E-Mail:ian.bunton@doi.vic.gov.au
Date: 

I was in Patagonia - Argentina & Chile in Feb-March 1998. I thoroughly recommend the following two newish hotels. In Puerto Natales (Chile) the Hotel Martin Gusinde which was opened in late 1997. Very comfortable and helpful staff although a bit of Spanish helps. They were very informative on the town itself the surrounding region and info on Torres del Paine N.P.

In El Chalten - Los Glaciares N.P. Monte Fitz Roy - try the Hosteria de la Montania run by Fitz Roy Expediciones. It opened in Jan ? 1998. I was the first Australian to stay there It is only a 2 suite small lodging but was very new, well-appointed and warm! The staff were great and could not have been more helpful. Guides are available for many treks - Mont Fitz Roy area and Cerro Torre.

I hope to go there again soon! Please let me know if you need any further info.

Name:Erhard Kraus
E-Mail:erhard@interlog.com
Date:6/4/1999

It's nice to see this excellent website and the many enthusiastic comments by fellow travelers. South America is not (yet?) overrun with tourists and thus can offer true adventure and discovery.

If you care to see what a guy on a bicycle experienced in Patagonia, take a look at my report on http://www.yip.org/~erhard/patagoni.htm

Cheers, Erhard

Name:Angel de los Andes
E-Mail:zapala@hotmail.com
Date:5/8/1999

I went to Argentina for a second time in April 1999 - I love the place! There isso much to see and do. I saw two wonderful opera performances at the Colon in Buenos Aires- fabulous theatre in a splendid city. This time I was there for 5 days before going on to Patagonia and the Andean lakes. I went to Bariloche, El Bolson, Villa La Agostura on Lake Nahuel Huapi (as is Bariloche). Also, I took a trip over the Andes into Temuco in Chile (and Osorno and Valdivia - in the latter I ate the best seafood ever - we have great seafood in New England but it doesn't compare).

Accomodations were very clean, the people are very friendly in both countries, services are excellent - transportation, etc. I highly recommend a trip to Argentina (and Chile). This is a wonderful part of the world - great people, beautiful sights to see, wonderful food, and it is safe too. I am eager to return in a couple of years to visit northwestern Argentina - Mendoza and Salta. I will access them via Santiago in Chile as Mendoza is not far from there.

Two words of caution; avoid making phone calls from your hotel (if you stay in a hotel) as they are VERY expensive...use the public phone offices instead.

Neither Argentina nor Chile are cheap - prices for a good meal are comparable to a good New York restaurant, but you can eat in the countless confiterias at modest prices. Buenos Aires can be torrid in their summer (December-early March) - humid and hot! April and Sept.-Oct. are good times to visit - autumn or early spring there.

Also, outside of Buenos Aires, travelers checks are hard to cash. Cash withdrawals with a credit card can be made throughout Argentina and Chile.

Regards and happy travels!

Name:Alli Brown
E-Mail:phant@netspace.net.au
Date:4/26/1998

I first visited Argentina in the summer of 1996. My reason for visiting Argentina was to climb Aconcagua, the highest mountain in South America. After spending 5 days exploring Buenos Aires, enjoying the cafes, tango and local culture I flew to Mendoza. Mendoza is situated close to the border of Chile, in the heart of the Andes. A region known for its brilliant wine, it was a great place to relax and psyche myself up for the big task ahead - climbing Aconcagua.

Aconcagua is accessible by trekking only, but it is possible to see Aconcagua on avery clear day from the highway that leads to Chile from Mendoza. From the highway it isa 3 day hike to base camp. I was climbing the "Falso de Polacas" route, a route not as commonly climbed as the "Ruta Normal". A massive mountain, dominating the skyline, it instills a sense of fear and trepidation in even the most confident of climbers. After three weeks of ferrying loads up and down the mountain, setting up camps, and adjusting to the altitude the day for our "summit bid" arrived. A long, tedious climb up narrow paths and through ice, snow and rocky outcrops, I finally made it to the summit of Aconcagua. At 6960 metres [23,200 feet], the air was thin, every breath a struggle, but the view was stupendous. The tiredness and pain vanished the minute I looked over the landscape, mountains and rivers miles beneath me, a slight breeze blowing gently, and the expanse of Argentina sprawling below. An amazing feeling, an amazing feat, and an unfortgettable experience.

I returned to Argentina the following summer to again work as a mountain guide on Acobcagu. By that stage Argentina had manifested itself on me and I could not wait to return. Anyone who visits Argentina, or for that matter any South American country, gets caught up in the friendliness of the people and the beauty of the continent. It affected me so much that now I am planning to cycle from Ushuaia, Argentina through Chile, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Comolbia and finish in Caracas, Venezuela. I am intending to undertake this journey early November 1998, and am working hard trying to raise sponsorship for this bicycle expedition. Any monies I raise from this expedition will be going to Community Aid Abroad - an Australian Aid Agency who have ties with helping South American Communities. I am looking forward to my challenge, and I know that anyone who has been to South America will agree that it is a land that will affect you and leave you with wonderful memories.