GETTING THERE-ARGENTINA

There are daily overnight commercial flights from major U.S. international gateway airports (New York, Atlanta, Miami, Dallas and Los Angeles) to Buenos Aires, Argentina. Morning flight arrivals may permit easy connections to Bariloche or Chapelco (San Martin de los Andes) for anglers and to most other cities and major towns for other travelers. As Argentina lies east of most U.S. cities jet-lag from 1-3 hour time differences is seldom a problem. Airport assistance with an English-speaking guide can be arranged. Lodge representatives will meet you at your final destination airport for the overland transfer to your selected lodge.

Travel Tips

1. In travel planning allow 3 hours for customs, immigrations clearance and connections with outbound domestic flights. The international and domestic airports are approximately 25 miles apart. 3-4 hours for check-in should be allowed for domestic arrivals connecting with departing international flights. While the transfer can be done in about an hour, the route is often very congested especially during rush hour traffic. Allowing less than 3 hours puts you in a real pressure-cooker situation.
2. If you are not using a prearranged transfer service (Patagonia Sporting Resources would be pleased to make those arrangements), remis (private car with a reliable drive) or bus shuttles can be used for the connections between airports or downtown hotels. DO NOT use the taxi drivers soliciting you outside the customs and immigrations area.
3. ATMs are by far the best way to get local funds (all ATMs provide the option for English language transaction prompts). Be sure to check with your bank prior to departing what the daily limit is on your credit/debit card. We suggest at least $1,000, but you may want a higher limit. The daily maximum withdrawal amount is for your protection should the cards fall into the hands of others. As credit card user fees are high in Argentina, shop owners, particularly, may offer discounts for paying in cash rather than using a credit card. The small regional or local banks in Argentina may limit your daily withdrawals to considerably less than what the large national banks or your own bank’s limit. While safe, travelers checks usually have an exchange rate penalty. U.S. dollars are eagerly accepted for most goods and services.
4. Tipping is more conservative in Argentina. 10% for meals and services (taxis, drivers, guides, etc.) is greatly appreciated.
5. For the first-time visitor to Buenos Aires, consider spending a few nights in one of the truly romantic cities in the Americas. Buenos Aires is European in architecture with broad tree-lined boulevards, busy sidewalk cafes and gleaming marble statuary. Its soul is all Argentine with wonderful restaurants, modern hotels, grand museums and elegant shops. Let Patagonia Sporting Resources provide an itinerary for a 2-3 night stay in this fabulous city.
6. Travel protection insurance is strongly recommended to protect your significant investment in land arrangements, including lodge stays and tours, and the cost of non-refundable airline tickets. As we get older and many of us have aging parents, health issues play a larger role in our decisions to travel far from home. For anyone with a pre-existing medical condition or direct family member with a medical condition waivers usually apply if the travel protection is purchased within a 15-day grace period of the first payment on the trip. The first payment maybe the purchase airline tickets or lodge deposits. Trip protection can be purchased after the 15-day grace period, but you will not be able to cover pre-existing medical conditions as a reason for having to cancel a trip to receive insurance re-imbursement. Medical evacuation coverage should be considered if you do not wish to insure the cost of your trip. Like the American Express card, we never leave home without travel protection coverage.

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