Airline Reservations, Transfers, Hotels and Options

Traveling outside your country can be stressful and we want every client to have a pleasant experience before they arrive at our doorstep.  Once you have selected your dates for fishing, we recommend putting all your travel needs in the hands of our agents.  We work with two very good travel agents to assist our clients with their travel.  Our agents are specialists in travel to Argentina and ensure your flights and transfers are the most convenient and also the cheapest.  Each agent also coordinates their portion of travel with Patagonia River Guides for a seamless transition.      

United, American, Delta, Continental, Aerolineas Argentinas, and Lan Chile have non-stop service to Buenos Aires from Miami, New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles and Washington D.C.  Most international flights to Buenos Aires are nine to ten hours in duration and depart in the evening from the cities above.  The evening flight allows passengers to sleep during normal hours or rest, and Argentina is only two hours ahead of east coast time so jet leg is normally not a factor.  Your flights should be booked from your city of origin to Buenos Aires and then from Buenos Aires to Esquel (or Bariloche depending on the day and time of your arrival and departure).

Buenos Aires has two airports:  an international and a domestic.  You will arrive from your country of origin in Ezezia International Airport (EZE) and depart to Patagonia from the domestic airport, Jorge Newberry or also known as Aeroparque.  It is necessary to transfer by ground from the international airport to the domestic airport for your flight to Patagonia.  Some international flights arrive earlier than others and the only flight to Esquel normally leaves at 12:50 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  You should figure on one hour at immigrations and customs, one hour to transfer between airports, and you will need to arrive at the domestic airport at least one hour before your flight.  This means if your international flight arrives after 9:30 a.m. it will be necessary to overnight in Buenos Aires or fly to Bariloche.  Flying to Bariloche (three-hour ground transfer to get to Esquel is required) is possible on all days of the week and there are more flight times and options; however, there will be an additional charge of $60 per person (estimate).

Buenos Aires is an interesting city filled with culture, attractions, beauty, and many fun things to enjoy.  It is recommended that you overnight either on the way to Patagonia or from Patagonia (or both) to enjoy a day or two in the city.  Staying the night in Buenos Aires allows the best opportunity to rest and relax before your fly fishing adventure.  City tours, tango show reservations, soccer game tickets, and dinner reservations can all be made for you by our travel experts.  Other arrangements can be made by the hotel concierge.  For example: if you like art, you might enjoy seeing art museums and galleries; if you like history, you might like to see history museums; or If you like antiques, you might like to go to an area with antique markets.  We recommend reading a guide book for more complete information on things to do.

Listed below are two options for booking your travel reservations.  The process is really quite simple.  Give your complete information to our agents and let them do the work for you.

First-Class International and Domestic Travel Service with Holdy Tours
Use the full travel service provided by Holdy Tours to get all your travel services in one place.  Holdy Tours, an Argentine American run travel agency based in Walnut Creek CA, has been in business for twenty-five years and specializes in travel to Argentina.  Our personal contact, Alicia Regueiro, specializes in travel for fly fishermen and knows exactly how you want to travel and what you need.  We highly recommend their service to get the best attention and an all in one package from your city of departure to PRG’s doorstep.  They work together with their sister agency in Buenos Aires and also with PRG to make sure there are no confusions between dates and times of flights, transfers, hotels, and PRG’s programs in Patagonia.  Request service from Alicia for any or all of the following:

• Flights – international to Buenos Aires and domestic to Esquel airport.
• Transfers –  from international airport to hotel or to domestic airport (she knows what you need here).
• Hotels --  You select the hotel depending on service level and price.
• Entertainment --  City tour (REQUEST PRIVATE), Tango show with or without dinner, soccer game, etc.

Holdy Tours
Tel:  800.446.1111, Fax: 925.927.6640
E-mail:  alicia@holdytours.com
Website:  www.holdytours.com

First-Class Domestic Travel Service with Mai10 Agency
This service applies to those that already have a travel agent that will take care of the international flights and for those people who want to extend their stay in South America before or after their fly fishing.  Regardless of your plan, you will need to have transfers, hotels, entertainment, etc, booked by our local agent in Buenos Aires. Trust the Mait10 Agency directed by Mieta Barrenechea to receive personal service while in Buenos Aires.  Maita has in depth knowledge of Argentina, resulting from eighteen years of proven expertise and experience, thus enabling her to orchestrate exceptional programs.  Mai10’s philosophy is to introduce customers to the natural beauty, cultural beauty, history and traditions of Argentina; and most of all, to let them capture its intimate and friendly atmosphere.  Mieta and her team of experts specialize in a variety of Buenos Aires adventures and extended trips including:  tango shows; art and architecture tours; wine-tours; sporting trips such as polo, golf, and whale watching; and extended adventures to Iguazu Falls, the pampas, the glaciers of southern Patagonia, the mysterious Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica.  Maiten uses the best possible accommodations available at each destination, from boutique country-inns to their portfolio selection of the best Argentine Estancias.  All you have to do is contact Mieta by email, fax, or phone and request which services you would like.  Maiten has a complete price list for transfers, hotels, entertainment, and can get your domestic airline tickets.  The do not work with credit cards or payment upon arrival to Buenos Aires so you will have to wire money to their US bank account.  Sorry it is just the way they work.  Request service from Mieta for any or all of the following:  

• Domestic Flights --  round trip from Buenos Aires to Esquel.
• Transfers --  from International airport to hotel, hotel to domestic airport, or from airport to airport.  They will tell you what you need when you book your services.
• Hotels --  You select the service and hotel you want.
• Entertainment --  City tour, tango show with or without dinner, soccer game, polo matches, golf, art and architecture tours, etc.   Ask them for options and they’ll provide the information.
• Extended Trips – Iguazu Falls, wine country, Southern Patagonian glaciers, Fire Island, Antarctica, etc.

MAI10 Destination Management Company
Av. Cordoba 657 - 3P, Buenos Aires (1054)
Tel:  011.5411.4314.3390, Fax: 011.5411.4314.3290
E-mail: maita@mai10.com.ar, mai10@mai10.com.ar
Website:  www.mai10.com.ar

Travel Tips
 Travel with valid Passport and copies of first two pages in separate location in case lost of stolen.  It is much easier to get a new passport with a copy of your original.
 Make a few copies of you itinerary for your family or office at home and a copy in each of your checked bags.  It might help if your luggage was ever lost.
 Pack your carry on baggage carefully!  Avoid sharp objects such as razors, nail clippers, multi tools, and knives with new security rules.  Have an extra change of versatile clothes in case your checked bags were delayed or lost.
 Confirm your flights 24-48 hours prior to departure.  Have PRG do this in Esquel.
 Mark your luggage with some sort of colored ribbon or tape so you know which one is yours when it is on the carrousel.  It also might help the baggage claim services find it faster if ever lost.
 Have your name on your luggage on a tag that is not easily torn off and don’t advertise to the world that you are from the USA (less chance of theft).
 Travel with some small bills to tip baggage handlers, taxi drivers, etc.
 Lock checked baggage after it clears security in US international airport if possible.
 Don’t travel with expensive jewelry or watches. 
 Avoid taking a street taxi in Buenos Aires.  Have someone call you a radio taxi or Remis.  They are more secure.
 Avoid: walking alone, large gatherings of people, dark or isolated streets, and know where you are going before you leave hotel.
 Store your money, plane tickets, and other valuables in hotel safe.
 Don’t take large amounts of cash with you on the street in Buenos Aires.  Almost all restaurants and stores take credit cards.
 Carry purses and valuables with straps across your chest not just on shoulder if possible. 
 The only attempt at robbery or pick pocket we have heard of was a failed crack at the old “bird shit” trick.  The person noticed that a substance that looked like bird shit suddenly landed on his shirt.  At the same time, a nice person that was actually the crook offered to help clean off the bird shit looking substance.  Here’s the trick, the helpful robbers pat you down and wipe off the substance while also wiping out your wallet and cash. 

Note:  Buenos Aires is no more dangerous than a city in the United States.  Like all cities, there are good parts, which you will be visiting, and areas to avoid.  We feel that these common sense tips will help you have a more enjoyable and safe time in Buenos Aires.

Additional Information

Recommended Reading
If you want to learn about Argentina prior to your trip, check out the following books for more information on the language, history, geography, culture, and fishing.  The can all be easily found online.   

 Culture Shock Argentina  (easy and enjoyable to read culture guide)
 Spanish for Gringos, William C. Harvy, M.S. (best book for beginner Spanish)
 Argentina Trout Fishing,  William C. Leitch (dated but the only one)
 Insight Guides, Argentina (general Argentine travel book)
 Birds of South America or Aves (birds) de Patagonia (bird life is spectacular)
 In Patagonia, Bruce Chatwin (a great travel journal written by an English traveler)

Allergies, Special Needs, Medical Conditions
There are no snakes or bears in Patagonia.  There are very few biting insects including mosquitoes.  At some times during the season, there are non-aggressive yellow jackets and horseflies present.  If you are allergic to bees, bring your anti-reaction medication.  You might find similar allergies to wild grasses, trees and flowers that you do at home during some seasons.  Bring your normal allergy medicine if you have hay fever.  The water is drinkable throughout Argentina and will not make you sick like you can expect in other Latin American countries.  If you have any existing medical conditions, mobility issues or special needs that we should be aware of, please let us know in advance so any special arrangements can be made.

Travelers Checks, US Dollars, and Credit Cards
US Dollars are easily exchanged into Argentine Pesos in Buenos Aires and Patagonia.  Credit cards are readily accepted at most locations throughout Argentina and ATM machines dispense Argentine Pesos from your credit or debit card for personal shopping (There are several ATM’s in Esquel).  Travelers checks can be easily exchanged in Buenos Aires at your hotel or bank for Argentine Pesos.  Travelers checks are impossible to exchange in Patagonia and cash or credit cards should be used.  
  
Passport and Visa Information
You will need a current passport to travel to Argentina.  It is advised that you make copies of your passport and carry in a separate location.  Visas are not required prior to your trip to Argentina, and you will only need to fill a simple form on the airplane for customs and immigration.