8 Nights in South America
Dec 7th, 2015, 11:21 AM
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8 Nights in South America
Hey everybody,
I'll be embarking on a last minute, 8 night/9 day trip to South America in the coming weeks and wondering how these nights should be allocated.
The only mandatory destination is Buenos Aires and the rest of the itinerary is up for discussion. I think it'd be less than smart to try and do too much with this limited amount of time. I'm looking for a general overview of the urban centres. I love nature but by no means is that a focus of the trip. I'd like to stick to cities or smaller, regional locales.
I was thinking that we'd spend 5 nights in Buenos Aires with the other 3 nights in Santiago (a day trip to Valparaiso squeezed in there). I was told to skip Montevideo... Thoughts on all of this? How would ya'll spend 8 nights in the southern portion of the continent (not into visiting Brazil).
Thanks!
I'll be embarking on a last minute, 8 night/9 day trip to South America in the coming weeks and wondering how these nights should be allocated.
The only mandatory destination is Buenos Aires and the rest of the itinerary is up for discussion. I think it'd be less than smart to try and do too much with this limited amount of time. I'm looking for a general overview of the urban centres. I love nature but by no means is that a focus of the trip. I'd like to stick to cities or smaller, regional locales.
I was thinking that we'd spend 5 nights in Buenos Aires with the other 3 nights in Santiago (a day trip to Valparaiso squeezed in there). I was told to skip Montevideo... Thoughts on all of this? How would ya'll spend 8 nights in the southern portion of the continent (not into visiting Brazil).
Thanks!
Dec 8th, 2015, 07:59 AM
#3
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I agree, BA and Iguazu. Wasn't terribly enamoured of Santiago but probably didn't give it enough of a chance. Loved Valpariaso but that is a very long way from BA.
Montevideo is ok but I preferred Colonia del Sacremento, very atmospheric and just across the river.
If not Iguazu then I would stay in BA and take side trips to Colonia as an overnight and the Tigre delta as a day trip by train
Some photos and detail of our time there a few years ago.
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/1/tpod.html
Iguazu, BA, Colonia are towards the end of the entries.
Montevideo is ok but I preferred Colonia del Sacremento, very atmospheric and just across the river.
If not Iguazu then I would stay in BA and take side trips to Colonia as an overnight and the Tigre delta as a day trip by train
Some photos and detail of our time there a few years ago.
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog...ai/1/tpod.html
Iguazu, BA, Colonia are towards the end of the entries.
Dec 8th, 2015, 11:54 AM
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Thanks to you both! I've also heard lack lustre reviews of Santiago so I'm thinking it'll be left for a future trip... I'm Canadian and live near Niagara Falls so If Iguazu's only attraction is the waterfall, I don't think I'm terribly interested... Any other secondary destinations worth a look/would 8 nights in BA get a bit boring? Thanks for all your help, it's hard to tell a person you've never met what to do with 10 days of their life... Any suggestions are welcomed/appreciated 
Dec 8th, 2015, 12:11 PM
#5
I have seen Niagara, and Iguazu has it beaten, hands down.
See photos here: https://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/South-America-2012
But failing that I'd do the day trips crellston suggested, I was underwhelmed by Santiago, too. But then, I thought the scenery in SA easily outshone the cities.
See photos here: https://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/South-America-2012
But failing that I'd do the day trips crellston suggested, I was underwhelmed by Santiago, too. But then, I thought the scenery in SA easily outshone the cities.
Dec 8th, 2015, 12:34 PM
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Hi Raiford! I've just been travelling through Chile, Argentina and Uruguay for the past few months, so I thought I'd give my thoughts.
If you love nature, have you heard about the nature reserves in Puerto Madryn, Argentina? One, Valdes, is full of sealions, penguins, guanacos and, depending on when you visit, is excellent for whale watching.
Another day-trip from Madryn is to Punta Tombo, which is the largest penguin colony outside of Antarctica. If you rent a car or pick the right tour, you can also visit Isla Escondida which is home to lots of elephant seals - you can see the harems and men fighting right in front of you. I think there's also some excellent diving and snorkel opportunities.
Our budget could only stretch to visiting Punta Tombo but, for a nature lover already in Argentina, I'd definitely recommend these.
As I was looking after a house, I spent 6 weeks in Santiago. Honestly, it's not worth going to on its own. A perfectly fine capital city, and more interesting and safer than a number in Latin America, it's not a fantastic tourist spot. Valparaiso on the other hand, only two hours down the road, was one of my favourite places in Chile.
Montevideo - again, not a bad city to visit but, would I recommend someone going out of their way to spend a few days there? Nope.
If Puerto Madryn isn't of interest, let me know and I'm happy to give some other recommendations!
I write for a travel website (www.alongdustyroads.com) and have been travelling in Latin America for the last 21 months. Presently, I'm putting together posts on Santiago, Valpo, Montevideo,and BA, but these may not be published in time to be of use for your last minute trip.
If you love nature, have you heard about the nature reserves in Puerto Madryn, Argentina? One, Valdes, is full of sealions, penguins, guanacos and, depending on when you visit, is excellent for whale watching.
Another day-trip from Madryn is to Punta Tombo, which is the largest penguin colony outside of Antarctica. If you rent a car or pick the right tour, you can also visit Isla Escondida which is home to lots of elephant seals - you can see the harems and men fighting right in front of you. I think there's also some excellent diving and snorkel opportunities.
Our budget could only stretch to visiting Punta Tombo but, for a nature lover already in Argentina, I'd definitely recommend these.
As I was looking after a house, I spent 6 weeks in Santiago. Honestly, it's not worth going to on its own. A perfectly fine capital city, and more interesting and safer than a number in Latin America, it's not a fantastic tourist spot. Valparaiso on the other hand, only two hours down the road, was one of my favourite places in Chile.
Montevideo - again, not a bad city to visit but, would I recommend someone going out of their way to spend a few days there? Nope.
If Puerto Madryn isn't of interest, let me know and I'm happy to give some other recommendations!
I write for a travel website (www.alongdustyroads.com) and have been travelling in Latin America for the last 21 months. Presently, I'm putting together posts on Santiago, Valpo, Montevideo,and BA, but these may not be published in time to be of use for your last minute trip.
Dec 8th, 2015, 12:54 PM
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"I'm Canadian and live near Niagara Falls so If Iguazu's only attraction is the waterfall, I don't think I'm terribly interested"
Don't try to equate them. Iguazu Falls is unlike any waterfall on earth. Actually there are between 275-325 separate falls within the national park. They are definitely one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
Don't try to equate them. Iguazu Falls is unlike any waterfall on earth. Actually there are between 275-325 separate falls within the national park. They are definitely one of the seven natural wonders of the world.
_______________________________________________
Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
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Dec 8th, 2015, 01:54 PM
#8
I agree that Iguazu Falls is more spectacular than Niagara or even Victoria Falls (both incredible in themselves, however) but given this OPs stated preferences, and his familiarity with Niagara Falls, I think perhaps a few days in BsAs, then side trips would be preferable.
One side trip to San Antonio de Areco, to an estancia and the town, for 1-2 nights plus/or a day trip to Tigre Delta (from Buenos Aires) with perhaps another day trip to Colonia del Sacremento by Ferry......well that would be a lovely 9 days with BsAs bookended on the side trips. Just my opinion.....
One side trip to San Antonio de Areco, to an estancia and the town, for 1-2 nights plus/or a day trip to Tigre Delta (from Buenos Aires) with perhaps another day trip to Colonia del Sacremento by Ferry......well that would be a lovely 9 days with BsAs bookended on the side trips. Just my opinion.....
Dec 8th, 2015, 02:12 PM
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ahah thanks everyone. I have absolutely no doubt the Iguazu is a lot more interesting than Niagara Falls, I'm just saying that I'm a bit, shall we say, desensitized to water falls. I'd compare it to boasting about Macao to a long-time Vegas resident if you feel me lol...
Fantastic advice all around! Still open to further suggestions as I google some of the names thrown around.
Thanks again.
Fantastic advice all around! Still open to further suggestions as I google some of the names thrown around.
Thanks again.
Dec 8th, 2015, 04:48 PM
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Living near Niagara and knowing how it looks , sounds etc, I would think you would enjoy seeing Iguazu and comparing it for yourself.
Because I have a feeling Niagara Falls will have to fight for first place.
Of course, if you aren't interested in water falls, neither of them would be something you would want to visit.
What does Macao have to do with Las Vegas ? unless you mean Monaco ?
Because I have a feeling Niagara Falls will have to fight for first place.
Of course, if you aren't interested in water falls, neither of them would be something you would want to visit.
What does Macao have to do with Las Vegas ? unless you mean Monaco ?
Dec 8th, 2015, 11:07 PM
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"Any other secondary destinations worth a look". Lots are worth a look but if you really want to spend 5 days in BA you are limiting your options somewhat to go somewhere for 2/3 days. If flying home from BA you really need to be there the night before to make sure of your international flight as South American Airlines are not always the most reliable. Puerto Madryn, as mentioned above is wonderful but it is a long way and one of the primary reasons for visiting is to see the southern right whales but they will have probably have left by now.
You seem to like urban areas best, so within Argentina, Mendoza and Salta would be at the top of my list. Both have great scenery close by, thriving wine industries and have vibrant urban centres, although I much prefer Salta. Flights between the two cities and BA should be fairly frequent.
"would 8 nights in BA get a bit boring? "No. We spent a month there and still plan to return! Mix up the city and its various neighbourhoods, Palermos, Recoleta, San Telmo and Puerto Madero with Tigre and Colonia which I had already suggested with maybe a side trip to an estancia and I think you will have a varied, enjoyable and very busy time.
You seem to like urban areas best, so within Argentina, Mendoza and Salta would be at the top of my list. Both have great scenery close by, thriving wine industries and have vibrant urban centres, although I much prefer Salta. Flights between the two cities and BA should be fairly frequent.
"would 8 nights in BA get a bit boring? "No. We spent a month there and still plan to return! Mix up the city and its various neighbourhoods, Palermos, Recoleta, San Telmo and Puerto Madero with Tigre and Colonia which I had already suggested with maybe a side trip to an estancia and I think you will have a varied, enjoyable and very busy time.
Dec 10th, 2015, 05:35 AM
#15
I love BA, but if you are looking for something in addition to, I like the suggestion of Salta. It's easy to get to and very different than BA. I have been to San Antonio de Areco and it makes for a nice overnight or 2. Are you into horseback riding as you can do that there? I have not been to Colonia or Tigre, but just like the idea of leaving BA instead of doing day side trips. The reason we have never made it to Colonia or Tigre is that we find it hard to leave all that there is to see and do in BA so staying there for 8 days would not be a problem at all if you like very big cities.
Dec 11th, 2015, 06:17 AM
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The wife and I leave in 20 days, not excited at all that I am counting the hours at this point. We arrive in Buenos Aires first for 5 days, hope to hit Colonia at least for 1 day, 4 days in Mendoza at the winieres and doing some rafting etc, then 3 days in Santiago but visiting wineries and Valpo. So we are really only hitting 5 cities, Valpo, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Colonia and Mendoza. Any other ideas or suggestions please email me [email protected]. Thanks all!
