BOOKING & TRAVEL: Travel

For specific Argentina hunting and fishing travel information on your destintation, please see the travel section under the species or activity.  Below you’ll find general Argentina travel information plus some travel tips.

Domestic Flights
Domestic flights can be booked by your local travel agent, our agent or online.  Gustavo at Alternativas Patagonicas in Bariloche, is our Argentina fishing travel agent, and can be reached at anorana@bariloche.com.ar, FAX: 54 2944 43 0895. Gustavo is independent of Fly Fishing Patagonia and we recommend you shop around before booking flights.  Although we monitor your flight times, we ask that you contact us immediately with any flight changes. Confirm and reconfirm ALL flights 7 days and 24 hours before flying. Fly Fishing Patagonia is not responsible for costs incurred due to flight delays, changes or cancellations, nor are we responsible for lose of planned activities due to late arrivals.  All hunting and fishing travelers in Argentina should be covered with a general travel and health insurance policy before they fly.  Please read the section on insurance below.

Buenos Aires International Airport
Ninety-five percent of our guests arrive in Buenos Aires, Argentina via a direct overnight flight.  In Buenos Aires we recommend that our representatives meet guests at the Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) to facilitate the 45 minute transfer to their downtown hotel or to the Jorge Newberry Domestic Airport (AEP) for their internal flight (this private transfer is available on the return as well).  In Buenos Aires, allow 4 hours between international arrivals and domestic departures.  There is no airport change in Santiago, Chile.

Buenos Aires Private Airport Transfers
If you’d like to set up a private airport transfer in Buenos Aires we will put you in contact with our representative.  Their 2010-11 rates are about $60 per person each way, with a lesser charge with large groups.  Be aware that if the van has to wait for you, there may be a $50/hour charge.  Our representatives are independent of Fly Fishing Patagonia and must be paid in cash.  This transfer can also be by made hiring a remise (private taxi) at easily found kiosks in the airport lobby.

Insurance
Fly Fishing Patagonia highly recommends travel insurance for all who are visiting Argentina or South America.  Please inquire about our specialized travel insurance policies.  Be aware that although Argentina and Chile are safe countries and your hosts take every precaution necessary to ensure your well being, unexpected events may happen.  Most people use travel insurance to cover travel upsets such as delayed or canceled flights, lost luggage and medical emergencies.  You can be further prepared by buying complete travel insurance that includes medical evacuations.

Trip Extensions
Many guests extend their hunting and fishing travel to experience our other destinations in Argentina.  Ask us about our trout fishing trips in Patagonia, Tierra del Fuego, Jurassic Lake or our Dorado fishing and hunting adventures in Corrientes, Argentina or even our wine tours in Mendoza!

Photography and Referencing
During your visit with Fly Fishing Patagonia, we may photograph your image and/or quote your comments which could later be used in our promotional material.  Please notify us if you do not wish to be photographed or quoted.

Health and Safety
No inoculations are required to enter Argentina.  First class medical care is available in Buenos Aires.  Your fishing destination has either a small clinic or mediocre hospital.  If you have a health condition, please make sure to bring ALL the medication you need. Using our questionnaire, please notify us of any health conditions or concerns we should be aware.  All travelers should purchase by general health and travel insurance policy 15 days after their first deposit.  Mosquitoes and bugs are not a problem in Patagonia and sometimes an annoyance in Corrientes.  All lodges serve drinkable well water and bottled water.  Travelers who fall ill usually contract something during a flight. You can further protect yourself by washing your hands before meals, not indulging in food and drink for the first 2 days, drink water when not thirsty and get plenty of sleep.

Travel Documents
No visas are required to visit Argentina, just a current passport.  Travelers from the United States must pay a $131 entry fee at the Buenos Aires International Airport.  A similar fee may apply to other nationalities.

Communication and Phone Calls
Most lodges have internet access and free local calls.  A cell phone with international capabilities will work in Argentina. Local rates will apply if you purchase an Argentina prepaid SIM card at the airport or online before you depart.  Cell phones work in towns, but reception is spotty in rural areas. Telephone calls can also be easily made in any town at telephone kiosks called, locotorios. Ask if you need assistance.

Electric current
The current is 220v and the sockets are for two round prongs.  Bring converters for your appliances.

Money
The Argentine money is the peso, which is also noted with a “$” and fluctuates around 3.6 to the dollar.  Personal purchases can be made with cash pesos, dollars or credit cards.  Currency exchange houses and banks will exchange your dollars.  Some merchants offer discounts for cash.  Personal or travelers checks should not be used.. Also ATMs are sometimes out of cash, so we recommend carrying a back up stash of $300.

Food
The food served will be of the finest quality and prepared by professional chefs. Lunch and dinner will be served with wines from Mendoza and Patagonia.

Guides
Fly Fishing Patagonia guides are Argentine, bilingual, licensed and insured professionals.

Attire
Slacks and collared shirt for Buenos Aires and Mendoza.  Jeans and a fleece for Patagonia or Corrientes.

Gratuities
Customary tips in Patagonia are; guides $50 per day with one or two anglers, and lodge staff $5-$10 per room, per day.  Customary tips in Corrientes are; guides $40 per day with one or two anglers, bird boys $10-$15 per day and lodge staff $5 per room, per day.  At Fly Fishing Patagonia we believe tips are voluntary and depend on your satisfaction.

Time Zone
Argentina Standard Time is 3 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-3).  Their Daylight Savings Time is Dec 30 – Mar 16, during which the time is 2 hours behind GMT.

Hunting and Fishing Travel Tips:

• Book a year in advance if you are really serious about getting the trip you want, when you want.
• Make sure your passport will be current while traveling.
• Purchase travel insurance 15 days after your first deposit.
• Reconfirm flights 7 days and 24 hours before flying.
• Notify us and our representatives in Buenos Aires if your flight times change.
• Don’t indulge yourself with food and drink for the first couple days. Drink plenty of water while flying and while on the trip.
• When traveling in airports, wash your hands frequently or use sanitary wipes/lotion.
• When traveling in Buenos Aires, use common sense to avoid looking like a tourist. Keep your money and credit cards in your front pocket, leave flashy jewelry at the hotel and carry your purse or camera bag across your chest.  Just don’t do anything there you would not do in another major city and you’ll have great experience.
• Hotels and restaurants in BA take credit cards and cash.  Travelers checks are rarely accepted.
• Have your Buenos Aires hotel call a remise (private taxi) for you instead to taking a cab.  You can only get a remise by calling and reserving one or walking into their office.  If you have to get a cab, use Radio Taxi.
• Have a few small bills (dollars o pesos) for tipping in Buenos Aires.
• Use the hotel safe for anything valuable.
• Strongly secure ID tags to all luggage and use TSA approved locks.
• Store a copy of your passport somewhere where it won’t get lost.