TROUT FISHING: Chile - Puelo

Anglers traveling to only fish in Chile should fly into the Puerto Montt Airport (PMC), via Santiago, Chile.  We will meet you there and drive you 3 hours to the lodge.  If you are starting your fishing trip in Argentina, but ending it in Chile, you’ll fly into the Bariloche Airport (BRC) via Buenos Aires.

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 travelers 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 fly into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina via a direct overnight flight.  We recommend that our representative meet guests at Ezeiza 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.  If you are flying into Santiago, Chile, there is no airport change to contect with your in country,90 minute flight to Puerto Montt.

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 made by 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 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 Extension
Once in Chile, many guests extend their travel to fish or bird hunt with us in other parts of Argentina.  Ask us about our trout fishing trips in 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 Chile.  First class medical care is available in Santiago and 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.  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 Chile, just a current passport.  However, travelers from the United States must pay a $131 entry fee at the port of entry.  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 Chile. Local rates will apply if you purchase a Chilean 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.  Have converters for your appliances.

Money
The Chilean money is the peso.  Personal purchases can be made with cash pesos, dollars or credit cards.  Currency exchange houses and banks will exchange your dollars. Some merchants may 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 Santiago, Mendoza and/or Patagonia.

Guides
All guides are either Chilean or Argentine and are bilingual, licensed and insured professionals.

Attire
Slacks and collared shirt for Santiago, Buenos Aires and Mendoza.  Jeans and a fleece for Patagonia.

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 Time 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.