GOLDEN DORADO: Argentina - Esquina

Traveling anglers for Golden Dorado fishing in Argentina usually fly commercially from Buenos Aires to Corrientes, Resistencia or Santa Fe.  Guests can also charter a plane from Buenos Aires to our ranch or to a private airport in Goya, located 45 minutes north of Esquina.  Between flight times and airport transfers, driving directly from the Buenos Aires to the lodge is often faster than flying commercially.  We simply pick you up at the Buenos Aires International Airport and drive you 7.5 hours to the lodge in a comfortable 8-19 passenger van.  The most economical way of reaching the lodge is via 8 hour commercial bus ride to Esquina.

Domestic Flights
From Buenos Aires, there are multiple daily flights into Corrientes, Resistencia or Santa Fe.  These flights can be booked by your 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 an independent agent 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 and Wing Shooting Argentina are 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.

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 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.  We recommend using our representative if you are new to Argentina, have a tight connect or are apprehensive or curious about traveling in Buenos Aires.

Insurance
We highly recommend 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 Extensions
Once in Argentina fishing, many guests extend their trip to fly fish or bird hunt with us in other parts of Argentina.  Ask us about our trout fishing trips in Patagonia or our hunting adventures in Corrientes, or even our wine tours in Mendoza.

Photography and Referencing
During your visit, 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 a general health and travel insurance policy 15 days after their first deposit.  Mosquitoes and bugs are not a problem in Patagonia and rarely 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.  Have converters for your appliances.

Money
The Argentine 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 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
All guides are Argentine, licensed and insured professionals.  Some are bilingual.

Attire
Slacks and collared shirt for 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.  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.