TROUT FISHING: Argentina - Santa Cruz,
Jurassic Lake
Getting Here
Anglers fishing Jurassic Lake will fly in and out of El Calafate Airport from Buenos Aires. The drive between the El Calafate Airport and the lake camp is 7.5 hours through wild stretches of remote Patagonia. It offers many chances to observe Condors, Guanacos, Rhea Birds and other wildlife. But be warned this is a rough trip with some of the worst roads in Argentina. If the experience was not worth the drive, this exotic destination wouldn’t be so hard to find rod space.
Domestic Flights
Domestic flights can be booked by your local agent, our agent or online. Our Argentine agent, Gustavo at Alternativas Patagonicas, can be reached at anorana@bariloche.com.ar. 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, (this private transfer is available on the return as well). The next morning we can arrange to pick you up at your hotel and drive you to the Jorge Newberry Domestic Airport (AEP) for your flight to Rio Grande. When booking your return flight, please allow 4 hours between domestic arrivals and international 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 2011-12 rates are about $70 per person each way, with a lesser charge with large groups. . Our representatives are independent of Fly Fishing Patagonia and must be paid in advance. 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 Extensions
Once in Argentina, many guests extend their trip to fish or bird hunt with us in other parts of Argentina. Ask us about our trout fishing trips in Northern Patagonia, 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 Tierra del Fuego. 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.
Communication and Phone Calls
Most lodges have internet access and free local calls. Cell phones work near major towns. Telephone calls can also be easily made in any town in the telephone kiosk 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
Lodges in Tierra del Fuego offer wonderful cuisine based on local meats, fresh vegetable, delicious deserts and wines from Mendoza. A traditional asado (BBQ) will be held at least once during your stay, and you can sample different cuts of meat and wonderful salads. A custom breakfast is available, together with fresh fruit, yogurts, home baked breads and jams and a selection of cereals.
Guides
All Tierra de Fuego guides are bilingual, professionals and have international guiding experience.
Attire
Slacks and collared shirt for Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Jeans and a fleece for Patagonia.
Gratuities
Customary tips in Santa Cruz are; guides $70 per day per rod, and lodge staff $20 per day per rod. 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.
