General information on traveling in Argentina can be found below. For specific travel information for your destination, please see the travel section under your lodge or trip type. Useful Travel Tips are at the bottom of this page.
Travel Requirements: All visitors are required to have a passport which is valid 6 months beyond the days they will be traveling. The required Reciprocity Fee to enter Argentina has been suspended indefinitely for US citizens and Canadians. Australians are still required to pay this fee online prior to their arrival. Failure to prepay will result in entry denial! Australians who have the certificate in their passports do not need to pay again until the certificate’s expiration date. Payments are made via credit card online here.
Booking Flights: We recommend booking international and domestic flights with our travel agents:
Alicia Regueiro at Holdy Tours in California (925) 927-6617 alicia@holdytours.com or
Alexy Mesa at Dumonde Travel in Miami 786-299-5505 alexy@traveldm.com
Buenos Aires International Airport: Anglers will fly into Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) in Buenos Aires, Argentina via a direct overnight flight. They will then transfer 45 minutes to their downtown hotel or to the Jorge Newberry Domestic Airport (AEP) for their internal flight. In Buenos Aires, allow 4 hours between international and domestic flights.
Buenos Aires Airport Transfers: Transferring 45 minutes between the domestic and international airports can be done independently by booking a remise (private tax) at any of the remise kiosks in the airport lobbies. Manuel Tienda Leon is a trusted transfer company charging $40-$60 per vehicle holding 2-3 passengers. Upon request, our representatives can facilitate a private airport or hotel transfer.
Domestic Flights (Avoid check-in complications! Pack rods, flies and reels in checked luggage only.)
All anglers will fly from the Buenos Aires international airport to their destinations regional airport. Your customized itinerary will have specific information on your necessary flights. Reconfirm ALL flights before flying and contact us with changes. Fly Fishing Patagonia is not responsible for costs incurred or lose of planned activities due to flight delays, changes or cancellations. All travelers should be covered with a general travel and health insurance policy.
Food: Meals are prepared by professional chefs, with fresh local ingredients and served with our signature FFP wines.
Guides: All guides are Argentine, licensed and insured professionals. In Patagonia, all guides are bilingual. Many Dorado fishing and dove hunting guides do not speak English well but understand a great deal and are accustomed to guiding English speakers.
Communication and Phone Calls: All lodges have WiFi and/or cell reception (sometimes weak.) Cell phones work near major towns. The best way to communicate with your home/office/friends while at the lodge is to download WhatsApp to your phone. It is the fastest web-based text message and phone platform. Cell phones can be rented/returned in Buenos Aires airports and Movistar is the preferred network.
Electric Current: The current is 220v and the sockets are either three prong with two prongs at an angle (Type I) or have two round prongs (Type C). Have both adapters for your appliances and bring converters for appliances that do not have built in converters like hair driers.
Money: Small personal purchases should be made with cash pesos. Credit cards are widely accepted in Buenos Aries. Checks of any kind should not be used. Accessing cash outside Buenos Aires is almost impossible and sometimes difficult in Buenos Aires. We recommend carrying a back up stash of $800.
Gratuities: Customary guide tips in Patagonia for each angler average 8% of the fishing package cost. Customary guide tips in Santa Fe for each angler average 6% of the fishing package cost. All lodge staff gratuities average $15-$20 usd per guest, per day. NO gratuities can be accepted by our US office and should only be paid in USD cash in Argentina. We highly recommend bringing more tip cash then our suggestions above as you might wish to give more. At Fly Fishing Patagonia we believe tips are voluntary and depend on your satisfaction.
Trip Extensions: Argentina is a long way from home. You can make the most out of your journey by extending your trip to visit another one of our fine destinations. Tell us what other regions or activities you would also enjoy and we’ll give you details on the travel logistics and costs involved.
Time Zone: Argentina Standard Time is 3 hours behind Greenwich Mean Time (GMT-3). Click here to see the current time in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
TRAVEL TIPS
- Book a year in advance if you are serious about getting the trip you want or can only travel at a particular time.
- Make sure your passport will be valid 6 months past your return date.
- Forward us all your flight confirmation emails.
- Purchase travel insurance 15 days after your first deposit to get full coverage.
- Reconfirm flights 7 days and 24 hours before flying and notify us with changes.
- Drink plenty of water while flying and while on the trip. Don’t indulge in food and drink for the first couple days.
- 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 not accepted.
- Have your Buenos Aires hotel call their trusted transfer or remise company (private taxi) for you instead of taking a cab. You can only get a remise by calling and reserving one or walking into a remise company’s office. If you must take a cab, use Radio Taxi.
- Have a few small bills (dollars o pesos) for tipping in Buenos Aires.
- Use the hotel/lodge 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.
- Right Mindset. Trust that everyone involved with your trip has and will work hard to make it a great success. But travel upsets happen. A grounded plane due to weather or mechanical issues could delay your arrival to the lodge or even home. Your vacation could be shorted and only refunded by the travel insurance policy you purchased independently. These upsets are beyond our control and responsibility. You can lessen the blow of travel upsets by considering their potential when planning your trip. When something does go wrong, your state of mind should be open, patient and relaxed. Take things in stride knowing that things are done differently outside your country.
- Silence is the death of any trip. A lodge or guide can’t fix a problem they don’t know exists. If you have a complaint such as no hot water in your room or have a request such as more bottled water, it is your responsibility to tell someone immediately and then their responsibility to satisfy your needs quickly. When you suffer in silence you have no right to complain afterwards!
- Photography and Referencing. During your visit, you may have your photograph taken and and/or your comments recorded which could later be used in our promotional materials. Please notify us if you do not wish to be photographed or quoted.
