Chile and Argentina

Hi--

I am studying in Santiago Chile for a month and am looking for good things to do/see/eat/sleep anything. As of now I don't have anything planned...

Anyone have any tips or things not to miss, things to miss? Barrios to stay in and not to stay in...

After, I am travelling through Argentina with the destination of Buenos Aires where my plane leave. We are planning on Wwoofing on the way but we're not sure what route to go and such. Anyone have a places on in Chile and Argentina around those areas which are specifically amazing?

Thank you!
Denee

Hi Denee,

Browse back on this forum a few pages: Argentina's a very popular destination, and there's much information here already. In a very tiny nutshell: it all depends on the season and on how much time you have. The north west is not to be missed.

My sister and I are going from september 10th-december 10th. I am doing a 3 week spanish immersion program in santiago till the oct 3rd. So that leaves just over 2 months to explore Chile and Argentina.

We don't want to go too far north or south but we want to travel a little in both countries. We are planning on wwoofing and hosteling around but I wasn't sure about time. does anyone know the best route from Santiago or around to eventually end up in buenos aires in 2 months? or any places or hostels to go to?

thank you!!

Denee

Two months to get from Santiago to Buenos Aires? Brilliant.

You could basically choose to 'do' the south or 'do' the north west. Seen that you're going in September, I'd definitely pick the north west: south is really quite cold that time of year. Two basic popular north routes: via Mendoza (Argentina), or via San Pedro de Atacama (Chile). I your case I'd pick the latter, and go:

Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama (with stops in between; I don't know that part of Chile very well, so best ask others) - Atacama desert -

from the Atacama desert, you can cross into Bolivia to see the salt plains (with a booked tour), or into Argentina directly (regular bus service). I highly recommend the salares. Assuming you'd go that way, the itinerary continues

Salares de Uyuni - Uyuni - train/bus to Villazon (border with Argentina) - Jujuy - Salta - Tucuman - Catamarca - Rioja - Cordoba - Buenos Aires.

You should consider making one additional stop in Bolivia (Tupiza, which is really nice), and as many stops as you like in the rest of the trip of course.

General tip regarding Argentina: the central part is skippable. Cordoba and surroundings is very beautiful, but the entire rectangle between Cordoba, Rosario and the Paraguayan border is generally considered somewhat boring. If you need more specific information, do ask.

thank you so much! That sounds great. We are on an incredibly tight budget and we were hoping to be able to wwoof to save money, do you think that is plausible with that amount of traveling? Right now I am on a budget of roughly $2500 us after airfare.

Denee

A budget like that is VERY tight indeed; that more or less makes travelling through/staying in Chile impossible. But even in Argentina, you're looking at a daily budget of AR$80 pppd, including accommodation and transport. If you have any way of raking in a bit more money before arrival, that would considerably improve the quality of your experience.

ayy.... I'm trying, working every second I can. with a budget at lets say 3000 what sort of itinerary would you suggest? We are only staying in hostels if need be and farms hopefully....