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Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Northamptonshire...
2,161 posts
3 helpful votes
Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Hi.

I am planning a third visit to Argentina in October. My first visit was just for one week in 2019(BA and Iguazu Falls). My second was for two weeks last year(BA, Salta region and El Calafate/El Chalten).

I think it will be two weeks but I could stretch it to 16 nights. There are still many places that interest me in this fantastic country.

I plan to spend time in BA again but undecided where else to go.

Is Mendoza worth it? Or Cordoba? Or should I just stick to Patagonia?

Bariloche and Puerto Madryn interest me. PM for the Penguins, Whales etc. Ushuaia to a lesser extent because of the extra travel.

Anywhere else? I was thinking Montevideo or Santiago but not sure they seem to be worth it over Argentina.

Thanks.

22 replies to this topic
Sacramento...
1,279 posts
192 helpful votes
1. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Having been to Santiago Chile, I can definitely recommend it for at least 4-night visit. We spent 6 nights there but combined with day trips to Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, and Buin Zoo.

Munich, Germany
Destination Expert
for Oman, California, Yukon, Chile, Argentina, Road Trips
47,681 posts
10 helpful votes
2. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

With only 2 weeks I would stay in one country. And Argentina has so much to offer. But for Bariloche or the southern Patagonia it is a bit early. Ski season in Bariloche goes to middle of October. If you want to visit this part of Patagonia, or more south, El Chalten, then try to go about 4 weeks later.

As I don't like cities I cannot tell you anything about Mendoza or Cordoba.

London, United...
406 posts
1 helpful vote
3. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Well October and November are the best time to visit Puerto Madryn to see the whales, so definitely a good option considering when you plan to visit.

I've been to Cordoba, and while it is a decent enough Latin city, it is very much secondary to somewhere like Santiago and even Montevideo if you have the option to visit one of those instead and fancy an extra city (and country). The main reason to go to Cordoba area for me is to visit the Sierras, i.e. Villa General Belgrano and La Cumbrecita. And October is when the Oktoberfest is on which I've heard is a great bit of fun (if you like that sort of thing). If you drive up there, you could also stop in Rosario on the way and see the flag monument and a bit of the downtown on the river.

Northamptonshire...
2,161 posts
3 helpful votes
4. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Thanks for the replies.

The reason I was thinking Santiago is because it will be a new city/country and I can combine it with Mendoza.

I have already been to El Chalten(in October) and liked it. Would Bariloche still be worth it in October?

There is also the odd direct flight between Mendoza and Bariloche. After thinking about it these are two itineraries I am considering. On the basis I can do 16 nights:

Santiago - 4 nights

Mendoza - 4 nights

BA - 2 nights

Puerto Madryn - 4 nights

BA - 2 nights

Or go straight to Mendoza from BA when I land.

Mendoza - 4 nights

Bariloche - 4 nights

BA - 2 nights

Puerto Madryn - 4 nights

BA - 2 nights

Thanks.

Atlanta, Georgia
Destination Expert
for Argentina
1,240 posts
52 helpful votes
5. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Here's my two cents:

1. I've been to Bariloche in Dec and loved it. Can't imagine Oct would be WAAAY TOO different (slightly colder, I would imagine). We should have stayed a day longer, but we were tied to a flight to Mendoza.

2. We enjoyed Mendoza, even though we're not wine snobs. Interesting to visit a few wineries and enjoy the area. I recommend it

3. From there, we took a flight over the Andes to Santiago and i think it's worth a visit. The city has plenty to offer for a 2-3 day stop. Longer if you want to head to the coast (Valparaiso) for a day trip (although i've heard mixed reviews)

4. The other option would be TDP (but you mention Ushuaia is out of the question given the distance, and this would be almost as far)

In case it helps, check out my travel write-up (separate links for various areas mentioned above) in case it may spark some ideas or answer any questions.

https://disdatdudder.blogspot.com/2024/02/patagonia-beyond-7-of-9-mendoza.html

https://disdatdudder.blogspot.com/2024/02/patagonia-beyond-8-of-9-santiago-de.html

Cheers!

Munich, Germany
Destination Expert
for Oman, California, Yukon, Chile, Argentina, Road Trips
47,681 posts
10 helpful votes
6. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

"""Would Bariloche still be worth it in October?"""

AS I wrote above, Ski season goes until middle of October. So if you want to hike, it would be almost not possible. Trails wet and deep.

Northamptonshire...
2,161 posts
3 helpful votes
7. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

OK thanks.

It is probably two from Santiago, Mendoza and Bariloche then.

I would probably just stick to Argentina if Bariloche is definitely worth it. I am not too fussed about hiking but would like to take a couple of day tours. One to the seven lakes for example.

Maybe prices flying into BA or Santiago might make my decision for me.

London, United...
Destination Expert
for Salta, Bolivia, Peru
12,175 posts
191 helpful votes
8. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Of the places you have mentioned, I wasn’t keen on Santiago or Mendoza. Places that I did like a lot were Pucon in Chile from where we crossed the border to San Martin de Los Andes - both of those I would happily return to . In San Martin we met an Italian/ Spanish couple and rented a car with them and drove down through the seven lakes area to Bariloche. Not especially impressed with Bariloche but that may have been because wit hit at the wrong time. It was the equitable time of spring break and full of students.

From Bariloche we got the bus to Puerto Madryn and spent a few days there on the peninsula. Coincidentally that was also in October and it was a fantastic time to see the whale - some photos https://accidentalnomads.com/2008/10/16/whales-of-pensinsula-valdes/ . From there our friends continued south down to Ushuaia and but we headed north to San Rafael and Mendoza and on to Salta. I do regret not continuing on into Patagonia but we were towards the end of a year long trip and had to be back in BA for our flight home.

Northamptonshire...
2,161 posts
3 helpful votes
9. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Crell, thanks.

I will not have a car and be relying on tours to explore. I did 3 different tours in Salta last year and never regretted it.

I have read mixed views on Santiago and Mendoza.

Is Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn similar?

Edited: 5:39 pm, April 08, 2024
Peak District...
196 posts
32 helpful votes
10. Re: Planning third visit to Argentina in October.

Hi hrryhll - just my own opinion, but Bariloche and Puerto Madryn are well worth visiting. PM, as others have said, is a must for wildlife and whale spotting.

That said, Ushuaia is one of my favourite places in the world; it has a unique buzz about it and there are some unforgettable (if a bit touristy!) experiences to be had such as taking a cruise along the Beagle Channel or riding el Tren del Fin del Mundo (the Train at the End of the World).

I'd also highly recommend Montevideo - I found it far more interesting, pleasant and welcoming than Santiago and - to me at least - it felt a much safer city to walk around.

One last thought; if you do end up in Bariloche and enjoy a craft beer or two, the Patagonia Brewing Company is a must visit and a great place for watching the sun go down.

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