Exploring Patagonia - What You Need to Know

OVERVIEW

Patagonia is located in South America and is an extensive region that spans parts of the south of Argentina and Chile. It covers about 1 million km² and is one of the most sparsely populated regions in the world, known for its unique and breathtaking landscapes.In Argentina, Patagonia begins south of the Río Colorado and extends all the way south to Tierra del Fuego.Its diverse landscapes include impressive mountain ranges, spectacular glaciers, lakes, fjords and vast, arid deserts and steppes.The wildlife in the region is also rich in diversity, including guanacos, pumas, Andean condors, penguins as well as whales and sea lions.Patagonia is a special place that offers numerous opportunities for adventure and its beauty undoubtedly captivates travellers.

FACTS

🧉Country: Argentina                           💬Language: Spanish

💰Currency: Argentine Peso               👤Population: 2 million

☀️Climate: January is the warmest month with temperatures exceeding 20°C in the north and an average of 11°C in the south. The best time to travel is considered to be from December to February since many attractions are closed outside of this period and some tours do not operate.

MONEY

The topic of money in Argentina is somewhat complex due to the unstable economic situtation and constantly rising inflation. During my 2-month trip, prices increased several times.

💸Cash is still widely used and accepted as a payment method in Argentina. You can either withdraw cash from ATMs or exchange your foreign currency for Pesos at local exchange offices.

💳Credit cards are accepted in most (larger) shops, restaurants, hotels and tour providers. However, a small fee may be charged.

📱Mobile payment services like Mercado Pago are becoming increasingly popular in Argentina.

Different Exchange Rates

Official Rate

This is the official exchange rate which is the lowest.

Blue Dollar

This is the inofficial exchange rate and the one you should go for. At the moment (October 2023) it is almost 3 times as high as the official one.

Tourist Dollar

This rate is somewhere between the official rate and the blue dollar.

Credit Card Rate

This is the rate your credit card company charges you when you pay with it. Visa changed from official rate to almost blue dollar but make sure to check with them before you use it to see if they are keeping up with the rising rates. Otherwise you might pay a lot more.

Where to Exchange Money

I highly recommend bringing cash, either US Dollar or Euro, and exchange it once you're in Argentina. If you arrive to Buenos Aires, there's a street that is known for people offering you to exchange the money:

Calle Florida

Calle Florida

@sarahgeiger

Apart from being known to be a good place to get a great exchange rate if you're looking to exchange money, Calle Florida is also a vibrant shopping street with loads of shops, street perfomers and art galleries.

Add to

Details

They will most likely take you somewhere more hidden, away from public. If you exchange here, make sure that they give you the right amount of bills as a lot of them will try to ripp you off (not much but anyway) by counting the bills in front of you too fast so that you don't notice that there is actually something missing.

Exchange offices

If Calle Florida doesn't feel right for you, there are plenty of smaller exchange offices in every city. Just make sure to compare the exchange rates they offer you.

Tip

Keep in mind that the inflation is constantly rising, so I'd advise to not exchange all of your cash at once. The rate might still go up, so the next time you need more pesos, you could already get a better rate.

TRANSPORTATION

Car and Bus

The best option to travel, in my opinion, is with a car to be flexible. However, as the distances are very long, it can sometimes be advantageous to fly. It is also possible to travel by public transport. Argentina has long-distance buses that are really good and offer different seating options. Unfortunately, however, there is only one operator on some routes in Patagonia and accordingly no competition which is reflected in the price. Bus tickets can be booked through "Plataforma 10". There are also other websites but in my experience, this is the website that displays the  most connections. Alternatively, tickets can be bought directly at the bus stations or in offices of the bus companies.

Hitchhiking

If you are adventurous, hitchhiking through Patagonia is also a very good option. Argentina is considered very safe in this respect and it is a very popular option among travellers. It's also a great way to meet new people, especially locals, and hear interesting stories.

APPS

There are some apps that can be very helpful when traveling. Here are my recommendations:

Maps

maps.me (special recommendation for offline maps)

google maps

Information for hikes

AllTrails

Bus

Plataforma 10

Bus booking

www.plataforma10.com.ar

Booking of accommodation

Booking.com

Booking.com: The largest selection of hotels, homes, and holiday rentals

www.booking.com

Agoda

Hostelworld

Hostelworld - Explore the world’s best hostels

www.hostelworld.com

Airbnb

https://www.airbnb.com/

www.airbnb.com

Comparing flights (booking directly with the airline)

Skyscanner

Skyscanner

www.skyscanner.com

Tracking and documenting of your travel

Polarsteps

Travel expenses (also possible for groups)

Tricount

Currency converter

MyCurrency

Facebook

Otherwise, I can recommend using Facebook groups for specific topics and regions. Whether it is to get more information about a place, to find rides or to buy second hand camping equipment.

Thank you for reading till the end!

I'm sure you already feel a bit better prepared for your trip now 🙂

If you liked my guide and want to support my work, I'd be very happy if you leave a tip. This will help me to continue my travels and provide you with more content.

Interested in exploring Patagonia with me?

Sarah

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Experience Argentine Patagonia

I've been to Argentina several times and it is one of my favourite countries in the world! I speak Spanish fluently, with an Argentinian accent, which makes it easy for me to connect with locals and experience the country in a more profound way. My guides cover the popular tourist destinations but also places that are mostly visited by Argentinians and are not very well known yet among international tourists. I've travelled through Patagonia for almost 2 months and gathered a lot of information that I'm happy to share with you now to make travel planning a lot easier and less stressful for you. Instead of putting hours and hours into research, my guides provide you with the best recommendations so that you have more time to lean back and enjoy. My detailed guides cover the following destinations: 🔸Bariloche and the best spots around 🔸The best 3 hikes in and around Bariloche 🔸El Bolsón: A destination for hiking lovers and barely visited by international tourists 🔸El Chaltén: Argentina's Trekking Capital 🔸El Calafate: Discover the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier 🔸Ushuaia: the gateway to Antarctica with a hidden gem Have fun reading🙂

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