Which is the definitive thread on SA/who's the expert here?

[mojorisin]

http://www.casatours.com/report.asp
Quote: In my eight years of South American winters, I have never seen so much coverage at this time of year. It is currently dumping up all over Chile and is forecasted to keep going all season long.

Alright, I'm convinced. Time to rob a bank and secure the necessary funds for SA. Anybody down to be an accomplice?

[goldenboy]

People usually seem to go to LL in early Sept., but with the coverage this year is there any reason to wait that long? Also, why don't people fly to Santiago to get to LL, instead of BA or Mendoza? Just curious, it seems easier that way. Is it better to book now or wait and keep looking? Sorry for all the questions, usually I'm full of answers.

[PNWbrit]

People usually seem to go to LL in early Sept., but with the coverage this year is there any reason to wait that long? Also, why don't people fly to Santiago to get to LL, instead of BA or Mendoza? Just curious, it seems easier that way. Is it better to book now or wait and keep looking? Sorry for all the questions, usually I'm full of answers.

Santiago to LL isn't really any easier, it would mean crossing the Andes (at Portillo?) and going to Mendoza on an overnight bus. You can probably fly Santiago to Mendoza but no charter flights to Malargue or San Raph. Mark at Laslenasski.com advises against this option and describes it as "Going overland from Santiago is one of the biggest junk shows in South America". I think BA is the nicer city to visit of the two.

Wish I could be down there now but wasn't able to leave planning until last minute. I don't think anywhere was even open this time last year and snow normally is best later in the season.

[cj001f]

Santiago to LL isn't really any easier, it would mean crossing the Andes (at Portillo?) and going to Mendoza on an overnight bus. You can probably fly Santiago to Mendoza but no charter flights to Malargue or San Raph. Mark at Laslenasski.com advises against this option and describes it as "Going overland from Santiago is one of the biggest junk shows in South America". I think BA is the nicer city to visit of the two.

Santiago to Mendoza is 6 hours on a bus - when not closed by weather. Which can happen, and then you are stuck. For days sometimes. It's the most popular border crossing between Argentina and Chile and open 24hrs a day. Buses/microbuses leave from Santiago every hour. Not sure why you'd call it a junk show.

Not sure why you'd take the bus if you are going to Las Lenas only either. Connecting flights through to Mendoza are cheaper than the bus($20-$30) + $100 fee Chile charges.

[Squirrel99]

Not sure why you'd call it a junk show.
.

I believe he is referencing both the weather that affects the crossing and the option of trying to stop in Portillo en route to either Mendoza or Santiago since most busses will not stop and either pick you up or drop you off as you pass by. It is something that has to be negotiated. also, i've heard some horror stories about bus drivers taking too many corners at high speed- on a road that makes berthoud pass look like a freeway.

bottom line is that it is just plain easier to fly into Mendoza. no connecting fees in Santiago- and the flight is only 50 minutes instead of a 6 hour bus ride. You get into Mendoza by 11am and have the whole day to spend there.

BA is a great city, too- but is less convenient to reach Lenas. Then again, LL isn't exactly an easy place to get to

[comish]

Greetings from London. Take this with a pint or two of salt given its past pub closing hours.

Done the flight to Mendoza nd the bus. The bus takes a while, gets shut down by snow, and by Argentinian border guards having a Mate (no exageration). Beautiful ride, but long and curvy. I took the bus another time negotiatied with the dude to let me out at Portillo so I could ski for the day.

I lived in both BA and Santiago and like BA much much more. Mo better food, women, and now cheaper. The steak, ice cream, Italien food, and women are absolutely amazing! Santiago on the other hand is truly smogy (coming from an LA resident), has pretty crappy average food (good food can be found but costs $$$), and the women are a could leagues down compared to BA.

Go to BA, then either fly or Bus to BA is my call. Either will work, but if you bus from Santiago to Mendoza, just be flexible and roll with the weather and Mate... Flying from Santiago to Mendoza will work just as well as flying from BA. Sorta depends where one would want to spend a couple "city" days and I will chose BA over Santiago every time assuming one is taking a city day or two. Otherwise as long as we are comparing flights, its a toss up. take the cheaper one.

[splat]

Yes, Comish. BA is an absolutely wonderful city. If you're going to SA and you miss BA, you're missing a lot.

[sea2ski]

Yes, Comish. BA is an absolutely wonderful city. If you're going to SA and you miss BA, you're missing a lot.

Yo pienso que BA es muy similiar a Nueva York en los Estados. Si usted le gusta Nueva York entonces va a BA. Comprende?

[cj001f]

Yo pienso que BA es muy similiar a Nueva York en los Estados. Si usted le gusta Nueva York entonces va a BA. Comprende?

Buenos Aires no es similar a Nueva York, él es una ciudad europea en las Américas. Una ciudad del imperio sin un imperio.