Are you ready to Get South? The gems of South America have been discovered, and they are here waiting for you! The landscapes are awe-inspiring, the cities unique and the culture full of passion. Think you‛re ready for a fiery football match, going mad for mate and consuming copious amounts of scrumptious meat and wine? Want to soak up some rays on cool beaches, dive in the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans or ski on unblemished slopes? Well, it‛s all here! Argentina, Chile and Uruguay. These three countries lie side by side, each completely unique but together they form one of the most exhilarating, enticing and unforgettable places to travel in the world! The possibilities are endless… Draw yourself into the shadows of the majestic and omnipotent snow capped Andes, hang out with a million penguins, or be mesmerized by giant glaciers shedding chunks of ice in a sea of rugged frozen fields. In this vast land, you‛ll also find top-notch rafting, trekking, mountain climbing, diving, fishing, paragliding, horseback riding, mountain biking, skiing and our personal favourite: having a good time. Now go on... Get South!
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CONTENTS CONTENTS 67911 13 15 16 17 30 31 33 35 39 40 44 47 48 55 56 57 59 60 61 62 63 64 72 73 75 76 77 78 85 -
Getting Around Health tips / Visa information Volunteering / Swap Offerings Responsible Travel / Trekking Tips Don‛t leave without trying these ARGENTINA MAP Useful Information / Distance chart Buenos Aires CENTRE MAP La Plata Mar del Plata Córdoba LITORAL MAP Rosario Puerto Iguazú CUYO MAP Mendoza San Rafael Malargüe San Juan NORTH MAP San Miguel de Tucumán Tafí del Valle Amaicha del Valle Cafayate Salta S.S. de Jujuy & Purmamarca Tilcara Humahuaca & Iruya PATAGONIA MAP San Martín de los Andes San Carlos de Bariloche El Bolsón
87 - Esquel 89 - Las Grutas 91 - Puerto Pirámides 92 - Puerto Madryn 96 - El Chaltén 97 - El Calafate 103 - Puerto San Julián 104 - Ushuaia 110 - CHILE MAP 111 - Useful Information / Distance chart 114 - Arica 117 - Iquique 120 - San Pedro de Atacama 125 - La Serena 126 - Pisco Elqui 127 - Valparaíso 130 - Isla Negra 131 - Santiago 136 - Pichilemu 137 - Villarrica 138 - Pucón 141 - Osorno 142 - Puerto Varas 145 - Puerto Montt 146 - Chiloé Island - Ancud 148 - Chiloé Island - Castro 150 - Carretera Austral 151 - Puerto Natales 152 - Punta Arenas 154 - URUGUAY MAP 157 - Glossary 158 - Spanish / English dictionary 160 - Acknowledgements
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** Getting Around ** :: By plane: Airlines tend to fly to and from capital cities, with connections to most major cities and tourist centres. Check out www.aerolineas.com, www.lan.com, www.lade.com, www.skyairline.cl or www.flypluna.com for details! :: By bus: You can get virtually everywhere in South America by bus. Take a bus for a more cost-effective and culturally thrilling experience. Overnight trips are quite comfortable, often including meals, films, and attendant services. :: By car: For a personalized adventure through the countryside, you can always travel by car. Rental companies generally operate in most towns and cities and you can save some bucks if you are travelling in a group. :: By taxi or remis: Cheap and reliable, taxis and remises (private taxis) provide quick transportation within city limits. Simply flag them down with an outstretched arm, or call them in advance. :: By local bus: Sometimes very efficient, but unless you know the city very well, it can be a bit confusing. In Argentina they are called “colectivos”, but in Chile this word means “shared taxi”. Local buses in Chile are called “micros”.
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Please recycle me!! If you can bear without taking me home, leave me for one of your friends! 10 10
Tips ** ** Health & Safety To make sure you stay healthy and enjoy your travels, we have developed a couple of health and safety tips: - You can drink tap water, although always ask if you are unsure. - Use sunscreen, especially at high altitude - even if it‛s cold, the sun is still strong. - Stay streetwise as you walk around the big cities, keep to busy streets, avoid being a target and mind your pockets/bag. - Take taxis at night and try not to be out alone. - If you do fall in love one night, always use protection - AIDS, HIV and other STIs are a risk in any country with any person (heterosexuals included). - Keep your documents safe, make copies and save your details online in case. - If you have any valuables, try to keep them in the hostel/hotel safe. - Never leave valuables in a car or bus. - Dress appropriately to not attract unwanted attention. - Overnight buses sometimes get very cold, wrap up warm. - Don‛t change money on the street, only use recognized exchange bureaus.
** Visa Information
**
To visit Argentina, Chile and Uruguay most nationalities (including most of Western Europe, South Africa, New Zealand) don‛t need a visa and can enter these countries with a valid passport and receive a free 90 day Tourist Card on arrival. Some nationalities (including USA, Australia and Canada) are required to pay a reciprocity fee on entry to Chile and Argentina - these can be paid on arrival and is typically around US$130 payable in cash (it depends on the country). The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa. Other nationalities require a visa before arriving - contact the relevant foreign consular representative if you are unsure or if you need to apply in advance for an entry visa. Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.
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** Volunteering ** Interested in making a societal impact? South America offers a number of charitable organizations that need YOUR help! A few hours a week can enrich your experience abroad and can make a world of difference!
Here are only a few of many organizations operating: ARGENTINA
• Fundación Argentina de Etoecología (www.etoecologia.org.ar) raises environmental awareness through direct action such as forestation, ground improvement, and water purification. • Hogar Amparo Maternal (amparomaternal@fibertal.com.ar) works with young mothers and their children to create a place to stay and organize their daily tasks. • Banco de Alimentos (www.bancodealimentos.org.ar) fights hunger and malnutrition by providing soup kitchens and raising awareness. • South American Explorers (www.saexplorers.org) has a sizeable database of volunteering opportunities for eager travellers. • Voluntario Global (www.voluntarioglobal.com.ar) predominantly runs educational projects for children and adults in the shantytowns in and around Buenos Aires. CHILE
• Voluntarios de la Esperanza (www.ve-global.org) works to provide shelters, schools and orphanages in Santiago. • Agrupacion Medio Ambiental Torres del Paine (www.amatorresdelpaine.org) builds and maintains the trails in the Torres del Paine National Park, as well as the administration inside. URUGUAY
• Karumbe (www.karumbe.org) is a highly recommended volunteer project that monitors and conserves sea turtles in 3 coastal locations in Uruguay.
** Swap Of ferings ** Travelling on a budget? Check out our website! There you‛ll find a number of businesses promoting exchange programs at their establishments. Read through our Swap Offerings section to find out which locations are participating. Save while you travel!!!
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** Responsible Travel** Travelling is a conscientious act of discovery and liberation. Still, simple steps can (and should) be taken in order to be a responsible traveller and to avoid undesirable incidents. How to be a responsible traveller... • Read about the social, cultural, political, economic, and environmental climate of your destination. • Seek out locally owned businesses (accommodation, restaurants, etc). • Travel in small groups and mingle with locals. • Attempt to learn the local language. • Be respectful of culture and customs: dress accordingly, ask to take photographs of people, etc. • Volunteer with local organizations. • Travel to enjoy, not to destroy. • Buy crafts from local artisans to assist local economic development. • Don‛t be stingy with tips, especially when visiting developing areas. • Limit your environmental impact - don‛t litter!
The key is to travel with an open mind; a desire to connect with the people and culture you‛re entering will go a long way towards creating an unforgettable journey.
** Trekking Tips ** Trekking is one the best things to do in South America it‛s cheap, it‛s healthy and always memorable. Here are our top tips: :: Avoid trekking alone. :: Pre-plan your itinerary, informing others of your route and making sure you leave yourself plenty of daylight time. :: Always remain on marked trails. :: Make sure to read and obey all signs. :: Make sure to wear and carry the appropriate gear. UV sunglasses, a waterproof jacket, sunscreen and warm clothing are just a few to mention… if in doubt make sure to ask a local guide. They will know best!! :: Don‛t bother the wildlife, pick up your waste and bring back only memories. :: Never ever light a fire under any circumstances. :: If someone has left a mess before you, do the right thing and pick it up.
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** Don’t leave without trying these ** Argentina, Chile and Uruguay have some national dishes and drinks that you shouldn‛t miss. Almost all of them appear in each country and beyond being tasty, they are a key part of the culture. Try them all !!
Asado/Parrilla
Is in essence a grilled barbecue, consisting of various cuts of meat. A typical asado* may have an assortment of various cuts of steak, chicken, morcilla (blood sausage/black pudding), chorizo (sausage), mollejas (sweetbreads), riñones (kidneys), and chinchulines (intestines).
Chivito
This Uruguayan sandwich consists primarily of a thin slice of steak, with mayonnaise, black or green olives, cheese, tomatoes and sometimes also bacon, fried or hardboiled eggs and ham. Normally served in a bun with a huge stack of French Fries! The Chilean version is barros luco and in Argentina, the lomito.
Empanada
Is a tasty stuffed pastry that can have a wide range of fillings, such as beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables, ham and cheese, sweet corn, onion, boiled egg, olives, raisins and more. It can be baked or fried.
Mate
Is a popular traditional infusion made with the leaves of the yerba plant. Once dry and processed, the leaves are put into a gourd called mate (made of wood or other materials) and hot water is poured over it. The infusion is sipped through a bombilla (a filtered metal straw).
Wine
Argentinean wines are gaining fame worldwide for their quality and value. The main wineries are spread around Mendoza, San Juan and Salta. You are sure to have heard of the famous Argentinean Malbec, but Torrontes, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah and Bonarda are pretty good here too. Chile has a wide selection of international varieties planted, including Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Chardonnay and others. Chile‛s signature grape, Carmenère, is a rarely planted variety of Bordeaux. Uruguay‛s top grape is Tannat which, like Malbec, also originally came from France.
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