Argentina - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget

Travel Reference

In-Depth Information

Ì Colpa Hostel-Apart 25 de Mayo 554 Este T 0264

422 5704. The spotless rooms in this stylish hostel-cum-

apartment complex have first-rate beds and - hallelujah

- a/c. The price is per person, whether you're sharing or

alone. Includ es brea kfast, two kitchens, swimming pool

and TV room. AR$80

Jardín Petit 25 de Mayo 345 Este T 0264 421 1825. A

welcoming hotel with cosy, simple rooms and an inviting

patio and pool. Breakf ast inclu ded and discounts can

sometimes be arranged. AR$310

San Juan Hostel Av Córdoba 317 Este T 0264 4201 835,

W sanjuanhostel.com. Helpful staff, a central location and

a comfortable common area make up for the depressing

dorms and basic bathrooms at this b ackpac kers' pad.

Includes breakfast and internet. Dorms AR$55 , doubles

AR$120

Zonda Hostel Caseros 486 Sur T 0264 420 1009,

W zondahostel.com.ar. Conveniently located four blocks

from the bus station, this 35-bed HI hostel has a TV

room, p atio, kitchen, free internet and breakfast. Dorms

AR$50

every 30min). Although damaged in the

1944 earthquake, the house has been

lovingly restored and displays belongings

and paraphernalia from Sarmiento's

eventful life.

More ancient history is represented in

a former train station at the Museo de

Ciencias Naturales (Av España at Av

Maipú; daily 9am-1pm; AR$5; T 0264

421 6774), the final resting place of the

skeleton of the carnivorous dinosaur ,

Herrerasaurus, excavated in the Parque

Provincial Ischigualasto (see p.110).

Finally, if all that has left your mouth

dry, drop into the historic Bodega

Gra gna (Tues-Fri 9am-1pm, Sat

9am-8pm, Sun 10am-2pm; free; T 0264

421 4227), at Colón 1342 Norte, which

houses the Museo de Vino Santiago

Graffigna, and, perhaps more importantly,

a wine bar where you can quench your

thirst and sample provincial vintages.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

By plane Las Chacritas Airport ( T 0264 425 4133) is

12km east of the city centre. A taxi downtown costs

around AR$30.

Destinations Buenos Aires (daily; 1hr 50min).

By bus The bus station (Estados Unidos 492 Sur; T 0264

422 1604) is eight blocks east of Plaza 25 de Mayo.

Destinations Buenos Aires (10 daily; 16hr); Córdoba

(5 daily; 8hr); Mendoza (hourly; 2hr 30min); San Rafael

(2 daily; 5hr 30min); Valle Fértil (3 daily; 4hr). Most long-

distance buses, including two daily services to Santiago

de Chile, require a change in Mendoza.

1

EATING AND DRINKING

Antonio Gómez Supermercado, General Acha at

Córdoba. The heaving paellas (AR$40) draw the lunchtime

crowd at this Spanish-centric market stall. Lunch only.

Remolacha Av José Ignacio de la Roza Oeste, at

Sarmiento W parrillaremolacha.com.ar. Traditional and

hugely popular parrilla with a vast range of meaty treats

to be enjoyed indoors or alfresco. Vegetarians won't starve

either, thanks to some decent meat-free pasta dishes,

mixed vegetable grills and interesting salads. Set meals

from AR$70. Daily 11am-3pm & 9pm-2am.

El Rincón de Nápoli Rivadavia 175 Oeste. Noisy and

cheerful fast-service restaurant whipping up pizza, pasta,

burgers and plenty of grilled meat (mains AR$20). Daily

noon-midnight.

De Sánchez Rivadavia 55 Oeste. The city's classiest

restaurant serves beautifully prepared salmon (AR$70)

and beef (AR$55) with a fine selection of local wines by

the glass and bottle. After the meal, browse the adjoining

book and music shop. Mon-Sat 12.30-3pm & 9pm-

midnight.

Ì Soychú Av José Ignacio de la Roza 223 Oeste. Slip into

something elasticated before gorging yourself on one

of the continent's best vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffets

(AR$35). Don't pass up the offer of a freshly squeezed juice.

Mon-Sat lunch & dinner, lunch only Sun.

INFORMAT ION AND TOURS

Tourist information The tourist o ce at Sarmiento 24

Sur has good city and provincial information (Mon-Fri

7.30am-8.30pm, Sat & Sun 9am-8.30pm; T 0264 421

0004, W turismo.sanjuan.gov.ar).

Tour operators Companies offering Ischigualasto and

Talampaya excursions include Algarrobo, at Sarmiento 62

Sur ( T 0264 427 2487, W algarroboturismo.com.ar); and

Triassic Tour, at Hipólito Yrigoyen 294 Sur ( T 0264 421

9528, W grupohuaco.com.ar).

ACCOMMODAT ION

Cheap accommodation is of a reasonable standard in San

Juan.

Camping Don Bosco 3km east on RN20 T 0264 425

3663. A conveniently located campsite with hot showers

and a swimmin g poo l. Catch bus #19 from the centre.

Camping/person AR$8