Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
change regularly. In Patagonia, a windbreaker and warm clothing are essential. Don't ex-
pect much traffic on some back roads.
There are some good places around the country in which to spin your wheels, including
Argentina's quintessential road trip, Ruta Nacional 40.
Rental
Bicycle rentals (mostly mountain bikes) are available in many popular tourist destinations,
such as along the Atlantic Coast, Mendoza, Bariloche and other towns throughout the
Lake District and Córdoba's Central Sierras. Prices are by the hour or day, and are afford-
able.
Purchase
Many towns have bike shops, but high-quality bikes are expensive, and repair parts can
be hard to come by. If you do decide to buy while you're here, you're best off doing so in
Buenos Aires - selection in other major cities can be pretty slim. Prices for an imported
bike (which you'll want if you're doing serious cycling) are much higher than in their coun-
try of origin.
Boat
Opportunities for boat or river travel in and around Argentina are limited, though there are
regular international services to/from Uruguay and to/from Chile via the Lake District. Fur-
ther south, from Ushuaia, operators offer boat trips on the Beagle Channel in Tierra del
Fuego.
Otherwise, if you must be on the water, head to the Buenos Aires suburb of Tigre,
where there are numerous boat excursions around the delta of the Río de la Plata.
Bus
If you're doing any serious traveling around Argentina, you'll become very familiar with the
country's excellent bus network, which reaches almost everywhere. Long-distance buses
(known as
micros
) are fast, surprisingly comfortable and can be a rather luxurious experi-
ence. It's the way most Argentines get around. Larger luggage is stowed in the hold be-
low, security is generally good (especially on the 1st-class buses) and attendants tag your
bags. If you have a long way to go - say, Buenos Aires to Mendoza - overnight buses are
the way to go, saving you a night's accommodations and leaving you with the daylight
hours for fun.
Most cities and towns have a central bus terminal where each company has its own
ticket window. Some companies post schedules prominently, and the ticket price and de-
