Argentina Country Guide

Posted In: Argentina

Malinda Damien says...

Once again Lonely Planet provides a highly useful guide to that exciting destination of Argentina. This book is nicely practical and highly informative without being wordy or difficult.Lonely Planet provides solid information on culture, geography, affordable lodging and travel hostels, restuarants, long-distance bus transportation, etc.Wise travelers study this book (or certain sections) in advance regarding what they'd like to see and do.As this book shows, city buffs can savor world-class food, nightlife, and shopping in Buenos Aires, or slighly calmer locations like Cordoba or Rosario.Outdoor types can choose to enjoy Mendoza, the Andes Mountains, the Lake District, whale watching in Puerto Madryn, the waterfalls of Iguazu, etc.Many vistors travel between the often-distant destinations by frequent, comfortable night busses.The book advises that when applicable, you pay a few extra pesos for cama class or cama executivo and enjoy on-board dinner, wine, and a roomy, fully-reclining seat - while avoiding the cost of a hotel. Travelers that can speak some Spanish may find Argentinians surprisingly friendly despite their fast accent and mild reputation for arrogance.



This books states that prices may higher than listed due to inflation and fluctuations in the currency (it's nearly four pesos to the dollar at this writing).Also, winter temperatures (June-September) range from chilly to mild, Buenos Aires has some homeless, and the book advises about avoiding dangers and annoyances - although Argentina is pretty safe.I do wish they'd give the approximate number of lodgings in smaller locations when they cannot list each hotel.Still, this is a very practical guide for both novices and experienced travelers.As they say, don't leave home without your Lonely Planet.

Posted on October 13, 2010

Drew Chaparro says...

Argentina is a huge and very diverse country and a guide book is very handy to have. The many maps are extremely helpful, and the how to get there and away sections are great. This book is also filled with lots of helpful hints like dangers and annoyances, interesting places to go, and history. Most of the hotel recommendations have been helpful, but be aware that many people read this book, and the recommended hotels can often be full. I have also met some of the authors, and their tight budgets and time schedules do not allow them to check out all the options. I would recommend buying this book, but keep your eyes and ears open. Many of the best hotels and restaurants that I have found have been from word of mouth of other travelers, or roaming the streets. Restaurants and bus schedules often change, so it is best to observe them for yourself. Dancing on the Edge of an Endangered Planet

Posted on October 13, 2010

Rodrigo Crisostomo says...

Lonely Planet guides belong in every backpacker's backpack, every traveler's suitcase, every armchair traveler's bookcase as they give travelers of every stripe, the real deal and the wannabes, accurate and in depth information in an easy to find format and they don't read like they were written by somebody who failed creative writing. Not only do they give you the info you need to find what you're looking for, but they make it interesting as well.



I have twenty something Lonely Planet Guides and I've been to maybe a third of the places they represent. I have been to Argentina, but only as part of a two week tour which included South Africa and Brazil. I spent one day in Buenos Aires and a day watching Gauchos ride and rope. I didn't see any of the real Argentina. That was two years ago.



Two weeks ago I got this guide, along with the Lonely Planet Guide to Italy, and I've devoured them both, marked them up with a yellow highlighter, folded page corners, made notes on various pages, enjoyed the heck out of them.



If you want to travel to Argentina, knowing a bit about her culture, her history, her background will make you not only a more informed traveler, but will help to endear you to the people you might meet along the way. As one who goes out of her way to meet new people, I find that a little language learning helps too. If you make an effort, and the Lonely Planet guides will certainly help you with that, you'd be surprised to find how many people will go out of they're way to make sure you enjoy their country and you'll have a lot of wonderful memories to take home with you.



I know, I spent last summer in France and though it is a modern, developed country, I poured over the Lonely Planet Guide to France before I left and I spent three months studying French with the Rosetta Stone Language course. A lot of Americans I met there complained about the ugly French, how they didn't want to know Americans, how they avoided them like the plague. I didn't find that at all. In fact I found a country full of friendly people and I made some fast friends there and I have to say that I owe a lot of it to the people at Lonely Planet and thanks to Lonely Planet the next time I go to Argentina, I'll be ready.

Posted on October 13, 2010

Arvilla Millage says...

The Argentina guide provides plain, basic information about visiting the country. As indicated in other reviews, a number of details that would prove more useful to travelers is missing; and much of the quoted prices and other sprinkled data were outdated.



One of the most important topics we felt were missing had to do with traveler SAFETY.Argentina, like other countries in South America has its challenges, but the author focused solely on one side of the travel coin without revealing potentials of the other.The country, like many others are facing severe economic times, and this often heightens survival problems and increases criminal activity.Conversely, economic challenges may prove rewarding for bargaining purposes and lower competitive rates too.



Crime or other perils of travel can prove disasterous for some voyagers and should have been discussed in this book.We felt there should have been more reference made about the country's troubles, such as, political reference, where NOT to go, potential pick-pocketing and storage of goods, how to get help in emergencies, red flags, and more. The text (p.18) only noted, "Forget everything you've heard about the challenges of travel in South America. Argentina is different. It's easy."



On the other hand, the few pictures in this book were delightful.Othertopics covered in the text includes very basic travel information, when and where to go, costs (outdated), food & drink, events, the culture, and environment.



Overall, this book does contain good content; however, supplemental texts may be needed, rather than traveling only with this guide. Hopefully, the publishers will read customer reviews in order to make their newer edition much better.

Posted on October 15, 2010

Keila Galban says...

I've always been a huge fan of Lonely Planet books.Any international trip I take, I always have the Lonely Planet with me.



It doesn't do all things, but it always does an excellent job covering history, culture, and core logistics.(If you want the reviews for best restaurants, which I often do, you need another book.)



I haven't been on the Argentina trip yet (it's on my short wish list), so I can't comment on the accuracy or completeness of the content details.



But I did immediately notice several new sections (at least not in previous Lonely Planets I have owned), that I LOVE:

1) "Best of Argentina" - Covers "City Life", "Natural Wonders", "Classic Argentina" (including where to go for tango lessons), and Food of Argentina.

2) "Argentina Outdoors" - I LOVE this section.All in one place, it covers the best outdoors activities the country has to offer.And in a full color section.Hiking, Mountaineering, Rock Climbing, Fishing, Snowboarding, Cycling, Mountain Biking, Rafting, Paragliding, YOU NAME IT!

3) "My Beloved Argentina" - Personal acounts by Argintians of different walks of life - Gaucho, Tango teacher, Winemaker, Weaver, Musician.



The Lonely Planet books have always been the best at helping me truly experience, understand, and enjoy a new place and culture.This one looks to be perhaps the best yet!

Posted on October 16, 2010

Jewel Rockenbach says...

I just returned from a month-long trip to Argentina in July 2010.The newest Lonely Planet Argentina isn't coming out until September 2010 so we travelled with the older version.Although the guide has a warning about price increases, I was shocked to find almost every price quoted in the book to be about 40-50% higher than written.I do understand that prices in Argentina have skyrocketed in the past 10 years, but perhaps Lonely Planet should have researched a new edition sooner.The huge increase in prices almost doubled the budgeted cost of our trip.



That being said, I do feel the place and attraction descriptions were accurate and it was a good source of basic information from which to start researching where we wanted to go.The maps and addresses were accurate.



It has a HUGE Buenos Aires section, but we didn't spend much time there during the month so I can't honestly evaluate that section.We did have significant difficultly making reservations in Buenos Aires because at least 5 of the places listed in the book were full.



This guidebook also has a significant, more accurate, and well-written section on Uruguay.Although I am not sure why they didn't name it "Argentina and Uruguay" since Uruguay is another country, not a region of Argentina.My friends in Uruguay were quite insulted by this and felt it was "typical arrogant Argentine behavior".The information in the Uruguay section was more accurate that the info in the Argentina section.



Lastly, I felt the lodging and attractions listings were mostly geared toward travellers ages 18-25. We are a family travelling with two children, and often felt it hard to find affordable places to stay that weren't party hostels among the listings in the book.We even made reservations and paid a deposit at a place in Iguazu and found out once we arrived that they don't allow children!It would have been nice to read that ahead of time in the book. And I felt that there were very few activities and things to see that were geared toward families.Surely they exist!

Posted on October 17, 2010

Lavada Krudop says...

Having spent the most memorable part of my childhood in Buenos Aires, with a few trips to outlying areas, this book is a marvelous trip through memory lane, looking for the things that were there so many years ago, and reading about all the changes that have happened since. This Lonely Planet book is a thick one, because Argentina has one of the most varied landscapes of any country in the world, from the awesome Iguazu Falls, to the magnificent sights in the Tierra del Fuego region. From the towering Andes to the Reserva Faunistica Peninsula Valdez by the Atlantic Ocean.



For those interested in wildlife and nature, the wonders of Patagonia are astounding. Whale watching has never been grander. See the gauchos in the Pampas, the tango dancers in Buenos Aires. Sip the fine wine, and eat the best beef you have ever tasted. Yes, debt-ridden Argentina has its problems, which this book points out: extreme poverty, and though it has excellent conservation laws, is negligent to enforce them.



You will need a handy pocket magnifier if you're taking this book on your trip. It is not only a thick volume, but also has small print, and has many maps, but they allneed magnification. It has everything a tourist needs to know, from exchange rates to business hours: Bars stay open until 6 AM, and shops open at 8 AM.Not much time for sleeping, when you're having so much fun!



A nice touch in this Lonely Planet volume are the 5 personal profiles in the "Mi Querida Argentina" section, which is accompanied by photos, one of the 3 sections in this book that is illustrated with color photos. The book also includes Chilean Patagonia, and 60 pages devoted to Uruguay, should you want to take the short trip across the Rio de la Plata to visit this small but delightful country.



Bravo Lonely Planet for this extensive and informative book on mi querida Argentina!

Posted on October 19, 2010

Gwenn Steppig says...

This book is very detailed with just an abundance of information. I like the way there are tabs along the edge of the book with the different areas of the country.Dining. . . . Accommodations. . . Sightseeing. . . . Transportation. . . . Maps. . . . General Information.There are a few pictures at the front of the book, but if you're looking for a book with a lot of pictures, then this book is not for you.On the other hand, if you want to be book packed with great information, then I recommend it highly.

Posted on October 19, 2010

Luisa Randleman says...

You Can't Beat A Lonely Planet Guide Book...yet they always seem to get just a little better!



Argentina - the land of the Tango!but did you know that "...its head is in the tropics and its toes are in Antarctica" so the range of natural wonders runs from waterfalls and rain forest to glaciers!!!!



So now Argentina sounds like a travel possibility - what do you want to know...



From the inside front cover which is a Quick Reference Guide (should be a Survival Guide) featuring everything you need to get by - the edge is an actual ruler giving you mm and cm; money exchange rates (obviously this can change); Business Hours for most types of companies (you can go clubbing in Argentina until 6am!!!); Key to Price Ranges; Important Phone Numbers (Emergency, Police, Fire, Directory Assistance, Country Code, etc.); Phrases (Hello, Goodbye, Please & Thank you); Conversions (inches to centimeters, feet to meters, pounds to kilograms, gallons to liters, farenheight to celsius...and more!) ...and that is just the inside front cover!



Yes - It has all the info city by city that the Lonely Planet is known for - lodging, food, shopping and transportation - with options in every range from hostels & public transportation to luxury hotels by taxi!



Color Plates: this is the area that can make or break a travel guide - too little and your interest wains, too much and it becomes a cumbersome coffee table book!A map of the country - an eight page "Best of Argentina" spread and wonderful seven page spread "My Beloved Argentina" will give you ideas from "how to talk to a gaucho" to Music Festivals.



This is a compact, easy to use, informative travel guide - isn't that all you can ask for?

Posted on October 20, 2010

Misty Mashaw says...

Lonely Planet tries to set themselves apart from the rest of the field by appealing to the wanna be hip crowd of backpackers and rich kids slumming the world.Truth is, there isn't all that much difference between Lonely Planet and the others except marketing and image.



The Argentina guide offers a history of Argentina and analysis of its politics that is just what I would expect.The authors have a love affair with the Kirchners, who are as corrupt and thuggish as any of their predecessors. It might be hip to show your love for the "royal couple", but I find it nauseating.But you probably don't buy guidebooks to learn about politics, so enough of that.



The accuracy of the information is mixed.Things can change overnight, so that is inevitable.I was left wondering just how many of the restaurants and hotels they authors actually visited and how many they imagined.There is no way to tell, as aside from the changing conditions, reviews are a matter of perception.Use the information as a guide, not the bible.If you are planning ahead, use more than one source.



I find nothing in this Lonely Planet guidebook that I can't find in the standard Frommer's or Fodor's, which is the way it usually is.



If you are planning to spend most of your time in Buenos Aires, get a book specifically on BA.

Posted on October 26, 2010