Mendoza Area of Argentina

[bonniejoy03]

Any feedback on the Mendoza area. Would you stay in the city or outside the city? Any hotels/lodges, estancias to recommend? I see LL has some nice packages. Has anyone stayed at an LL property in that area? We would be arriving from Santiago and not going to Buenos Aires. Thanks.

[omegaet]

Any feedback on the Mendoza area. Would you stay in the city or outside the city? Any hotels/lodges, estancias to recommend? I see LL has some nice packages. Has anyone stayed at an LL property in that area? We would be arriving from Santiago and not going to Buenos Aires. Thanks.

How are you planning to make the trip from Santiago - by plane, bus or private automobile?

[bonniejoy03]

By air. Flights are inexpensive and convenient. Any suggestions for region?

[omegaet]

By air. Flights are inexpensive and convenient. Any suggestions for region?

bonniejoy03....which air carrier are you considering for the flights between SCL and Mendoza? Are you looking at non-stop service?

[bonniejoy03]

Aerolinas Argentinas or LAN. I would probably lean towards LAN. No definite plans yet, just getting ideas. Any suggestions?

[omegaet]

Aerolinas Argentinas or LAN. I would probably lean towards LAN. No definite plans yet, just getting ideas. Any suggestions?

Open up your checkbook because you're going to have to pay $140 when you enter the country!

[bonniejoy03]

O...Are you sure? If we are arriving from Santiago, we researched and didn't find this to be the case. The fee was to be paid at either airport in Buenos Aires only. Who charged you??

[thepiranha]

Bonniejoy, from what I understand, you don't have to pay the fee if you arrive by land. Also, the bus ride from Mendoza to Santiago is supposed to be spectacular. It's around seven hours and costs around $20 to $25. Let's keep in touch as we're planning our South America trips.

[thepiranha]

I just spoke with the Chilean Consulate in San Francisco. You have to pay $140 if you arrive in Chile by plane, but you don't have to pay it if you arrive by bus or car. Also, there is an 18% tax on hotel rooms that you don't have to pay if you have a Tourist Card, which you get when you arrive in the country.

[kyshel]

I do NOT pay if I am in same day airline transit to anywhere outside the country of Chile. ie: my destination is not Chile, it's Argentina.
I think you don't understand that I am not leaving the airport.
If I leave the airport and take a bus or car anywhere in Chile, I pay. I am taking a plane to another country. I just spoke to 3 different consulates in the US--Detroit, DC and SF. All agreed.