Have you always been enticed by the allure of South America? Are you hoping to explore Chile and Argentina? Then check out this Slideshare presentation from Hostelling International USA about exploring the nuts and bolts of traveling through Argentina and Chile. Known for its rich diversity of landscapes, cosmopolitan cities and extraordinarily dynamic culture, Argentina and Chile have quickly become major hotspots for travelers around the world. From the Pampas to Patagonia, from Santiago to Buenos Aires, there’s a breadth of activities to consider for the week-long traveler to the avid and adventurous backpacker. This travel workshop presentation covers different itineraries, recommended accommodations, managing with currency, budget travel tips, off-the-beaten path adventures and other essential elements of exploring Argentina and Chile. Paul will dispel myths about both cultures while simultaneously get you excited to move around the region affordably and safely. Download the Slide Share for basic tips, and get inspired to travel today!

2. The Rundown
• HI USA Introduc.ons
• Chile & Argen.na Overviews
• Planning & Prepara.on
• Iden.fying The Hotspots
• GeAng Around
• Accommoda.ons
• General Safety & Health
• Cultural Considera.ons

3. Basic Ground Rules
• I’m not the only expert in the room
• This presenta.on is intended for mass
consump.on
• Please recognize the different levels of travel &
experience
• You can disagree with someone’s opinion
• Feel free to ask ques.ons throughout
• Have fun and get excited!

4. HI USA
Our Mission & Purpose
Mission:
“To help all, especially the young, gain a
greater understanding of the world and
its people through hostelling.”
Purpose:
“HI USA inspires a genuine understanding
of people, places & cultures for a more
tolerant world.”

5. Which one of these Best reflects
your idea of hostelling?

6. What is Hostelling?
Community: Suppor.ng and connec.ng the greater
community of travelers both inside and outside of HI
USA’s hostel network.
Travel: Through the vehicle of hostels, providing travel
opportuni.es and educa.on for travelers looking to
explore the United States and beyond.
Experience:
Crea.ng local and unique experiences that
leave guests with a beSer understanding of the culture
they’re visi.ng and learning by doing.
Community │ Travel │ Experience

7. About Me
• Travel style: Plan well but say yes oTen
to new experiences
• Work for Hostelling Interna.onal USA
• Studied Abroad in Argen.na
• Traveled through La.n America for a bit
for research & learning
• Have traveled to 21 Countries
• Last year, spent 7 weeks traveling
through Africa solo
• Top future des.na.ons include
Turkey, Brazil, and New Zealand

8. But, more importantly:
What Brings You Here?

9. Argentina: A Quick Overview
• Argen'na
– Part
of
the
Southern
Cone
– Na'on
of
immigrants
(Europe,
Middle
East,
etc.)
– Top
10
wealthiest
countries
at
the
turn
of
the
20th
Century
– Home
of
tango,
dulce
de
leche
&
mate
– Tumultuous
poli'cal
history
– Major
des'na'ons
include
Mendoza,
Buenos
Aires,
Iguazu
Falls,
Patagonia,
Bariloche
and
Salta
– Made
up
of
23
Provinces,
and
about
7
regions
(Patagonia,
Argen'ne
Northwest,
Gran
Chaco,
Mesopotamia,
Central,
Cuyo
and
the
Pampas)
• Suggested
Pre-­‐Trip
Reading
&
Watching
– Graham
Greene’s
“The
Honorary
Consul”
– Jorge
Luis
Borges
“El
Aleph”
– Jacobo
Timerman
“Prisoner
Without
a
Name,
Cell
Without
a
Number”
– Any
film
with
Ricardo
Darín
(Nine
Queens,
Wild
Tales,
etc.)

10. Chile: A Quick Overview
• Chile
– Part of the Southern Cone
– Geographically similar to Argen.na
– Considered an economic success story in La.n America
– Lots of vineyards (carmanere originated from Chile)
– Pisco (sweet and sour drink, maybe came from Peru)
– Poli.cally stable democracy (aTer unstable rule)
– Not the best of rela.ons with the Argen.nians
– 15 Separate poli.cal regions
– 6 Geographic regions including Norte Grande, Norte Chico,
Zona Central, Zona Sur, Zona Austral
• Suggested Pre-­‐Trip Reading
– Poetry by Pablo Neruda
– “Paula” by Isabel Allende
– “Chile Travels in a Thin Country” Sara Wheeler

11. A Note On Latin America
• Poli.cally charged and
tumultuous history
• Incredibly diverse in culture
& peoples
• Don’t carry your
assump.ons with you
• The US has had substan.al
influence in La.n America
• They Are Americans too
(Americanos versus
Estadounidenses)
• La.n America is Not Mexico

12. Defining the Trip
• How long are you going for?
• Where do you want to go?
• Are you looking to stay in the south, explore
the ci.es, get a feel for each country?
• What kind of budget are you working with?
• Are you interested in volunteering, learning
the language or something else?
• Have you traveled to the developing world
before?

13. First & Foremost:
Building an Itinerary
• Choose a .me of year to travel
– Know your high tourist seasons
• Understand that Argen.na AND Chile should be at
least a 2 week trip (geographically enormous)
• Iden.fy your point of entry at either Buenos Aires
or San.ago
• Build a projected length of trip
• Decide on your major aSrac.ons and regions
• The Andes, Patagonia, Iguazu Falls, Viña del Mar,
Desert, Penguins?
Travel Tip: For the more tech-­‐savvy, keep a blog and track resources using
Evernote. Great way to organize your purpose, trip and resources.

14. Urban Wine & Hiking Trip
(Suggested Travel Times)
Buenos Aires (4 Days)
ê
Mendoza/Wine Country
(3-­‐4 Days)
ê
San.ago (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
Patagonia (4-­‐5 Days)
ê
Leave from BA/San.ago

15. Natural Wonders Itinerary
(Suggested Travel Times)
Buenos Aires (1 Days)
ê
Iguazu Falls (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
Salta & Jujuy (3-­‐4 Days)
ê
Bariloche (3-­‐4 Days)
ê
Patagonia Argen.na (3-­‐4 Days)
ê
Patagonia Chile (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
Volcan Villarrica in Pucon (2
Days)
ê
Return home from San.ago

16. The Southern Cone City Tour
(Suggested Travel Times)
Buenos Aires (4-­‐5 Days)
ê
Cordoba (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
Mendoza (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
San.ago (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
Valparaiso (2-­‐3 Days)
ê
Leave from BA/San.ago

17. Planning:
A Tale of Internet & Guides
• Debate: Internet versus Guidebooks
• The Need for Guide Books:
– S.ll much value in physical, up-­‐to-­‐date guidebook
– Frequent internet access will cost you
• The Internet Argument:
– Great blogs and forums around South America
– Plenty of personal anecdotes
– On the ground reality via TwiSer & Facebook
– Plenty of locutorios in Argen.na (internet cafes)

18. The Planning Essentials
• Internet
– Nomadic MaS, Adventurous Kate, Travel Bloggers
– Lonely Planet Travel Forums
– Bootsnall Travel Guides
– Wikitravel
– Trip Advisor/HostelWorld/HostelBookers/
HIHostels.com
• Books
– Bradt Travel Guides
– Lonely Planet
– The Rough Guide to Argen.na & Chile
Travel Tip: Consult your community. Great Ame to reach out to friends,
colleagues, acquaintances and more for helpful Aps on where to visit.

19. Budgeting:
Spreadsheets & Receipts
• Budget pre and during trip expenses
• Set-­‐up short term savings account to funnel money aside
• Use mint.com for Pre-­‐trip budge.ng
• On the return, enter in your actual expenses
• Quick Tips Include:
– Cooking meals oTen on the road
– Staying in hostels & affordable accommoda.ons
• The Value of a small notepad
– Used it to budget on the road, day-­‐to-­‐day costs
• Argen.na, recommended $1200-­‐1400 per week, depending
on region traveled
• Chile, recommended $400-­‐1000 per week (including transport
if flying)
Travel Tip: Use your “During Trip Expenses” as a form of iAnerary planning
by documenAng places and resources in the spreadsheet, along with prices.

20. Navigating Currencies
• Argen.na is experiencing severe infla.on
• Official rate vs. black market rate (Dólar Blue)
• Be sure to bring American dollars in $50 or $100
bills (beSer exchange rate than $20 bills)
• Trade in at small cuevas
• Chile not experiencing the same problems
• Can take money out of ATMs
• 650 Chilean Pesos = $1 US Dollar
• 13 Argen.nean Pesos = $1 US Dollar
Travel Tip: Certain credit and debit cards don’t charge internaAonal
ATM fees such as Capital One and Charles Schwab.

21. Health & Safety:
Before You Leave
• Ensure you have SPF30 or SPF50 Sunscreen
• Have copies of your passport and any key
documents in a folder
• Review any special materials, medica.ons or items
you may need prior to departure
• Have addresses & numbers of family members/
friends
• Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment
Program or STEP with the State Department
– Know your embassies and record numbers in notepad
Travel Tip: Do some quick research on any travel alerts on the State
Department site and chat with other travelers that have recently been there.

22. Packing: The Essentials
• Passport (with at least two blank pages)
• Copies of all credit cards & IDs (email them)
– VISA Credit Card goes further than Mastercard
• Any Country Visas you’ve secured in advance
– You’ll need a reciprocity fee for Argen.na & Chile
• HI Membership Card
• Map print-­‐outs and any key reserva.ons
• List of emergency numbers & contacts
Travel Tip: Explore the visas of each country you’re going—some will need
you to apply in advance, others you can get at the border. Have $US ready!

23. Packing: Clothes
• Three Pairs of Shoes
– Hiking/walking shoes, sneakers, flip-­‐flops
• 2-­‐3 Pairs of CoSon Pants & Shorts
• Bathing suit)
• Sunglasses and hat
• Light rain jacket
• Breathable travel underwear
• Two long sleeve shirt and 5-­‐6 T-­‐Shirts
• Slightly heavier jacket if hiking through Patagonia
Travel
Tip:
Always
leave
room
for
extra
clothing
items,
and
if
interested,
purchase
a
special
“Scrubba”
washing
bag
to
wash
your
stuff.

24. Packing:
Special Accessories
• Quick Dry Travel Towel (REI)
• Headlight (REI)
• Waterproof first aid kit (REI)
• Special money belt with zipper
• Tent & Self-­‐Wash Laundry Bag (if camping)
• Binoculars (REI)
• Global Phone (Teles.al)
• Rain cover for your camera (op.onal)
Travel Tip: Check in with travelers who have taken this trip before, and ask
them for the items they found indispensable. Lots of great info there.

25. Your Digital Backpack:
Having the Right Apps
• XE Currency Converter
• FlightStats
• Afar Travel Guide
• ATerlight photo edi.ng
• Evernote
• Hostelworld and/or Hostelbookers
• Skyscanner
Travel Tip: A smartphone certainly isn’t necessary, but is something that
will be mostly safe with you in ArgenAna & Chile & can be useful at Ames.

26. A Note About Travel Phones
• Unlocked phones can go a long way
• Great for local SIM card
– Good communica.on on the road,
– Primary carriers include Movistar and
• Allows for intercon.nental communica.on
via global SIM Card
• Also can be configured for internet
• Value depends on length of trip
Travel Tip: If trip exceeds two months, dual SIM global phone via TelesAal
may be worth invesAng in. Great way to communicate to people back home.

27. Arriving in South America
• Must pay your reciprocity fee
• Argen.na, must pay in advance, Chile can pay on site
• Airports are located far outside the city
• Prepare for jetlag & general airplane exhaus.on
• Have at least a few nights at your first stop to get
oriented and see what’s viable
• Major flights from NYC include:
• Aerolineas Argen.nas
• American Airlines
• Avianca Airlines
• LAN Argen.na/Chile
Travel Tip: Have your transportaAon to your first night’s stay already
arranged, and your first night’s accommodaAons already booked.

28. Argentina: Buenos Aires
• Capital of Argen.na
• Located in the Pampas region
next to widest river delta
• Hub of architecture, museums,
government, culture & more
• Residents are called Porteños
• Hostels everywhere
• Easy public transporta.on
• ASrac.ons: San Telmo,
Palermo, Tango Showcases,
Soccer Matches, Boca
• Total .me needed: >4 Days
Recommended AWracAon: Cemeterio de Recoleta. Of course I’m biased,
but this cemetery is something out of a gothic novel or film—truly incredible.

29. 1-2 Day Trips from Baires
• Uruguay
• Colonia – beau.ful colonial city
• Montevideo – known for cuisine
and laid back vibe
• Punte del Este beach resort
• Accessible via ferry
• Plata or Mar Del Plata
• Excellent beaches
• Big summer hangout for Porteños
• Longer trip is to Rosario (home of
Che Guevara)
• Head to the Pampas for Gauchos
Recommended Place: Colonia is a preWy cool town, and really does offer up
some incredible architecture with the laid back vibe of Uruguay.

30. Argentina: Mendoza & Around
• Wine capital of Argen.na (la .erra
del sol y buen vino)
• Jumping off point for great hiking &
day trips in El Cuyo
• Close to the Andes mountains
• Hike Cerro Aconcagua
• 2.5 hour flight from Baires
• Border Crossing via bus into
San.ago
• ASrac.ons: Bodegas (Vineyards),
Museum of Contemporary Art,
White Water RaTing, Hiking Trips
• Total .me needed: 2 -­‐ 4 nights
Recommended Tip: Hostels have tons of informaAon and tours available
through them, although the biking wine tour may sound beWer than it is…

31. Argentina: Salta & Jujuy
• Northwest of Argen.na
• 2 Hour flight from BA
• Salta regional capital with
Jujuy the northern most city
• Most indigenous sec.on of
Argen.na (close to Bolivia)
• ASrac.ons: Museum of
Archaeology of High Mountain
(Incan Mummies), Cable Car
views, Plaza of 9 de Julio,
Purmamarca,
• Total .me needed: 2-­‐4 Days
Recommended Tip: For those spending more Ame in the region, renAng
a car can be a great way to explore the region at your own pace.

32. Must See: Iguazu Falls
• One of the seven wonders of the
natural world
• Jungle meets beau.ful waterfalls
• Accessed on the Argen.nian or
Brazilian side
• Must pay an addi.onal fee for Brazil
• ASrac.ons & Ac.vi.es: Iguazu
Falls, River Cruises, Nature Cruises
• Total Time Needed: 1-­‐2 Nights
Recommended Tip: HI Iguazu Falls is one of the premier places to stay for
community, affordability and accessibility to the falls.

33. Argentina: Bariloche
• The Switzerland of South
America
• Beau.ful, incredible
mountain ranges (Andes)
• Plen.ful lakes and islands
• Known for its chocolate and
rus.c eats
• ASrac.ons: Cerro Lopez,
Hiking, Chocolate Tours
• Total .me needed: 2-­‐3 nights
Recommended AWracAon/Tip: Be sure to find a local restaurant that serves up
the cuisine of the region. Bariloche has some stellar chocolate & charcuterie.

34. Argentina: Patagonia
• El Calafate and El Chalten
• Water is safe to drink
• Great hostels—should book in
advance
• Beau.ful hikes and natural
features
• Local craTs fairs and estantes
• Glacier hikes and walks
• Major ASrac.ons: Cerro Fitz Roy,
Glaciar Perito Morreno, Galciar
Hiking, Camping
Recommended Tip: A major tourist aWracAon, don’t miss the Glaciar
Perrito Moreno—with global warming and all!

35. Chile: Patagonia
• Far, far from San.ago
• Do not need to purchase bus .ckets ahead of .me
• Fly into Punta Arenas
• Book all accommoda.ons ahead of .me especially
in the park
• Camping sites referred to as refugios
• Take bus into park
• Leaves twice a day
• 3-­‐4 Bus Ride—should prepare to camp
• Expect a moderate hike (non-­‐beginners hike)
• Recommended doing the W Circuit
• Can do full eight day trek for en.re park
• ASrac.ons: Isla Magdalena, Torres del Paine, Puerto
Natales, Refugio Gray, Incredible Glaciers
• Total Time Needed: Stay in the park 5 days
(minimum of 4 nights)
Recommended A*rac-on: Isla Magdalena is a short and affordable two
hour boat ride from Punta Arenas and you can see penguins there.

36. Chile: Santiago
• Excellent subway system
• Lots of great places to eat
– Juan y Medio (Chilean eats)
– Peluquería Francesa (French cuisine)
• Biking paths (Bicicleta Verde)
• Vibrant nightlife
• Lots of neighborhoods (Plaza de Armas
and Market)
• Amazing arts scene (and street art)
• ASrac.ons: Lots of museums,
funicular,
• Total Time Needed: 2-­‐3 Nights
Recommended AWracAon: Check out the Human Rights Museum for an
excellent overview of Chilean history & culture (like Holocaust Museum in DC).

37. Day Trips from Santiago
• Beau.ful scenery around San.ago
• Wineries readily available
– Don’t miss Maipo Valley
• Car Rentals a great op.on for
exploring
• Buses and special tours also serve
areas outside of San.ago
• ASrac.ons: Vineyards, Skiing, Cajón
de Maipo, Hiking, Pomaire,
Monumento Natural de Morado
• Total Time Needed: 1-­‐2 Days
Recommended Tip: Be sure to check out Smart Trip, a B-­‐Corp that receives heavily
discounted hotel rooms, and also help out local entrepreneurs near their hotels.

38. Chile: Valparaíso
• Beau.ful coastal port city
• 2 Hours from San.ago
• Home to na.onal poet Pablo Neruda
• City of hills with Funiculars
– Oldest is Ascensor Concepción
• Excellent street art
• ASrac.ons: Pablo Neruda’s Home (La
Sebas.ana), Museo de Bellas Artes,
Cultural Park Valparaíso, Sendero
Bicenterio
• Total Time Needed:2-­‐3 Nights
Recommended Tip: Valparaiso is an easy bus ride from SanAago and is an
extremely walkable city, despite the hills. Walk as much as you can!

39. A Note on Chilean Wine
Recommended Tip: Chile’s wine country is considered one of the best in
the world—be sure to go on an official wine tour to cover the best ground.
• Chile best known in South America
for its wine
• Specific Chilean grape is Carmenere
(originally from France)
• Cabernet Sauvignon major export
• Best Wineries: Maipo Valley wineries,
Colchagua Valley (south of San.ago),
Maule Valley, Casablanca Valley if
heading to Valparaiso
• Total Time Needed: 1-­‐2 Days

40. Chile: Atacama Desert
• Driest desert on Planet Earth
• Beau.ful sand dunes and desert
landscapes
• Salt flats, volcanoes, star gazing,
mountain lagoons
• San Pedro de Atacama & Arica entry
points
• Nearest flights to Calama
• Top ASrac.ons: Valle de la Luna,
Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos,
Volcanoes, Geysers de Ta.o, Lagunas
Al.planicas, Sandboarding,
Archaeological Tour
• Recommended Time: 3-­‐4 Days
Recommended Tip: The Atacama Desert can seem remote and daunAng.

41. Chile: Easter Island
• Island located 5.5 hours off the coast of Chile
• Served by LAN Airlines daily, and from Tahi.
once per week
• SeSled by Polynesians hundreds of years ago
– Two compe.ng theories on degrada.on of island
• Most known for its huge stone statues known
as Moai
• Most opt for group tours to get around
– Zero Public transporta.on, but taxis available
• Prices are high on Easter Island since all food is
imported
• ASrac.ons: Moai ceremonial statues, Volcanic
Craters Rano Kau & Rano Raraku, White Sand
Beaches, Scuba Diving, Hike the Northern
Coast
• Total Time Needed: 3-­‐4 Nights
Recommended Tip: Easter Island has a lot more to offer than just the historic
statues that line the space. Be sure to check out the amazing outdoor acAviAes.

42. Getting To South America
• Be mindful of the season you’re traveling in
– Winter versus Summer
• Online Flight Aggregators
– Skyscanner.com, Kayak.com & Hipmunk
– Google Flights is remarkably accurate & fun
– Consider logging in using remote IP Addresses (domes.c
purchasing)
• Chile generally more pricey from NYC than Argen.na
• Round-­‐Trips versus One Ways
– Argen.na
• RT flights: $750 to $1,500
• One Way: $700 to $1,000
– Chile
• RT flights range from $1,020 to $1,800
• One Way flights range from $750 to $1,100
Travel Tip: Try to fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday to minimize the cost
of the flights, or turn your long layover into a day trip.

43. Getting Around Argentina & Chile
• It takes a long .me to cover ground in
Argen.na & Chile
• Chile
• In San.ago: Subte, Buses or Taxi
• Chilean city-­‐to-­‐city by train or bus
• Argen.na
• Coche Cama or Ejecu.vo Buses
• Air transport on LAN or Aerolíneas
Argen.nas (most flights route through
BA)
• In Buenos Aires: Colec.vos & Subte
• Radio Taxis & Remises
Travel Hack: Be sure to click on LAN Chile instead of LAN USA for
more affordable pricing on in-­‐country flights

44. Accommodations & Lodging
• Hostels ($11-­‐20/night)
• Varies per city (based off of
HIHostels.com
• Lots of HI-­‐Hostels in both countries
• Guesthouses ($12-­‐20/night)
• Hotels/Lodges ($12-­‐55/night)
• Specialty Lodges ($75/night, includes
three meals per day)
• Eco-­‐Lodges ($4-­‐8/night)
• Couchsurfing-­‐ FREE!
• AirBnB: Geographically widespread
and reasonable rates
Travel
Tip:
Places
like
ArgenBna
offer
up
Cabañas
which
are
self-­‐styled
accommodaBons
where
you
rent
a
space
and
bring
the
rest.
Highly
affordable!

45. Health & Safety: On The Road
• Water is absolutely essen.al—always have a boSle
or two available
• Use sunscreen where possible
• Buenos Aires: Water safe to drink from faucet
• Take advantage of hostels with lockers
• Always lock your valuables i.e. passport, extra
money, official documents, etc.
• Avoid traveling at night where possible
• Hold onto your bags, especially on buses/subte
Travel Tip: Be mindful of your major ciAes like Buenos Aires. Thees do occur
under the guise of accidents/distracAons. “Villas” or shantytowns do exist.

46. Culturally Responsible Travel
Travel Tip: Always know at least a few phrases in the naAve language
prior to leaving. This is a no brainer, but goes a long way.
• Culture is an iceberg
• Travel introduces us to
new cultural perspec.ves
& behaviors
• Remain humble and open
to local cultural norms
• Raise your Cultural
Intelligence (CQ) prior to
traveling
• The ability to cross divides
and thrive in other cultures

47. Cultural
Considerations
• Not always appropriate to take photos—
always ask first
• Kiss on the cheek for gree.ng
• Argen.nians are of Italian heritageà lots
of hand gestures & ges.cula.ons
• Mate circle is welcoming and open
• Rapid-­‐fire Spanish/Castellano
Travel Tip: This may sound like a no-­‐brainer, but talk to your taxi drivers. They
are a wealth of informaAon and can be extremely useful for your trip.

48. Learning Castellano
• Learning Spanish
• Como te va?
• Cuanto cuesta/sale? – How much is it?
• Chilean Phrases/Expressions
• Add “Po” to the end of sentences (think of it as a
Canadian “ey”
• “Cachai” – get it? On the same page?
• “Bacan” -­‐ cool
• Argen.nian Phrases/Expressions
• “Luca” -­‐ thousand
Travel Tip: A great resource for those looking to have more fun learning the
language is “Che Boludo”, a book of ArgenAnian slang. Very useful.

49. Who Wants to win an HI
NY T-Shirt?
A: What is the name of the black market rate
of exchange in Argen.na?
Q: What is the Dólar Blue

50. Who Wants To Win Some
Argentine Pesos?
A: The STEP program from the State
Department provides up-­‐to-­‐date informa.on
to travelers that are in country. This is what
its acronym stands for.
Q: What is the Smart Traveler Enrollment
Program

51. Thank You!
Paul Kuhne
Paul.kuhne@hiusa.org
Northeast Regional Engagement Manager
HI USA
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