Hi,

Just a quick thing, does anyone know the best way to get from Santiago to Benuos Aries via Mendosa?

I was thinking about going by bus or coach, I have heard that that is the best and the cheapest way to go, plus you get to see the countryside.

Could you give me some help regarding companies and prices???

Cheers

Jonsalt

Hey Jon,

Here is a helpful link from Tripadvisor;

Bus Travel From Santiago to Buenos Aires Via Menosa

I think it hits bang on your question. There are lots of details and prices included too. Hope that helps!

Goodness, what a great link wakingdream.

We travelled on CATA, which had fully reclinable seats that literally converted to beds. We slept like babies between Buenos Aires and Mendoza. But definitely do the crossing of the Andes by day so you can enjoy the scenery.

http://www.catainternacional.com/prueba/index.php

Thanks Martin. Coming from you and your extensive experience in SA, I know that is a true compliment! Yeah, geez, I hardly ever find anything that specific! Usually it's all pieced together stuff to make a solid bit of information. Bonus

Seats to beds? That sounds really comfy.

Hi Wakingdream,

It seems you are knowledgeable in traveling in South America. I would like to spend about 2-3 weeks traveling by bus (since I am on a budget) from Lima to BA and back. I will be traveling with my wive and daughter. Can you give me some help on which route to travel and what to see in our first trip south of Lima. In addition, is there extra fee or visa for Canadian traveling in country like Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.

Thanks

Bernie

Hello Bernie,

I just answered a similar enquiry, but from BA to Lima. Here's my suggestion....

I presume you are going to Cuzco, so you should take the bus from Cuzco (or Lima) to Puno (Lake Titicaca) Arequipa. Puno is a miserable place, though a visit to the floating Uros Islands is interesting. Nevertheless I suggest a stopover in Copacabana on the Bolivian side to visit Isla del Sol.

Continue to La Paz.

You now have two options.
1. The desert route through Oruro and Uyuni (salt flats) to San Pedro de Atacama and Antofagasta and then on to Santiago. After Santiago take the transandine crossing as explained earlier.

If you really want a thrill, take the railway from Oruro de Uyuni. Runs four times weekly on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday (subject to change). Departs Oururo 3:30 pm. This is one of the few passenger railways left in South America. The train continues to Villazon on the Argentine border.
http://www.boliviahostels.com/howtoget/tren.php

This should be a two-week trip.

2. Through Argentina
Follow above itinerary up to Uyuni, then continue to Villazon on the Argentine border.
Cross the border on foot to La Quiaca, then take the regular daily bus (four daily) to Salta. Salta is a lovely mountain town.

I then suggest you either take the transchaco route to Paraguay and Iguassu Falls, or continue down the Andes chain to Mendoza. There are regular buses from Salta to Mendoza.

Taking the Iguassu option is a bit of an adventure. There is one bus daily from Salta across the Chaco to Corrientes on the Paraguay River. It's a semi-sleeper and takes about 12 to 13 hours.

Then regular daily buses to Asuncion and on to Iguassu (Ciudad del Este).

From Iguassu I suggest you splurge on a flight to BA. By bus it is a long, boring drive, almost 24 hours.

This will more probably be a three-week trip.

To the best of my knowledge Canadians do not need visas for any country in South America.

Thanks Martin for the advice.

I will probably not go to Cusco, since it is quite expensive now. I have been to Cusco and MP 9 years ago. Can you get cellular phone service along the route. The staff that is helping me out in Canada might need to contact me. What is the best way? I guess they do not have wi-fi on the bus.

Thanks

Bernie

Sorry Bernie, but I'm sure the buses don't have wi-fi. In fact, you will be out of range during most of your travelling time. Nevertheless, look for locutorios in all the towns and villages you pass through. They provide incredibly inexpensive telephone and internet service. No need to use your own expensive mobile phone service, unless you are addicted to instant gratification.
http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Locutorio

Thanks again.

I will take your advice.

Bernie

Thanks very much, that is so helpful.

Cheers

Jonsalt