Argentina

Back in 2012 we were cycle touring in Argentina, Patagonia. Below is some of the things we learned while there, so it might be valid still and also written like we are about to go or just arrived 🙂

Here is all the blog posts I wrote about our cycle tour in Argentina.

Maps
Google map is pretty good though don’t take it for granted. OpenStreetMap is lacking but is getting better. Paper maps don’t agree with each others. Some are up to date, other has random details. So pack a few and ask around.

Roads:
From what we have seen the tarmac roads are good with a wide hard packed gravel shoulder. The “el ripio” are generally good, but we have been warned “what ever you do don’t cycle on the Argentinian road while cycle there” 🙂

So we are looking “forward” to the next few months of riding.

Oh be prepared for the dust and lot off.

Drivers:
The Argentinians are more aggressive drivers than the Chileans. They tend not to slow down while passing us, which causes a massive dust cloud to engulf you. They also pass you closer than the Chileans and I have yet to see an Argentinian slow down and give way at a pedestrian crossing.

One good thing is that most of the cars in Argentina have a dead muffler on their exhaust so you can heard them coming form a long way off

Camping
Plenty of campsites around though hard to find, see maps above. The ones you pay at are $35(aeg) and down per person per night.

Tourist information:
Like Chile Argentina suffers from the “not my department, not my job and can’t be asked” attitude when coming to the part of giving you information about your onwards travels. Especially when they have the “official” hat on for their company or town. Don’t even think about asking what is going on in Chile and how to get there from Argentina, they will not give you any information. The tourist information offices, campsite or hotels we have tried to contact via email are rarely answering these email. Though when you get an email you get good information. But be prepared to get random info, from what you have heard form other travellers, tourist information or even the company that is doing the services your are inquiring about.

Ask someone “is there a bus from A to B? The reply will be “yes” and that is it, until you ask for more. The service is not like the I-sites in New Zealand, where the answer would be something like – “yes there is but I think they have stopped for the season, so you have to either go via C or D, let me call for you”

Though that said, when you meet a Argentinian without any hat on, they will go out of their way to help you. With information, drive hundreds of kilometres out of their way to help you or put you up for the night with full board without any question or demands regarding payment.

One thing we learnt here was to ask, ask and ask again and when when you get 4-5 answers that are the same you go with that answer, though with a grain of salt.

Border crossings:
Going into Argentina you will be checked for contaminated goods, such as dairy, meat and fresh fruits. Which makes planning ahead a few days while touring a bit hard, when you want fresh veggies with you, know that there aren’t any shops for miles and you have to cross the border.

So make sure that you have none with you as you pass the border, and do remember to tick the box on the form saying that you are carrying “contaminated” food, because if you should have forgotten some garlic, like we did, they can’t give you a massive fine. Argentina is a little more slack on the checks, though I would recommend to be “clean” just make the crossing easier.

We have heard up to three hours and more wait at the crossings, when they really check over a bus and every bag they can find.

You will get a few forms to fill in and they will check and stamp your passport, again do learn your passport number because it will get used, not only at the border crossings in shops too. And don’t lose the paperwork they give you, you will need it as you cross the next border.