South america travel - 4-5 nights?

[Anonymous]

DH and I want to go somewhere in South America this spring, but don't know much about it. I'm researching online, but would love opinions on where we could go for a long weekend - 4-5 nights max.

I would love to do Patagonia at some point, but based on what I'm reading online, it seems to be more of a week-long trip at least.

[Anonymous]

i was in Patagonia last month and you definitely need at least a week--it will take about 24 hours travel on both ends just to get to Patagonia. I actually asked a similar question to this a few weeks ago and got some great answers. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/700793.page#12339841

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:i was in Patagonia last month and you definitely need at least a week--it will take about 24 hours travel on both ends just to get to Patagonia. I actually asked a similar question to this a few weeks ago and got some great answers. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/700793.page#12339841

Thanks, PP! This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for and we have similar interests (some museums, hiking, water activities). I'm going to look into flights into BA - I like that poster's recommendation re: flying all day Thursday and getting there in the evening.

[Anonymous]

I thought the BA suggestion in that linked thread was spot on. If you're willing to change planes in Miami or Houston (like you'd need for BA), you can go pretty much anywhere you want.

Montevideo, Cartagena (if it's wrong to love Cartagena ... oh well ... I love it), Santiago. I probably wouldn't go to Peru. You don't have enough time for Machu Picchu. Maybe Quito? I've never been but my parents really enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

I did 5 days to Buenos Aires. We didn’t go anywhere else in Srgentina but if you stick to one city 4-5 days is an ok amount of time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I did 5 days to Buenos Aires. We didn’t go anywhere else in Srgentina but if you stick to one city 4-5 days is an ok amount of time.

Thanks! More and more I'm liking the idea of Argentina despite the crappy flight. What did you do there and any recommendations or things/places to avoid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did 5 days to Buenos Aires. We didn’t go anywhere else in Srgentina but if you stick to one city 4-5 days is an ok amount of time.

And we would stick to BA except maybe one day trip or something if it fits.

[Anonymous]

Ecuador is such a faster flight! And, so much cheaper. I love Argentina, but there are so many closer places that are also awesome.

[Anonymous]

I'd put in a plug for Panama City. The canal, rainforest, old quarter and nice hotels makes for a fun, interesting few days and it's an easy direct flight.

[Anonymous]

I LOVE Argentina. But it's a tough flight -- they run these leaky old airplanes with poor cabin pressurization. Don't try it for 4-5 days.

Colombia, Peru -- both closer -- more exotic an hopping.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did 5 days to Buenos Aires. We didn’t go anywhere else in Srgentina but if you stick to one city 4-5 days is an ok amount of time.

Thanks! More and more I'm liking the idea of Argentina despite the crappy flight. What did you do there and any recommendations or things/places to avoid?

If you can deal with the flight, it's a GREAT trip. You will love it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I did 5 days to Buenos Aires. We didn’t go anywhere else in Srgentina but if you stick to one city 4-5 days is an ok amount of time.

Thanks! More and more I'm liking the idea of Argentina despite the crappy flight. What did you do there and any recommendations or things/places to avoid?

I'll give you one tip. Look up at the sky at night. It's huge. I don't understand enough science to explain why but it's remarkably clear and beautiful. People also (or their maids at any rate) put out lots of plants on their balconies. In the nice areas, it feels like a garden.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:i was in Patagonia last month and you definitely need at least a week--it will take about 24 hours travel on both ends just to get to Patagonia. I actually asked a similar question to this a few weeks ago and got some great answers. http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/700793.page#12339841

Thanks, PP! This is exactly the kind of feedback I was looking for and we have similar interests (some museums, hiking, water activities). I'm going to look into flights into BA - I like that poster's recommendation re: flying all day Thursday and getting there in the evening.

That’s me! I’m the poster who took the all day flight to BA and arrived at 9pm local time. I flew AA from DCA to MIA then onto BA. While AA isn’t my favorite airline, it was the only airline that had flights I wanted. I did NOT want to go through Texas, that adds too much time. Flying back your only option really will be red eyes, but who cares, because vacation is over.

If you want BA specific ideas, ask.

[Anonymous]

Go to Cartagena. It’s an easy flight and 4-5 nights is the perfect amount of time. Beautiful city.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I LOVE Argentina. But it's a tough flight -- they run these leaky old airplanes with poor cabin pressurization. Don't try it for 4-5 days.

Colombia, Peru -- both closer -- more exotic an hopping.

I don't think you can really do Peru (the good parts of Peru, anyway) in a long weekend because of the altitude; it takes a while to adjust.