Patagonia People & Culture

calafate is a safe small town in argentina, it is easy to get around, and it is safe for women travelling alone. the main attaction is the Perito moreno glacier. there are lots of things to do in the glacier such as take a boat, or hiking or climbing. people are super friendly. you should bring a warm jacket or a rain coat.

Generally the dress code in Bariloche is very casual so you do not have to prepare anything fancy. Most of the discos are full of very young people specially in the peak of the sky season which is between June and September. 
You can definitely wear jeans and not coats or ties are required.

Visit Perrito Morreno glacier in the afternoon because there are to many people in the morning. If you go in the afternoon you will enjoy much more the place because the last hour you will be there almost alone. El Calafate is based on tourism so keep in mind that they are only interested in your money.

Cruises to Antarctica are very expensive....worth it, but expensive. While most people book their cruise way in advance, it is possible to get a hugely discounted trip by showing up days before the ship is going to depart. The cruises like to bring as many people as possible so if they have left over cabins, people can get amazing deals. We had an Aussie on our ship who showed up literally two days before we left and got a cabin on the ship for a lot cheaper then we paid. If you are willing to risk it or wait around Ushuaia for a bit, something will probably come your way.

If you going to el calafate, go to the american backpackers,  the best backpackers in south america. The place is magic, the people are so nice and... honest. I already had an excelent impression before that happened. What? I left the hotel took my bus to chile when I realised I forgot my money belt with 2000 euros in cash in my bed!!! I tried to call them before passing the border but there were no signal. When I finaly got them on the found I couldn t believe it. They found it (they could say there were nothing, I would never go back there anyway) and to avoid me to changes  my plans in my trip and have to come back to el calafate, they went to the post office, bought an envelope and gave it to the bus driver so he could bring it to me on the next day!!!When I proposed to take some money to thanks them, they refused. We were in Argentina and 2000 euros is quiet a lot of money for them, there was no ID or papers in the moneybelt only money and they gave it back to me. Not sure at all the same would have happend in europe. Thanks a lot  again for your honesty and I definatly recommend that place... 

in downtown, at Mitre Av. there are a few cozy pubs, with a certain english, irish style. the draught beer is great. Also, a must in Bariloche are their chocolates. "Abuela Goye" is my suggestion. The best disco is Grisu, nice music and nice atmosphere. And, to be honest, the "cordero patagonico"(patagonian lamb, local dish) is not big deal.

This is my favourite part of the world....Patagonia. San Martin is a must and so many beautiful lakes in this area. The town itself has a great many things to offer. I hired a bike and took a day trip mountain biking to the point and it was great. The town has roses bushes everywhere you look and the Argentine BBQ is a great feed. I will go back again and spend much more time in this part of the world in 2009. Want to join me?

Pretty much the furthest south you can go without visiting Antarctica, and if you want to do that, then Ushuaia is the place to go. Trips to Antarctica cost a fortune if you book them from home (£7-8K in the UK), if you're lucky, you can take the same trip from Ushuaia for maybe US$3-3.5K.

Even if you don't go to Antarctica, Ushuaia still has plenty to offer; the town is pleasant, there are great hikes outside town (I stayed at the Antarctica Hostel and the hostel manager took us out for some great hikes up to a nearby glacier), and the Beagle Channel boat trip is nice for the wildlife and views.

good place to be if u want to do some rafting, cycling or hiking in the beautiful nahuel huapi national park! don´t forget to visit some of many chocolate shops and try dulce de leche, tasty ice cream or one of million types of chocolate candies! recommended accomodation: hostel 1004 - situated on 10th floor; good facilites, helpful staff, reasonable price and AMAZING view!

If you like hiking then I suggest to go to the "piedra de habsburgo" where you have a nice few over a lake and over the golf place and very nice houses. The hike last only one hour from the top of Cerro Otto which you can hike in 2 hours or take a gondula up there.

Tirol in the Andes! Has the feel of a skying resort, minus the après ski. Fun enough to crash and relax for two of three days. Rented mountainbikes and had a fun ride around San Martin and the lake. Guide was a bit worried about his bikes though. Good place to eat: El Almacen. Nice atmosphere. Don't try local dishes unless you're adventurous. Rented a car leaving San Martin and dropped it off at Bariloche. No hassle, not too expensive. Great way to travel: you can stop at any of the lakes underway and sunbathe on the shores. Massive landscapes and view points!

Mucho viaje para llegar a un lugar en donde no hay muchas cosas por hacer. Si buscas tranquilidad en uno de los sitios más alejados de la tierra, Lago Blanco es tu lugar.

No perderse este lugar. El lago es un espectaculo y Chapelco, el centro de Ski es uno de los mas lindos de Argentina. Tambien hacer el camino de los 7 lagos que une San Martin con Bariloche, es una de las maravillas del mundo.

Mucho frío, pero muy seco, no se siente. El cerro Chapelco es un muy buen lugar para deportes invernales. Conviene ir en temporada alta para evitar las colas en los medios de ascenso. Hacen descuentos a estudiantes

The world's end! It's nicer on winter. It's a small town, with small houses, with an incredible view of the end of Andes and the entry of the Atlantic ocean. You can make a trip boat from there to know the Beagle channel and the differents animal's islands.

Don't miss the museum "Presidio Ushuaia" the former prison.
Really interesting and not at all boring... we spent all afternoon there!