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Hi Thorn Tree!

I will be visiting my sister in Argentina for 10 days in mid-May. She is currently studying in Buenos Aires, and I'm going to meet her and spend 3 days/2 nights there before we do a bit more traveling. I am 27 and she is 23. We are both fairly adventurous travelers and are both fairly fluent in spanish. Neither of us drive, so we will probably travel mostly by bus. We are happy to take overnight bus rides but would like to avoid spending too much valuable daytime on buses. We are also open to short plane trips if not too expensive.

The regions we are most interested in visiting are Mendoza and Salta, although we are also somewhat interested in stopping in Rosario and/or Cordoba if people recommend them.

Do you think it is worth trying to visit both Mendoza and Salta? Or should we stick with one and explore the region? We like pretty, historical cities, indigenous culture, and some nightlife, but also like to explore nature wherever we go. This makes Salta and the surrounding region attractive, but I worry that it is so far away. It also sounds like the weather will be warmer there in May, but I wonder if our nature adventure options may be limited without a car.

Mendoza seems a bit more relaxing, is not so far, and I hear the foliage is beautiful at that time of year, but I'm not sure whether it offers as much in terms of culture? Ideally we'd do both, but still unsure whether its feasible considering our time constraints.

ANY advice, suggestions, or experiences you have with any of the places mentioned would be deeply appreciated. Thanks so much!!!

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2

Argentina is a vast country and ten days isn't much time. You'll need a few days for Buenos Aires. Which other places you can choose? Out of the two that you mentioned, I'd choose Salta, adding small towns in the area (Jujuy, Humahuaca, Tilcara).
Other obvious options are Iguazu Falls, that shouldn't be missed, or visiting Colonia del Sacramento in Uruguay, going by ferry from BA.

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3

I second the above advice to stay in the Salta region. Ten days is too short to spend extra days on a bus, even overnight buses. Since you don't drive you can join a small tour to see the towns. A few years ago I joined a small day tour of about 15 people, and had them leave me at Purmamarca for several days, where I hiked around and took a short bus to Tilcara, then got picked up and visited Jujuy and Humahuaca with the same tour company. From Salta you can also visit the wine region around Cafayate if that interests you.

I would skip Rosario and Cordoba, Iguazu Falls and Colonia, unless you really want to visit one of those places, based on what you wrote. And there is so much to see in Buenos Aires, you need more than 3 days to do anything other than hit the highlights.

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4

Definitely just do one of Mendoza and Salta area, too much travelling to do both.

If you decide to go to Mendoza, here is the best cmpilatio of tourist activities and information I have found thus far,
http://spanishinmendozaargentina.greenash.net.au/mendoza/

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5

SALTA and area 100%

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6

Thanks all!

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7

The Salta region is incredible! I rented a car there for 4 days and the different landscapes that you see in such a short amount of time is amazing. (Pretty sure you can get to all of the little towns by bus as well). Also the cute town of Cafayate is about 4 hours south of Salta town, and it's very famous for its wine - meaning you can incorporate some delicious wine tasting into your Salta trip! (It can't replace Mendoza, but the wine is still very good!)

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8

Thank you so much! It looks like we are going to divide our time between BA and the Salta region! I only wish my sister or I could drive, since it seems like the best exploration there can be done by car. We'll make do though. The plight of native NYers!

Any other tips on Salta are much appreciated, including transport to and from BA. It looks to be about 20 hours on bus. Does anyone know of inexpensive airlines to check out?

Thanks again all!

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9

I dont drive either and I lived 13 yrs in usa in chicago where the public transport is ok
yes it is a long ride there are no no inexpensive airlines here only lan and aerolineas argentinas and all foreigners must pay high prices in usd! bus is a bitch but the coaches are comfortable better than any greyhound with sleeper seats etc but your looking probably at about $1000pesos one way go to plataform10 to check prices and routes in spanish only i think
feliz viaje

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