1. Argentina
  2. Argentina Trip Reviews
  3. Best of Argentina: mix of active and cultural

There are 2 things that I think are the harde...
Argentina | Dec 28 - Jan 6, 2024

Erica
Erica M.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Jan 28, 2024

There are 2 things that I think are the hardest about planning a major trip - the decisions about what to do and the logistics. Working with Juan Ignacio and McDermotts made what felt big feat a very easy endeavor. Within 4 weeks, Juan Ignacio helped us plan a 10-day, 3-city tour in Argentina, and we could not have had a better experience.

From mountain biking to airport pick up and drop off, everything was planned to perfection with top notch guides and earlier-than-on-time time pick up.
. Highlights included:
- Mountain bike ride and lake sailing in Bariloche- Villa Angostura with Facundo and his brother Nico
- Kayak and lunch at Estancia Bonanza in El Chalten
- Amazing views and scenery
- Bike ride in Buenos Aires
- 5 flights- all on time or early, 10 airport transfers- all private, 3 hotels- all 4 star, 8 excursions w/ meals

I would go this route again with future trip planning. All you need to do is let go and show up!

Hotel Reviews
Chalten Suites Hotel
El Chalten

Great location, lovely staff, awesome room with some expectations. Laundry service option was great!

Authenticity & Character
Great views, very lodgy, nice staff.
Location
Perfect location to everything we needed in El Chalten. Everything was in walking distance, and it’s close to a bustling cafe that had live music.
Staff
Very helpful and friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, great laundry service option, good breakfast. Could use greens on windows given no a/c.
CasaSur Palermo Hotel
Buenos Aires
Authenticity & Character
Modern in answer area of the city.
Location
Great location, walking distance to restaurants and shopping areas.
Staff
Attentive staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Good breakfast. some of the remodel looked half finished, particularly in the bathroom, which made it feel like you were a construction zone. Unsure if that’s the intended style.
Cacique Inacayal Lake Hotel & Spa
San Carlos de Bariloche

Great staff, beautiful hotel with a lot of potential, but it needs some repair and updates. Needs screens on the windows given no need to open windows at night.

Authenticity & Character
Beautiful and close to the lake, stunning view, love the overall vibe if the hotel.
Location
Close to downtown San Carlos
Staff
Exceptional staff. Very helpful. 5 star.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Clean but areas in need of repair. Needs screens on windows for non a/c rooms. Hotelnis gorgeous with some TLC needed.
Cassa Lepage Art Hotel Buenos Aires
Buenos Aires

Gorgeous, modern, comfortable bed.

Authenticity & Character
Loved the art theme of this hotel. Stunning and well done. Great story of the building tied to the architecture and the artwork.
Location
Close to Adam Telmo and plaza Mayor. Close to cafes and restaurants. Love the proximity to the older part of the city- walking distance to many things.
Staff
Friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean, very comfortable bed, large bathroom and overall space. The room had a little hallway with a solarium. We really loved this room. Breakfast was great in a beautiful setting.
Activity Reviews
Mountain biking by Arrayanes Forest followed by a boat trip on Nahuel Huapi Lake
Mountain biking by Arrayanes Forest followed by a boat trip on Nahuel Huapi Lake
Bariloche

A ride to Villa Angostura- a smaller town north of San Carlos. This was one or favorite experiences with Facundo and Nico. We mountain biked with Facundo in the Arrayanes Forest- a forest of sacred trees native to the region. We also took a boat ride on the lake Nuahel Huapi. This was physically challenging at the beginning and we finished a relaxing sail I the afternoon with a home cooked meal prepared Nico.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bicycle tour of Palermo and Recoleta
Bicycle tour of Palermo and Recoleta
Buenos Aires

We loved our guide Ricky. We enjoyed the dozing bike ride while seeing the city. We had mate in the park and so the Recoleta cemetery. We had an excellent lunch with traditional cuisine- stews and empanada.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Tour of Bariloche city, visit Campanario Hill and a short trek
Tour of Bariloche city, visit Campanario Hill and a short trek
Bariloche

This was fun and relaxing- we took a chair lift ride to see the beautiful views of the lake area. We went to Patagonia brewery, where we enjoyed drinks and lunch. We dipped our toes in cold glacier lake water. We had a private driver.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Kayaking on Rio Las Vueltas
Kayaking on Rio Las Vueltas
El Chaltén

Great experience. We would liked this to be more difficult but we enjoyed it overall.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Juan Ignacio Pissareff
Juan Ignacio
Juan Ignacio Pissareff
Local specialist in Buenos Aires | Replied on Jan 31, 2024

Hola Erica and John,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It's been a pleasure for me and all the Mac Dermott's family working with you and get the best experience visiting our home country.
We really enjoyed organizing your trip, and I'm so glad I got to meet you here in Buenos Aires, and we look forward to welcoming you back for more unforgettable experiences in the future!
All the best,
Juan Ignacio.

Read all Argentina reviews