Private Tours - Buenos Aires & Puerto Montt

[TMM9]

Just got back not long ago from a HAL Cruise, Rio to Santiago.

With the exception of taking the ship cruise to Isla Magdalena we did everything on our own. Our private tour experience ranged from very unhappy to very satisfied. The one problem we encountered was the poor level of spoken English but if the Guide was enthusiastic that made up for the language impediment. In Rio our guide was very fluent in English but being in the business for over 15 years and on the obese side he showed little enthusiasm for his work.

So I thought I would share the extremes of our experience starting with the worst.

Our worst experinece was with ALSUR Expediciones out of Puerto Montt. We arranged an eight hour private tour at US$120 per person for two people to see the Petrohue Falls, the Orsono Volcano and the surrounding countryside.

Our guide was self taught and had excellent English skills. Given our limited time on shore we explained we wished to start our excursion promptly and accordingly we were the first to dis-embark shortly after 8.00am only to finally find our guide at around 8.25am. While everyone else had hand signs this gentlemen did not but through a process of elimination and the fact that we are Asian there was mutual recognition. We got to our van, a vehicle which certainly had seen better days[ in contrast to the new Mercedes Vans parked nearby], and then we had to wait till 8.45am as the driver had disappeared somewhere. When we got to the Falls our Guide said the US$ 2 admission per person was not covered, when we got to the ski lift area we were advised not to take the chair lifts and when we had our lunch we were told it was not covered and when we finally returned to settle our account the price per person became US $125. Needless to say we paid under the original understanding and the owner was not around. Oh yes, in our first stop in the picturesque town of Puerto Varas our introduction was limited to meeting the owner of two higher end lapis stores. When we showed little enthusiasm having visited and bought at H.Stern in Rio we were informed we had free time to wander around on our own. Now our negative experience maybe the fault of the Guide we had but the condition of our van and the initial absence of the driver should be blamed on the owner. So we emphatically do not recommend this company.

At the other extreme was a company called Private Tours out of Buenos Aires. I would recommend this firm without reservation. The Tour Manager, Carlos spent countless e-mails educating me on which Tango show to go to and when we visited his professionalism was of the highest order. His English was superb but while he was commited to another party in the morning we were entirely satisfied with the guide he arranged for us. Our guide's English was perhaps better but both individuals were enthusiastic in showing us their city and keen to help us in any of our needs. To boot the price was reasonable and the guides themselves were in their early thirties and very well turned out. It made our trip to Buenos Aires a most positive experience, so much so we have plans to return in the New Year. To be fair Buenos Aires is a beautiful city but it does not have the geographic splendour of Rio. It makes up for it in all other respects and we do intend to return to Rio as well.

[Aussie Gal]

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experiences with the different tours.

 

I will email your guide in Buenos Airies and see what we can tee up. We are not going for 13 months but that time will fly. We are so looking forward to seeing South America.

 

Jennie

[HALGirl]

TMM9

 

Thanks for the post about your tour experience in Buenos Aries and Puerto Montt. We have arranged to use Privatetours for our 2 day stop in Buenos Aries. Carlos has been wonderful in customizing the itinerary to fit in all we want to see. We hope to meet him but it is nice to know that other guides are experienced. Have you used anyone else in other ports aside from Puerto Montt?

 

Thanks,

Joanne

[NDRB]

Joanne, may I ask exactly what attractions you have lined up to see in BA with Carlos?

 

Nina

[TMM9]

Joanne,

 

We used 4Stars in Rio and if you have not finalized your plans I would recommend going to Iguassu Falls. It represents the highlight of our South American trip and IMO the only way to do it is on a two night, three day excursion. On the Brazil side I would stay in the Hotel in the Park. Cristina did an exceptional job in arranging my stay in Rio and Iguassu. Her rates were excellent because she got us an extremely reasonable air ticket to Iguassu. As noted earlier Emilio, the Guide we got in Rio was on the lazy side so if you should pursue this you might specifically ask not to have him. Their Guide in Iguassu had limited English but he worked hard and was sincere in his efforts. They all pale in attitude and professionalism when compared to Carlos. My impression is that Argentina stands out in South America in their standards and attitude. We as noted did not share the same enthusiasm for Chile.

In Montevideo we got a taxi driver to drive us to Punta del Este for US$150. Limited English and car was not in the greatest condition so we were neutral on this tour. Incidentally felt the leather goods were way overrated in Montevideo. The best leather is to be found in Buenos Aires and the best shop is Casa Lopez. But the prices are much higher at Casa Lopez. I bought leather that is water resistant; it comes from an animal called the Carpincho and is loud brown in colour with speckles. Because of this quality priced accordingly. You can get a better selection, better quality and slightly better prices in Ushuaia. While I bought this jacket more as a souvenir I really love it now because it is warm and great for the Vancouver rainy weather.

Visited Falkland Islands, did not take any tours. Many, my wife included wondered why people would live in such a place. It really is in the middle of nowhere but if one does not mind isolation and enjoys the wilderness the place has its attractions. With this inclination I would much rather stay in Ushuaia . While it is not as isolated the geography is far more beautiful. We went in a taxi and we negotiated a wonderful price. The driver had next to no English but he was a very nice man, portly and pleased to share his knowledge of the area. His car was clean to boot. My wife passed on anther driver who was recommended for his English skills as he seemed more of an opportunist. So at the end of the day one has to trust one's judgement.

 

Stayed in a bed and breakfast named Robinson Crusoe in Valparaiso. The owner is a polo player and a Chilean aristocrat. You would never believe it when meeting him; he is so low key. Serves an exceptional breakfast. The only shortcoming is the rooms are tiny so one should book the largest. If you like modern then it would be better to stay in the Casino in Vina Del Mar. Our friends stayed there and were very pleased; they disliked the Sheraton in Santiago because they found it too small. We stayed in the Crowne Plaza in Santiago. It's well situated to the tourist sites but if we visit again we will stay in the upper scale business and residential neighbourhood of Providencia. Can acees everything by the subway system which is new, efficient and very easy to figure out.

 

Finally, if one wishes to spend serious money then Rio is the place and H.Stern is the store to do it. Amsterdam Sauer offers better prices on precious stones but you gotta like the style of H.Stern. We or rather my wife spent too much time at the store so I never did get a chance to walk the beach and ogle the girls on Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches. FWIW we did not see any fabulously attractive girls that Rio is known for and we have since learnt the best looking ladies are to be found in the three southern provinces, in particular Santa Cantarina.

[Aussie Gal]

TMM9,

 

We have already organized our time in Rio and visiting the Iguazu Falls. We have done this part of our trip booking through a company here in Australia. We will be staying at the Sheraton Hotel overlooking the falls in Iguazu on the Argentinian side. We have a falls view room which should be great. We are staying for the 2 nights/3 days and we will also have about 3 and a half days in Rio before boarding the Regal Princess.

 

We are so looking forward to visiting South America.

 

Jennie

[TMM9]

Jennie,

 

Good for you for going to Iguassu but may I be so bold as to suggest you might wish to give an extra two or three days more to Rio. Afterall you may not go back again and hopefully you plan to stay a while in Santiago, Chile for the same reason.

I have read negative reviews of the Sheraton in Rio on this board. We stayed at the Ipanema Plaza which is cheaper but we found Ipanema area to be preferable to Copacabana. The problem with Rio is that safety is an issue and Copa with so many tourist is not regarded as safe. My wife would have preferred to stay in a better hotel because she felt the room was not as clean as she would like but I was entirely satisfied. It was recommended by the New York Times and Frommers. When you go to Rio you should have one dinner at the Marius Crustaceous if you are into seafood and I thoroughly enjoyed the pasta at Restaurant Mio just behind Ipanema Plaza. Their chocolate cake is to die for as is Rio's coffee and the freshly squeezed juices for under US$1.

Being that you are from Australia you must be jocks or the female equivalent, sorry for the stereotype. Anyways think of going handgliding, a once in a lifetime experience in Rio but plan well ahead. My wife wanted to do it; unfortunately on the two days we were on standby the winds were not conducive. Actually she since I didn't have the nerve.

[Aussie Gal]

TMM9,

 

Thanks for your good advice. We are actually staying at the Sofitel in Rio, which is on the border of Ipanema and Copacobana and is a beautiful hotel. We aren't just doing the 21 day cruise + Rio and Iguazzu Falls but going onto Cuzco and Machu Picchu after the cruise, then on to Quito and the Galapagos - doing a 5 day cruise there - and then to Lima and finally Santiago before flying home. As we will be away over 6 weeks we cannot allow any more time in Rio, as we are leaving home on 2nd January, straight after Christmas.

 

I am not sure of the expression "Jocks" but we are not into handgliding so won't be doing that. We have done hot air ballooning and that is about as far as thrills go for us.

 

Jennie

[TMM9]

That's right, now I recall reading your travel plans and you are doing EVERYTHING. Wow.

I heard great things about Sofitel.

[Bazbel]

Thanks for taking the time to tell us about your experiences with the different tours.

 

I will email your guide in Buenos Airies and see what we can tee up. We are not going for 13 months but that time will fly. We are so looking forward to seeing South America.

 

Jennie

Hi Jennie,

Good to see another Australian on the board.

We leave Australia on the 02.02.05 and do much the same as you with the addition of the Amazon and taking the ship up the west coast thru the Panama Canal into FLL.

Will be in touch.

Bazbel

[Aussie Gal]

Bazbel

 

Welcome to the Boards. You will find them a wealth of information. What ship are you going on. You are lucky, only two months to go. We are going to do the Amazon on a separate cruise, probably in 2006 later in the year. I have seen a great one leaving from Canada and going through the Panama and then up the Amazon arriving finally into FLL.

 

Jennie.

[ClaudiaF]

Thanks for the info.. but you wrote that you were wearing that Rolex..

Best to leave the good stuff at home esp with all that we keep reading about the pick pockets in Argentina and Rio.

Lucky no one got hurt.

[jasl]

Wow, what a nasty set-up this Gustavo Tours. You can rely on Carlos of Privatetours, have used him last year and am seeing him again December 20th. Of course, anything can happen, even in his presence, but he certainly is very reliable. Have recommended him to several others on this board and everyone has reported that they have been very satisfied. One lady left her sweater in his car and he even mailed it to her in Boston.

[scapel]

We used Carlos in Puerta Montt. But then again, it was probably a different Carlos. The only other piece of jewelery I wear is a cross on a chain around my neck. I will remember to take it off. Just forgot about the everyday watch.

[HALGirl]

Nina,

 

Sorry it took me so long to reply. We booked 2 full days in BA with Privatetours/Carlos. We are meeting up with 2 cruisecritic couples we met on this board. Day 1 we are doing a Fiesta Gaucha Tour and in the evening a Tango Show. Day 2 we are doing BA South & North City Tour w/lunch in Pto Madero and 1 extra hour to tour Recoleta area & Evita Mausoleum. Hope this helps you in your planning.

 

Joanne

[HALGirl]

TMM9,

 

Thanks for the helpful info. We are staying 2 nights at the Radisson in Santiago and hope it is in a convenient location. Then we booked a package and are staying one night in Vina del mar at the Hotel del Mar before transferring to Valpo and boarding the Amsterdam. We only have 2 full days in RIO so we won't make it to the Falls this trip. We are staying at the Sofitel and plan to take mostly private tours as I am aware of the safety issues. (1) Day we disembark from the ship and after we check into the hotel we plan to see Corcovado & the Christ. Then we booked tours w/Luiz Amaral as follows (2) Historical tour w/Santa Teresa & Sugar Loaf then Local Rio by Night (3) Petropolis & Itaipava then we go home that evening.

 

Joanne

[shifty]

Do you have contact inforamtion (email address/ phone, etc) for "Private Tours" in Buenos Aires?

 

Thanks.

 

Mike S

[knightjrk]

do you have the E-mail of carlos we will be in B A on the 30and 31 of jan

 

thanks J. R.

[stefer]

I booked with Carlos too!! Here is contact info:

 

Website: http://www.privatetours.com.ar

E-mail : info@privatetours.com.ar