Flying into Argentina
We are so excited to have you join us for our wedding in the beautiful Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina! We want to ensure that your trip is as memorable and seamless as possible, so here’s some important information to help you plan your journey.
Passports and visas
Citizens from the United States, Canada, most European Union countries, and many other nations do not require a visa for short stays (up to 90 days) in Argentina for tourism purposes. However, your passport must be valid for at least six months from your planned arrival date.
If you're traveling from another country or if you're unsure about visa requirements, we recommend checking for the most up-to-date information regarding entry requirements.
Recommendations
We recommend staying (at least!) November 20, 21, 22 & 23 in Valle de Uco, Mendoza.
While Valle de Uco is undoubtedly the heart of our celebration, Argentina has so much more to offer! If time allows, we encourage you to visit some of the country’s most iconic destinations to make your trip even more unforgettable.
Wedding guests should consider arriving in Buenos Aires the weekend before the wedding, providing a great opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Buenos Aires first. Before heading to Mendoza, this will allow you to get a feel for the culture and attractions. After the wedding, going to Patagonia could be a great idea.
Flying into Argentina
Below are our suggestions for the best US and European flight arrangements.
Suggestions:
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If flying to Buenos Aires the weekend before the wedding, as recommended, there are direct flights from Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, New York City, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Madrid, and Rome.
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There are quick 1-stopover routes directly to Mendoza from many cities, but they require connections in Panama, Lima, or Santiago in Chile.
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If you´re flying from Los Angeles or London, you must make a stopover flight.
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American Airlines used to service direct flights from LAX to EZE, but the service has not been reinstated since pre-COVID.
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By the time of the wedding, the direct LAX - EZE service may be restarted, but I wouldn’t plan on it.
Please note:
Buenos Aires has two airports. There are frequent flights daily from Buenos Aires to Mendoza.
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The nicest domestic airline in Argentina is Aerolineas Argentinas. You can fly domestically with this airline in proper first class with larger seats if that is something you are after.
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There are also a couple of budget airlines like JetSmart and Flybondi. Both work well and are quite inexpensive. We prefer JetSmart.
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Ezeiza (EZE) is the large airport -further outside the city- which services almost all long-haul international flights and some domestic flights. This airport is about a 30-45 minute drive from Buenos Aires city center, depending on traffic.
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Aeroparque (AEP) is the smaller airport (still quite large) that is central to the city of Buenos Aires. This airport typically services domestic flights. It also services regional international flights to Chile and other neighboring countries. It is much more convenient to go to and from this airport when traveling around Argentina if you are using Buenos Aires as your hub because it´s only about a 10-15 minute drive from the city center.
Flying from Buenos Aires to Mendoza
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If you plan on flying from Buenos Aires to Mendoza, AEP airport will be quicker. But EZE tends to be larger and generally more comfortable if you require special assistance boarding planes, etc.
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Mendoza has one main airport, “El Plumerillo” (MDZ). It offers regular flights to and from Buenos Aires, as well as a few other destinations across Argentina. The airport is located approximately 20-30 minutes from Mendoza city center. Valle de Uco, famous for its wineries, is about a 1.5-hour drive away.
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It is easy to get confused when looking for flights to Mendoza and various places in Argentina. It isn’t because the airlines are bad or anything like that, it’s just that many European and US search engines don’t always list all the available ways to get around down there. I recommend having a full itinerary of all your flights booked before going down there so you have a schedule to keep up with. AmexTravel does a decent job with flight connections with Aerolineas Argentinas. But for the cheapest flight connections, FlyBondi or Jetsmart websites are what you'll want to look into.
After the wedding travel
All the ways back are the same routes available as getting to Mendoza or Buenos Aires, but if you are looking to go to Patagonia after the wedding - something many have already expressed interest in - there are direct flights from Mendoza to Bariloche, which is a great stepping stone into Patagonia. It is a small, beautiful city in the northern part of Patagonia in the lake district of Argentina. We think Patagonia is a must-visit. From the serene lakes and majestic mountains of Bariloche to the awe-inspiring peaks of Fitz Roy and the dramatic glaciers of Perito Moreno, this region offers some of the most breathtaking views in the world. Hike the famous trails of Torres del Paine National Park, wander through the picturesque town of El Chaltén, or take in the glaciers and wildlife. Patagonia will leave you in awe at every turn.
If you can’t find a flight from Mendoza airport, you can connect through Buenos Aires. From Bariloche, you can easily fly to other renowned Patagonia destinations.
Remember that only Bariloche will fly you back to Mendoza, so if you plan on going down to Patagonia and exploring, we recommend you organize your travel back from Buenos Aires as it will be easier to get back to Buenos Aires from wherever you end up on your journey south.
If you’re considering extending your journey, late spring is an incredible time to explore Patagonia, with lupines blooming all around. The snowcapped mountains add to the beauty, especially with Thanksgiving just a few days away.
Please check the “Things to do section” for more information.
Transport
Getting Around Mendoza & Valle de Uco
In Mendoza, both the city and the vineyards are easily accessible from the airport by Uber or Cabify; and most hotels will also arrange a shuttle from the airport and around the wineries if needed.
Uber vs Renting a car in Valle de Uco
Getting around Valle de Uco is easy. Uber is available if you book it in advance. Hotels will also arrange transportation for you. However, having a car is also convenient if you want to explore the area a bit more, and it will also give you more freedom when it comes to exploring the greater wine region and the city of Mendoza. Most major rental car companies have offices at the airport, but BOOK EARLY. It’s a holiday weekend and we expect lots of tourists to be around.
Available rental Car Businesses include Hertz, Avis, Europecar, Express Rent a Car (next to Sheraton in City Center), and PIPKIN (our friend’s rental car company - contact for details).
Shuttle Service for Wedding Events
We recommend that you use our shuttles when it comes to going to and from the wedding venue or any of our events.
Renting a car in Buenos Aires
We do not recommend renting a car in Buenos Aires due to challenges with parking and heavy city traffic.
If you decide to rent a car, here are a few important things to keep in mind when driving in Mendoza:
Alcohol Limit in Mendoza:
Argentina has a 0% alcohol tolerance while driving. We think it mandatory to stay away altogether from a single beer or glass of wine if you are driving anywhere in Argentina, as there are many police control stops on the road.
However, Mendoza, as a wine country, is the only state in Argentina that has any alcohol tolerance. The limit is .5 grams of alcohol per liter of blood. That equates to 0.04% BAC, which is the system of units familiar to Americans. To put that in perspective, the limit in Mendoza is half the limit of 0.08% BAC in California. 0.5 grams per liter of blood is roughly one and a half beers or two glasses of wine for an 80 KG man.
Driving with Headlights
One key rule when driving in Argentina is that you are required to keep your headlights on at all times, both during the day and at night. This is a strict regulation with no exceptions.
Police Checkpoints
In Argentina, police checkpoints are as common as road signs—you're bound to come across one at some point. These checkpoints are a permanent part of the road system. Officers will check that your headlights are on (no exceptions!), and they may also ask you to take a breathalyzer test. So, if you’re driving, especially around the wineries, be prepared for a quick “breath of fresh air”—it’s all part of the routine!
Agricultural Checkpoints
Throughout Mendoza, you’ll come across a few agricultural checkpoints. Don’t worry, they’re usually quick! Officers from the Department of Agriculture will likely ask if you’re carrying any fruit in your car, or they might do a random inspection (though that’s pretty rare). Just answer their questions, and you’ll be on your way in no time!
*When approaching a police or agricultural checkpoint be sure to use your hazard lights.
Driving in Patagonia
While driving throughout Patagonia, especially along the Carretera Austral in both Argentine and Chilean Patagonia, is possible, and many people do it (including ourselves), be aware that distances are long. The quickest routes in Argentina often take you through desert tundra, which, while beautiful, may not showcase the stunning mountain scenery. The most beautiful Drive would be Bariloche - Trevelin - Coyhaique - Puerto Tranquilo. But from Puerto Tranquilo, it´s a long drive through the desert until you get to Chalten or Calafate.
If you’re up for this, make sure you’ve got a lot of time and a serious sense of adventure and be prepared for challenging terrain requiring four-wheel drive vehicles. Traveling enjoyably throughout the entirety of the mountain regions of Patagonia can take over a month, so it’s advisable to choose one or two key locations if you only have a week.