destinations, prices, quotas and the keys that mark this season

One month left until winter school break -the expected ones Half year vacations– which, for the City of Buenos Aires and the province, begins on Monday, July 15 and ends on Friday the 26th. On these same dates, Tierra del Fuego, Santa Cruz, Santiago del Estero, Misiones, Jujuy, Formosa, Corrientes, Chubut also have holidays. and Chaco. In the rest of the provinces, the holidays start a week earlier, from July 8 to 19. And in La Pampa, from the 10th to the 23rd.

For those who are thinking about taking a few days and traveling – and still don’t have reservations or a clear idea of ​​what they want – it’s time to start defining. The possibilities are endless, but your wishes will have to be adapted to the time and budget available.

Winter holidays can be synonymous with fun plans to spend the day somewhere nearby, a weekend getaway or a multi-day trip.

There are plenty of scenarios to inspire you: a marine horizon in Mar del Plata, or mountain ranges in Tandil and Sierra de la Ventana; ecotourism in some of the country’s National Parks, such as Talampaya in La Rioja, El Palmar in Entre Ríos or Iguazú in Misiones, to name just a few; a trip to visit one of the ski centers or snow parks; a circuit through the Northwest between towns and traditions; whale watching in Puerto Madryn or birds and other animals in the Iberá Wetlands; a visit with tasting and other activities in a winery in Mendoza, Salta, Córdoba, Buenos Aires or Chubut; relaxing on the beaches of Brazil or the Caribbean and many other options.

Expectations in destinations and tourism providers move at the pace of the ups and downs of the Argentine economy, and are accompanied by a high share of caution when making forecasts.

The president of the AHT (Association of Tourism Hotels), an entity that represents 4 and 5 star hotels in Argentina, Gabriela Ferrucci, notes that there is a notorious difference in occupancy levels between snow destinationssuch as Bariloche and Tierra del Fuego, and the rest of the regionswith a lower demand (here you can see the rates in the ski centers of Argentina).

“In previous years, reservations were made further in advance. We don’t think it’s the best season, but we have expectations,” says Ferrucci.

For her part, Ximena Aretino, general director of Aadesa Hotel Management, with 16 hotels in Argentina, highlights that people look for less crowded, more exclusive spaces, less massive.

There is “an increase in demand for more flexible packages with financing options. Travelers are increasingly looking for offers that allow them to plan in advance and adapt to possible changes in their travel plans,” explains Aretino, and assures that in their hotels – several of them in snow destinations, such as El Faro Boutique Hotel & Spa by DON in Villa La Angostura, Refugio Knapp at the base of Cerro Catedral or El Refugio Ski & Summer Lodge in San Martín de los Andes -, already register around 50% occupancy for July.

Observations on the behavior of demand vary, but in general, it is expected that, as the date approaches, reservations accelerate.

In matters of airfare, at this point the difference between buying now for vacation weeks compared to other dates is very noticeable. For example, a round trip ticket Buenos Aires-Salta with Aerolíneas Argentinas costs 312,483 pesos departing on 7/13 and returning on the 20th. If the trip is made from 7/27 to 8/3 -outside of holidays-, the tickets are They get from $123,996. Big difference.

Attention: Until today (6/16), Aerolíneas has 6 interest-free installments with Visa, Mastercard, Cabal bank credit cards and with American Express cards to fly through Argentina. And also, 12 interest-free installments with the NaranjaX card and with banks BNA, Santander, BBVA, Macro and Hipotecario.

From the low cost Flybondi They point out that frequencies will increase for some of the routes from Buenos Aires, such as Bariloche, Ushuaia and El Calafate, and the Bariloche-Córdoba interprovincial route.

“July is one of the most chosen months by our passengers and represents 23% of reservations, values ​​very similar to those of last year,” says Federico Pastori, commercial director of the airline, while pointing out that the most chosen destinations for that month are Bariloche, Ushuaia and Rio of Janeiro.

On the Flybondi website -3, 6 and 12 interest-free installments-, the cheapest tickets to Bariloche on vacation (and at the close of this edition) cost $106,077 each way; to Iguazú, $33,539 for the section departing on 7/26 or $63,946 departing on 7/23; and to Rio de Janeiro, from 231,862 per section on 7/19, or $198,024 on 7/23.

For your part, JetSmart has discounts of 15 and 20 percent with Clarín 365 on their national routes.

We come down from the air to the earth with one more promotion: Rentennials -private car rental application- launched a special 15% discount for snow destinations (Mendoza, Ushuaia and Bariloche). Founded in 2022, this application connects vehicle owners with tourist users.

In the Sixt car rental They note that for now, “the demand in most branches on average is quiet for the winter holidays, as the date approaches a greater demand is being noticed” and also that this year, the low season felt quite .

Specialized in Travel abroadthe general manager of the agency All SeasonsPablo Bazzetti says: “It shows that there is a bit of a delay in the international sale of winter holidays. “We have spots available.” Summary: “There is demand, but people are cautious and thinking about it a little more.”

Some examples of prices in this agency: 7 nights all inclusive in Imbassai with flights, transfers and traveler assistance, US$ 3,235 per person in a double occupancy with departure on 7/13, and US$ 2,824 in a family plan (two adults, two minors); leaving on 7/20, US$3,105 and US$2,723. At the all-inclusive Iberostar Bahía de Praia do Forte, US$3,055 for a double occupancy and US$2,805 for a family plan leaving on 7/13. In Porto de Galinhas, 7 nights, half board, flights and transfers, US$ 2,421 per person in a double room and US$ 1,950 in a family plan, leaving on 7/13.

In Tucano Tours, Argentina’s leading air consolidator and wholesale operator – exclusive sales to travel agencies – note that in Argentina, beyond the ski destinations, Cataratas and the North have high occupancy. “The amount of reserves have a lower flow than last year due to the notable increase in rates and the economic situation.”

In Argentina, they highlight that beyond the snow, Cataratas and the North have high occupancy.

“Favourable variables are beginning to appear, such as the Simple Quota, which promote national tourism,” says Daniel Zuazo, manager of the wholesale operator. Some prices: a 3-night package to Iguazú with flights, 3-star hotel, breakfast and transfers costs $689,540 per passenger. To Punta Cana, 8 days, flights, transfers, all-inclusive hotel and assistance, from US$ 1,950 per person.

The most notable difference compared to last year, adds Zuazo, is the method of payment for international travel: “It is cheaper in dollars; the Country Tax and the advance of Profits are avoided.”

As to the most chosen, preferences remain within the classic. The best-selling packages in To the world They are Iguazú, Bariloche, Ushuaia, El Calafate and Mendoza. A 3-night package to Mendoza with flights, hotel with breakfast, transfers and visit to wineries costs from $464,429 per person (7/19 to 7/22). Skiing in Ushuaia, 5 nights, flights, transfers and 4 days of passes in Cerro Castor, from $1,508,917 per person (7/13 to 7/18).

“This year it began to be noticed that Santiago de Chile appears in the ranking of those chosen for winter holidays, due to the favorable change for Argentines who want to shop in Chile and, also, enjoy the city,” they clarify in Almundo. Brazil is gaining more and more relevance in searches and sales, and in the Caribbean Punta Cana leads. A package to Rio for 7 nights, flights, hotel, transfers and excursion to Ilha Grande, from $2,202,460 for two people (22 to 29 /7).

In Take offMeanwhile, they point out that at the cabotage level the most chosen are Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Bariloche, Mendoza, Salta and Ushuaia. While among the international ones, Rio de Janeiro, Santiago de Chile, Madrid, Miami and Buzios stand out.

“The most requested products so far are packages, designed so that the traveler does not have to worry about anything. They are more convenient than purchasing each service separately,” says Alejandro Festa, manager of Hospedajes y Servicios Turísticos at Despegar, and highlights a “significant increase” in searches for packages for July, both in cabotage (almost 37%) and internationally. (almost 122%).

From Club Med -all inclusive resort chain- point out that for the winter holidays they grew 28% in occupancy compared to 2023. “This period began to be sold at the end of September 2023, with a peak in May of this year, due to the Hot Sale: we designed products for vacations with air tickets, up to 45% discounts and children free,” explains Leonardo Petricca, Marketing & Digital manager for Hispanic South America. The most chosen resorts? “Rio das Pedras as the protagonist; Trancoso (both in Brazil) and Miches, in the Dominican Republic.”

Also for the agency Travel Services, the Hot Sale marked a good incentive for winter vacation purchases. “In May, with a stable dollar, there were excellent sales of packages that sold out quickly. Today, customized proposals continue to be quoted according to availability,” they explain.

Regarding the demand for trips to the snow, “it still does not reach last year’s level. There may be a delayed reaction because there is snow and the window to confirm a ski trip was extended.” For Travel Services, the star destinations this winter are the North of Argentina -Salta and Jujuy in the lead-, then Córdoba and Iguazú. Outside the country, Rio de Janeiro and Buzios: the most successful combined package. A departure for 7/19 with 7 nights in Buzios and 2 in Rio, flights, breakfast, transfers and assistance, costs from $1,240,834 per person.