Skill: ivangdavila/argentina (version 1.0.0)

--- name: Argentina slug: argentina version: 1.0.0 homepage: https://clawic.com/skills/argentina changelog: "Initial release with verified Argentina entry rules, regional route playbooks, money strategy, and practical travel logistics." description: Plan Argentina trips with region-specific routing, money strategy, seasonal timing, and practical travel logistics. metadata: {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🇦🇷","requires":{"bins":[],"config":["~/argentina/"]},"os":["linux","darwin","win32"]}} --- ## Setup If `~/argentina/` doesn't exist or is empty, read `setup.md` and start naturally. ## When to Use User is planning an Argentina trip and needs practical guidance beyond generic inspiration: entry rules, money and payments, region choice, flight and road logic, park access, safety, and day-to-day execution. ## Architecture Memory lives in `~/argentina/`. See `memory-template.md` for structure. ``` ~/argentina/ └── memory.md # Trip context and evolving constraints ``` ## Quick Reference Use this map to jump into the right decision module before building the route. | Topic | File | |-------|------| | **Entry, Border, and Money** | | | Tourist entry, visa, stays, paperwork | `entry-and-documents.md` | | Customs, cash limits, food, tax-free notes | `customs-and-border.md` | | Cash, cards, exchange logic, VAT, tips | `money-payments-and-exchange.md` | | **Planning Backbone** | | | Region selection and route architecture | `regions.md` | | Sample itineraries for 7-21 days | `itineraries.md` | | Accommodation strategy by trip style | `accommodation.md` | | Budget framing and cost traps | `budget-and-costs.md` | | **Transport and Nature** | | | Flights, buses, trains, airport buffers | `transport-domestic.md` | | Self-drive, mountain roads, border paperwork | `road-trips-and-driving.md` | | Parks, permits, tickets, outdoor logistics | `national-parks-and-nature.md` | | Neighbor-country side trips and border hops | `border-hops-and-neighbor-countries.md` | | **Major Regions and Cities** | | | Buenos Aires playbook | `buenos-aires.md` | | Mendoza and wine country playbook | `mendoza-and-wine-country.md` | | Iguazu and Misiones playbook | `iguazu-and-misiones.md` | | Patagonia Lakes playbook | `patagonia-lakes.md` | | South Patagonia playbook | `patagonia-south.md` | | Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego playbook | `ushuaia-and-tierra-del-fuego.md` | | Salta and Jujuy playbook | `salta-and-jujuy.md` | | Peninsula Valdes and Puerto Madryn playbook | `peninsula-valdes-and-puerto-madryn.md` | | Cordoba and central Argentina playbook | `cordoba-and-central-argentina.md` | | Atlantic coast and Mar del Plata playbook | `atlantic-coast-and-mar-del-plata.md` | | **Lifestyle and Execution** | | | Food strategy by region and timing | `food-guide.md` | | Nightlife by city type | `nightlife.md` | | Traveling with children or mixed ages | `family-travel.md` | | Accessibility and low-mobility planning | `accessibility.md` | | Emergencies, theft, weather alerts, disruptions | `safety-and-emergencies.md` | | Climate and seasonality planning | `weather-and-seasonality.md` | | Connectivity, transport cards, helpful apps | `telecoms-and-apps.md` | | Research sources map | `sources.md` | ## Core Rules ### 1. Route by Macro-Region, Not by Map Fantasy For short trips, pick one anchor cluster and one contrast region at most. Argentina is long enough that "just add Iguazu or Patagonia" can destroy the experience. ### 2. Lock Entry and Money Before Non-Refundables Before buying flights, confirm the correct entry path, the length of stay, border-hop implications, and the payment strategy for cards, cash, and park tickets. ### 3. Ask for Month First Argentina changes dramatically by season. Patagonia, Iguazu, Mendoza, and the northwest should never be planned with one generic weather assumption. ### 4. Treat Patagonia as Multiple Trips Lake District, South Patagonia, and Ushuaia are different products with different transport and weather logic. Do not merge them casually. ### 5. Always Offer Two Transport Models For each route, give at least two practical options with tradeoffs: - Flight-heavy: faster, fewer overnight transfers, more airport friction - Road/bus-heavy: slower, more scenery, more fatigue and weather sensitivity ### 6. Budget with Friction, Not Headlines Argentina trip quality often depends more on transfer costs, excursion timing, airport changes, and card/cash execution than on the hotel sticker price. ### 7. Deliver Action Plans Output should include: - Base-city strategy - Day-by-day flow with transfer buffers - Booking deadlines or low-inventory warnings - Weather fallback or alternate plan - Safety, payment, and emergency notes ## Common Traps - Buenos Aires + Mendoza + Iguazu + Patagonia in one short trip. - Assuming Patagonia is one interchangeable region. - Planning with old exchange-rate blog posts instead of current official references. - Ignoring cross-border implications when adding the Brazilian side of Iguazu or Chile crossings. - Using overnight buses or same-day airport changes without buffer. - Choosing accommodation by nightly rate only and losing hours to transfers. - Treating national park access as fully spontaneous in peak season. ## Security & Privacy **Data that stays local:** Trip preferences in `~/argentina/` **This skill does NOT:** Access files outside `~/argentina/` or make network requests. ## Related Skills Install with `clawhub install <slug>` if user confirms: - `travel` — General trip planning and itinerary structure - `car-rental` — Better rental strategy and handoff logistics - `booking` — Reservation workflows and confirmation hygiene - `food` — Deeper restaurant and cuisine recommendations - `spanish` — Language support for bookings, transport, and service interactions ## Feedback - If useful: `clawhub star argentina` - Stay updated: `clawhub sync`

path: accessibility.md
content: # Accessibility — Argentina

## Planning Rule

Accessibility should be solved at the base-and-routing level, not as a note added after attractions are chosen.

## Best-Case Patterns

- Buenos Aires for the widest range of urban services and transport options
- Iguazu for viewpoint-led nature impact without mandatory hard trekking
- Mendoza for slower premium stays with controlled movement

## High-Friction Patterns

- Historic areas with uneven sidewalks or cobblestones
- Hike-led Patagonia plans
- Same-day airport plus excursion schedules
- Boats, boardwalks, or nature access points with boarding constraints

## What to Confirm Early

- Elevator and shower details
- Distance from hotel to evening dining
- Airport assistance if flights are involved
- Transfer type for luggage and mobility equipment

## Common Mistake

Treating "nature trip" as automatically incompatible with low mobility instead of redesigning it around scenic access and better bases.


path: accommodation.md
content: # Accommodation — Argentina

## Base Selection Rules

| Trip type | Best base logic | Avoid |
|-----------|-----------------|-------|
| Buenos Aires city trip | Walkable area with good evening return options | Cheapest far-out room that adds daily transport friction |
| Mendoza | Decide between city base and vineyard base before booking tastings | Splitting too many one-night stops |
| Iguazu | Stay at least 2 nights if adding Brazil side or late arrival | Same-day in and out for the falls |
| Patagonia | Book around weather and excursion sequence | Over-optimizing nightly rate while losing transfer time |

## What Matters More Than Price

- Airport or terminal access
- Night return comfort
- Elevator, shower, and room layout if mobility matters
- Parking only when road trip is actually part of the plan
- Cancellation flexibility in weather-sensitive regions

## Region-Specific Notes

- Buenos Aires rewards neighborhood fit more than star count.
- Mendoza needs clarity on whether the trip is urban, wine-focused, or Andes-focused.
- El Calafate and El Chalten serve different functions; do not pretend one replaces the other.
- Ushuaia and peak Patagonia windows should be booked earlier than relaxed city legs.

## Common Mistake

Choosing each hotel independently instead of as part of the route logic. In Argentina, good bases save more energy than marginal nightly discounts.


path: atlantic-coast-and-mar-del-plata.md
content: # Atlantic Coast and Mar del Plata — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Summer beach trips, domestic holiday atmosphere, surf or coastal breaks, and users traveling in the right season who do not need tropical water.

## Core Advantage

Useful seasonal contrast for Argentina residents or repeat visitors who want a beach-oriented route without leaving the country.

## Season Rule

- This region is highly seasonal.
- In peak summer it can be lively and crowded.
- Outside the right months, it loses much of the payoff unless user wants a quiet off-season coast.

## Common Mistake

Selling the Atlantic coast as a universal Argentina highlight when it is really a season-sensitive preference play.


path: border-hops-and-neighbor-countries.md
content: # Border Hops and Neighbor Countries — Argentina

## When This Matters

Use this file when user wants to add the Brazil side of Iguazu, drive to Chile, or stack neighboring-country logistics onto an Argentina route.

## Brazil Side of Iguazu

- The Brazilian side is often worth it, but it should be treated as a separate planning decision.
- Passport, visa, and queue logic can turn a simple waterfall add-on into a full-day operation.
- For U.S., Canadian, and Australian travelers, Brazil visa assumptions changed after 2025; verify before promising the side trip.

## Chile Crossings

- Chile mountain crossings from Mendoza and some Patagonian routes are weather and queue sensitive.
- Never connect a mountain border day to a hard non-refundable deadline on the other side.

## Self-Drive Border Rule

- Rental-car cross-border paperwork must be solved before pickup.
- If the vehicle cannot cross, redesign the route rather than improvising at the border.

## Common Mistake

Selling a border hop as "just a quick add-on" when it actually needs passport, weather, and transfer planning.

## Source Reminder

Use `sources.md` for Brazil visa references and Argentina border guidance.


path: budget-and-costs.md
content: # Budget and Costs — Argentina

## Budget Reality by Trip Style

| Style | Cost driver | Typical mistake |
|------|-------------|-----------------|
| City-focused | Dining, better neighborhoods, airport transfers | Thinking Buenos Aires daily spend predicts Patagonia |
| Wine-focused | Drivers, tastings, premium lunches, lodge location | Looking only at hotel rate |
| Nature-focused | Domestic flights, boats, guides, park access | Underpricing excursions and buffers |
| Family trip | Larger rooms, private transfers, pacing days | Packing too many destinations to save money |

## Cost Rules

- Internal flights can dominate total budget once Patagonia or multiple regions enter the plan.
- Premium nature trips usually jump in price because of transport and low-inventory activities, not because of food.
- Iguazu is often cheaper than Patagonia, but adding Brazil logistics can change the equation.
- Road trips look economical until fuel, one-way rentals, parking, and slow days are counted honestly.

## Smart Framing

- Separate fixed trip costs from daily variable spend.
- Use one "anchor splurge" logic: glacier boat, vineyard lunch, wildlife cruise, or premium estancia.
- Build one low-cost flex day after every expensive movement or excursion block.

## Tourist Trap to Flag

Calling Argentina "cheap" without separating Buenos Aires city math from Patagonia and wilderness math.


path: buenos-aires.md
content: # Buenos Aires — Playbook

## Best Use Case

First landing zone, culture and food base, short premium city stay, or urban half of a city-plus-nature Argentina trip.

## Core Advantage

High density of neighborhoods, dining, museums, and useful flight connectivity without needing a long stay.

## Route Strategy

- Cluster days by neighborhood instead of zigzagging across the city.
- Keep one lighter day for parks, markets, or recovery before the next flight.
- Use Buenos Aires as a soft landing or final decompression point, not automatic center of gravity for the whole trip.

## Stay Strategy

- Prioritize neighborhood fit and evening return comfort over a tiny nightly discount.
- Short trips should favor walkability and reliable airport-transfer logic.

## Transport Notes

- Public transport uses SUBE and works well for many tourist movements.
- Car rental is usually a mistake for city-only stays.

## Common Mistake

Spending too many days in Buenos Aires on a short country trip and then compressing the region that actually motivated the trip.


path: cordoba-and-central-argentina.md
content: # Cordoba and Central Argentina — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Domestic-style pacing, sierras escapes, city plus slower inland rhythm, or travelers who want less tourist pressure than the headline circuits.

## Core Advantage

Good value and easier pacing for users who do not need Patagonia-level spectacle on every day.

## Route Strategy

- Works best as a calm regional trip or recovery block, not as a frantic add-on to every Argentina itinerary.
- Pair with Buenos Aires only if user explicitly wants a lower-intensity second region.

## Common Mistake

Including Cordoba only because it is on the way, without a real trip reason.


path: customs-and-border.md
content: # Customs and Border — Argentina

## Money and Declaration Basics

- AFIP/ARCA allows entry or exit with less than USD 10,000 (or equivalent) without the special declaration.
- Amounts above that require customs declaration; minors under 16 have a lower threshold.
- Do not tell users to carry large undeclared cash to "optimize" exchange strategy.

## Goods and Baggage Reality

- Treat baggage, electronics, drones, and high-value purchases as customs-sensitive.
- If user is bringing professional equipment or unusual quantities, recommend checking official travelers guidance before departure.

## Food, Nature, and Border Hygiene

- Argentina is strict enough that fresh foods, seeds, and outdoor items should not be assumed problem-free at the border.
- Users planning rural travel or cross-border loops should avoid casual assumptions about what can be carried between countries.

## Tax-Free and Tourist Refund Notes

- Argentina maintains tourist-facing tax-free and lodging VAT-refund programs with specific conditions.
- Present these as upside, not baseline budget math: eligibility and documentation matter.

## Vehicle and Border Crossings

- Rental or private vehicles crossing into Chile or neighboring countries require pre-arranged paperwork.
- Never build a same-day international flight plan after a land-border crossing in mountain or remote regions.

## Common Mistake

Treating customs and border rules as a last-day admin detail instead of part of the route design.

## Source Reminder

See `sources.md` for AFIP/ARCA travelers guidance and border-entry references.


path: entry-and-documents.md
content: # Entry and Documents — Argentina

## Fast Decision Tree

1. Confirm nationality and whether tourist entry is visa-free or visa-required.
2. If visa-free, verify the stay window and whether any border hop changes the plan.
3. If visa-required, route to consular workflow before buying non-refundable flights.
4. If trip includes Brazil or Chile side trips, re-check passport and onward requirements for each country.

## Tourist Entry Basics

- Migraciones defines tourist entry as a stay of up to 3 months, extendable for another similar period.
- Do not promise the extension automatically; tell user to verify conditions and timing with Migraciones.
- Passport should be valid, in good condition, and ready for any onward-travel questions.

## Visa Workflow Notes

| Path | Typical use | Practical note |
|------|-------------|----------------|
| Visa-free tourist entry | Many common tourism nationalities | Still verify current nationality-specific rules before booking |
| Tourist visa | Nationalities without waiver | Start early and use official consular guidance only |

## Family and Minor Notes

- If minors are involved, double-check entry and exit paperwork early, especially for binational families or Argentina residents.
- Mixed-custody, surname mismatch, or one-parent travel cases should be treated as document-sensitive.

## Checklist Before Locking Flights

- Entry path confirmed
- Passport validity checked
- Stay length compatible with plan
- Any Brazil/Chile side-trip requirements verified
- Family/minor paperwork checked if relevant

## Source Reminder

Use `sources.md` for Migraciones, tourist visa, and entry/exit FAQ links.


path: family-travel.md
content: # Family Travel — Argentina

## Best Family Fits

- Buenos Aires for museums, parks, and easy short blocks
- Iguazu for high-impact nature without extreme physical demands
- Peninsula Valdes for wildlife-led travel
- Patagonia Lakes for mixed-age scenery if pacing stays moderate

## Harder Fits

- El Chalten-heavy trips with very young children or low mobility
- Salta/Jujuy loops without enough rest or altitude awareness
- Border-hop days with toddlers and no buffer

## Family Rules

- One major activity block per day is often enough.
- Keep transfer days visibly lighter than inspiration-based itineraries suggest.
- Minor paperwork should be checked early, especially for binational or resident-family cases.
- Build weather fallback before kids hit fatigue, not after.

## Common Mistake

Copying an adult hiking or wine itinerary into a family context and hoping naps or snacks will fix it.


path: food-guide.md
content: # Food Guide — Argentina

## Food Strategy by Region

| Region | Strongest angle |
|--------|-----------------|
| Buenos Aires | Parrillas, pizza, cafe culture, pastries, modern dining |
| Mendoza | Wine lunches, vineyard dining, slower premium meals |
| Salta/Jujuy | Regional empanadas, stews, Andean flavors |
| Patagonia | Lamb, trout, chocolate, comfort food after outdoor days |
| Atlantic coast | Seafood when season and location fit |

## Practical Rules

- Dining hours can run later than many visitors expect.
- Great Argentina trips are not built on steak alone; regional food adds more value than repeating the same city-center grill format.
- Weekend reservations matter more in top neighborhoods and winery circuits.

## Common Mistake

Only chasing famous parrillas and missing the regional identity that actually differentiates the trip.


path: iguazu-and-misiones.md
content: # Iguazu and Misiones — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Short high-impact nature block, family-friendly wow factor, or tropical contrast to city, wine, or Patagonia trips.

## Core Advantage

Massive payoff for relatively short stays when timing, heat management, and border decisions are handled well.

## Park Logic

- The Argentina side deserves a full day.
- Official hours run 8:00 to 18:00, with the last train to Garganta del Diablo at 15:30.
- Late starts are an avoidable mistake.

## Stay Strategy

- Puerto Iguazu base usually beats same-day in-and-out planning.
- Add a second or third night if Brazil side, slower pace, or weather flexibility matters.

## Health and Weather Notes

- Heat and humidity are real trip-limiters in warmer months.
- Repellent, hydration, and weather fallback matter more than in most city itineraries.
- If user is vaccine-sensitive or traveling with children, check tropical-health guidance early.

## Common Mistake

Treating Iguazu as a half-day stop and then discovering that park timing, queues, and border friction consume the whole schedule.


path: itineraries.md
content: # Itineraries — Argentina

## 7 Days: One Contrast Pair

### Option A: Buenos Aires + Iguazu
- Days 1-3: Buenos Aires by neighborhood clusters
- Days 4-5: Iguazu with one full Argentina-side park day
- Days 6-7: Brazil-side option or return buffer

### Option B: Buenos Aires + Mendoza
- Days 1-2: Buenos Aires soft landing
- Days 3-6: Mendoza city plus winery/Andes split
- Day 7: Buffer + departure

## 10 Days: City + One Big Nature Cluster

### Option A: Buenos Aires + South Patagonia
- Buenos Aires: 2-3 nights
- El Calafate: glacier and logistics base
- El Chalten or extra Calafate days: only if hiking/weather fit

### Option B: Buenos Aires + Patagonia Lakes
- Buenos Aires: 2 nights
- Bariloche/Villa La Angostura cluster: 6-7 nights
- Keep one flex day for weather and driving logic

## 14 Days: Two Strong Regions

### Option A: Buenos Aires + Mendoza + Iguazu
- Works when user values contrast over deep Patagonia
- Use flights, not heroic overland transfers

### Option B: Buenos Aires + South Patagonia + Mendoza
- Strong premium mix if user accepts multiple flights
- Do not add Iguazu unless trip length and tolerance are unusually high

## 21 Days: Three-Region Maximum

- Region 1: Buenos Aires or Mendoza
- Region 2: One Patagonia cluster
- Region 3: Iguazu or Salta/Jujuy
- Keep the final night in the departure city

## Itinerary Quality Checks

- Every weather-sensitive region gets a fallback or flex day
- Every airport change is priced with real transfer time
- Every border hop is optional, not critical path
- Every short trip cuts destinations before cutting sleep


path: memory-template.md
content: # Argentina Trip Memory

## Status
- **Planning stage:** [researching / booking / confirmed / traveling / completed]
- **Entry status:** [ready / visa-free / pending visa / unknown]
- **Last updated:** YYYY-MM-DD

## Trip Details
- **Dates:**
- **Duration:**
- **Main regions:** [Buenos Aires / Mendoza / Iguazu / Patagonia Lakes / South Patagonia / Ushuaia / Salta-Jujuy / Peninsula Valdes / Atlantic Coast / Cordoba]
- **Cities/Bases:**
- **Travelers:** [solo / couple / family / group / multigenerational]
- **Kids:** [yes (ages) / no]

## Preferences
- **Travel style:** [city / wine / nature / hiking / wildlife / road trip / mixed]
- **Budget:** [budget / mid-range / premium]
- **Pace:** [relaxed / moderate / fast]
- **Dietary:** [none / vegetarian / vegan / gluten-free / other]
- **Mobility:** [full / limited / wheelchair]
- **Transport preference:** [flight / bus / car / mixed]

## Constraints
- **Must-see places:**
- **Must-avoid:**
- **Weather tolerance:** [heat / cold / wind / rain / altitude sensitivity]
- **Driving comfort:** [none / short only / mountain roads ok / long road trips]
- **Border hops:** [none / Brazil / Chile / unknown]

## Money and Booking
- **Card comfort:** [high / medium / low]
- **Cash comfort:** [minimal / some / flexible]
- **Reservation pressure:** [low / medium / high]

## Reservations and Deadlines
| Item | Needed by | Status | Notes |
|------|-----------|--------|-------|
| Entry docs / visa | | | |
| Domestic flights | | | |
| Park tickets / permits | | | |
| Hotels | | | |
| Excursions / wineries / boats | | | |
| Car rental / border paperwork | | | |

## Working Plan
- **Current route draft:**
- **Backup plan:**
- **Open decisions:**

## Lessons Learned
-

## Next Trip Improvements
-


path: mendoza-and-wine-country.md
content: # Mendoza and Wine Country — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Wine, long lunches, Andes scenery, slower premium travel, and one of the easiest high-value contrasts to Buenos Aires.

## Core Advantage

Strong blend of city comfort, vineyard access, and day-trip mountain scenery without Patagonia-level logistics.

## Base Strategy

- Choose between city base, vineyard base, or split stay before booking tastings.
- City works better for flexible dining and mixed plans.
- Vineyard or Uco-style stays work better when the trip is explicitly slow and wine-led.

## Timing and Season

- Vendimia period brings major demand; book earlier if trip falls around early March.
- Zonda episodes and mountain weather can reshape Andes days quickly.

## Transport Rule

- Self-drive only works if user will not be drinking heavily and accepts longer rural movement.
- Otherwise, driver or guided transport is part of the winery budget.

## Common Mistake

Trying to combine too many wineries, a full mountain day, and city dining in a rushed 48-hour stop.


path: money-payments-and-exchange.md
content: # Money, Payments, and Exchange — Argentina

## Core Planning Rule

Money strategy is part of the itinerary. Argentina punishes travelers who assume one clean card-only or cash-only model will work everywhere.

## Practical Payment Mix

| Situation | Default tool | Watch-out |
|-----------|--------------|-----------|
| Big-city hotels and better restaurants | Card | Verify the rate and any foreign-tourist tax treatment |
| Small shops, remote stops, tips, and some transport cases | Cash in ARS | Do not rely on finding a perfect ATM at the last minute |
| Park gates and QR-linked access points | Card or pre-paid online | Some high-value nature zones are cashless or online-first |

## Rules That Matter

- Old exchange-rate blog posts go stale fast. Check official references close to the trip.
- Keep some ARS cash even on premium trips.
- Do not count on ATMs as a frictionless fallback; limits and fees can make them poor rescue tools.
- For foreign tourists, eligible lodging VAT treatment can improve hotel math, but only when conditions are met.
- Restaurant tipping is usually modest but common; keep small payment flexibility.

## Budgeting Discipline

- Price the trip in layers: flights, lodging, transfers, excursions, park entries, and cash-only friction.
- Separate "daily city spend" from "excursion spend." Argentina often looks affordable until transfer-heavy days pile up.
- Patagonia, wildlife cruises, premium wineries, and private transfers change trip economics much faster than meals do.

## Tourist Trap to Flag

Assuming that "cheap destination" means bad money execution cannot hurt the trip. In Argentina, poor payment planning can waste time, add fees, and break logistics.

## Source Reminder

Use `sources.md` for AFIP/ARCA traveler guidance and official reference points that should be checked near departure.


path: national-parks-and-nature.md
content: # National Parks and Nature — Argentina

## Access Rules That Matter

- Argentina's national parks system centralizes ticketing and updates through official portals.
- Ticketed parks include major tourist anchors such as Iguazu, Los Glaciares, Nahuel Huapi, and Tierra del Fuego.
- The official system applies a 50% second-day discount within 72 hours; Tierra del Fuego limits that discount to web purchases.

## High-Value Practical Notes

- Los Glaciares north gateways around El Chalten are online-first and card-only; do not rely on cash.
- Iguazu is timing-sensitive: arrive early, respect entry timing, and remember the last train to Garganta del Diablo leaves well before closing.
- Aconcagua permits are season-based and more demanding than a casual national-park stop.

## Reservation Pressure

| Area | What creates friction |
|------|-----------------------|
| Los Glaciares | Peak weather windows, camp reservations, long transport days |
| Iguazu | Entry timing, heat, and cross-border temptation |
| Tierra del Fuego | Weather, cruise timing, web-discount logic |
| Aconcagua | Permit windows, insurance or evacuation requirements, altitude reality |

## Outdoor Safety Rule

Nature plans need a fallback. Wind, flood impacts, heat, smoke, altitude, and snow should change the daily plan before they become emergencies.

## Source Reminder

See `sources.md` for official APN, Los Glaciares, Iguazu, and Aconcagua references.


path: nightlife.md
content: # Nightlife — Argentina

## Nightlife by Trip Type

| Destination | Best for | Watch-out |
|-------------|----------|-----------|
| Buenos Aires | Late dinners, bars, live culture, some club routes | Very late start times and return logistics |
| Mendoza | Wine bars and softer evenings | Less about all-night energy, more about pacing |
| Bariloche / resort towns | Seasonal bar scenes and relaxed nights | Can be weather- and season-dependent |
| Atlantic coast in summer | Domestic holiday energy | Peak-season crowd and price spikes |

## Planning Rule

- Nightlife should follow neighborhood and return-safety logic, not just hype.
- For short trips, one or two strong evenings beat trying to "sample everything."

## Common Mistake

Booking a far-away hotel, dining too early, and then losing the evening to transit dead time.


path: patagonia-lakes.md
content: # Patagonia Lakes — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Scenic drives, soft adventure, lake landscapes, ski-season or summer hiking, and Patagonia with lower transfer harshness than the far south.

## Core Advantage

This is the most flexible Patagonia variant for travelers who want scenery and comfort without committing to harsher glacier logistics.

## Route Strategy

- Pick one main base plus optional scenic extensions.
- Decide early whether the trip is winter-snow, shoulder relaxation, or summer hiking.
- Car helps, but not every traveler needs it for every day.

## Timing Notes

- Peak summer brings strong demand and more road traffic.
- Winter shifts the trip toward snow and shorter daylight.
- Smoke and wildfire context can matter in hotter months.

## Common Mistake

Assuming this region is interchangeable with El Calafate, El Chalten, or Ushuaia. It is a different Patagonia product and should be sold that way.


path: patagonia-south.md
content: # South Patagonia — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Glaciers, dramatic landscapes, serious hiking interest, and the classic El Calafate plus El Chalten model.

## Core Advantage

This is the Patagonia choice for users who want glacier scale and iconic hiking rather than general scenic comfort.

## Route Strategy

- Treat El Calafate and El Chalten as distinct bases with different jobs.
- Use El Calafate for glacier logistics and arrival stability.
- Use El Chalten only if weather, energy, and hiking appetite justify it.

## Reservation and Access Notes

- Peak windows require earlier flight and lodging discipline.
- Los Glaciares north-zone access is online-first and card-based.
- Camp reservations and remote-area registration are not optional details.

## Risk Notes

- Wind can make a perfect-looking itinerary collapse quickly.
- Build at least one flex window if hiking is central to the trip.

## Common Mistake

Selling El Calafate and El Chalten as a single easy stop when they need separate pacing, transport, and weather logic.


path: peninsula-valdes-and-puerto-madryn.md
content: # Peninsula Valdes and Puerto Madryn — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Wildlife-led trip, family nature travel, lower-hiking Patagonia add-on, or users who care more about fauna than about glacier trekking.

## Core Advantage

Strong nature payoff with relatively approachable physical demands compared with harsher Patagonia trekking models.

## Planning Notes

- Wildlife value depends heavily on season.
- Keep expectations species-specific instead of promising "all animals, all year."
- A car can help, but the trip still needs paced wildlife windows rather than constant moving.

## Common Mistake

Treating Peninsula Valdes as a generic beach stop instead of a seasonal wildlife product.


path: regions.md
content: # Regions — Argentina

## Region Selection Grid

| Region | Best for | Watch-outs |
|--------|----------|------------|
| Buenos Aires | First-time city base, food, culture, easy start/end | Big-city theft patterns, protest-related traffic, overlong stays on short trips |
| Mendoza and wine country | Wine, Andes scenery, slower premium rhythm | Vendimia demand, driver logistics, Zonda risk, mountain-day fatigue |
| Iguazu and Misiones | Waterfalls, family wow-factor, short high-impact add-on | Heat, humidity, border friction, timing-sensitive park flow |
| Patagonia Lakes | Scenic drives, soft adventure, ski or summer lakes | Crowds in peak windows, wildfire/smoke risk, car temptation |
| South Patagonia | Glaciers, big landscapes, hiking | Wind, high flight cost, reservation pressure, weather volatility |
| Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego | End-of-the-world atmosphere, Beagle, light hiking | Fragile weather, limited buffers, premium pricing |
| Salta and Jujuy | Culture, desert color, altitude landscapes | Altitude, long drives, slower acclimatization needs |
| Peninsula Valdes coast | Wildlife with lower hiking intensity | Seasonal wildlife windows, fewer flight combinations |
| Atlantic coast | Summer beach culture, domestic holiday feel | Strong seasonality, peak crowd spikes, less value outside the right months |

## Planning Rule of Thumb

- 7 days: 1 core region, or Buenos Aires plus one nearby contrast
- 10-14 days: 1-2 regions with flights and explicit buffers
- 21 days: 2-3 regions max, with Patagonia counted carefully

## Patagonia Rule

- Patagonia Lakes, South Patagonia, and Ushuaia are separate choices.
- If user says only "Patagonia," force a decision before route design.

## First-Time Argentina Route Suggestions

- City + wine: Buenos Aires + Mendoza
- City + waterfalls: Buenos Aires + Iguazu
- City + scenery: Buenos Aires + one Patagonia cluster
- Wine + mountains + north: Mendoza + Salta/Jujuy only if user has enough days


path: road-trips-and-driving.md
content: # Road Trips and Driving — Argentina

## Best Use Cases

- Patagonia Lakes circuits
- Mendoza wine and Andes add-ons
- Salta and Jujuy scenic loops
- Atlantic coast summer routes

## Poor Use Cases

- Buenos Aires city-only trip
- Short Iguazu stay
- Any route where user dislikes mountain roads, night driving, or weather uncertainty

## Driving Rules

- Do not plan remote night driving unless unavoidable.
- Patagonia wind, winter conditions, and fuel spacing require conservative pacing.
- Mountain crossings to Chile are not casual add-ons; snow, queues, and paperwork can break the day.
- If the trip includes wineries or long lunch culture, driver strategy matters before the hotel is chosen.

## Border and Rental Notes

- Cross-border driving needs pre-authorized paperwork from the rental company.
- Ask early if user truly needs a car for the whole trip or only for one region.

## Common Mistake

Treating Argentina like a simple self-drive country from north to south. The better pattern is usually fly between macro-regions, then drive locally where it actually helps.


path: safety-and-emergencies.md
content: # Safety and Emergencies — Argentina

## Core Safety Model

Argentina travel is usually about managing friction, not panic. The biggest risks are petty theft, bad transfer choices, weather disruptions, and poor judgment around remote conditions.

## Urban Safety Rules

- Use stricter phone and bag discipline in big-city transit zones, terminals, and tourist-heavy areas.
- Night return planning matters more than daytime sightseeing risk.
- Protests and marches can affect movement in Buenos Aires even when violence is not the main issue.

## Nature and Weather Risks

- Patagonia: wind, cold, and sudden shifts
- Iguazu/Misiones: heat and humidity
- Mendoza: Zonda and mountain exposure
- Salta/Jujuy: altitude and long drives

## Emergency Stack

- 911 is the general emergency number in major cities.
- Buenos Aires tourism also lists 107 for medical emergencies, 100 for fire service, and 103 for Civil Defense.
- Official weather alerts should be checked through SMN references.

## Common Mistake

Treating security as a neighborhood list only, while ignoring transfers, exhaustion, and weather-driven bad decisions.


path: salta-and-jujuy.md
content: # Salta and Jujuy — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Cultural north, desert color palettes, slow scenic driving, and travelers who want something radically different from Buenos Aires and Patagonia.

## Core Advantage

High visual payoff and regional identity with strong food and landscape variation.

## Route Strategy

- Plan by altitude and driving tolerance, not only by map loops.
- One strong base plus selected excursions often beats a rushed multi-town chain.
- Use extra caution if user is sensitive to altitude, long drives, or motion fatigue.

## Transport Notes

- Self-drive can be excellent here for confident drivers.
- For slower travelers or mixed ages, driver-supported days can reduce fatigue.

## Common Mistake

Packing Salta, Jujuy, and mountain loops into too few days and turning a scenic region into a windshield exercise.


path: setup.md
content: # Setup — Argentina Travel Guide

## First-Time Setup

When user mentions Argentina travel for the first time:

### 1. Create Memory Structure
```bash
mkdir -p ~/argentina
```

### 2. Initialize Memory File
Create `~/argentina/memory.md` using `memory-template.md`.

### 3. Gather Trip Context Naturally
Ask in conversational flow:
- Entry path: nationality, visa-free or visa still pending, any side trip to Brazil or Chile?
- Travel window: exact dates, month range, or season only?
- Scope preference: one region deep or city plus nature contrast?
- Priorities: Buenos Aires, Patagonia, wine, waterfalls, food, family pace, wildlife, road trip, hiking.
- Constraints: budget band, kids, mobility, altitude tolerance, driving comfort, weather tolerance.
- Money style: comfortable with mixed card/cash strategy or prefers minimum cash handling?

### 4. Save to Memory
Update `~/argentina/memory.md` with the current intent, constraints, and decision status.

## Returning Users

If `~/argentina/memory.md` exists:
1. Read it silently
2. Reuse known constraints and priorities
3. Ask only what changed (dates, region focus, budget, border plans, mobility)
4. Update memory with deltas

## Quick Start Responses

**"I want Buenos Aires and Patagonia"**
→ Ask: total days, month, which Patagonia style fits best (lakes, glaciers, or Ushuaia), and whether user accepts internal flights.
→ Then use: `regions.md`, `buenos-aires.md`, one Patagonia playbook, `transport-domestic.md`.

**"I want wine and mountains"**
→ Ask: Mendoza only or Mendoza plus high Andes, self-drive comfort, winery style, and altitude tolerance.
→ Then use: `mendoza-and-wine-country.md`, `road-trips-and-driving.md`, `weather-and-seasonality.md`.

**"I need a full Argentina itinerary"**
→ Ask: exact days, month, and whether user values city, wine, waterfalls, wildlife, or hiking most.
→ Then use: `regions.md`, `itineraries.md`, `budget-and-costs.md`, `money-payments-and-exchange.md`.

## Important Notes

- Argentina planning quality depends heavily on month, region selection, and transfer discipline.
- Money strategy is part of trip design, not a final detail.
- Patagonia should be narrowed before flights are priced.
- Border hops to Brazil or Chile should never be treated as frictionless add-ons.


path: sources.md
content: # Sources — Argentina Skill

Last checked: 2026-03-09

## Entry, Visa, and Border

- Argentina Migraciones, tourists: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/migraciones/turistas
- Argentina tourist visa service: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/servicio/obtener-visa-de-turista-para-ingresar-la-argentina
- Argentina entry/exit FAQ: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/interior/migraciones/preguntas-frecuentes-ingreso-y-egreso-al-pais
- AFIP/ARCA viajeros, ingreso y egreso de valores: https://www.afip.gob.ar/viajeros/ayuda/ingreso-egreso-de-valores.asp
- AFIP/ARCA viajeros overview: https://www.afip.gob.ar/viajeros/

## Transport and Urban Mobility

- Register SUBE card: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/servicio/registrar-la-tarjeta-sube
- Buenos Aires tourism, getting around: https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/es/visit/como-moverse-en
- Trenes Argentinos: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/transporte/trenes-argentinos
- CNRT mobile portal: https://mobile.cnrt.gob.ar/
- CNRT operator and vehicle checks: https://consultapme.cnrt.gob.ar/

## National Parks and Nature

- National Parks tariffs and second-day discount: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/tarifas
- Los Glaciares tariffs: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/patagonia-austral/parque-nacional-los-glaciares/tarifas
- Los Glaciares accommodation and camping rules: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/patagonia-austral/parque-nacional-los-glaciares/alojamiento
- Iguazu hours and access: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/nea/parque-nacional-iguazu/horarios-como-llegar
- Iguazu tariffs and entry timing: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/nea/parque-nacional-iguazu/tarifas
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: https://www.argentina.gob.ar/parquesnacionales/tierra-del-fuego

## Mendoza and Andes

- Mendoza press, Aconcagua advance permits 2025-2026: https://www.mendoza.gov.ar/prensa/ya-esta-habilitada-la-venta-anticipada-de-permisos-para-la-temporada-2025-2026-del-parque-provincial-aconcagua/
- Mendoza press, Aconcagua season opening reference: https://www.mendoza.gov.ar/prensa/el-parque-provincial-aconcagua-abre-su-temporada-2024-2025-el-viernes-1-de-noviembre/
- Mendoza tourism, Vendimia: https://mendoza.tur.ar/destino/fiesta-nacional-de-la-vendimia/
- Mendoza press, Zonda recommendations for tourists: https://www.mendoza.gov.ar/prensa/zonda-en-mendoza-recomendaciones-para-turistas/

## Weather, Health, and Safety

- SMN weather alerts: https://www.smn.gob.ar/alertas
- Buenos Aires tourism, health and security: https://turismo.buenosaires.gob.ar/es/visit/salud-seguridad-en
- Argentina official tourism portal: https://www.argentina.travel/
- CDC traveler view, Argentina: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/argentina
- U.S. State Department, Argentina country information: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Argentina.html

## Neighbor-Country Side Trips

- Brazil tourism ministry, visa requirement timeline for U.S./Canada/Australia: https://www.gov.br/turismo/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/brasil-adia-para-2025-exigencia-de-vistos-para-cidadaos-de-australia-canada-e-eua
- Brazil tourism ministry, e-visa availability: https://www.gov.br/turismo/pt-br/assuntos/noticias/visto-eletronico-para-turistas-dos-estados-unidos-australia-e-canada-ja-esta-disponivel


path: telecoms-and-apps.md
content: # Telecoms and Apps — Argentina

## Connectivity Basics

- Buenos Aires and major tourist regions are easier for data and Wi-Fi than remote roads or mountain sectors.
- Download offline maps before Patagonia, northwest loops, or border-heavy days.

## High-Value Tools

- A transport card workflow for Buenos Aires and other supported systems
- Airline and excursion confirmations stored offline
- Messaging app access for hotels, drivers, and tour updates
- Weather and alert checking before remote-nature days

## Practical Rule

- Do not rely on perfect signal in remote regions.
- Keep tickets, addresses, and hotel details available without network access.

## Common Mistake

Assuming the same connectivity quality in El Chalten, mountain roads, or wildlife routes as in Buenos Aires.


path: transport-domestic.md
content: # Domestic Transport — Argentina

## Mode Selection Framework

| Route type | Default winner | Why |
|-----------|----------------|-----|
| Buenos Aires to Patagonia / Iguazu / Mendoza | Flight | Distances are large and time savings are decisive |
| Buenos Aires urban movement | Public transit + walking | SUBE-supported network reduces car friction |
| Wine-country day structure | Car with driver or guided transport | Tasting days and mountain roads change driving logic |
| Patagonia scenic loops | Car | Flexibility matters once already inside the region |
| Mid-distance overnight corridor | Bus | Can work when traveler accepts slower pacing and terminal friction |

## Airport Reality

- Buenos Aires has airport friction that should be priced honestly.
- Same-day international arrival plus domestic repositioning needs conservative buffers.
- Weather-sensitive southern flights should not sit on a zero-buffer plan.

## Rail and Bus Reality

- Long-distance trains are limited and should be treated as selective experiences, not the country backbone.
- Long-distance buses are viable on some corridors, but seat class, overnight fatigue, and terminal timing matter.

## Urban Transport Notes

- Buenos Aires public transport uses the rechargeable SUBE card.
- City-only trips rarely benefit from renting a car.

## Transfer Buffers to Add

- International arrival to domestic onward: generous same-day margin or overnight
- Separate tickets: assume missed-connection risk is yours
- Park or excursion departure after flight day: only with explicit slack

## Tourist Trap to Flag

Trying to "save money" with transport choices that erase half a day every time you move.


path: ushuaia-and-tierra-del-fuego.md
content: # Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego — Playbook

## Best Use Case

Atmospheric "end of the world" trip, Beagle Channel outings, light national-park exploration, winter snow context, or Antarctica-adjacent travel.

## Core Advantage

Huge identity and mood payoff in a compact geography.

## Route Strategy

- Short stays work if expectations are realistic.
- Keep one weather-flex block before the most important boat or outdoor plan.
- If combining with South Patagonia, use flights and do not compress the whole south into two rushed nights.

## Park and Excursion Notes

- Tierra del Fuego National Park needs timing awareness and often works best as a focused half or full day.
- Boat-dependent activities should not be the only highlight in a fragile weather window.

## Common Mistake

Adding Ushuaia just because it looks close on a map of Patagonia and then losing too much time to flights and weather sensitivity.


path: weather-and-seasonality.md
content: # Weather and Seasonality — Argentina

## Macro Seasonal Strategy

| Season | Strong fits | Main risks |
|--------|-------------|------------|
| Spring | Buenos Aires, Mendoza, shoulder Patagonia, wine and city combinations | Volatile shoulder weather in the south |
| Summer | Patagonia, lakes, Atlantic coast, wildlife windows | Heat in north and cities, peak crowds, smoke risk |
| Autumn | Mendoza, Buenos Aires, northwest, softer shoulder travel | South Patagonia becomes more fragile as season turns |
| Winter | Ski trips, city escapes, some northwest routes, milder Iguazu visits | Limited Patagonia hiking, snow and shorter daylight |

## Region-First Rules

- Patagonia should be matched to month before flights are priced.
- Iguazu works year-round but feels completely different in hot and humid months.
- Mendoza can be a strong shoulder-season anchor.
- Salta and Jujuy need altitude and daylight pacing, not just clear skies.

## Tourist Trap to Flag

Using northern-hemisphere logic by default. Argentina should be planned with southern seasons first, destination wishlist second.

## Source Reminder

See `sources.md` for SMN alerts, official tourism, and region-specific references.


Security scan verdicts — ClawScan: clean | static analysis: clean | VirusTotal: clean | SkillSpector: clean (LOW)