Exito Travel Official Blog !

Aeroparque, one of the two airports of Buenos Aires, will be closed from noon on Saturday, Oct 25, until 1 am on Monday, Oct. 27th.  The 36-hour closure is to allow “preventative maintenance”.  Aeroparque is used primarily for domestic flights.  Flights to and from the United States operate from Ezeiza airport, which is will remain open.

During the closure, most carriers will reroute flights to Ezeiza airport.   Passengers traveling on Aerolineas Argentinas flights that usually depart from Aeroparque should check in at Ezeiza terminal A, counters 104 through 113.  All travelers are advised to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to their flight.

As of January 1, 2009, Argentina will begin collecting a “reciprocity fee” upon entry for citizens of 22 countries.  US citizens can expect to pay about $130 for entry to Argentina.

The amount of the fee varies by citizenship.  As the US charges Argentinian citizens $130 for a visa, a similar fee will apply for US citizens entering Argentina.  Citizens of Australia, Canada, the UK, or other nations will pay slightly different amounts.

The fee will be payable upon arrival.   At this point, there are no details regarding what forms of payment will be accepted.

Once paid, the fee will be valid for 10 years or the lifetime of the passport (whichever comes first).  This means that travelers who leave to visit another country, then return a month later,  will not have to pay the fee a second time.

The program and fee structure is similar that that used by Chile.  Chile also charges a reciprocity fee, of about $100 for US citizens, based on the fees the US charges Chileans for entry to the US.

Many countries in Latin America require a payment at the airport prior to departure. Often times you have to pay this amount in cash (usually either local currency or US Dollars).

Argentina: (Buenos Aires EZE) $18 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight from Argentina.

• El Calafate: $18 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.
• Trelew: $6.05 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.
• Ushuaia: $15 to be paid in USD at local airport for domestic flights.

Belize: (Belize City BZE) $20 Paid in cash at the airport prior to departure.

Bolivia: (La Paz LPB) and (Santa Cruz VVI) $16 airport toll plus $25 traveler tax. ($100 USD reciprocal VISA fee now required for US citizens… check before you fly)

Brazil: (Rio de Janeiro GIG) or (Sao Paulo GRU) None (Included in ticket price). Visa required in advance including $100 reciprocal fee for US citizens.

Chile: (Santiago SCL) $100 to be paid in USD, Visa, Master Card or American Express upon arrival at customs. (This is actually a reciprocal Visa fee)

Costa Rica: (San Jose SJO) and (Liberia LIR) $26 to be paid in USD or local currency prior to checking in with the ticketing booth. Costa Rica now accepts credit cards… however a cash advance fee may apply. Use your debit card to avoid the fee.

Ecuador: (Quito UIO) and (Guayaquil GYE)

• Guayaquil: $27.15 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight.n (Cash only)
• Quito: $40.80 to be paid in USD upon checking in for international flight. (Cash only)
• Shell: $3 to be paid in USD upon checking in for domestic flight to & from Kapawi.
• Galapagos: $10 to be paid in USD for Galapagos Transit Control Card upon checking in for domestic flight to Galapagos. National park fee currently USD 80 per person

Guatemala: (Guatemala City GUA) $30 for international departure, plus $5 per domestic flight, plus $5 fuel surcharge per domestic flight.

Mexico; (Mexico City MEX) Included in ticket price (but over $70… paid when you buy your ticket). The same tax applies to all airports in Mexico

Panama: (Panama City PTY) $20 paid at airport upon departure

Peru: (Lima LIM) $30.25 for international departures, $6.05 for each domestic flight to be paid in USD or local currency after check-in before entering gate area. (cash only)

Uruguay: (Montevideo MVD) $29 to be paid in USD after check-in, before entering gate area.

This information is estimated and is subject to change. Check with the appropriate embassy prior to confirm accuracy prior to departure

It’s the same challenge for most groups: How to find a group airfare option that fits the total budget, without having to pay in full right away, or otherwise risk paying more later, as the fare, taxes and/or fuel charges continue to skyrocket?

In the current airfare market, there is an inherent risk of paying more tomorrow for what was quoted today. Even when a “guaranteed” group rate is available, this guarantee typically applies only the base fare, and not to taxes, or the ever-increasing fuel surcharges, which can be as much as $300 per ticket. A group fare booked today can end up being hundreds higher by the time the group is ready to issue tickets.

There is a refreshing exception. Exito group specialists can now offer a guaranteed rate on select group fares INCLUDING taxes and fees. Book today with a deposit, and lock in todays total price, even if the final purchase is months away. While other group bookings fluctuate from rising fuel costs and annual tax adjustments, Exito’s qualifying group rates stay put, allowing groups the chance of actually staying within a set budget.

Here’s how it works:

1. Contact an Exito Group Specialist and request a quote for a group flight, specifying an interest in a guaranteed total rate. Phone: 800 655 4054 . *Minimum group size is 10 people, traveling on an identical itinerary*

2. Once a suitable itinerary is confirmed for the group, pay a standard group deposit, up to $100 per seat, to lock in the space and the price for the group. Deposits are either refunded or applied to the purchase price, provided the group abides by the airlines stated cancellation and minimum utilization policy. Note: Flights departing within 90 days may have special deposit and payment requirements.

3. Provide all passenger names and payment by the airline’s quoted deadline; typically 30-60 days prior to departure. *No surprise fees or extra taxes will be charged on qualifying fares, according to the initial quote*

This option is available to groups of at least 10 people traveling together, on select airlines, subject to availability of group space and according to specific airline policies, which are subject to change. Round trip travel must originate in the US, and include select destinations in:

Mexico - Guatemala - Costa Rica- Honduras - Belize - El Salvador
Nicaragua - Ecuador - Peru- Venezuela - Chile - Argentina - Brazil - Colombia

Contact an Exito Group Airfare Specialist for further details and to find your guaranteed group fare, now.

Phone: 800 655 4054

Email: groups@exitotravel.com

Beginning this July 22nd, LAN Airlines (Formerly known as LAN Chile) will begin offering service from Buenos Aires, Argentina to the city of Neuquén, Argentina. The service will be offered twice daily Monday through Friday and one flight per day on weekends.

Neuquén is the capital city of the Argentine Province of Neuquén. It is located on the eastern side of the province, at the confluence of the Limay and Neuquén rivers. The city has a population of more than 265,000, making it the largest city in Patagonia. This will be LAN’s 11th domestic destination served in Argentina.

LAN now serves the following cities in Argentina:

• Salta
• Iguazu
• Cordoba
• Mendoza
• Bariloche
• Neuquen
• Comodoro Rivadavia
• Puerto Madryn
• Calafate
• Ushuaia