DHL in Argentina.

[levelo]

Hi everyone,

I'm on my way south to Buenos Aires where I plan to be in about one month.

I'd like to have my good quality winter gear ( tent, down sleeping bag, warm clothing ) sent to me there from Europe so that I can keep on riding south without freezing my behind too much.

DHL is the obvious safe choice, so I contacted their staff in B-A.
Turns out that to be able to receive a package one must presumably carry a tax number ( " clave fiscal de nivel 3 o superior ". I assume most Argentines and legal foreign residents do ) and most likely has to go through someone who knows how the customs work ( " contratar un despachante de aduanas " ).

Does anyone have experience with DHL in Argentina ?

Or have a better idea for shipping my stuff over without the red tape ?

Thanks,

Levelo.

[levelo]

Or, alternatively, are there good camping/outdoor stores carrying quality gear you'd recommend in the capital city ?

Thanks,

L.

[PatOnTrip]

Hi Levelo,

Did you look at:

https://www.eurocampingonline.com.ar



Patrick

[Alanymarce]

Montagne is a good store, with branches all over the country.

I have not shipped with DHL to Argentina, however have received stuff via airfreight to Ezeiza - find a good air freight shipping agent and ask about this.

[levelo]

Thanks for your answers Alanymarce & Patrick.

An agent seems to be compulsory to get one's stuff out of customs if it's rather bulky ( I'm looking at 7 to 8 kgs ) in both Argentina and Uruguay. And import taxes will most likely be high ( as much as 60% of the declared value in Uruguay, if they agree with it ).

I have checked both stores you mentioned. Their gear looks OK for casual hiking/camping in normal conditions, probably not for cold and wet winter weather. I will need a very, very good sleeping bag, for instance.

L.

[Alanymarce]

Originally Posted by levelo

I have checked both stores you mentioned. Their gear looks OK for casual hiking/camping in normal conditions, probably not for cold and wet winter weather. I will need a very, very good sleeping bag, for instance.

L.

I see that Montagne's Aconcagua sleeping bag is rated to -5C, and I'd think that with a liner and thermal underwear it would be OK to -10C, however it's not a down bag and perhaps you're looking for something for more extreme conditions.

UniversoAventura has a sleeping bag rated to -15C (https://www.universoaventura.com.ar/.../p?skuId=21262)

[levelo]

Yes, I'll definitely be looking for a down sleeping bag. And a good liner, too.
Based on experience I doubt that the one in your link would do the job.
There might be very good stores that carry quality gear that don't advertise online, though.

[manzini]

i think you should inquire around mendoza,from there are leaving tours to go up to aconcagua and up there you certainly need good quality staff

[Alanymarce]

Originally Posted by levelo

Yes, I'll definitely be looking for a down sleeping bag. And a good liner, too.
Based on experience I doubt that the one in your link would do the job.
There might be very good stores that carry quality gear that don't advertise online, though.

I have no experience with sleeping bags from either Montagne or UniversoAventura so have no way to judge the quality, however I have used a couple of backpacks and some clothing from the former which have been good. Perhaps best to bring the sleeping bag with you (as we have done as well).

[gatogato]

I wouldn't torture yourself with the cold weather like that. Everyone has a different idea of "fun."

Have you thought about your bike's reliability in the cold weather. Almost all of the Southern half of Argentina is ugly and if you have any kind of motorcycle maintenance problems down there it is going to cost you a fortune.

My advice is to just stay in Northern Argentina, since your timing is pretty bad weather wise.

You can always come back to Argentina in September next time and that way your camping will be much more enjoyable.

The Northern half of Argentina is way more interesting and it is a way better value too.

[Peter Bodtke]

Originally Posted by gatogato

... if you have any kind of motorcycle maintenance problems down there it is going to cost you a fortune...

levelo is traveling by bicycle.
In any event, the joy of adventure is priceless.
I found the subtle colors of the Patagonian plains beautiful.