Logistics

What you need to know about the trip

The course begins in Mendoza on Sunday in the mid-afternoon and ends in Mendoza on Saturday.

Communications

The favorite means of communication in Mendoza is WhatsApp. Mendocinos like to use IM and voice messages for leisure and for business. Soon you will receive an email with an invitation to join our “MSMIT in Argentina” group.
 It may be challenging to read/edit long documents on WhatsApp on your phone.  There is a pretty good desktop/tablet version. It requires having the mobile version already installed on your phone for initial verification.

Adding an international plan for voice and data to your cell phone is generally a good idea. Cell coverage is ok. Internet is slower and less reliable than in the US, especially at the client sites. Lower your expectations and you will be fine.

Hotel

Park Hyatt Mendoza, Chile 1124, Mendoza, Argentina, 5500
Tel: +54 261 441 1234.
Check-in begins at about 3 pm. The hotel will hold your luggage if you arrive early and want to visit the town before 3 pm.

Getting to the hotel

From the airport, it is a short cab ride (10-15 min/USD 10-15). Cabs are found just outside the airport. Uber is also available. All drivers know the Park Hyatt. It is in the main Plaza of the city, called Plaza Independencia. No Spanish is needed. Some drivers will take cards or USD. Ask in advance.

Flights

You are responsible for your transportation to and from Mendoza. There is no recommended flight. Ask your classmates about their plans if you would like to travel in a group. We will provide transportation to the Hotel for the largest group arriving at Mendoza airport (MDZ) on Sunday and for the largest group to the MDZ airport on Saturday.

Weather

Average high: 90F, average low: 70F. Pleasantly dry climate; rain is unlikely. Occasionally quite hot.

Clothing

In Argentina, it will be Summer: bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and light clothes.
You will need:
1) business clothes for the formal presentation to your clients,
2) business casual clothes for your everyday work at the companies, and
3) casual clothes for all the activities when clients are not present. The hotel has a gym and a pool.

In the past, airlines have temporarily lost luggage. Ensure you have enough in your carry-on to get you by if needed.

Currency

The curency in Argentina is the Peso. The symbol for the Argentine Peso is "$". This sometimes causes confusion. To indicate the US Dollar, the Argentine use "USD".
Because Argentina suffers from strong inflation (now 40%, but over 200% yearly in recent times), ensure you do not purchase too many Pesos – if any. It is hard to sell them back. Keep all currency exchange receipts.

Credit cards are commonly accepted wherever there are tourists: hotels, restaurants, wineries, large grocery stores, etc. Last year, credit cards exchanged your dollars at close to the street rate.
On the street, one U.S. Dollar (USD) exchanges for about 1,350 Argentinian Pesos, although this "blue" rate is highly variable.
‘Clean’ dollar bills (not crumpled, no writing on them) may command a higher price.
There is one (often malfunctioning) ATM at the airport that exchanges Pesos. The Hyatt does not exchange money.
The info above is based on the experience of the UVA students in Mendoza last year.

Lunches

Many students eat light lunches because the included breakfast and dinners are substantive. Think a little cheaper-than-DC prices. David English (our contact in Mendoza) says: “Big variation on lunch price between a burger and Coke vs a steak and wine, and whether it’s at the official rate or paid in cash with money exchanged at the blue rate.”

Visas

U.S. citizens do not require a visa on their valid passports. If you are not a U.S. citizen, check to see if you need one with your consulate. The reciprocity fee that was levied in the past has been waived.

Health

Check with your doctor for vaccinations and medicines to carry with you. Place them in your carry-on.
Check with the CDC for their recommendations for Argentina travelers.

Food allergies

Study Abroad Mendoza (SAM) will collect a list of allergies and inform the food providers, asking them to substitute foods to which you are allergic.  Please double-check: sometimes information gets lost in translation. In general, be aware that Argentina is famous for its meats and wines, not salads and arugula smooties!