Travel Tips II
Air passes
The Mercosur Airpass is valid within Argentina, Brazil, Chile (except Easter Island), Paraguay and Uruguay. Participating airlines include TAM Mercosur (PZ), Pluna (PU), TAM Linhas Aéreas (JJ) and VARIG (RG). The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America, who have a return ticket. Only eight flight coupons are allowed with a maximum of four coupons for each country and it is valid for seven to a maximum of 30 days. At least two countries must be visited and the flight route cannot be changed. A maximum of two stopovers is allowed per country.
The South American Pass is valid on Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral (its domestic subsidiary) flights only.The pass can only be purchased by passengers who live outside South America and whose international flights are booked with Aerolíneas Argentinas. Tickets can only be issued through Aerolíneas Argentinas and all sectors must be reserved at once. Up to 10 flight coupons are allowed and it is valid for seven to a maximum of 45 days. At least two countries must be visited (to a maximum of five) and the flight route cannot be changed. A maximum of two stopovers are allowed in Argentina and one in the other countries.
The Visit South America Pass is valid within Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile (except Easter Island), Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Participating airlines include Aer Lingus (EI), American Airlines (AA), British Airways (BA), Cathay Pacific (CX), Finnair (AY), Iberia (IB), LAN (LA) and Qantas (QF). The pass must be bought outside South America in the country of residence. It allows unlimited travel to 34 cities. A minimum of three flights must be booked, with no maximum; the maximum stay is 60 days, with no minimum, and prices depend on the amount of flight zones. For further details, contact one of the participating airlines.
Departure tax
Approximately US$18. For flights to Montevideo (Uruguay) and regional flights, the departure tax is US$8. Passengers in transit and children under two years of age are exempt. Visitors are advised to check with their airline or travel agent as the departure tax is subject to frequent changes. There is also an immigration tax of US$10 on all international flights.
Social Conventions
The most common form of greeting between friends is kissing cheeks. When invited to somebody’s house it is quite common to take a homemade dish or dessert. Dinner is usually served between 2100-2200. Avoid casual discussion of the Falklands/Malvinas war. Dress is not usually formal, though clothes should be conservative away from the beach. Formal wear is worn for official functions and dinners, particularly in exclusive restaurants. Smoking is prohibited on public transport, in cinemas and theaters.
As strange as it may sound, the souhern region of misiones breeds cattle within the confines of local ranches, even though just north the landscape is of a jungle type. Gauchos would too live here. And as gauchos, another key element of argentina's national identity developed here, the Mate. Hernandarias, Paraguay's Major at the time of Jesuits settlements, noticed that native troops would cope better with the rigourous tasks imposed than his own troops. He soon dis-covered natives were drinking a beverage that later was heralded as Mate (which is actually the name of the container that holds it, a small hollow pumpkin).
At the heart of what used to be the Guarani indian territory, religious orders from Spain (Jesuits) developed the village of San Ignacio with the purpose of converting natives into Christianism. Visitors will see how these religious missions structured social life and how they must have lived. San Ignacio was founded in 1610, named 'mini'which in native's language (guarani) meant smaller as opposed to San Ignacio Guazu (bigger), developed into one of the most critical and important missions in the territory colonized by the Spanish crown. 
No words can convey what witnessing these falls represents. Iguazu falls owe their existence to a fault that underlies the Iguazu river (Guarani word for big water) producing a fantastic 70 mts (210 ft) water fall. Boat rides can take the intrepid visitor at very close range of the Devil's throat fall, probably the culmination point of the whole journey.
Misiones offers 500,000 has of protected land, two international reservoirs and world class lodging adn infraestructure for the convenience of those planning to visit the falls. Only 1050 kms from 
Getting to La Quiaca may result in "apunamiento", a common condition produced by the lack of oxygen. La Quiaca belongs to "La Puna", the high plateau from Bolivia. Nevertheless its high altitude, over 50,000 birds live at the biggest water reservoir in the area: Pozuelos Lake. Recommended for birdwat-ching. Yavi, east of La Quiaca, used to be a truly "encomienda" town, from where Spanish Adelantados would administer the whole region. This picturesque town (275 habs, 3700 mts above sea level) is the site where one of the most important Churches of the time had been built
Green valleys in the outskirts of San Salvador slowly turn into an arid, vast ravine known as Humauaca. Covered with houses built from dry clay, the landscape becomes astonishing. A trip to the town of humauaca crosses the phenomenal ravine through small villages like Purmamarca, whose Cathedral was built in 1648. There is a local craft market all year round and every Aug 30th a religious ceremonies take place where natives dance "samilantes, sikuris and Misa-chicos". Structures called "Pucaras" (fortified structures) can be seen.
San Salvador is known as "La tacita de Plata" for its tiny size and its proximity to Humauaca ravine. It settled 3 times due to constant assaults by natives. In 1593 San Salvador had 45 habs, but by 1607 there were only 9 left.
