Getting There & Red Tape

Getting There.
There are two popular ways of getting to Argentina from most international destinations. First is to fly directly into Mendoza with a stopover in either Santiago, Chile or Buenos Aires, Argentina. The other way is to fly into Santiago and take a bus or van to Mendoza. This is a much cheaper option but it does take about 71/2 hours (if you're lucky) to get to Mendoza from Santiago. If you are not on a tight budget it is much easier to take a short 45min flight from Santiago to Mendoza. As well, it is worth mentioning that if you are from the U.S., Australia or Canada and you land in Santiago and leave the airport you must pay between US$55 and US$100. So if it is a one-time visit it may be better to fly to Mendoza. The carriers from Santiago to Mendoza are Lan Chile and Aerolineas Argentina.
It used to be that most expedition parties looking to climb Aconcagua would start and end their Aconcagua expeditions in Santiago and drive to Penitentes or Punta del Inca but the government has wised up and requires everyone needing a permit to apply and pick it up in person. This usually means most people climbing Aconcagua can spend a few days in Mendoza to help the economy.
International carriers going into Santiago are:
From North America
Air Canada
American Airlines
Lan Chile
From The UK
Aerolineas Argentina
Lan Chile
From Asia
(Japan)
Continental
American Airlines
Delta
(China)
Air China
Northwest
(Delhi)
Delta
American Airlines.

From Australia
Qantas Airways (Perth)
Aerolinas Argentina (Sydney)
American Airlines (Melbourne)


Visas
If you are from Canada, the U.S., Australia, New Zealand and most European countries you do not need a visa to get into Argentina. You will get a free tourist card that is good for 90 days and it can be renewed for an additional 90.
Customs
Your bags can be searched whether you fly into Argentina or drive. Generally foreign Aconcagua climbers are treated well and there is not a problem with bringing in food items such as dried fruits & veggies, and dehydrated meat (such as beef jerky). Please note that these items are not allowed to be brought into the country so they could be confiscated.
Hint: customs folks are usually reluctant to search the bottom of bags especially if they get a "tip".