We are arriving in the morning in Rio - 5 nights altogether before we go to Manaus to start a cruise. Should we spend all the time in Rio, 3 nights Rio and 2 nights Iguacu or 4 nights Rio 1 night Iguacu just seeing the Argentinian side of the falls?

Appreciate any advice

Lilian

I've never been to Rio, but Iguazu Falls is one of the most amazing things I've seen in my life. You won't regret a trip there, even if it is only to see it from the Argentine side.

You can visit the brazilian and the argentinian side of the Iguazu falls in the same day, its not so long.But I can't say if you can fly to Manaus during the night I think its possible.So 3 days and a half in Rio, fly to Iguazu, lok for an hotel, near the falls, and rent a taxi for the day...We did so but we can't fly to Rio during the night, so we stayed a second night...Between the 2 sides, go to the "Parco de aves", a wonderful place.
Have a nice trip...

3 nights rio; 2 nights iguacu. I was in south america last summer. The Iguacu Falls are amazing. Rio's nightlife is amazing too. I would recommend you go to Foz de Iguacu for a day and night; see the brazilian side and the take in the nightlife. Then hit for the Argentinian side; Puerto Iguazu, the following morning; take in the arge side and def do the nightlife there..cuba libre etc. Very good. Also watch out for a Canopy Assault Course that you can do in I think the brazilian side; its well worth it; you can wall climb..zip line over the subtropical forest and rope walk and see amazing views.
Accommodation tips; i used hostels so if you are going for hostels; book Hostal Natura in Foz de Iguacu! and Hostel International Iguazu Falls in Puerto Iguazu.
Enjoy yourself.

Not that you cannot find plenty to do in Rio for 5 days, a trip to Iguazu is more than worth the effort. Not sure what your hotel budget is but if you have the money the Das Cataratas Hotel is inside the Brazilian park and has a fantastic view of the falls. Check out the web site http://www.hoteldascataratas.com/web/ogua/ogua_a2a_home.jsp

On my travel pages for Iguazu I have the links for both the Brazilian and Argentine park's web sites. Also some pretty nice photos too :)

The Argentine park is much more developed as far as trails and vantage points for viewing the falls and if you can try and take the boat trip up to the falls. You get wet but really worth the trip.

suerte
SAM

Thanks guys - will be flying into the Brazilian side - is there any problem crossing to Argentinian side and back?

Lilian, not knowing your nationality I cannot say for sure if you would have a problem crossing into Argentina or not. There are several countries that Argentina does require applying for a VISA prior to entering, if you are from the USA, Canada or most Western European countries then you would be given a 90 day tourist visa at the border. If you are from one of the countries that they require a Visa application and prior approval, such as Russia then you would have difficulty at the border if you had not secured a Visa prior to presenting yourself.

suerte
SAM