Parque Nacional del Iguazł Travel Forum

Hola ,

I’ll be in South America in November and have drafted an impossible itinerary and now I can use all of your help to get it right. I do travel at a fast pace and take countries by storm instead of smelling the roses but transport limits anybody’s options

This is/was my initial plan
7/nov Flight Bxl - Rio
8/nov Rio
9/nov Rio
10/nov Iguazu BR
11/nov Iguazu AR
12/nov Buenos Aires
13/nov Buenos Aires
14/nov BA to PM
15/nov Perito Moreno
16/nov Perito Moreno
17/nov Travel to Atacama
18/nov Atacama Laguna Miscanti y Miniques & Valle de la luna
19/nov Atacama Chuquicamata & El Tatio Geyser
20/nov Atacama Buffer day
21/nov Chile - Bolivia
22/nov Uyuni
23/nov Uyuni
24/nov Uyuni
25/nov Uyuni or La Paz
26/nov La Paz
27/nov Coroico
28/nov Fly La Paz - Rurrenabaque
29/nov Rurrenabaque
30/nov Rurrenabaque
1/dec Rurrenabaque
2/dec Lago Titicaca
3/dec Copacabana & Isla del Sol
4/dec Arequipa
5/dec Colca Canyon
6/dec Colca Canyon
7/dec Cuzco
8/dec Machu Picchu sunset
9/dec Machu Picchu sunrise - fly Cuzco to Lima
10/dec Lima
11/dec Flight Lima - Atlanta
12/dec Atlanta
Flight Atlanta - Brussel
13/dec Back Home


My draft plan is indeed too tightly scheduled as I find out while booking flights/buses/tours..
My original plan was to fly between these destinations :
Rio - Iguazu - Buenos Aires - Perito Moreno - Calama/San Pedro de Atacama
But Perito Moreno is indeed too remote and takes a lot of time and money to reach, then also difficult to continue to Calama as this seems to be a small airport. Besides I prefer nature to cities and as I only planned to spend 2 days in Buenos Aires that is an expensive flight from Iguazu. So in case I skip BA and PM I can continue from Iguazu to Calama, unless the flight from Rio is a lot cheaper but then I should book an all in tour from Rio to Iguazu (return flight + park entrance + hostel).
Do you know by chance if there are any interesting offers ? I did some research on the internet but most sites are in Portuguese, difficult for me.
I'll land in Rio on November 8th , where I will spend 1 or 2 days so I can book a tour to Iguazu starting from November 9th or 10th to spend 2days there as I want to see both the Brazilian as the Argentinian side of the falls and preferably also go as close as possible by boat.
Do you also know which airline proposes a good connection from Rio (or Iguazu) to Calama (Chile) ?

If rio-iguazu-rio is not worthwhile then I might still fly to BA and continue by bus through North Argentina towards Atacama. How many days should I foresee for this, with stops in Mendoza and Salta? Can I include nightbuses to win some time?
Which option would you recommend? 1. Rio - Atacama or 2. Iguazu-BA-Mendoza-Salta-Atacama

I've been told about corrupt customs agents on the CL-BO border, now you tell me it's AR-CL.... it's all part of the fun I guess

Do tour operators offer to visit the nice places in Atacama and also drop you off at Uyuni? Do you have a website or email of the tour operator that can do all this?
Can I book the Salar de Uyuni tour towards La Paz, starting from Uyuni ?
So far I found there are only 2 buses a week from Atacama to Uyuni , but hope that is not true
http://www.sanpedroatacama.com/ingles/ir.htm
Should I also include a buffer day to cross the Bolivia-Peru border?

Is it true that the Salar de Uyuni is flooded by rain in nov-dec? Does that not spoil the scenery? Hopefully I can get to see it at sunrise, the best moment of the day to enjoy nature's beauty.

Can I book an all-in tour from La Paz to Rurrenabaque(flight, safari, accomodation, .. booze?)

Re Machu Picchu I understood so far that the entrance to the site is unlimited, but they only allow 500p/day on the Inca Trail, which I'm not doing due to lack of time. On the other hand I should be very early there to get a ticket for the Huaynu Picchu on the other side so I can enjoy the sunrise from there. Is all this correct?

Sorry for this huge bunch of questions, but I'm looking forward to go to South America for the first time and really want to make the best out of it

feel free to contact me directly on christian.buchheit@gmail.com as I read those emails a few times a day

Muchas gracias para ayudarme
hasta luego,
Christian

I have booked my flights in late October and accomodation at the secret garden B&B in iguazu.I have not booked any activities eg.national park fee and the train through the falls and what else there is to offer.Should i do this before i get there or is it possible to book this once i am there.

I am planning to visit Iguazu and the cataracts ; but I dont know if is very hot or not in october. Thank you for your help

I will arrive to P. Iguasu from Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening. I will have a full day of Thursday to travel the Iguasu Falls on both sides. However, I have to catch a very early flight on Friday from the Brasilian side airport to Rio de Janeiro.
My question is where it is better to overnight: in P. Iguasu (argentina) or Foz de Iguassu (Brasil) or to split it.
If I stay both days in P. Iguasu (Argentina) how long in advance I have to leave in order to clear the borders and to get to the Brasilian Airport (the flight is scheduled for 06.00 !!).

I've read some of the questions and responses on this forum and now have one of my own...!

How easy is crossing the border? Can one walk it? Is it time-consuming (for an EU/UK citizen)? Is staying in Puerto Iguazu and popping over to Foz do Iguacu in Brazil for dinner feasible, for example?

And taxis. I see the word "cheap" repeatedly, but it's all relative isn't it? Is 10USD cheap for a taxi from central Puerto Iguazu to Foz do Iguacu? What's a reasonable amount? And how long should it take - including border crossing time (if the taxi can drive over the border). How much is a taxi from the airport (IGR/Argentinian side) to the town centre?

I'm arriving on 20th in the morning, plan to spend the afternoon in the Brazilian side of the falls, 21st on the Argentinian side, 22nd over in Brazil and Ciudad del Este before an evening flight back from IGR to Buenos Aires.

Hi can anyone tell me Sheraton rates? Is the price different when arrival than booking online?

Thanks!!!

We are arriving by plane to the Argentina side at about 1:15 in the afternoon. We plan to stay in Puerto Iguazu. We would like to see both sides of the falls.
Is there time to go from the airport to the Brazilian side the first day? Are they lockers there for baggage? I understand you need less time there. How would we get there from the airport and how much would it cost. If we did that we would have the whole next day in the Argentine side. Is that the best way?

We are going to Argentina soon, and my wife tells me that short pants are not considered proper clothing for a man there; that it may be ok for children or Argentine gays, but that I shouldn't do it. Is this true?

If so, what kind of pants do the locals wear when in warm humid climates like Iguazu?

Thanks

We are planning a trip to Buenos Aires, then to Iguazu and then to Bariloche. We will fly from Buenos Aires in the morning to Iguazu. Is one day and one night sufficient time to see the falls? Also what would be nice accomodations. We like to stay in a bit nicer place.

We're going to be on a very tight schedule. Realistically, how long should we spend at Falls? I understand that 3-4 days are preffered, but if we don't 3-4 days, is it worth to go for a day or two? thank all.

On day 1 I will be flying ASU-AGT (Ciudad del Este, Paraguay). I arrive at noon.

I would like to get to the Sheraton in the Argentina side of Iguacu. What is the most convenient way to do this with kids? How long / $ will this take?

On day 2 I need to go to the Brazil airport for a 7pm flight. What is the easiest way to do this?

What would suggest as an itn for this?

Thanks!

Me and my two daughters are planning to visit Argentina in yhe middle of September and , of course, we're going to travel to Iguazu. But I have a big problem with my younger daughter - she has a very sever degree of archnophobia (Phobia of spiders). Please, could anyboby who already visited Iguazu park tell me is it inevitable to see any spiders or big unusual insects while walking along the main routes? If my daughter sees any insects (not beautiful butterflies) she can have a breakdown. Her phobia as any phobia is irrational.Thanks in advance

Hello,

We are arriving at the airport (Argentina side) in the morning. Rather than going all the way to the hotel at Puerto Iguazu and knowing that check in is not usually till midday, is it possible to leave our backpacks (size of medium sized luggage) in either:
1. Airport lockers or
2. Lockers at the Iguazu Falls National Park.

Preferably I would leave my backpacks in the park lockers, assuming they are available and large enough to store them.

Also, what bus can I take to the park from the airport? Is there a bus schedule I can look up on the web?

Many thanks

It is recommended to people travelling to Misiones and Cataratas del Iguazu, to get the yellow fever vaccination. You can read the Ministerio de Salud recommendation in this web page.

http://www.clarin.com/diario/2008/02/09/sociedad/s-01603685.htm

Consider that you must get it 10 days in advance to the entrance to the Province. This situation follows the massive vaccination in Paraguay.

Hi,
We'll be travelling to Buenos Aires this coming March for a little over two weeks. We plan to leave for the falls by bus on March 7, tour the falls all day March 8, and return to Bs As on March 9.
I heard there are different bus lines, different services available. Also one of us is over 65 years of age and somewhat disabled (eligible for a disabled parking permit) someone mentioned that some travel discounts are available to senior or disabled people, actually free travel on buses and metro in BsAs.
I'd appreciate information about bus schedules, bus lines, where to get tickets, how long in advance, ticket prices, etc.

Also, are visas necessary to enter Argentina for citizens of the European Union? Specifically Hungarians?

Thank you

Gabor

We will be flying into the Brazil side's airport but staying in the park on the Argentinian side. Does anyone know the best way to get there?

Should we take a cab? How long would it take if we were to do that? Will the cab driver be able to get into the Argentinian side? Do they typically carry passports/visas themselves?

Are there busese that go from the Brazilian airport to the Argentinian side? If so, how much would it be and how much longer will it take? Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

There seem to be lots of moscitoes so how about Malaria and "Yellow Fever" at the falls ?
In general moscitos really love my kind of blood ;-(((

Can anyone recommend a nice hostel in Puerto Iguazś? Thanks!!

Hi,

I am going to be in Brazil in September. I would like to go from Rio to Foz De Iguacu Falls (Brazilian Side).
What is the best way to get there, as I would prefer the cheapest i.e. Bus. However if it is an awful journey and there is not much difference for a flight, I would consider this.
From Iguaca I would like to get to Santa Cruz in Bolvia, again what is the best route for this preferably by Bus?

Any feedback would be much appreciated. sorry for all the questions!!

Hi,

Anybody who can assist me with these questions below :)

1) Is it good to visit Iguazu during June 07? Will there be a lot of water gushing down from the fall?
2) Is it convenient to get a taxi from Iguazu airport? Is it safe? Is it expensive?
3) Do I really need a tour guide to bring me to the Iguazu falls or I can do it free and easy?
4) Is it convenient to get a cab to Iguazu Falls and back?
5) If I will like to go for the Great Adventure Safari Boat, do I need to book with a tour operator in advance or I can just go for the boat ride when I am at Iguazu falls? What is the charges like per person?

That's all for now!

Hope anyone can help.

I posted this question of the Foz do Iguacu board but thought I should also add it here.

A few questions:

What is the best way to get from Foz do Iguacu to Puerto Iguazu? By bus or Taxi and about how much was the trip?

How long is the trip between the two cities?

I have read about the difference between both the Argentine and Brazilian sides of the falls and plan to spend the bulk of my time on the Argentine side. However, I was wondering how much time I should spend on the Brazilian side. I will have a Brazilian passport so there is no problem there. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

I am going to Buenos Aires in August with my boyfriend. It will be his first time visiting and I wanted to bring him to see the cataratas in iguazu. I have told him 800 times how amazing they are but am afraid that late August they might not be as impressive. Is it worth the money for us to go at this time of year? i dont think we will have an opportunity to again anytime soon but i am scared that if it is too dry he will be left with a bad impression and maybe not return. any suggestions?

We like to know if we can get bus to go from Iguazu to salta via either
Tucuman or esteros de ibera. We would stay for a night in Tucuman or ibera and then proceed to Salta.
Please inform details about bus timing, company, frequency, duration, cost
and comfort etc. Thanks.

I will be staying at the Hotel Cataratas for 2 nights in Feb. 2007. I understand the IVA (value-added tax) is 21 percent. Do US citizens have to pay this tax? If yes, is it refunded when leaving Argentina?
Thank you.

Does anyone know if the amount of water at Iguazu Falls has returned to normal after the drought in July?

I'm visiting Buenos Aires for a wedding and will be there a couple of weeks. I am travelling with my wife and a 1 year old baby and looking for a side trip. We have travelled extensively, but never with a child.

Would Iguazu Falls be a side trip that I could do with a young child?

I plan to fly from Buenos Aires and am mostly concerned about avoiding extensive bus or truck rides with the little guy. I'm travelling with a car seat in tow, but assume that outside of the major cities I won't be able to use it?! If the drive isn't too long, a cab is possible an option?!

Any insight into this area would help.

Thanks,
Todd.

Hi-
I am in Bs. As. with some friends all of december. During that time we would like to venture up to the falls and were wondering how far in advance we have to organise things?

I know we can book busses from retiro ok the day before or so, but do we need to book holtel much before-hand?

And can we book tours when we get there?

Thanks

Greetings,

I am travelling to BsAs in less than 3 weeks and considering going to Iguazu. I have some questions:

1. Everyone talks about the pararamic view of the falls from Brazil side. I hold US passport but no Brazilian visa, how can I get to the Brazilian side?
How about the boat trips? Do I get a pararamic view from the boat trips?

2. How is the water volume in mid-Dec? Is this its dry season or wet season? A while ago I saw an article saying that the fall has shrunk significantly due to drought. I think it was a few weeks ago. So I am wonder how it is now.

3. How much time do I need to explore the park, say, taking the Gran Adventure tour (combination of getting soaked under the falls and jeep trip along Yacaratia trail) and do some hiking in lower & upper cuicuit myself, 1 day? 2 days? I am young and fit.

thanks very much,

Oliver

Travelling to the falls in late November for a couple of days in late November. Does anyone have a tip on whether the Brazil side or the Argentina side is better for accommodation/food/prices and general atmosphere? I'm kinda leaning towards Puerto Iguazu on the Argentina side because it sounds more laidback, but I'm easily persuaded.

Hi all,

Does anyone know a good resource to find the dates of the full moon falls tours? I will be in Buenos Aires 9/20-10/20 and am trying to figure out when I should visit the falls...

Thanks!