Planning time in Iguasu
Oct 16th, 2012, 04:42 PM
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Planning time in Iguasu
We'll be visiting Iguasu on our own, from Buenos-Aires, as a small trip in addition to the main (organized) tour that does not include Iguasu. How would you recommend us to plan it: how much time on Argentinian and Brazilian side, where to book hotels, whether we need 2 or 3 nights or more, etc.
Oct 16th, 2012, 05:31 PM
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The Brazilian side of the park takes about 3 hours to walk, and take photos. You may also want to spend a few hours at the Bird Park near the entrance. On the Argentine side, there is a catwalk across the tops of the falls and also a lower trail. You can do them in a few hours or spend more time on that side. There are boat trips under the Devil's Throat falls from both sides, for a couple of hours. Two half days (other halves for travel ina nd out) and one full day ought to do it for a basic visit to both sides, and a visit to the Bird Park, with maybe even a boat ride thrown in.
With more time, you could also take a helicopter ride. You could visit the dam. You could go see Chinese junk for sale in Paraguay.
With more time, you could also take a helicopter ride. You could visit the dam. You could go see Chinese junk for sale in Paraguay.
Oct 16th, 2012, 05:49 PM
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Thanks VidaNaPraia. How does it look taking into account the transfers, and moving from Argentina to Brazilian Iguasu and back ? I guess they are not far apart, but how long does it take to cross the border ? I just learned that US citizens would need a Visa to Brazil.
Oct 16th, 2012, 06:26 PM
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Yes, of course U.S passport holders require a visa for Brazil, just as Brazilians require one to enter the U.S.
Read thoroughly the site of the Brazilian Consulate with jurisdiction over your residence for details on what they require. (Most Consulates have reqs that may be a bit different one from the other.)
There are locals public buses that go from the town of Foz do Iguacu to the Brazilian side of the park and from Puerto Iguazu to the Argentine side of the park. There is another bus that goes from the bus station in Puerto across the border to the bus depot in Foz. Or you could take a taxi. Maybe 40 minutes by bus IIRC from town on one side to park on other side.
Read thoroughly the site of the Brazilian Consulate with jurisdiction over your residence for details on what they require. (Most Consulates have reqs that may be a bit different one from the other.)
There are locals public buses that go from the town of Foz do Iguacu to the Brazilian side of the park and from Puerto Iguazu to the Argentine side of the park. There is another bus that goes from the bus station in Puerto across the border to the bus depot in Foz. Or you could take a taxi. Maybe 40 minutes by bus IIRC from town on one side to park on other side.
Oct 17th, 2012, 09:20 AM
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Would it work if I stay outside of the park on the Brazilian side all nights (Hotel Das Cataratas inside the park is expensive), and take a bus to the falls on either side every day ?
Oct 17th, 2012, 09:33 AM
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And just to repeat (in case you think posting on TA is going to get you some different answer), as a U.S. passport holder, you DO NEED A VISA TO ENTER BRAZIL, even for 3 nights.
(Some local taxi drivers may offer to take you across the border on a day trip without stopping at the border crossing, but this is technically illegal.)
Hardly any Brazilian Consulate answers their published phone number (there is another to contact employees) or returns emails promptly.
Read the page for your specific consulate THOROUGHLY. Most have reqs that are a bit different.
Here is the main page for yours in S.F.:
http://saofrancisco.itamaraty.gov.br...nformation.xml
To quote: "All visa applications must be submitted in person, by the applicant," so I suggest filling out the online application and going over to their location with the required documents listed.
The site also says "it takes the Consulate at least 5 business days to issue a visa." and I would think that at this time of year, there would not be a problem (such as just before Carnaval when people have put off applying until the last minute) with their staying within that timeline, so your 20 days shouldbe sufficient.
The visa should be good for 10 years from date of issue and there is no longer a requirement to use a new visa within 90 days of issue, so the sooner you apply, the better.
Good luck. Enjoy. It's a gorgeouos destination and the photos from the Brazilian side are usually spectacular.
(Some local taxi drivers may offer to take you across the border on a day trip without stopping at the border crossing, but this is technically illegal.)
Hardly any Brazilian Consulate answers their published phone number (there is another to contact employees) or returns emails promptly.
Read the page for your specific consulate THOROUGHLY. Most have reqs that are a bit different.
Here is the main page for yours in S.F.:
http://saofrancisco.itamaraty.gov.br...nformation.xml
To quote: "All visa applications must be submitted in person, by the applicant," so I suggest filling out the online application and going over to their location with the required documents listed.
The site also says "it takes the Consulate at least 5 business days to issue a visa." and I would think that at this time of year, there would not be a problem (such as just before Carnaval when people have put off applying until the last minute) with their staying within that timeline, so your 20 days shouldbe sufficient.
The visa should be good for 10 years from date of issue and there is no longer a requirement to use a new visa within 90 days of issue, so the sooner you apply, the better.
Good luck. Enjoy. It's a gorgeouos destination and the photos from the Brazilian side are usually spectacular.
Oct 17th, 2012, 11:52 AM
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Thanks VidaNaPraia. Unfortunately, to schedule an appointment, I need to fill in their online form, but the web page for the online form does not work:
https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/frscedv/...to.do?lang=eng
https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/frscedv/...to.do?lang=eng
Oct 17th, 2012, 01:08 PM
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I tried just now to get to the form through one of the other Consulate's sites, but it is the site for the form itself:
https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/frscedv/...to.do?lang=eng
that seems to be having a problem.
Send them an email, maybe, to tell them what's going on (not that they will read it in a timely manner), and try again tomorrow to see if the problem is solved. I will check too.
https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/frscedv/...to.do?lang=eng
that seems to be having a problem.
Send them an email, maybe, to tell them what's going on (not that they will read it in a timely manner), and try again tomorrow to see if the problem is solved. I will check too.
Oct 18th, 2012, 09:45 AM
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The page for the form is still not working (as of 2pm EST). I did succeed in informing someone at the Consulate in Boston of the problem (which is with the page, when accessed from any of the Brazilian Consulate's sites in the U.S. that I have tried), and have been told they had no idea this was happening, and that they would call me with an update. Whether they call back or not, at least someone knows who may deign to pass on the message to someone who can actually get the problem fixed. Let's hope for the best.
Oct 18th, 2012, 10:43 AM
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OK, plsflgd, I may have an answer.
Make sure that you have the most recent version of Java installed on your computer. (They seem to have changed something and the latest version is apparently now required.)
If you don't know if you have it or what version, just Google "java", find the page with the free download and run the installation program. It only takes a few minutes to install the latest version.
Also make sure that you have installed the free download of the Adobe Reader program.
Make sure that you have the most recent version of Java installed on your computer. (They seem to have changed something and the latest version is apparently now required.)
If you don't know if you have it or what version, just Google "java", find the page with the free download and run the installation program. It only takes a few minutes to install the latest version.
Also make sure that you have installed the free download of the Adobe Reader program.
Oct 18th, 2012, 10:47 AM
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We ended up staying just on the Argentina side because it was going to cost about $150 a person for the Visa and we had only planned on going there for the day, not to do an overnight. We stayed 2 nights and that was plenty time to see the area, do the boat tour under the falls, etc. Also be advised that you also need Yellow Fever shots if you go into Brazil but not necessary in Argentina. Just an added cost to factor in.
Oct 18th, 2012, 12:12 PM
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AFAIK, Yellow Fever shots are not necessary for Brazil. In fact, my vaccination history card has never been checked entering at any border point. If for your own protection, there is no difference between one side of the river and the other to a mosquito, and on the Brazil side of the park there is considered to be little risk. (If you take the CDC, or the State Department for that matter, literally, you might spend your life hiding under your bed. 
Higher risk anywhere in the area might be dengue, for which there is no shot.
You miss the best photo ops, as well as an exciting walk out into the middle of the river with falls above and below, and the interesting Bird Park, if you don't visit the Brazilian side of the park.
Higher risk anywhere in the area might be dengue, for which there is no shot.You miss the best photo ops, as well as an exciting walk out into the middle of the river with falls above and below, and the interesting Bird Park, if you don't visit the Brazilian side of the park.
Oct 18th, 2012, 12:28 PM
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Hi cavegirl, do I need yellow fever shot ? Brazil Consulate web site says that I don't need it.
VidaNaPraia, were you actually able to see the page with teh latest Java update ? If yes - where have you downloaded it from ?
VidaNaPraia, were you actually able to see the page with teh latest Java update ? If yes - where have you downloaded it from ?
Oct 18th, 2012, 02:07 PM
#15
The CDC website recommends a YF shot for the falls. I can't see that it would make any difference which side you were on. Last I checked mosquitoes could fly. Since I plan to visit Bolivia next year, and the shot is good for 10 years, I had no hesitation in getting one. (note that if you're over 60 the CDC recommends AGAINST the shot - I had to get a permission slip from my doctor.)
Oct 18th, 2012, 06:09 PM
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Yes, plsflgd, I talked to a Consulate IT tech today and if you download the latest Java version (free), you should be able to see the form when entering from the S.F. Consulate site, and make your appointment. It worked for me (the form displayed fine). The form is on the same Brazilian govenment website and is just accessed through the individual Consulate's website. Something in their programming changed recently. Hasn't changed on some sites for Br. Consulates not in the U.S., such as Sydney or Montreal.
Do keep me posted on your success.
Do keep me posted on your success.
Nov 1st, 2012, 11:34 AM
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This story has a continuation: got an email from Brazilian consulate, that they have cancelled all appointments due to some technical difficulties. Oh well, I guess I'll have to stay on Argentinian side. And, I guess, that also eliminates the need for a Yellow Fever shot.
