I am planning a 2-weeks trip to Brazil in early October. After reading and surfing the Net it looks like we would like Rio, Iguasso Falls and Amazon.

1. Can someone tell me about Amazon (Manaus?) Where to stay, where to go, how many days, etc.

2. Do we need extra vaccinations to go there?

3. How many days is enough at Iguasso Falls?
Do I need Argentinian visa to go to Argentian side? (We are US citizens)

4. Is it better to go in early or late October?

5. Is it a good idea to include Buenos Aires in our trip or is it too much?

6. Have someone had any business with braziliannuts.com? They have some nice looking packages.

2. I would probably get a yellow fever shot because of the Amazon part only.

3) No you don't need a visa for Argentina. You do need one for Brazil. I think that one night would do the job at Iguazu.

5) It would be a good idea to go to B.A. for a long weekend, but it would be a bit much (choose between BA and Amazon).

6) brazilnuts was recommended by the Fodor's or other guidebook that I used for Brazil.

1. Manaus is a big town in Amazon (not sure if it is the capital)...it's like any other town and you won't get a feel of the Amazon till you go further in. We went to Ariau and stayed at the Amazon Towers. The whole Amazon experience is a bit overrated. Tropical is a nice hotel in Manaus and make sure you stay at the Tropical hotel in Iguassu as it's the only one in the national park.

2. Maybe yellow fever vaccinations - I got them. Some people get malaria shots/pills - I didn't.

3. 3 days is ideal. There is not a whole lot to do there eventhough it's beautiful. Don't miss the bird sanctuary - it's fab. You don't need a visa.

4. Not sure

5. Sure if you have the time - though there is a lot to see in Brazil. I would recommend visiting Salvador in Bahia- it was my favourite place there.

Hope that helps.

What is in Salvador de Bahia? From what I read so far I got the impression that it is just another black town with nice architecture. I have nothing agaist people with black skin but I don't need to go to Brazil to see it. Please, enlighten me.

Anjulis, unfortunately the amount of enlightenment that you are in need of is beyond the scope of this board.

Salvador is beautiful...a mix of African and Brazilian culture ( I don't know what you mean by black town) - it's got beautiful beaches with warm water and has a tremendous buzz.