Helicopter flights at Iguazu Falls
 

Can one take a helicopter flight over the falls from the Argentine side to avoid the $100 visa fee to enter Brazil? It sounds as though the heliport is located at the park entrance. But which entrance?

Thank you for any information.

I believe (not quite sure) those flights are taken from the Brazilian side and, anyway, they are EXTREMELY anti-ecological.

Thank you for your input, avrooster.
That's good to know.

Never saw helicopters in falls area last Sept. It is such a natural wonder, it would be shame to ruin it with helicopters flying around!

Claro,
No rational person pays money to fly in a helo.
M

Waggis:

We were in Iguazu many years ago and were told that the heliocopters were scaring the birds and their eggs yielding very thin shells resulting in a low survival rate.

Sounded possible to us. We would not support that venture.

We saw the falls from the Argentine side, from the Brazilian side and also from a Zodiac on the river.

We came a long way from Canada so the cost of a visa was small in comparison to the whole trip and the time to see the falls was well worth it to us. Some people risk not getting a visa. We chose to avoid any hassles about a visa and waste time in jail or arguig with border guards.

The Zodiac trip included a short jungle walk also interesting. Oddly, we were then 65/60 years old and everyone else on our excursion was much younger. We old folks [my wife and I] were the only ones to opt for the walk in the jungle. all others took the buckboard. Their loss. We came to see and that is what we were going to do.

Hope you have as good an experience as we did.

Woodie

Dear Woodie - Thank you for your interesting comments. My husband and I have every intention of getting the visa for Brazil. Like you, we want to see the falls from both sides and every possible venue. Strenuous walks may be a problem for my husband, though, but we want to explore as much as we possibly can.

I was simply trying to help out our friends for whom it is more inconvenient to obtain the visa than for us. None of us would risk an illegal entry, that's for sure.

mikemo - chill out. I don't intend to upset the beauty of the falls - but find it uncalled for to be labeled an irrational person. Must have been a bad hair day south of the border! ;-)

Waggis: please forgive Dr. Mike (mikemo).

As you say, he must have had a bad day, because he is usually VERY nice.

I should know, I have met him in Argentina.

Hello Waggis:

As I recall, we got our visa while we were in Buenos Aires. I believe it took one day and we had to leave our passports with the embasy. I was VERY uncomfortable about that but all turned out okay.

We usually visit our own embasy when we first arrive to a new place. They take a photocopy [did not want the one I provided] so they had our data on record in the event of a problem.

As a Canadian, I think that we paid less for our visa than a US citizen, must be a reciprocal thing.

On that first trip we only made our touring arrangements once we were in Bs. As., but we had an excellent local agent at that time and communications were very difficult - before e-mail.

Hope this is of help.

Woodie

Thank you, Woodie, that's very helpful information. We actually have a couple of days in BA before our flight to the falls, but we'll be very busy while finishing off a tour from Chile and the Lake District.

I tried to line up the leg from BA to Iguazu with a highly recommended TA from this board. Regrettably, the dates aren't working out for us. I guess the big tour companies have quite a stronghold on bookings at the Sheraton. We're paying twice as much booking with a US agent :-(

You see, our friends are visiting your beautiful country this summer and they're afraid they won't get their passports back in time for our trip if they send for the visa by mail, so trying for it in BA may be a working solution. We just looked up the location of the Brazilian Embassy. Thank you so very much for all your help! :-)

Hello Waggis:

Glad to help by sharing our expeiences.

We found that many people in Argentina were very friendly and helpful to us.

If you have need of a local agent in Bs. As., try Mercedes at Argentina Escapes.

We arranged [from Canada] a 9 week visit to Chile/Argentina through her year before last and found her to be excellent. Last year was we were in New Zealand. We are now working with her for our next trip to Argenina.

She might be able to provide up-to-date information on visa to help you with Iguazu.

Woodie

Just returned from a loong trip to Texas to find your reply, woodie. I'll see if I can make out the embassy's information; it's in Portuguese, of course. Good idea to visit your embassy when abroad, never thought of that preventive measure. As a tourist, I mean. Had to register when staying for a longer period of time, obviously.

Will keep your travel agent's name on file. So far our trip has been finalized and we're eagerly looking forward to this new adventure, slowly assembling our equipment. My husband bought new binoculars at REI while in Dallas - miss the place, don't have this store in Florida.

When and where will you be in Argentina next?

Again, your helpful hints are much appreciated. Thank you! :-)

Waggis

The helipad is located at entrance to brasilian park side, but outside it so you wouldnt have to pay to go into brasilian park. The tour is great, the views are fab although as mentioned as it used to bother the birds etc the flights now are much higher up in the sky. You dont go really close to the falls at all, just a view from above. You would still have to pay to get the visa though as you'd need to cross border, just wouldnt pay brasilian park entrance fee.

Hello Waggis:

My wife and I have been to Argentina twice.

I am Canadian and my wife emigrated to Canada from Buenos Aires so I certainly feel that I have an advantage when we visit Argentina and any other latin country.

Our first visit was about 11 or 12 years ago after 38 years of marriage [until we could afford to travel] and our second trip was year before last.

Our next trip will be 2009, mid January to mid March.

On our first trip we toured from the south at Ushuai to the north at Iguazu falls from the east at Bariloche to the west at Punta Tombo with many stops all around.

That trip involved using Bs. As. as a hub so we stopped at the same hotel each time we were in Bs. As. This allowed us to leave some luggage most of the time, to add to this with the gifts we bought along the way, and to know the local area where we were stopping.

We were fortunate to have had a local travel agent who arranged it all for us. Very satisfactory but alas, no longer working by the time we took our second trip.

Our second trip was first to Punta Arenas in southern Chile going north to Santiago, also for 9 wweeks with many stops along the way. From Santiago we went into Argentina to Mendoza where we had a very poor local agent, Baco Tours.

Even with our bad experience in Mendoza, overall our trip was very much enjoyed.

From Mendoza we went to San Juan [very good local agent here] and then on to Buenos Aires. We stayed in an apartment there for 4 weeks.

Once again, we lucked out with a great agent, Mercedes at Argentina Escapes who is now working on our next trip. That too was a great trip.

Our next trip to Argentina will start in Quito Ecuador where we have booked a cruise to the Galapagos for a week. The plan is to then go on to Argentina returning to Punto Tombo [spelling?] and stay there or in that area for 4 weeks. There are several larger towns in that area, Trelew, Rawson, Gaiman, Dolavon and Puerto Madryn.

This is not carved in stone and may yet change.

We visited that area on our first trip and had a very good time touring the wild life although this time the Right Whales will not be there when we are.

From here our plan is to return to Buenos Aires for another 3 or 4 weeks then come home to Canada where winter should be just about over.

By the time we travel to Argentina, I will be 77 years old so not as active for daily moving from spot to spot as I was on our first trip. As you can see, by then, fewer moves is more atractive to us old geezers. I mention this so you can take it into account when you read where we plan to go and for how long.

Naturally with my wife speaking not only Spanish but Porteno [Buenos Aires accent] Spanish we have it much easier than other foreign tourists.

The local agent also provides us with the best local information, opportunities and recommendations. Invaluable when one has a good agent.

Don't get me wrong, we found the Argentinans and the Chileans that we dealt with to be, for the most part, very friendly, accommodating and welcoming.

We never felt unsafe nor getting "ripped off". We do not travel with gold hanging from us nor do we otherwise behave extravigantly. Just plain old folk.

For anyone traveling anywhere, I recommend going to the library and taking ourt all the travel books on your country of interest. Check through them to find the one that you like best. Go out and buy the most up-to-date edition that is available. It will be the cheapest cost of your travel. Read it cover to cover and note those spots that interest you.

Get a map of the country and note your places of interest on it. Make out a route that takes you where you want to visit with the least possible double tracking.

Get a reliable and knowledgable local agent and tell them what you want and what you don't want.

Let the expert work for you to provide the best possible holiday that suits you.

Make a detailed itinerary on your computer, print and take it with you. You wouldn't want to pass very near a place of interest and miss it, not knowing it is so close or forget about a recommended restaurant or to stay away from one for that matter.

Travel and have fun.

Hope this is of help to you and that you have a great time where ever you travel.

Woodie

gypsyluce and woodie, greatly appreciate your input. Thanks so much!

Woodie, your advise is very sensible for travel anywhere. Did you get vaccinated for yellow fever before you visited Iguazu?

We, too, love to rent apartments when abroad and are doing just that in Buenos Aires.

You're doing a very challenging and varied program. Wonderful. Last January, friends returned from the Galapagos with welts on their arms due to the red tide. Be careful before you jump in ;-)

Since you're heading for Quito, you may be interested in reading Robert Whitaker's "The Mapmaker's Wife", a true story of survival in the Andes and Amazon.

I'm fascinated by the destinations you chose in Argentina. Off the beaten path, I assume, with interesting wildlife viewing. Wow. Just looking at the map I know Istmo Carlos Ameghino and Peninsula Valdés must be beautiful. Do you rent a car there? We're also "old geezers" and I think age may now come into play. Not a problem on this trip as our friends are younger than we. We hope this will be just the first of more trips to SA. So much to see and experience!

hi, re yellow fever, the jab would be necessary if you were visiting the amazon, not necessary for Iguazu. Do take insect repelant though!! TRy and get to see the falls as early as poss in the morning before the tours and buses arrive. Let me know what side you'll be staying on and i'll give you more tips.

We're staying at the Sheraton, gypsyluce. You bet I'll take insect repellant...I'm usually a prime target. It never fails.

hi, right, the trip from argentine side to the helicopter takes about 45 min as you have to go out of argentine park, then cross border and go to near brasilian park for helicopter. Staying at sheraton is great, you'll be able to be up early to see falls before the crowds. Try and do the boat trip up to falls if you like that kind of thing. There is not that much great food available in parks so take something to nibble along way. Do the train ride first as its the one most open to sun so can get very hot during day, look out for tortoises and caiman from walk, apart from butterflies and toucans. Then do the other 2 walks later which offer more shade. So wear sunscreen apart from repelent. The train leaves every 20 min or so.
Are you coming to Brasil after ?

Hi gypsyluce! No, we're not coming to Brazil this time. Would have loved to see you soaring over Rio!!! Originally, we intended to when I read on this board that Buzios is considered the most beautiful beach in the world, never mind Ipanema and Copacabana. It will have to wait for another time.

We're flying into Santiago. Tour the city, etc., and hope to visit Pablo Neruda's house, "La Chascona", as well as taking the funicular to the lookout point....or maybe "La Sebastiana"....
depending on our energy levels.

Go by train to San Fernando and spend the day in the Colchagua Valley touring wineries and visiting the Museo de Colchagua.

Next day we'll fly to Puerto Montt and stay at Cabañas del Lago in Puerto Varas. We'll ferry to Chiloé Island and travel to Caulin Bay for some bird watching.

Then we'll cross over to Argentina and Bariloche, staying at the Llao-Llao Resort. With our side trip to the falls and concluding our visit in BA, I think we're wetting our appetite for further adventures in SA quite nicely.

We have 7 days in BA and shall do the usual touristy excursions, including a quick trip to the pampas and boat ride on the Paraná.

Your tips are greatly appreciated. "Inside knowledge" can make all the difference in the world as to one's comfort level. Your description of the nature along the trail sounds so exciting...have never seen a toucan and masses of butterflies in the wild before. I thought with the large amounts of tourists nowadays, it would be a hit and miss situation. This will be so much fun for us. Thanks a lot for your time and input!

hiya, your trip sounds great ! In Buenos aires dont forget to go to Cafe Tortoni, one of the oldest cafes in town, the tango show there is cheap but only one couple dancing. For a really good and varied show I would recommend La Ventana in San telmo district, it's not just Tango but has all sorts of Argentine folclore, and dinner included, very good and the show is great.
Oh, an amusing thing about some restaurants in Buenos aires is how they serve food. I went to a restaurant with a friend and asked for a steak and thats all I got, no salad, vegetables, potatoes, nothing, these are all additions and paid for separately. Imagine my friends surprise when having asked for a hamburger all he got was the burger! No bread, nothing ! So what can seem a really cheap meal can end up being not so cheap! If you're in Buenos Aires on a sunday go to the market in Recoleta. And you must have an ice cream at freddos, various all over town. Have a meal down by the dikes area and maybe a go at the casino on the boat, good fun and pretty at night. If you're going soon it will prob be COLD!!! Take a good coat, gloves, etc, the temps are not so bad, it's the wind!! Bitter . Lots of good cafes around fortunately. Have fun and any more tips please ask., Where are you staying in BA?