ED Mann

For mid-May trip from BA, am considering Sheraton or International hotels; any others? Without visa, can I get to Brazil side? How cold will it be? Packages that you liked? Can we go on to Santiago or have to return to BA? Thanks.

Susan Goldsborough

Went to Iguazo last June and stayed at the Sheraton where there is much more to see and do in that you can walk on catwalks over the falls. You will not be cold; temperatures were all 70 or bettter. Just bring a jacket or sweater. Did not see one mosquito. The Brazil side gives the most panoramic view of the falls so is worth a day visit. You can find a cab driver who will sneak you over and back without a visa. There is a great bird aviary to visit on the way on the Brazilian side and the hotel is beautiful to stroll around. Do not feed the coatis as they will scratch and bite and will cluster around you on Brazilian side. Very few on the Argentina side as were killed by a puma two years ago. Tours under the falls are available from inside the Sheraton but book them from the national park office and save big on fees. The park office is an easy walk from the hotel. Do not miss the moonlight walk to the falls led by rangers. Breakfast and lunch at the Sheraton is good, but try to avoid the sterile formal dining room at dinner. Empty and expensive and not very good. We returned to BA and then to Santiago. I can't remember why we routed that way. When in BA, take the hydrofoil to Colonia - beautiful little town. Take warm clothes for the trip back - gets cold when the sun goes down. We regret not taking one of the luxury buses into Paraguay. Make sure you have provided for the possibility of bandits stopping the bus.

evelyntrav

In planning our trip to BA and Colnia, I came across this old post.

Susan if you read this...

What can you tell me about the luxury buses into Colonia?
What is this about bus bandits?

Graziella5b

Hi, from Buenos Aiewa ro Colonia there are no luxury buses involved, not any bus for that matter, the way to go is to take from BA a ship of Buquebus, it will take you in one hour to Colonia.It will leave you right on the Port of Colonia a few minutes from the old town.
Buquebus offers daily tours, or you can go on your own, and take a taxi around and walk. If you do so you can visit a little out of town the oldest winery of Uruguay called Bodegas SaN JUAn.
The town of Colonia is very tiny, little cobbed streests, restaurants and old colonial buildings.
In C armelo some 45 minutes away there is an excellent resort on the quiet side, very nice , a 4 Season Hotel, with an excellent small spa, a golf course,tennis, boats by the river, and a casino nearby. A WEEk end from Buenos AIRES spent at the Four seasons is a very nice experience. The quaality of service is extraordinary.Check they have some packages.

evelyntrav

Grazeilla,
You mentioned that the port is a few minutes from the old town. Is that "on foot" or by taxi? Also, can I cover the town by walking to the sites, or will I have to take a taxi from place to place? And do you know if the Buquebus tours are a 30+ passenger or a minibus? I don't like the idea of one of the huge tour groups, but if it is really the best way to get around I would reconsider.

Thans.

Graziella5b

Hi Evelyn, the buquebus takes you across the River Plate, in one hour.From downtown B Uenos Aires .Picture Colonia as an extremely little town ( Old town, which is what you wish to see). You can walk to the old town from the boat but I think it is better to take a taxi, it should cost very little.
I do not knolw if they have meters but if they do not check the rate to take you to down town which should be like 2 dollars maximum.
(60 Uruguayan pesos probably less) once in the old town you can walk around , should you decide to go to the old San Juan winery or to Carmelo, Four Seasons, a taxi from the Four seasons charged us both ways to Colonia including a visit to the San Juan winery like 50 dollars, several hours riding and waiting for us
The pre paid tour from Buenos Aires is probably a large one because I have noticed many tourist on board but I do not know if all were together in the same tour.
I hate tours so I would go on my own, but this is personal. What I would probably do is to take a taxi to the old town, walk around , ask a lot of questions, people are very friendly. AND THEN if there is still time hire a taxi for a set fee to go out of town .Do not expect too much to do in Colonia itself, you can ask B uquebus how is the tour
Do not buy first class tickets on the boat because it is not worth it, they are practically the same, tourist class and first. Difference is very little but frankly not worth it.A one way ticket Bue COlonia is very cheap like $25 dollar

evelyntrav

Thanks for the information. I agree about mass tours, but small 10-person ones are fine for me.