Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Just returned from Brazil, Argentina, and Chile

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Just returned from Brazil, Argentina, and Chile

My girlfriend and I just returned from a wonderful trip to Rio de Janeiro, Igaucu Falls (also Iguazu on the Argentina side), Buenos Aires, Bariloche to Puerto Montt (Chile) over the Andes, and Santiago. I'll list my main areas of knowledge below; if anyone has any questions, I am more than happy to answer as best I can. Rio: Hotels - Intercontinental and Marriott Activities - the normal city stuff like Christ and Sugarloaf mountain, a Samba school, New Year's Eve on the beach, Ipanema hippie market, Copcabana, Rio's art museums, a day trip south to the farm of Roberto Burle Marx and Casa do Pontal, some of the nightlife Food - contact Surlok on this message post. Her restaurant recommendations helped us tremendously and had several great meals in Rio. We also tried Marius, one of the all you can eat BBQ places on the beack in Leblon. Iguacu / Iguazu: Hotel - Sheraton Activities - Brazil side of the falls, Argentina side of the falls Food - At the hotel - choices are limited if you do not have a car Buenos Aires: Hotel - Hilton Activities - La Boca, San Telmo, Recoleta, downtown, Palermo, a trip to an area of weekend homes north of the city, the Buquebus to Uruguay for a day Food - we mostly ate near our hotel in Puerto Madero. There were some great restaurants there. Most also have sister restaurants in Rocoleta. Lake Crossing Bariloche to Puerto Montt: Hotels - La Cascada, Puerto Blest, Cabana del Lagos Activities - 2 day Cruce de Lagos lake crossing by boat and bus, several hikes around the national parks on the Argentina and Chile sides Food - almost any German place in Bariloche is good. A tapas restaurant on the lake in Puerto Veras called Mediteranian was pretty good. Santiago: Hotel - Marriott Activities - all the major city attractions, a trip to Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, a day along the wine trail to Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, and a few other wineries, the major malls near out hotel Food - We picked poorly in Chile and did not have a really good meal. There was a cool place called Zanzibar in Rio Bordis (Santiago) that has a breathtaking mosiac tile floor and tables on the roof where you can eat under the stars. It was pretty cool. Other: Marco Sur airpass, Buenos Aires during the current crisis, general travel questions like airport transfers and tipping, etc. Each place we visited was quite different fron the others, but they were all wonderful. We also heard stories from other travelers about places in Brasil, Argentina, and Chile we did not get to. If you are thinking about a visit to any of these places, especially with the current travel deals, I recommend to go. You will have a great trip.

Hi David, Can you give some insight on your hotels in Rio? How come you stayed in two hotels? Did you not like one of them and moved to another? How was the Marriott...I think it just opened last year. I've stayed in the InterContinental before and I'm always looking for great hotels in Rio. Sounds like you had a fabulous trip!

The two hotels had to do with New Year's Eve and availability. Before I went, I wanted to stay the entire time at the Marriott (I used points for part of my stay), but they were booked. In fact, everywhere was booked except the Intercontinental and the Sheraton. After being there, I am glad I had the two experiences. There is more going on at Copacabana, but the service at the Intercontintal was really exceptional, and there you have a large pool and more of a resort atmosphere. It is a little farther from everything, but we enjoyed our stay there more than the Marriott. Some advice for the Marriott. All the rooms are very modern (in terms of amenities); for example, it is probably one of the few hotels in Rio you can get high speed Internet access at. And the hotel has a great location. But the way they had to build the hotel is a little weird. Since they were surrounded on the non-ocean facing sides by existing buildings, they designed a central atrium, and all the interior rooms open up to this atrium. This design is probably the best they could have done, and does get light to the rooms, but not that much -- when I entered the room, it did not feel normal to me. If you have an interior room, ask for one on floors 10 or 11 (or 9 if you have executive status). These rooms get more light because there is a 3 story window (and no ocean front rooms) on the front of the hotel on those floors. The ocean-front rooms have an amazing view of Copacabana. I spent time in all three types of rooms, and the interior floor 9-11 or oceanfront are great and I would recommend them.

Thanks David. I agree, the InterContinental is a great hotel...the pool area is unbelievable and the staff is really great. We just didn't like being so far from Ipanema. We spent a lot of time taxi cabs and using the free shuttle. Thanks for the info on The Marriott. I remember when they were building it on that crowded block...I wondered how they were going to design the rooms. Thanks again.

To the Top for Mary and Rhoda

Hi David, I am planning a trip to South America. We are planning to go to Rio de Janeiro, Igaucu Falls (also Iguazu on the Argentina side), Buenos Aires, Bariloche to Puerto Montt (Chile) over the Andes, and Santiago - the places you visited back in January. I have a qustion for you. Did you make all hotel, transfer, air reservations from U.S., which tourist agency made all the reservations for you? Did you take local tours with local tourist agencies or on your own? Thanks. Lev.

Hello Lev, Did David reply to you? I am considering somthing similar, Puerto Montt(Chile) then across to Bariloche. and I am looking for some details about travel from Santiago to Puero Montt and Pueto Montt to Bariloche(I saw the bus route but could get cost) Thx JAson JAson

Hi David, It's really nice of you to share your experiences with us! I'll be in Rio for a week in October, first time for me, and I'll look into everything you've mentioned! Would appreciate any other tips you may have. Who's Surlok, or where can I find the restaurant recommendations you were talking about? Thanks, Ina

thanks for the info. we (2 couples) will be in B.A. during the holidays. we booked at the hilton and would like your comments and the price you paid.