I am trying to arrange round trip air fare from Rio to Iguazu Falls. I contacted a Brazilian carrier (while I am still in the U.S.A.) and the clerk informed me that the fare would be considrably less expensive if I waited until I arrived in Rio to purchase my ticket. Are fares cheaper if the ticket is purchased within Brazil? <BR> <BR>

Dear Leslie: I would not rely on that information. Usually the cheapest way to travel domestically within Brazil is to purchase the Varig Airpass. It is $490.00 US and can only be purchased outside of Brazil. It allows unlimited mileage within Brazil for 21 days. It gives you 5 coupons. Connecting cities do not count as coupons (max. 2 connections). After the 2 free connections, connections will cost a coupon. The airpass can offer great savings considering that fares within Brazil can be very expensive. <BR>Jill Siegel

i just returned from brazil ten minutes ago. i also had a domestic air pass. And I now believe you can buy cheaper tickets in brazil. I think they may be kind of scammish so I would buy a ticket in brasil. This will probably be contoversial to most people who respond - but i think they are cheaper now if you get tix in brasil. Plus you are not locked in and there is no ext4ra fee. you only get one change also. hope this helps and does not confuse you.

The only time it would be cheaper to buy tickets in Brazil would be the trip between Rio & Sao Paulo, and if you were making only a 1 way trip to one other city. Other than that tickets in Brazil can be very expensive. A round trip ticket from Rio - Manaus can be approx. $800.00 <BR>Check it out yourself, call a travel agency in Brazil before you decide. <BR>Jill

Hi Leslie. I'm bringing some very old experience to this discussion so it may no longer be valid. I used the Varig Airpass many (many) years ago and it was a great deal. $490 still sounds pretty darn good. HOWEVER, it took us three attempts before we were able to go to Iguazu because that is a very popular route and the flights were usually full. Even with a pass, I'd recommend an advance reservation. Have a great time!

Hi Leslie. I'm bringing some very old experience to this discussion so it may no longer be valid. I used the Varig Airpass many (many) years ago and it was a great deal. $490 still sounds pretty darn good. HOWEVER, it took us three attempts before we were able to go to Iguazu because that is a very popular route and the flights were usually full. Even with a pass, I'd recommend an advance reservation. Have a great time!