One other quick question re: Iguacu: how easy is it to get back and forth on your own between the two sides of the falls (Brazil and Argentina)-- are there taxi drivers willing to make the trip without much hassle? Thanks for any insights you can provide!

We stayed in the Argentinean side. We had no problem in hiring a taxi for a fixed price to take us over the border to the Brazilean side. We had lunch, in the beautiful colonial hotel by the falls , visited the falls,( did the trail), and they he showed us around other places in Brazil and took us back to the Sheraton. They do this ALL the time.

Thanks very much for the advice- much appreciated!

If you want to save money, you can also go by bus from Puerto Iguazu. Slightly more time consuming, but very cheap.

The bird park across the road from the Brazil side of the falls was really great. And we thought the visit to a Guarani Indian village was fascinating. Like Graziella, the taxi dispatcher in the lobby at the Sheraton arranged for these visits for us. We also went to some tree park which was a waste of time. I would ask your hotel to help make these arrangements if you decide to use a taxi.