Iguazu Falls -- is Brazil side worth the cost?
 

We are a small group of Texans going to South America in April, 2017. We fly from Bariloche to IGR Iguazu -- in Argentina. We arrive at 3:15pm. We are staying at the Sheraton Iguazu Resorts -- again on the Argentina side.

We were thinking about visiting the Brazil side later that afternoon. Then, visit the Argentina side on the next full day.

We depart from IGR and fly to Buenos Aires.

To visit the Brazil side requires jumping through hoops and buying a Visa. Photos, visits to Houston consulate office, etc. I am thinking that is crazy. Save the money and time and buy a couple more nice bottles of Malbec and blow off the Brazil side. Maybe take the helicopter and fly over the Brazil side. Where am I wrong?

There was a fairly lengthy thread on this earlier this summer, and in it, I took the position that I was not going to spring for the Brazilian visa but instead would confine my visit to the Argentine side.

I've since changed my mind and am in the process of applying. This is a once in a lifetime experience, I understand it is relatively quick and easy to reach the Brazilian side from where my hotel is located, and in the overall scale of costs, the visa fee is minimal. It would seem minimal also in relation to the cost of a helicopter for a group of people.

My situation is different in that I live in a city with a Brazilian Consulate so it's not nearly so inconvenient for me to get the visa.

Also, it'll probably take you at least an hour to get out of the airport and to your hotel, and although I'm not yet familiar with the area, it looks to me like your hotel and the airport are both quite a ways from the border crossing to Brazil. Someone familiar with the geography can correct me. So I question whether you'll have time to see the Brazil side on the afternoon of your arrival.

Anyway, try to find the earlier thread and read the arguments either way.

To fully appreciate Iguazu, I recommend visiting both sides of the waterfalls. From Brazil, you experience a more panoramic view, while in Argentina, you very much get into the waterfalls. To fully see both sides, you need 2.5 to 3 days. With 1.25 days, you could easily spend all your time on the Argentine side. If you arrive at IGR by 3:15, not accounting for delays, then I assume you are going to your hotel to check in, drop your bags, etc., I do not see how you have enough time to go to the Brazilian side, which takes anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. In short, I would go to both sides, but I would also try to add an extra night. Otherwise, with your limited time, stick with the Argentine side.

"Iguazu Falls -- is Brazil side worth the cost?"
Is it worth spending thousands on a trip only to miss out on a unique opportunity in order to buy some wine you can get at home for U$20? Can't take those iconic photos of the falls from your backyard...or from the Sheraton.
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"We arrive at 3:15pm."
And it takes an hour to cross the border (even without stopping to drop your luggage at your hotel), the Brazilian side of the park closes at 5, and it takes about 3 hours to walk the path and take photos. All the iconic photos you've seen of the falls, all the panoramas, were taken from the Brazilian side.Plus, while you are over there on the Brazilian side, you'll want to visit the interesting Bird Park, a highlight.

The Sheraton is inside the Argentine park, so I'd use the remaining afternoon time, and the evening time to which you're entitled by staying inside the park, to explore as much of that side as possible. You could get in at least one of the major trails, and divide the full day between the Brazil side and the other major trail in Argentina, or a boat ride under the falls.

"Maybe take the helicopter and fly over the Brazil side. Where am I wrong?"
Where? Well, for one.....In order to take the helicopter, you have to go to Brazil--with a visa; the only helipad is on the Brazil side.
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Insofar as Brazilian visas, you do not specify where you live, how far from the Consulate. The Houston Consulate is one that has the possibility of giving same day visas. If any of your group is willing to make the drive, that person could submit for the whole group--who could buy him/her a bottle of Malbec for his/her trouble--and the whole matter could be over and done with in a day. (I hear you Texas folk don't think anything of driving 2 hours just to the supermarket. :-)
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OMG dwdvagamundo!!!! What changed your mind?

I’ll repeat for the OP here what I said on the other thread:
(http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...-the-falls.cfm)
“The visa is good for ten years” Maybe you’ll have the opportunity within that period of exploring more of the gems of Brazil, a unique country within South America.
“Personally, I think the Brazilian side of the park, the Bird Park and the access to the spectacular helicopter ride over the falls, is well worth “the time and trouble”, if there is indeed such, of applying for a visa.”

THANK YOU! These comments were extremely helpful. We probably will go to Houston and get the visas.

My guess is that we will follow SambaChula's recommendation and will walk one path (Devil's Throat) the first afternoon and then split Argentina and Brazil sides the next day.

Actually SambaChula I only have to drive 30 minutes to the grocery story from one of our homes and 45 minutes from the other home. FYI all Texans are rich and have at least two homes. Will drive longer than that to purchase some great Argentinian Malbecs.

Seriously all, thanks for your input.

SambaChula--on reflection accepted your logic from the other thread.

BTW--is the visa really good for ten years? This site http://www.visarite.com/brazil_visa.htmsays it's good for only 90 days from date of issue, but you can get one to give you multiple entries over five years. I'm going to try for the five year one as it is conceivable I'll return to Brasil within that time span.

You should be getting visa info ONLY from the official Brazilian Consulate site with jurisdiction over your residence.
The URL is:
Name-of-city-in-Portuguese dot itamaraty dot com dot br

If you have a US passport, you will get a 10 year visa.
You can stay up to 180 days per year (90 initial entry/prazo + 90 renewal)

The site you linked to has info that is over 10 years out of date and some just plain incorrect, all with a misleading copywriter 2016.

Glad you will see the falls from all perspectives.

I've been using the official site for the Brazilian consulate in Atlanta, where I live.

So why even refer to info on that visarite gobbledegook site you linked to in your post?

Because it had a very short expiration time for the visa. Couldn't find a reference in the official site. Please don't start an argument with me. I'm going to do what you said.

"Short expiration time"?????
"Couldn't find a reference in the official site."

The Atlanta Consulate's official site says:
( http://atlanta.itamaraty.gov.br/en-u...by_country.xml )

"C) VALIDITY OF THE VISA
Brazil has visa agreements with certain countries. For those eligible for long duration tourist (VITUR) and/or business visas (VITEM II) (valid for more than 90 days), the validity of the visa will count from the date it was issued:

Country

United States of America
VITUR & VITEM II
Up to 10 years counted from the date of issuance"

I always remind readers to read their Consulate's site carefully and thoroughly (since each are differently organized and may have slightly different requirements)........for good reason.
(If that constitutes "starting an argument", geee, sorreeeeee.)
Brazilian Consulates in the US do respond to their emails, and some even answer the published phone number, to deal with questions.

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Many years ago now, the "normal" visa issued to US passport holders was 5 years (multiple entry, 180 days max per year). That visa needed to be used for the first time within 90 days of issue. That changed quite awhile ago. (2010 or before, iirc)

Sometimes, if a US passport holder applied at the Brazilian Consulate in Puerto Iguacu, Argentina, at the falls at the border of Brazil, that office used to issue 90 (total) day visas.
This also happened occasionally at Brazilian Consulates in some other South American countries. Reports were generally from young travelers on extended trips (i.e. not able to apply at "home" Consulate) at the time of the "90-day-first-entry" condition on 5-year visas.

I haven't heard reports of that (either of those things)happening in ages.
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We’ve been to the Iguazu Falls with my husband in November 2015 and I agree that the Brazilian side of the waterfalls offers you a more panoramic view which is awesome for taking stunning photos. On the other hand, when you are in the Argentinean side you are closer to the waterfalls. This is such a magnificent place! If you have time, make sure you visit both sides – the Brazilian and the Argentinean side as they have their own beauty.

"i recommend hire a agency to handle the transfer to there" . Of course you do, you are a tour gency!
It really is very easy to do it yourself by taxi or bus.

OP ... I too will be visiting Iguazu Falls, but at the end of February. My issue is timing not the Visa as I need the Visa anyway to visit other places in Brazil. Do be aware of the National Park early closing hours as I have discovered. Any way you can push the Brazil side to the next day? You might be better off.

To add to what crellston said:
re: "agencies have less time of waiting while you pass from argentina to brazil."
crellston: "Of course (you recommend hiring an agency) .... you ARE a tour agency!"

There's one booth, one line, first come. first served.
If you take a taxi, often the driver would take your passport inside for you so you don't even have to get out. But even if you take the local public bus, it's not a big deal.

In Iguazu at the moment. Taxi from the airport was ARS 350. Return trip to the Argentine Park entrance ARS 600. There were four of us. Bus from Pueto Igauzu return is ARS 130. Park entrance ARS330.

Allow plenty of time for the Argentine side as it is crowded and not terribly well organised re the trains.

Off to teh Brazil side now - taxi again is 600.

Our second time to Iguazu and, even though I am English and dont have to pay a visa fee, I would say that the Brazil side is definitely worth the time and expense. The views are superb and more panoramic than the argentine side. It is also much better organised in terms of transport etc. Just to take in the views would take around three hours but there is a lot to see and do so you could easily spend an entire day there.

It cost us 600ars for transport to and from Puerto Iguazu to the Brazil park and took around 30 mins including passing through argentine immigration (nobody manning the Brazil immigration posts so we didn't have to stop). I guess if you are arriving mid afternoon you could it in the trip before sunset quite easily. All the hotels in PI seem to be geared up for transfers, but probably best to arrange in advance.

Thanks for the info, Crellston--I'll be following in about a month!

Hi
I am a local tour guide and photographer at Iguassu falls.
Buying some bottle of Malbec won´t be a bad idea.kkk
For my experince doing tours with a lot of clients from all over the world, expecially usa travellers, it is worth to visit both sides.
I know it can be pain to get the visa, but the visa will be good for 10 yaers.
You will be so close to do it, just a short ride to the brazilian side.
The prospective from both sides are very diferents, same falls but complete diferent filling.
The helicopter ride is only from the brazilian side, i know it was a joke flight to brazil.
have a nice trip to Iguazu.

UPDATE!

Good comments all. Originally, we were to arrive IGR Iguazu at 3:15pm on a Sunday and depart Tuesday at 11:10am. That actually only gave us one full day and a couple of hours on the first day. We changed our Tuesday departure time until 3:55pm. That gives us over 1/2 day extra -- so Brazil is in. Additional adult beverages in.

Wow, working with Aerolineas Argentinas was a challenge. We tried 800 number twice (first time a Maria hung up on us); the website twice and even Delta. In the end, 800 worked when we were helped by a very knowledgeable and friendly representative. I am not looking forward to Sky Airlines.