Hi--

My apologies to the board if this is a repeat, but I''ve searched the forum for a bit and am realizing I better get packing. So here are a few very tactical questions about my upcoming trip (I leave Wednesday!) If you have some insight, I'd greatly appreciate it!

- I've heard/read that Iguazu can be both wet and muddy and the forecast is calling for thunderstorms while I'm there. Is there really that much hiking to do (therefore needing hiking boots) or am I ok with trail runners? (I hate to pack another pair of big shoes).

- Is it relatively simple to get a taxi from the Iguazu airport to the town? I am spending the first night in town and the second night at the Sheraton. (I'm trying to decide if I need to arrange anything in advance or if I can wing it.) Time / Cost?

- I've read about a trip under the falls. Is this something that should be arranged in advance, or can I book it once there? Any idea what I should pay for this per person (approximate is fine )

- Since I arrive mid-morning in Iguazu, are there any 'don't miss' things to do/see in town?

Thanks in advance! I have planned this very budget trip in about 3 weeks time and while I have much to read on the plane, I was hoping to get a bit of a heads up in advance.

I'll be sure to share my experiences upon my return!

brink

We were there last month and it had rained a fair bit prior to our arrival. If you stick to the main trails mud will not be an issue and shoes will be fine. Mud is a bit of an issue if you walk the road beside the train tracks but we were OK in shoes. There is quiet trail just the other side of the "monkey bridge" off the main road to the Sheraton that was a bit muddy when I walked it and was happy to have boots on. You likely will not have time for this trail; I was birding.

A taxi between the airport and the Sheraton is 70 pesos flat rate. There is a sign in the airport listing the fares for various destinations. Our driver from the airport wanted to arrange to take us to Brazil. When we were not interested in Brazil he arranged to take us back to the airport. He must have got a better offer for his time because he did not show up. When it was clear that he was late he had the doorman get us another and all was fine in a couple of minutes. There is no need to prebook your return to the airport.

If you do the lower trail there is an option to get close to the base of one of the falls. This involves getting wet. Give some thought to what you will look like when the clothing you have choosen gets wet. Some people evidently did not.

Enjoy.

I don't think you need hiking boots/shoes.

Yes, its very easy to get a taxi from the airport. We had the Sheraton get us a taxi to return to the airport. We asked the night before-no big deal to do so.

I don't remember the cost for the boat trip under the Falls and we were there a couple years ago so it probably has changed. We did not book in advance, got there shortly after they opened (we stayed at the Sheraton so it was very easy to hit the trails right after the Falls open). U get completely soaked, but it feels good since its so hot.
have a great trip!

Gavin & Yestravel... many thanks for the advice. I will leave the hiking books and the white t-shirts at home (More room in my suitcase for Tango shoes!)

Thanks again!

Brink

My friend and I were just at Iguazu last month. There was so much water the boat ride was canceled on the day we arrived. We had prepaid it but easily got our money back. In hindsight, we were glad we didn't go on the boat ride. Too many other things to do and it is expensive. You will get soaked at the lower falls (but it's fun) so we wore flip flops. It was a little slippery but this way our shoes didn;t get wet. You'll love Iguazu... we did.

We were also there last month. No problem with taxis although we booked ours in advance both way through Los Troncos where we stayed. No you do not need hiking boots, and yes leave the white tee-shirts for another day. We did the under water fall trip. Since you probably spent $300 on a room at the Sheraton, go for the boat ride. I think it is about $50 for the package including the ride back from Devils Throat. Do not miss Devil's throat. Look for the people in the yellow shirts in the park. You can charge it.

Sandiej, we're also going to Iguazu, and we've booked Los Troncos. Any advice on what to see while we're there? We will have 2 nights.

A small tip for the Sheraton restaurant: If you don't finish your wine bottle at dinner they will happily let you bring the rest back for lunch the next day. Save the cork. The bottles have a Sheraton sticker on them.

As has already been mentioned, you won't need hiking boots.. shoes will be fine.

I don't remember what it cost for the boat trip, but I would not have missed it. We went on the one that takes you on a huge truck through the jungle, then a boat ride, that ends with the trip under the falls. Everyone squealed with laughter. Then the walk up the path to the top , all soaking wet, was fun too.

Have a great time.

Susan in Tronoto. Say hello to Sofi at Los Troncos. Sofi and her staff are wonderful. All the restaurants in town are good, not fancy. We had dinner outside at Los Troncos the first night. You can walk the few blocks to town and take the bus to the park. We did take the full Great Adventure (I found the brochure), cost AR$150 about US$50. It is huge truck trip described by kodi, then the ride under the falls (you are given a canvsas bag for your stuff). Take off your shoes as you board the boat and put stuff in the bag. That is a must do!! We finished with the ecological tour back from Devil's throat. The second night we ate at small restaurant next to La Rodeo. Very local.

bookmarking

Can someone please tell me what the park days and hours are of operation(Argentina side)? Is there a better day to go than another? Thanks!

According to
http://www.enjoy-argentina.org/iguaz...ctivities1.php
the opening hours are...

OPENING HOURS AT IGUAZU NATIONAL PARK
Summer (September 1st to March 31st): 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Winter (April 1st to August 31st): 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Having said that, we got there at 8.30 only to be told that it didn't open until 9.00am! There were a couple of hundred people queueing by the time the gates opened and there was a bit of a rush to jump on the first train. However, being amongst the first made it easier to get some decent photos (i.e. without people). One decision you will have to make is whether to get off at the first stop or travel to the end end of the line and work backwards.. We chose the latter and it worked for us. towards the end of our time there the crowds had thinned out considerably.

Thanks Crellston. I appreciate it. However, does the fact that the park doesn't publish any days closed mean that it's open everyday all year? That's what I am trying to figure out. If perhaps, it's closed on Sundays or Mondays...do you know? Also, in your opinion, what would be the best day of the week to go to the park?

Also, while I have your attention....The friends of mine that did make it on the trip and came home a few days ago (just making it home for our HUGE earthquake!) raved about the Panoramic (where I had us booked us) and were so glad that they stayed closer to town. They really enjoyed town. They REALLY discouraged me from booking the Sheraton. They said it was not such a big deal to get to the park by bus or taxi from the Panoramic, and were so glad to be able to walk into town from the hotel for what they considered some of the the best meals of the trip. What do you think? Thanks in advance!

seeks - I am pretty sure the park is open everyday (maybe excluding Xmas day). From memory I think we visited the Argentina side on a Tuesday and Brazil on the Wednesday both days were busy, but not so busy as to make it a pain. We got to the Argentine side before opening and, once the initial rush on to the first train was over, the crowds thinned out considerably.
As regards Puerto Iguazu we were there for 4 nights. It was good to have a choice of restarants and the food was very good in all of the palces we tried along the main street(even lunch in the bus station cafe was worthy of recommendation!). I don't know the Panoramic as we stayed in The Marco Polo Inn, a Hostal just across the road from the bus station so it was just a matter of crossing the road and jumping on a bus which leave very frequently. Alternatives include getting a taxi or an inclusive tour. From memory the IT cost around 60pesos - v. expensive for what is provided.

On balance, I relly don,t think which day you visit will make much difference except that maybe there will be more Argentine visitors at weekends. The time of day will make a big difference to the hundres of photos you will surely take! IMHO you should avoid mid-day and aim for early morning or late afternoon

I am travelling alone and plan to take a bus from Asuncion to the Argentine park at Iguazu Falls. Would I be better off staying on the Brazilian side? I plan to spend 3 days at the Falls. Can you recomend a hotel lesss expensive than the Sheraton? What about guides and boat trips? I appreciate your help.