Need help: Buenos Aires, Rio in April/May 1st time
 

Hi, thanks for opening this post.
Short story: Desire guidance on:
splitting 10 nights between BA and Rio--7/3?
hotels in BA--Art Suites and Gallery, Urban Suites, Ayres de Recoleta Plaza? others in same range?
hotels in Rio, Ipanema--Tulip Ipanema Plaza, Praia Ipanema? others?
Fit in Iguazu for one night? Airline to go there open jaws?
Airline to fly direct from BA to Rio?

Longer request with background:
We are frequent Europe travelers but this will be our first time to South America. Starting in Buenos Aires based on things I've read suggesting it has a very European vibe, thereby making our intro to a new continent easier. Thinking to stay in Recoleta area there. Looking at Art Suites and Gallery there, also Urban Suites and Ayres de Recoleta Plaza. Expect to split a 10 night stay, 7 BA, and 3 Rio (+most of a 4th given a 9:50 p.m. departure) Have been advised to stay in Ipanema area there. Looking at Tulip Ipanema Plaza and Praia Ipanema.

Besides hoping to get comment on time split and hotels I'm also hoping to get opinions on whether to try to fit an overnight and day in Iguazu Falls into the plan. I know everyone raves about the natural beauty, but it seems to require an incredible amount of logistics and expense--$700 plus flight per person (and there will be 3 of us) with less than attractive times (like a 9 hour layover in Sao Paolo) and we're not big time hikers. And anything requiring entry and exit from a Zodiac would be prohibitive for me. OTOH, I'm not having a picnic just trying to find reasonable flights between BA and RIO either. My usual go to spot whichbudget.com doesn't show much for cheap flights out of BA. Should I be looking at some other sites? Anything else you'd advise me to be thinking about as I plan this trip? Thanks.

latinamericaforless.com cheap lodging flight packages
usually cheaper than DIY.Might check there.
despegar.com for flights for DIY spg.com Sheraton
Iguazu and Libertador best for me also in Copa/Rio
deals sometimes on Priceline. In big cities marriott.com
and ihg.com good deals bidding on Priceline too.

Have fun!

I'd split the time more evenly between the two cities, there's lots to see in both places. I'd probably suggest Rio has a bit more to offer in terms of things to see and do.

In Rio, have you thought of staying in St Teresa rather than in Zona Sul? The beach areas are OK if that's what you want but you will get a better sense of Rio outside of that tourist zone.

Have you looked at the Brazilian airline TAM for flights between BA and Rio? That said airfares are often expensive internal to South America as there's no competition on most of the routes.

I highly recommend your plan to stay in Recoleta in Buenos Aires. We stayed downtown at the Marriott for a few days and happily changed hotels, moving to Recoleta. We were able to get a very affordable rate at Melia Recoleta Plaza at the last minute and it's location was perfect for us service and room rop notch. It's within walking distance to many excellent restaurants ( Sottovoce, Sanjuanino,) and sites. We enjoyed taking a tour with a historian through Eternautas. We liked the feel of Recoleta; it reminded us not only of European cities but of some neighborhoods in NY and Chicago.
I am using your wonderful Piemonte Trip Report as we plan a trip there in June..Thanks for sharing your experiences.

For Brazil, you should be looking at airlines TAM and GOL. There are direct flights from Iguacu (IGU) to Rio on TAM.
The spectacular falls are definitely worth visiting IMO, but spend 2 nights in order to fit in the park on both sides (each very different), the bird park, and a boat ride under Devil's Throat, with travel in (day 1 morning)and out (day 3 afternoon).
I would suggest splitting the time remaining equally between Bs.As. and Rio. (Note: In Brazil, "BA" indicates the state of Bahia.) I am sure you will find Rio interesting and cosmopolitan. Take a look at the site www.ipanema.com for ideas on what to do after the major sights. Don't be put off by scare stories abotu crime.
Either of the Rio hotels you mention are good. Some people prefer Ipanema, but Copacabana is OK too, particularly the end near the fort and Arpoador (closest to Ipanema). Santa Teresa is not logistically practical, IMO, especially with the bondinho (streetcar) not working currently.
Have a great trip.

Thanks to all of you for offering your recommendations. I took a quick look at ipanema.com and it looks to have a lot of helpful info. I'll undoubtedly be back for more info as I move along, but I appreciate your help getting me started.