Should we go to Iguazu Falls?
 

We're going to be in BA for two weeks and I'd originally thought we'd go to IF for a couple of days (but no plans have been made). Now I'm feeling sort of ambivilent about it. Should we go? Everybody seems to want to make this excursion but I don't know if it calls to me. We live fairly near Niagara Falls which I've seen a million times. I know Iguazu is bigger but is that a reason to go?

I've been thinking that we can make the decision when we're in BA so I guess that's what we'll do, but what do you think? Is it a must?

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ESIguacuFalls#

Goddess, your highness, we had the same tepid feeling having been to Niagara twice and having seen many falls all over in addition. Believe me when I tell you...Igaucu is in a class by itself...Victoria and Angel are much higher, but seeing 270+ cataracts of varying sizes spilling into the river from all directions, is a sight to behold. (We did the Brazilian side because we were on our way to Rio and the Amazon).

Also, the thick surrounding rain forest adds to the ultra dramatic ambience, IMO...here are some pics for you...loved BA and Chile(drove a good part of mid and southern Chile)...also visited the Amazon on a four-day small boat trip into the interior. I'll include all the BA (above)and Rio/Amazon pics for you (next post)anyway. Enjoy your trip whatever you decide.

Rio and the Amazon:

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...oBrazilAmazon#

Stu (tossing in Chile and Bariloche in next post)

https://picasaweb.google.com/stuartt...ocheArgentina#

Have a meaningful, fun, educational, safe trip, Goddess!
stu

We went to BA a couple of years ago and really wanted to go to Iguazu Falls. We actually made the arrangements, then we were delayed 6 days in Santiago because of the Chilean earthquake. By the time we finally got to BA, I really couldn't face going anywhere else. We ended up spending 10 days in BA and passing on Iguazu and Punta del Este. I loved our time in BA and I'm definitely glad we spent our time there, but I do wish we had been able to see Iguazu. If you have the chance, go for it!

Iguacu...in Portuguese.

Thanks so much. I'm giving it further thought now. I loved your pictures, Stu, especially the 'boys of Buenos Aires' -- we took almost exactly that same picture in Lisbon! And although we're not going to Brazil this time, we have travelled there in the past and your Rio pictures brought back some nice memories.

Thanks again to both of you!

If you are wishy-washy about it, I would skip it. I was just there in March and don't get me wrong, I have no regrets of having seen the falls, but I question the amount of time and money it took away from the rest of my trip. It is absolutely amazing, but after a while it all runs together, I mean in the end its just a bunch of waterfalls. If you do go, I would only spend 2 days tops there - I would have been bored to tears if we had spent 3 days there. Sorry to be Debbie Downer, I know a lot of people just LOVE the falls, but I much would have preferred more time in BA. Oh and if you take the bus, make sure to do Via Bariloche Tutto Letto class.

Interesting to have a differing point of view, posty. Two days would be the max I'd spend there. I assumed we would fly -- I didn't realize there was a bus. Is it a long drive? and what is Via Bariloche Tutto Letto class?

Never mind, posty, I'll looked it up. Very mixed reviews.

Another very strong vote FOR Iguassu. I have seen Niagara, and Iguassu blew me away. To my mind the question you should be asking is not "should we go to Iguassu", but "should we pay the Brazilian visa fee to see both sides".

Photos from the Brazilian side:
http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/S...-Iguazu-Brazil

Photos from the Argentinian side:
http://kwilhelm.smugmug.com/Travel/S...ca-2012/Iguazu

But note that I may have stumbled on a way around the visa:
http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...omment-7901722

GTG why not compromise and just one of you go?

Good thinking! One of us and a camera. Cheaper that way too. That's using the old coconut, cold!

I hate to admit this but many years ago we spent a week around Pebble Beach in California. After a day or so I mentioned that looking at the ocean got a little boring after awhile. It was blue and unlikely to change much.

Personaly GTG I would go to Patagonia. The peaks change as you keep moving.

Big, big difference between the beach and Iguassu! I'm very much not a beach person and I loved the falls.

This is NOT the right time of the year for Patagonia.

Have a great time in our country.

Darn. I was looking forward to GTG's trip report.

I just want to stay in BA for the full two weeks. Call me wacky.

YES! Definitely go to Iguazu, even if just to the Argentinian side it is amazing. You can stay overnight on the Argentinian side at one of the guesthouses in Iguazu town & also see the tri-border, maybe visit an orchid garden or bird rescue facility.

Let's talk money. I admit that I haven't looked into it but can anyone tell me generally how much return air fare would be from BA to IF?

YES. Go if you want to see one of the greatest natural wonders in the world. YES, stay at the Sheraton. YES, go to the Brazil side.YES, fly Lan (over Aerolineas), more likely to take off on time and more unlikely to crash in the Jungle!

>>> We live fairly near Niagara Falls which I've seen a million times. I know Iguazu is bigger but is that a reason to go? <<< This is like me saying I live in Los Angeles, why would I want to go thousands of miles to Buenos Aires to see another city where they speak Spanish.

goddesstogo: bring enough dollars to pay in cash pesos your flight to Iguazú, as well as the hotel.

Have a great time in our country.

av-

How can you pay for the flight in cash if you have to book it ahead?

I was planning to pay cash for the Sheraton since the credit card is just a hold. It will help defray some of the expense.

We will be in BA in November. I'm hoping you might have time to meet us for dinner; it would be fun to meet you. It's a long way off; we can discuss it later. I came on here tonight to check out BA hotels.

The moderators don't seem to realize that after we read/post in the Lounge, we look around at what else is here. I'm still steamed about the changes. I told them I wouldn't read their emailed newsletter anymore.

Of course, we've all read this:

Upon seeing Iguazu, the United States' First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt reportedly exclaimed "Poor Niagara!"

Goddess absolutely YES !!!
I love our Niagara Falls, but have to say that Iguazu
is a MUST .
We took the first flight out in the morning .
Stayed one night at the Sheraton (yes worth it)
and took the last flight back the next day .
It was long enough ..
Please do it !

Contact Isabel to make your flight reservations .
[email protected]

Tell her I said hello !

thanks, kodi. I'll take this with me and make the decision there.

goddesstogo, mowmow & other interested parties:

A few weeks ago, I started this thread:

http://www.fodors.com/community/sout...cash-pesos.cfm

I'm not a travel agent, so I could be wrong about this.

Foreigners are charged a very high price for local flights, no matter how far ahead they book them.

As said in that thread, "if you don’t mind carrying cash, travel in the low season, have a flexible schedule and saving money on local flights and/or buses is an important consideration for you, perhaps you should consider this alternative."

So, goddesstogo, go to LAN's office in BA (Cerrito 866 ?) first thing next Monday and ask about flights to Iguazú and particularly about payment in cash pesos.

Obviously, don't forget to report here how it works.

mowmow: I'll be pleased to meet you in November.

However, keep in mind that what we are discussing here may have completely changed by that time.

After our elections in October, or maybe even earlier, our government is almost certain to implement an exchange rate with several "tiers". One of them will be a "dólar turista". This will mean tourists will save less by paying in cash.

Have a great time in our country.

Off-topic note to <b>Dugi-Otok</b>:

You mentioned you were overseas during the Bruin coaching debacle. Alford was going to wait until you returned, but signed anyway. ("tower" on BZ)

IF was a highlight of my January 2012 trip to Argentina/Chile. Of course, the entire trip was the highlight of my trip!
We stayed at the Sheraton, which was well worth the cost in convenience. We also enjoyed the pool on our last day before flying out in the evening. We checked out in the am and used the spa locker room to change. A very chatty guy from Chile entertained us at the pool.....turns out he was Mario Sepulveda, one of the rescued Chilean miners, at the hotel as a motivational speaker to a small business group. Yes--I have a pic:)

The semicircular waterfall at the heart of this site is some 80 m high and 2,700 m in diameter and is situated on a basaltic line spanning the border between Argentina and Brazil. Made up of many cascades producing vast sprays of water, it is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the world. The surrounding subtropical rainforest has over 2,000 species of vascular plants and is home to the typical wildlife of the region . You should go .

_____________________________________

Goddestogo: any news about paying for local flights in pesos?

Have a great time in our country.

I did not spell your screen name properly above, goddesstogo!

My hearfelt apologies.

Hope you didn´t or don´t miss the falls, they are a must. No falls in the world compare to Iguazu Falls. No need to stay at the sheraton, there are many and very good hotels much cheaper in town. Great luck!!!

Well, at least these people are saying right in their screen names that they are TAs.

They are wasting their time, as far as goddesstogo is concerned, because she has already left Argentina.

I'm hoping for a great TR from her any time now.

Have a great time in our country.

Trip report to come asap -- I promise! And no, we didn't go to IF. We did have a fabulous time, though.