Hello,
Several years ago on a trip to Greece, with a lot of island hopping, a travel agent from Athens organized our trip. Much of his planning was transportation by ferry and flights from Athens to Crete. We were met at our destinations by a contact person and picked up when it was time to leave. This was all self-directed after setting an itinerary. Has anyone had any experience with a local travel agent in the countries of Brazil and Argentina? My wife and I are planning our first trip to Brazil and Argentina in March for 4 weeks. I would like to fly to Buenos Aires and fly back from Salvador, Brazil. I would like to spend 5 days in Buenos Aires, a week in a beach house in Brazil, 5 days in Rio and stops in between including Iguacu Falls, Curitiba, Florianopolis, and Salvador. Any information especially transportation would be appreciated. Thanks.

I suggest you research "Isabel" (a local independent travel agent, located in BA) using the search feature found in http://tinyurl.com/nw9f4 and draw your own conclusions.

One caveat: she works by herself and is SO busy, she may not be available.

Have a great time in my country.

For Brazil, I suggest doing your own planning. (But then I am one who likes doing that, considers it a fun part of the trip actually.) It can be considerably less expensive to do so for this already expensive country.

Just FYI, March weather in Florianopolis would be starting to not be so great for beaching, cooler, and personally, I can't see why anyone would want to waste precious travel time in boring Curitibs.
You can easily fly from BsAs to Puerto Iguazu for the falls. Crossing the border is by local bus, or taxi. There are direct flights from the airport in Foz do Iguacu to Rio.

You could fly direct from Rio to Salvador, or from Rio to Porto Seguro, explore there, and then comfortable (think business class air) overnight bus to Salvador. The Porto Seguro/Arraial D'Ajuda/Trancoso area may be a good place to try for a beach house. Or perhaps a bit north of Salvador in Guarajuba, a lovely beach and quiet village mostly of vacation homes for Brazilians, but close to lively Praia do Forte. Anywhere along the coast of Bahia is likely to be nice.

Airlines for domestic flights are GOL, TAM, Azul and Avianca.
Bus schedules, routes and fares can be found on www.buscaonibus.com
CVC is the major Braxilian travel agency, and sometimes has good package deals, but the site is in Portuguese. (Note: Do not expect to find English in a Braxil, even in the tourism sector.)
If you want hotel suggestions, post a price range.

I'd be happy to help with any other questions.

Thanks Avrooster and Samba Chula.
I'll check out the message boards and I'll get back to you Samba Chula on places to stay. The only reason I mentioned Curitiba is the contact person for the beach house is from there. Good information that I'll check out. I have always done my own planning with all our European trips because I've rented cars. Doesn't seem practical with this trip. Thanks again

At that time of year, I'd be looking for a beach house in the northeast, not further south, if you really want beach temperatures.

Thanks SambaChula. Good point.

I tried to rent this beach house in Pipa - unfortunately it was booked. We stayed elsewhere in Pipa and loved it.

http://www.serenapipa.com/